(Because “someday” is not a strategy… and your studio shouldn’t be the reason you die with unused PTO.)

Let me ask you a question that might sting a little:

How many times have you said, “One day I’m going to…”

• go to Alaska
• see the Canadian Rockies
• walk the streets of Paris
• drink wine in Tuscany
• take a safari
• do literally anything that doesn’t involve ordering glaze refills and reminding someone to clock out?

If you’re a studio owner, entrepreneur, or woman building a real business…

You already know the truth:

“Someday” usually means “not until I’m exhausted, burned out, and my business finally gives me permission.”

And spoiler:
Your business isn’t going to wake up one morning and say,

“Good news! We’ve decided to stop being chaotic. Please go live your dreams now.”

You have to build that.

The good news?

You can.

And I’m living proof.

I spent my summer in Alaska and the Canadian Rockies, two bucket list trips that would’ve been “someday” forever… if I hadn’t used a simple plan to turn dream travel into scheduled reality.

This isn’t about being rich.
It’s about being intentional.

Because life is too short for low returns on big energy.

And if you’re pouring energy into your business, your business should be supporting you, not trapping you.

Why most people never take the trip

Here’s the real reason bucket list trips don’t happen:

It’s not because people don’t want them.

It’s because they treat them like a wish instead of a project.

They think:

• “I’ll go when things slow down.”
• “I’ll go when I have extra money.”
• “I’ll go after the busy season.”

Which is adorable… and also a lie.

Because studio ownership doesn’t have “extra money” unless you design it.
And it definitely doesn’t have “slow seasons” unless you plan for them.

So the solution isn’t motivation.

The solution is a system.

The 3-Step Plan That Turns Dreams Into Plane Tickets

In the full article, I lay out a simple step-by-step strategy that makes travel feel inevitable, not optional.

Here’s the teaser:

✅ Step 1: Financial Mapping (aka: stop pretending it’ll magically appear)

You create a dedicated bucket list savings account separate from your emergency fund.

Not “I’ll just keep it in my checking account.”

Because if it’s in checking…
it’s not travel money.

It’s:

• “someone forgot to order bisque” money
• “the POS system broke” money
• “we need 12 more paint colors for fall” money

The game plan:
Auto-transfer 5–10% of every paycheck or business draw into that bucket list account.

And yes, use a high-yield savings account so the money earns interest while you plan.

(Your money should be working even when you’re not.)

✅ Step 2: Strategic Cost Breakdown (aka: stop underestimating by 30%)

Most travelers underestimate costs by about 30%.

And then they end up in a hotel room eating granola bars, whispering:

“This is… fine.”

Not the vibe.

Instead, you research the full cost:

• flights
• accommodations
• daily spending
• activities
• transportation
• sneaky expenses (because there are always sneaky expenses)

Then you build a spreadsheet that tells you exactly:

• how much you need
• how long it’ll take
• and what the monthly savings target is

This is the moment travel stops being a fantasy and becomes math.

And math is undefeated.

✅ Step 3: Accelerated Funding (aka: you don’t need more time, you need more speed)

Saving is great.

But optimizing is better.

In the full article, I show you:

• how to pick up side gigs only for travel
• how to sell unused items
• how to freelance or leverage existing skills (photography, consulting, design, etc.)
• how to stack extra money fast

Because every extra $100 isn’t “nice.”

It’s closer to the departure gate.

⭐ Bonus: Travel rewards (aka: let your credit card fund the fun)

This part is ridiculously underused.

Some travel cards offer:
✅ 50,000 to 100,000 points in signup bonuses
…which can translate into flights, hotel stays, or travel credits.

If you already run a business and spend money anyway…

You might as well make it pay you back in plane tickets.

Why PYOP Accounting cares about this

Because we don’t just want your studio to survive.

We want it to become:

• a legitimate source of income
• a real investment
• a path to retirement
• and the vehicle that lets you live life on your terms

Your business’s job is to support you… as you support it.

And if your studio can’t help you take a bucket list trip?

That’s not freedom.
That’s a job with glitter.

Connect with us!

Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Please make sure to check out our blog and our website link below. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit the bell to be notified when we post. You can email me at donna@pyopaccounting.com.

Donna Bordeaux, CPA with PYOPAccounting.com

Creativity and CPAs don’t generally go together. Most people think of CPAs as nerdy accountants who can’t talk with people. Well, it’s time to break that stereotype. Lively, friendly, and knowledgeable can be a part of your relationship with your CPA, as demonstrated by Donna and Chad Bordeaux. They have over 50 years of combined experience as entrepreneurial CPAs. They’ve owned businesses and helped business owners exceed their wildest dreams. They have been able to help businesses earn many times more profit than the average business in the same industry and are passionate about helping industries that help families build great memories.