Next to the weather, vacation questions are in the small talk hall of fame. Each year, as summer approaches, more time is spent thinking, talking and planning for the perfect summer getaway. For most of us, the joy of some relaxation can make us all daydream. After all, most people choose to spend more time planning their vacations than their finances.

This makes sense because the greatest amount of happiness around vacations, peaks in the anticipation period. Looking forward to your travels boosts the pleasure factor positioning you for the highest return on that vacation.

With summer now in full swing, we love hearing about the tricks and tactics of how people are planning their vacations. In this episode, we've compiled 5 steps that draw parallels between your vacations and your financial planning. Taking these steps should deliver more enjoyable vacations.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• Examples of research strategies for planning vacations and financial planning.
• Why paying for vacation in advance can add more enjoyment and make it more memorable.
• Identifying goals and objectives makes for more successful vacations and financial planning.
• How and when a professional can be helpful and actually save cost and free up time.
• What's the all-in-cost? Considering what you may be missing can help identify blind spots.
• Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of those planning a family trip are expected to hit the roads this year.

Links Mentioned In the Show

• The Affordable, and Therefore Enjoyable, Vacation – Carl Richards
• What a Ski Vacation and Investing Have In Common
• Money Can Buy Happiness Ep 36
• Top Vacation Destinations Domestically and Internationally - AAA