Save Money, Stay in Budget, and Enjoy an Affordable Weekend Getaway with Pool

Weekend getaways are good for you. Whether you want to escape stress, feel more creative, or refresh your mental health, a quick trip can do the trick. But, you need the right tool to save and budget for it. Otherwise, you end up experiencing the very stress you want to avoid and a scary credit card bill when you get back.

Whether you're taking a spontaneous trip soon or planning something later this year, you need a dedicated place to save your money and an easy way to stay within budget while you're gone. You can do both with Pool.

Keep reading to see why Pool is exactly what you need for your next weekend getaway — whether you're traveling solo or with company.

Contents:

• How to plan a weekend trip on a budget
• How to use Pool to manage weekend getaway money
• What is Pool?
• 2 ways to simplify weekend getaway money with Pool
• How can I save money on a weekend trip?
• How to set up a weekend getaway fund with Pool
• 3 reasons why weekend getaways are good for mental health

How to plan a weekend trip on a budget

Taking a weekend break doesn't have to break the bank. You can plan an affordable trip with these tips.

1. Research

Some people thrive on spontaneity. But even if you like to play it by ear, do some preliminary research before you embark. With a little investigation and planning, you can avoid financial trouble and additional stress.

2. Create a budget

It's easy to skip this part. Do you really need to save and budget for a weekend getaway? Yes. Budgets protect overall finances so you always have enough for essential expenses at home. And while they might narrow down your options, they ultimately stave off decision fatigue.

Finally, when you have a limited amount of money to spend, you're less likely to squander it — every dollar counts. So, once you figure out your budget, you can stow away your weekend getaway funds in a Pool.

3. Pick your location

You probably don't want to spend the majority of your weekend in the car or at the airport. To define your ideal location, consider the following questions:

• How far do you want to drive? How long would you like to stay there?
• What do you want to do? Visit historical monuments, relax at a spa, hike, or get a massage? What's the nearest location to provide that?
• What else interests you at that location?

If you'd rather not travel but still want to feel like you're getting away, be a tourist in your own city. This is a clever way to save on gas but splurge on a nice hotel room, special dinners, or VIP treatment — all in your own neck of the woods.

4. Pick your travel dates

• Save money by avoiding traveling on holiday weekends or school holidays.
• Consider traveling during the off-season for easier commuting and better prices. A chalet suite at Lake Tahoe is more affordable in August than in December, and it's just as beautiful.

5. Pick your accommodations

People usually don't plan weekend getaways far in advance. But generally speaking, the earlier you book, the better the deals are.

• Check out Expedia, Kayak, Airbnb, Vrbo, etc.
• Contact the hotel directly — they might be able to offer you a great deal, too.

6. Choose your activities

Spend your getaway doing things that rejuvenate, refresh, and relax you. Here's some inspiration:

• Rent bikes or kayaks and see the area from a different perspective
• Visit zoos, botanical gardens, museums, etc.
• Consider self-guided walking tours of the city
• Check for special offers on Groupon

7. Get as much local information as possible

Consider these questions before your trip — when you do, you'll feel more like a local and less like a newcomer, and have an easier time staying within budget.

• Are there major events or festivals happening that weekend? How will these events impact hotel prices, parking availability, and traffic?
• Are your accommodations close to what you want to do?
• How will you get around once you're there? Will you walk, drive, bike, or take public transport? How much will parking cost?
• How much will highway tolls and gas cost?
• Can you take advantage of special offers at museums or other attractions?
• How often will you dine out and where? Will you cook at your hotel or Airbnb? If so, where do you plan to buy groceries?
• Do you plan to go on a shopping spree? What's your shopping budget?

How to use Pool to manage weekend getaway money

A weekend getaway might be short, but there's a lot to pay for: accommodations, transportation, eating out, activities, and maybe one or two shopping sprees.

To manage this, you might set aside money in your bank account. But if you've ever tried to save money that way, you know how easy it is to accidentally dip into funds you need for other essentials, like rent, groceries, etc. Avoid these financial hiccups with Pool.

What is Pool?

A Pool is a dedicated place where you can save, manage, and spend your weekend getaway money alone or with others. It's free to set up and easy to add money to your Pool.

