If you\u2019re anything like us, you probably spend half your workday dreaming about your next vacation \u2014 picturing turquoise water, that first airport coffee, or the feeling of landing somewhere completely new. But here\u2019s the thing: you don\u2019t have to quit your job or become a digital nomad to travel often.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We both work full time here in Vancouver, living the typical West Coast lifestyle \u2014 balancing jobs, commutes, and the cost of living in one of Canada\u2019s most expensive cities. Yet, every year, we still make it a priority to travel twice<\/em>. One shorter trip, usually about a week, and one longer two-week \u201cepic\u201d trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n People always ask, \u201cHow do you do it?\u201d<\/em> The truth is, it\u2019s not about luck or massive paycheques. It\u2019s about planning, prioritizing, and using every tool at your disposal to make travel affordable and achievable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, let\u2019s get into how we make it happen \u2014 from saving strategies to maximizing credit card and work rewards \u2014 all while holding down full-time jobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first step is changing how you think about travel. For us, travel isn\u2019t an impulsive splurge or something we \u201cmight do if there\u2019s extra money.\u201d It\u2019s built right into our lifestyle and budget \u2014 just like groceries, rent, or car insurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We made the decision a few years ago that travel matters<\/em>. It keeps us inspired, gives us something to look forward to, and helps us reconnect away from work. Once you shift that mindset, you start planning differently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead of saying, \u201cCan we afford to go?\u201d we ask, \u201cHow can we make this work?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s what works for us:<\/p>\n\n\n\n We automatically save\u00a0$384 per paycheque as a couple\u00a0\u2014 that\u2019s\u00a0$192 each. It goes straight into a separate travel savings account, not mixed in with regular bills or daily expenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This approach adds up surprisingly fast. With biweekly pay periods, that\u2019s about\u00a0$10,000 per year, which covers two international trips for us:<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you think of it that way, $192 every two weeks feels doable \u2014 it\u2019s about the cost of one nice dinner out or a few takeout orders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip:<\/strong>\u00a0Set up automatic transfers on payday so you never \u201csee\u201d the money in your main account. You\u2019ll be amazed how quickly it grows. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip 2: <\/strong>Sign up for our newsletter to get our budget templates sent directly to your inbox.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Most companies offer some form of employee rewards or incentive programs \u2014 you just have to use them wisely. In our case, our workplace uses\u00a0Achievers, a points-based platform where you earn rewards for milestones, recognition, or performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many people redeem points for small items or gift cards, but we always go for\u00a0the big travel wins. Whenever possible, we cash our points out as either:<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s amazing how fast those points add up if you consistently participate in company programs. Even if it only saves a few hundred dollars a year, that\u2019s still extra spending money once you land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your company has similar rewards, use them intentionally. Treat them like mini travel bonuses instead of random treats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This one takes a bit of strategy \u2014 and a touch of fairness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here in Canada, we\u2019re lucky to have several\u00a0stat holidays\u00a0scattered throughout the year. When you combine those with your\u00a0three weeks of vacation, you can stretch your time off significantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s how we do it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n We usually reserve one of our trips (the shorter one) around a stat or shoulder season, and our longer trip toward the end of the year once we\u2019ve built up time and savings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Example:\u00a0Last year, we used one week of vacation around the September long weekend and spent nine days in Hawaii. Later that year, we took our full two-week vacation for Japan in spring \u2014 both completely within a standard 3-week allocation.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re in Canada, you know travel points can be your best friend. We\u2019ve tried a few cards, but our two favourites are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n By using these cards for regular purchases (groceries, gas, utilities, etc.), you can rack up thousands of points each year without overspending. The key is to\u00a0pay it off in full\u00a0every month. That way, you get all the rewards with none of the interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Both cards also come with\u00a0travel perks that make a real difference:<\/p>\n\n\n\n We often use Aeroplan points for flights, especially to places like Hawaii, California, or short-haul trips to the U.S. West Coast. Every few months, we\u2019ll log in, check our points, and plan around the best redemption options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Amazon Pick:<\/strong>\u00a0VADOO Sling Bag – Anti-Theft Crossbody<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 Perfect for keeping your essentials safe while exploring busy destinations like New York or Tokyo.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Budgeting doesn\u2019t have to feel restrictive. For us, it\u2019s about\u00a0balance\u00a0\u2014 enjoying our life in Vancouver while still building toward travel goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s our approach:<\/p>\n\n\n\n To make this more tangible, we even label our travel savings account something fun like \u201cNext Adventure Fund.\u201d Seeing it grow keeps us motivated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We also track expenses in a simple spreadsheet \u2014 not down to every penny, but enough to know what\u2019s going where. The goal is progress, not perfection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Living on the West Coast gives us a big advantage for certain destinations. From Vancouver, we can easily reach places like Hawaii, Mexico, or Japan with relatively short flights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We try to\u00a0book early\u00a0for big trips and keep an eye on deals through Google Flights and airline sales. Flexibility is key \u2014 flying midweek or during shoulder seasons can save hundreds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We also love\u00a0redeeming points\u00a0for flights when we can. Sometimes we\u2019ll use Aeroplan for one direction and pay for the other to stretch our rewards further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1. Set the Intention: Travel Is a Priority, Not a Luxury<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
2. Saving for Travel Without Feeling Like You\u2019re Sacrificing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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3. Using Work Perks to Your Advantage<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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4. Make the Most of Stat Holidays (Without Being That Co-worker)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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5. The Power of Credit Card Rewards<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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6. Creating a Thoughtful Budget That Works<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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7. Be Smart With Flights and Timing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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