There are a lot of financial advice articles that would have you believe you can save enough money to travel the world simply by forgoing your daily espresso drink. I’m not so sure.

By my calculation, even if you break a serious once-a-day venti latte habit for 12 months, you’ll still only save enough for about an airline ticket or two. If you’re a family of four, you’ll have to save a lot more than that.

My husband and I are taking our kids to the Galapagos Islands next year. The trip is way outside of our budget, but we’re going anyway. You can do the same. Here are five ways you can save for a really big trip.

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Depending on where you live, your child will likely get about two weeks off of school for winter vacation. While your average 8-year-old would argue that it’s not very long, it can be an eternity if the weather is nasty and you don’t have enough plans.

Here are a few things you can do to pass the time if you’re not traveling.

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Family ski vacations can be a really good time, but the cost can make you dizzy sometimes. For what you can spend on accommodations, lift tickets, lessons, equipment rental, gear and meals, you could easily get a nice used car.

Booking early and going off-peak can help lower costs. So can skiing close to home. Better yet, book an extended stay at one of these Homewood Suites and shave a little off your dining budget as well.

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Packing lighter not only will help you save you time at the airport, but it can significantly reduce the amount of money you spend on your next trip. Unfortunately, most airlines now charge you to check in your luggage, and it is important to be aware that the largest allowed size for carry-on bags is 22×14×19 inches.

With careful planning and strategic packing, however, you can maximize your suitcase and shave approximately $50 off on your next round trip flight with a few smart packing strategies.

Here are a few quick tips for lightening your load on your next flight:

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