Keeping your weekend getaway money in the Pool means it never mixes with your other accounts. And when you're away, you can spend funds directly from the Pool with the Pool debit card that comes with it. Because Pool is collaborative, your travel companions can manage trip money and split costs with you.

2 ways to simplify weekend getaway money with Pool

1. Pool money for each of the expenses in your budget

As you plan out your weekend trip, you'll have to save for different expenses like accommodations, transportation, eating out, etc. One way to save successfully — and never accidentally spend your weekend budget — is to start a Pool for each category.

You and your travel companions can add money to these Pools over time and watch the balance grow. Then, on the trip, you can spend directly from these Pools with the Pool debit card.

2. Split the costs with other people

Pool is the simplest way to keep travel companions on the same financial page. For example, if you're all splitting the cost of an Airbnb, car rental, or gas, everyone can pitch into the Pool. That way, no one has to pay for everything and get reimbursed later. Or, if you run out of gas money, everyone can add money into the Pool — and no one has to spend more than anyone else.

How can I save money on a weekend trip?

When you're on a weekend getaway, it's easy to overspend because YOLO takes over. But Pool anchors you and helps you stick to your budget — even when you're bombarded with great deals and limited-time offers.

With Pool, you can spend what's in your Pool and only what's in your Pool. That keeps your other money safe. And when you come back from your weekend getaway, there won't be any credit card statements or sinking checking accounts to surprise you.

How to set up a weekend getaway fund with Pool

Your favorite outfits go in your weekender tote bag, and your weekend money goes in your Pool. Here's how to set yours up.

1. Start a Pool

Sign up at Poolmoney.com and start your Pools in just a few minutes. As a Pool admin, you can add money via bank transfer or debit card without paying any fees. Once you have your Pool account, personalize it by naming your Pool, adding a photo, and choosing a color theme. Then all you have to do is invite people via email so they can pitch into the weekend getaway fund.

2. Invite people to join the Pool

If other people join you on your weekend getaway, they can join your Pool too. Pools have no member limit, so send them an invitation. Once they sign up at Poolmoney.com, they can join the Pool. As Pool members, they can view Pool transactions, invite other people to the Pool, spend Pool money with the Pool debit card, and more.

3. Collect money

Pool is an excellent place for your getaway money. Contributions stay in the Pool and never mix with your checking or savings accounts. And because you always know your exact balance, it's easier to stay within budget. You also never have to worry about maintenance fees or monthly fees — your Pool is free.

4. Pay for weekend expenses directly from the Pool

Whether you're paying for an Airbnb, dinner and drinks, museum passes, or bike rentals, you can pay for everything directly from the Pool with the debit card that comes with it. Other Pool members can spend with the Pool card, too — simply assign them spending permissions on Poolmoney.com.

3 reasons why weekend getaways are good for mental health

Still on the fence about taking a weekend getaway? While they're a brief escape, research shows they can positively change how you think and feel.

1. Reduce stress

According to OECD data, Americans work an average of 1,976 hours per year — more than 500 hours more than German workers, 300 more than UK workers, and 420 more than French workers. All this work is a major source of stress for U.S. adults. Stepping away from a demanding work environment and taking a short-stay vacation can meaningfully reduce stress levels.

2. Increase your creativity and productivity

Researcher Adam Galinsky has authored multiple studies that explore the connection between creativity and travel. His work shows that visiting new places and immersing yourself in local environments increases both cognitive flexibility and creativity.

Another persuasive piece of research from the Boston Consulting Group shows that getting out of dodge can help you get out of a rut — taking time off makes you significantly more productive when you return to work.

3. Feel happier

A study published in Nature found that when people see change and variety in their day-to-day life, they feel happier. What better way to shake things up than to head out of town for the weekend?

Further research shows that women who take at least two vacations a year are less likely to feel depressed compared to women who don't.

Are you ready to feel happier, more creative, and less stressed? Plan your next weekend getaway with Pool.

Whether you fancy a staycation in your hometown or a 2-day escape, unplug and unwind knowing that your weekend money is safe and organized in your dedicated Pools.