For six years, Leslie and her now-husband dreamed of going on an African safari in Tanzania. That made the choice of their honeymoon destination obvious, but the budget more of a challenge.
The couple started with a basic nonnegotiable: They would not take on credit card debt to fund the lifetime adventure or their marriage celebration. So following their engagement, they strategized a debt-free wedding and honeymoon with careful planning and useful tools in an Ally Bank Savings Account.
How they pulled off a debt-free honeymoon
As the couple planned, they created separate savings buckets for their honeymoon and budget-friendly wedding. This helped them stay organized and visualize their progress for each milestone event. Leslie, a diligent budgeter, found Ally Bank’s savings buckets helpful in tracking movement toward both financial goals.
A dazzle of zebras walking down a dirt road in a Tanzanian animal reserve. Photo by Leslie P.
Read more: Saving for a big event? See how Ally Bank’s savings buckets can help.
The couple’s top choice for a honeymoon destination was an African safari in Tanzania. They knew, however, that their lifelong dream would require more money and planning beforehand and leave less room for unexpected expenses.
Two cheetahs standing watch in a Tanzanian animal reserve. Photo by Leslie P.
“We had a good idea of how much our honeymoon was going to cost early on since it required a signed contract that included food and activities throughout,” Leslie said. “We knew there weren’t going to be a ton of surprise expenses on the honeymoon itself since so much had been paid in advance, and that was helpful in giving us a savings target to aim for.”
To hit their target, they kindly asked their wedding guests to contribute to a honeymoon fund rather than give physical gifts. As their fund and savings grew, they used Ally Bank’s savings buckets to stay organized and track their progress.
4 tips for a debt-free honeymoon
Leslie has advice for other newly married couples looking to pay for a honeymoon without racking up credit card debt.
1. Do “people research”
Leslie calls talking to as many people as possible — including family, friends, colleagues and online forums like Reddit — “people research.” Gathering insights from trusted sources and those who have taken similar vacations can give you a better idea of the financial commitment a specific trip requires.
2. Budget 15-20% more than you think
Leslie recommends allocating more money than you think you’ll need to your honeymoon fund. Having a financial cushion for spontaneous activities like souvenir shopping can take some of the pressure off when making unexpected purchases.
3. Be as detailed as possible
To avoid surprise expenses, plan for as much as possible before the trip. Create itineraries that outline the cost of accommodations, restaurants and activities. Doing so in advance can help the actual vacation be less stressful.
“If you’re going to worry about money and spending, do it before the trip,” Leslie said. “You don’t want any part of your honeymoon to be disrupted by something you could've planned for.”
4. Ask about discounts
Accommodations and activities might have referral or honeymoon discounts, so ask ahead of time about any available deals. By doing “people research” and asking about a referral discount, Leslie landed 15% off their honeymoon package.
The couple’s future goals
The wedding and honeymoon are over… now what?
Three elephants at a watering hole in a Tanzanian animal reserve. Photo by Leslie P.
Since returning from Africa, Leslie and her husband have opened a joint Ally Bank Savings Account to continue saving for their future, which they say includes buying their first home and starting a family. They’re currently debating between purchasing a “forever” home or an investment home they could turn into a rental. Once that’s in order, they plan to start looking into saving options for their future children's education expenses, including a 529 plan.
“We’ve set the amount we want to save for and created a timeline, so that we can track our progress,” Leslie said. “And now that we have a joint Ally Bank account, we can hold each other even more accountable.”
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