I agree with the PP that recommended setting up a separate account at your bank where a set amount is auto-directed into that account monthly. If you don't touch the money, you can't spend it. DO NOT NOT NOT go through a travel agent. You will pay a premium for everything and be stuck working with the companies they get kickbacks from.

First and foremost -- YOU CAN DO THIS, you will have to make it a priority and be creative. You say you are good at paying bills on time, just treat this like another bill.

Spend time looking on VRBO.com to find places to stay. It will motivate you. On the island of Oahu, check out rentals in Kailua and on the island of Kauai (my fave -- completely gorgeous), look in towns like Princeville, Haena and elsewhere on the North Shore. You will save a TON of money renting your own HOUSE instead of a hotel room and you can cook your own meals and have oodles of space.

If you or your husband have any frequent flier miles, try to book at least one flight using the miles. If relatives have excess miles that they aren't using, maybe they could let u use theirs.

I'm not sure how old your kids are, but consider making the plan as a family and discussing making sacrifices to get there (cutting back on Christmas spending, dinners out, new clothes, putting the money Grandma sends them for their birthday into the Hawaii account). Years ago, my husband and I decided to stop buying Xmas and birthday gifts for each other because we love to travel. When we are tempted to buy something, I actually think, "gee, that amount of money is a couple of nights renting a house or that's half a plane ticket" and I reconsider. Maybe telling yourself something like that would help.

Good luck and ALOHA.

Not sure why it has to be so complicated, buy the tickets and make hotel or condo reservations now, put it on a credit card that give you frequent flier miles and pay it down like a normal person.
FWIW Maui and the Big Island are BOTH great, Kona area would be my rec for Big Island, somewhere near Makena if Maui, or Ka'napali beach. Kihei reasonable rates and is central and has stores etc., nothing is too far away on Maui. You can rent a condo for the week via VRBO for less than $200 a night. rent a car and get a copy of the Revealed guide series. You do not have to do a high end resort to have a fantastic time.
Another tip if you know people out West you can visit California for a day or two to break up the long flight.

I don't understand why everyone is down on the OP. she's NOT borrowing, she's paying in advance. It's JUST LIKE a savings acct only the money goes directly to the travel agent rather than into a savings account. It's like layaway for vacations, and I think it's a great idea.

That said OP, I'm sorry I don't have any recs for you!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://frugalliving.about.com/od/moneymanagement/tp/Simple_Saving.htm

Try tip #1 -- open up a "Hawaii account" and setup an auto-draft payment into it once a month.

Agree to this. Even better, don't put the draft account in your name, and don't get a bank card for it (ie, if the account is in your husband's name and the only way to withdraw cash is to go in person to the bank, he will need to be there with you to get it).

This really is the best way, if it's a major hassle to get at the money you have think twice before spending it. Plus if you REALLY need it (like your furnace dies) you suddenly have a source of emergency funds

I'm like you, OP. There's no way I'd be able to save money for a trip without touching it. Going to Disney this month and am now cramming $5k worth of expenses in one month because I didn't stick to a savings plan.

I like your idea of paying a reputable travel agency monthly payments. Another way to do it is to pay off stuff as you go. For instance, if you know the flights you want, pay for them. When you book your hotel, pay in full. That way, when the time comes you've paid off all major stuff.

Anonymous wrote:http://frugalliving.about.com/od/moneymanagement/tp/Simple_Saving.htm

Try tip #1 -- open up a "Hawaii account" and setup an auto-draft payment into it once a month.

Agree to this. Even better, don't put the draft account in your name, and don't get a bank card for it (ie, if the account is in your husband's name and the only way to withdraw cash is to go in person to the bank, he will need to be there with you to get it).

I would just open a new account with an internet bank and have them auto-draw a certain amount every month.

If you really need some add'l external motivation you might consider using stickk. http://www.stickk.com/tour.php

http://frugalliving.about.com/od/moneymanagement/tp/Simple_Saving.htm

Try tip #1 -- open up a "Hawaii account" and setup an auto-draft payment into it once a month.

Anonymous wrote:Just pretend your "vacation payment" is due on _____ day every month and put it aside and forget it. Your a grown adult with 4 children it's prob time to learn how to save....by the way there is no payment plan for retirement.

We have retirement accounts and college funds with major tax penalties if we take it out early--so I'm not tempted to take money out of those. Money in a regular savings account or an envelope under my mattress or whatever, there's not "penalty" for taking it out early--too tempting!

Anonymous wrote:Don't do it. You borrow for houses and maybe cars. Vacations you save up for and then go.

Well, that's exactly what I'm trying to avoid doing--"borrowing for a vacation" by putting it on credit card or something. I want to pay for it in advance--basically I just need someone (travel agent, organization, etc.) that I am paying--instead of putting it under my mattress or in a bank account or something. If I put the money somewhere I have access, I don't have the willpower not to take it out.

Just pretend your "vacation payment" is due on _____ day every month and put it aside and forget it. Your a grown adult with 4 children it's prob time to learn how to save....by the way there is no payment plan for retirement.

Don't do it. You borrow for houses and maybe cars. Vacations you save up for and then go.

I REALLY want to take my family (2 adults, 4 older children) to Hawaii. Unfortunately, I don't have a large lump sum to do that with right now--I'd have to save up.


I SUCK at saving money for goals. I always end up "dipping into it" for random things, and I just know I won't be able to save enough. I AM very good about paying my bills, in full and on time.

For a previous expensive vacation (Disney) I have done the thing through Disney where you can reserve, put a down payment, then make monthly payments 'till it was paid off (usually payment in full due about a month or so before the trip). That worked out really well for me.

Does anyone know of any (reputable) travel agencies or websites that do this for vacations to Hawaii? I'm not very familiar with using travel agents in general, I usually just make my own reservations and plans on trips we take.

Thanks.