How I Plan to Save for Our Trip to Brazil

Note: The original title of this blog series is How I Saved for Our Trip to Brazil in 27 Weeks.  Since at the time of posting, we are in the 6th week in our savings plan, I changed the title so as not to be confused that we have completed the 27-week plan.

It started with a spur-of-the-moment utterance from the husband, Punta tayo sa Brazil! (Let's go to Brazil?).  It was the 3rd and last day of our Quarterly International Thanksgiving in April 2015.  It was the second time in the history of the Church that Brazil was the host country.  The first was in April 2013.  A lot of our brothers and sisters from all over the world, not only Filipinos but other nationalities as well including those in different countries in South America were there.  I also felt the desire of going there the next time Brazil hosts the International Thanksgiving, which I expected to be in the same month in 2016.

That spur-of-the-moment only sank in to my senses a few days after.  This time, I finally decided to plan and take serious action with the husband to make it a reality.  We have about 12 months to prepare for it, with God's help (Note: 12 months was shortened as will be discussed in the upcoming posts).  Where to get the fare and pocket money, that I still don't know.  What I'm sure of is I want it!  Suddenly, I remembered that April 7, 2015 is the date of the last amortization payment for my baby Miggy.  Thank God, finally after 5 years!  It is no coincidence that our monthly budget allocation for Miggy will be freed up in the following month.  And it's a significant amount!  I was really excited even with the mere thought of the perfect timing.

In no time, I came up with this:

• Round trip airfare quotation I got from ERC Travel Services last year was 70k PhP, excluding airport fees.  So I estimated 150k PhP for 2 pax.
• I want at least a month vacation.  The airfare is no joke so we might as well visit Brazil's neighboring countries.  For the sake of calculation, I pegged at least 100k PhP budget for pocket money and other incidental expenses.

In my next post, I'll share the first part of my game plan to save this amount of money without resorting to loans or swiping plastic cards.  All the articles in this pre-travel game plan series are already written and will be posted one per day, God willing.  So stay tuned, folks!