25 Ways to Organize Your Finances and Afford Travel in 2019

Most people wish they could plan the bucket list trips they've always dreamed about, but there's one thing standing in their way-money. If you want to be able to afford the travel your heart desires, now is the time to get your finances in the best shape you can. Consider these 25 tips that can help you save money for your dream trip in 2019.

According to NerdWallet, the average household with credit card debt carried $6,929 in debt on their cards in 2018. This problem is also compounded by the fact that the average credit card APR is now over 17%. Hatching a plan to pay down debt should be one of your top priorities since having fewer bills can help you save more money for travel.

A written monthly budget can be a valuable tool if you want to save more money for travel this year. Budgets force you to allocate all your earnings toward the expenses that matter most-and they can also show you where you may be wasting the most money each month.

If saving for travel hasn't been a priority, try opening a separate savings account just for vacations and trips. By keeping your travel funds separate, you may prevent yourself from spending the money elsewhere. Plus, it's fun to watch your travel budget grow over time.

Too many people spend way too much money dining out without even realizing it. If you can cook from scratch at home at least part of the time, you'll be in a better position to save more money for travel each month. Dining out is more fun when you're on vacation anyway.

Are you overspending on cable television each month? Cancel your package and sign up for Netflix or Hulu instead. You can save the $100+ per month you were paying for a dream trip to Tahiti or Fiji instead of just watching travel shows on television.

Airline miles make it easy to save on travel since you can redeem them for free flights, seat upgrades and more. You don't even need an airline credit card to earn miles, either. You can rack them up with airline dining programs, shopping portals and an array of special promotions.

If you are debt-free and plan to stay that way and don't mind picking up a travel credit card, consider getting a card that offers flexible travel credit. The Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard doles out 2x points for each dollar you spend and a big signup bonus. On the redemption side of the equation, you can cash in your points for any type of travel at a rate of one cent per point.

If money is tight and you are already living frugally, you may need to earn some more money if you want to be able to afford to travel. Fortunately, there are an array of side hustles to choose from. Consider driving for Uber or Lyft, running errands through TaskRabbit.com or delivering for Instacart.

If you're not paying attention, it's easy for pricey hobbies to drain your budget dry. Figure out how much money you're spending each month on sporting events, any hobbies you're involved with and nights out with friends. Your busy social life may be what is preventing you from planning that trip to Maui you've always dreamed of.

If you do opt to set up a savings account for travel, automating your deposits can help you stay on track-and earn a higher rate of return. CIT Bank even offers a Savings Builder account with up to 2.25% APY if you deposit at least $100 per month.

Your net worth is the ultimate measure of your financial health since it considers your assets and your liabilities. Track your net worth using free software like Personal Capital and watch your wealth grow in real time while saving for your next big trip.

Are student loan payments standing in the way of your dream trip to the Amalfi Coast next year? Create a plan to pay down your loans faster so they won't linger around forever. Once they're gone, you can funnel your payments toward a travel fund instead.

Whether you dream of a beach vacation to Hawaii or a cultural immersion in China, buying new stuff can wreck your budget. Try shopping second-hand when you need to buy something and over time you'll see your savings grow. Amounts you save can be stashed away for a rainy day.

If you have great credit, you may even want to consider refinancing your student loans with a private lender to save money with a lower interest rate or lower monthly payment. Keep in mind, however, that refinancing federal loans with a private lender means giving up consumer protections like forbearance, deferment and income-driven repayment plans.

If credit card debt is standing between you and your travel dreams, you need to pay more than the minimum payment each month. Try paying as much as you can for a while without using credit for purchases. Not only will you reduce your debts but you'll also save money on interest payments.

Some experts say that vision boards can help you stay focused on your goals since they serve as a constant reminder of what you really want. Create a board with pictures of all the amazing destinations you want to visit then hang it on the refrigerator or somewhere you'll see it often.

A spending freeze takes place when you don't spend money on anything other than the absolute necessities. These freezes can last a few weeks or a few months depending on just how much you want to book that cruise or all-inclusive resort. Either way, they can help you reboot your finances and save some money in a short amount of time.

Poor credit can make it difficult to get approved for loans with the best interest rates and terms, and it can make it impossible to pick up the best travel credit cards. If you can improve your credit, you'll save money each time you borrow and have more options in life.

One way to improve your financial situation quickly is by asking for a raise at your current position. Even if you don't have many vacation days to burn each year, earning a higher salary for your work will allow you to make the most of the days you do have.

If you work all the time but you can't figure out where your money is going, it may be time to track your spending for a while. Get your bank and credit card statements out to see how much you're spending each month in categories like entertainment and dining out. If you can figure out where your money is being wasted, you can allocate that cash to travel instead.

Whether you're saving for a bucket list trip to the Maldives or the Gulf Coast of Florida, small sums of money saved consistently can add up over time. Start a change jar and add all your spare change every day and you could have enough money for a trip in no time.

Clutter you don't care about could hold the key to you being able to afford a vacation this year. Go through your house and figure out what you don't want or need, then sell it on craigslist.org or on Facebook groups. Use the money you earn to save for your next trip.

If you're big on splurging on yourself, you may need to cut back for a while to afford the vacation you want. Fire the housekeeper, do your own nails or detail your own car and stash the money you would have spent in your travel savings account.

Car payments can absolutely ruin your travel goals if you insist on upgrading your car every few years. Try paying your car off this year and breaking the cycle, then take the amount of your car payment and save it for a dream trip each month.

Finally, don't forget the most important financial tip of all time-learn to live within your means. Spend less than you earn and save the rest and you should have plenty of money to spend on travel, your hobbies, and other goals.