Planning to take a vacation this year? While the answer may be “yes” for many of us, over half of Americans haven’t included this in their budget. And with most vacationers spending an average of 10% of their annual income on this holiday excursion, that’s a significant, unplanned expense.
So, can you plan your getaways, save money on purchases AND still have fun? Take a look…
Set aside money early.
This is key. Build your vacation(s) into your annual budget. Not sure how much to save every month for the big getaway? Look at how much you spent last year on transportation, accommodations, entertainment, eating out, etc., total it up and divide
that number by 12. That’s how much you should save each month in order to holiday debt free. (Trust us, you and your wallet will thank you later.)
Be flexible.
If you’re open to new destinations and types of vacationing (versus restricting yourself to the same old hotel in Maui every year), then you’re more likely to save some money on your bookings.
Want an even better deal? Our My WaFd Wins benefits include savings on a variety of getaways. Maximize your time in Southeast Asia on a cruise with Norwegian Cruise Lines. Looking to stick a little closer to home? My WaFd Wins includes a variety of discounts and deals on domestic destinations too, like the renowned MGM Grand in Vegas.
These discounts and more are included with our Green Checking accounts. Click here to find out more. Finding, managing and booking deals is easy and can be done online or via the My WaFd Wins app – no
coupon clipping required! 
Think off-season.
If your schedule allows, aim to avoid summer, spring break and holiday travel times. If that’s not an option, then try looking for mid-week flights, which can be significantly cheaper than flying on Thursday or Sunday. For example, Europe still
has beautiful weather in September, but much cheaper flights and less crowded streets than June or July.
Book your rental car early.
We love a good deal, especially on something as unexciting to pay for as a rental car. If you’re a Green Checking holder, then we’re here to help you save. Alamo, Avis, Budget, enterprise, Hertz, and National offer discounts and deals via
the My WaFd Wins portal. Just visit MyWaFdWins.com or the My WaFd Wins app to find deals.
Stay local.
You don’t need to go far to find fun. When’s the last time you played tourist in your own city? Pacific Northwesterns can save on admissions to the Woodland Park Zoo, Pacific Science Center, Seattle Aquarium, Seattle Art Museum, and more.
For moviegoers, the savings offered through Green Checking may be especially enticing. Many major theater chains, like Regal Cinemas, offer steep discounts for pre-purchased tickets, which can be redeemed for a show later.
One Green Checking user explains, “As a single parent, I have to budget and look for ways to save. We always used to go to the matinee show; viewings that started before noon are about $5. But now we can buy movie tickets for $5.99 and go at ANY time! I can’t remember the last time we went to a movie theater on a Saturday night.”
Ready to start saving?
If you’re already a Green Checking user , then use your activation code to access your benefits at MyWaFdWins.com.
Can’t find your activation code? Just let us know! Contact your local branch or call us 1-800-324-9375 or email info@wafd.com.
If you’re not yet a Green Checking user, then contact your local branch or call us at 1-800-324-9375.
For product disclosures and more information about My WaFd Wins benefits, please visit our My WaFd Wins page. My WaFd Wins is not insured by FDIC or any Federal Government Agency; not a deposit of or guaranteed by the bank or any bank affiliate. Registration/enrollment required at MyWaFdWins.com.
Green Checking requires $100 deposit to open and costs $6 a month. Visit our Checking page for more information on account requirements.