2017 is just around the corner, and if you have travel plans for this coming year and want to save funds for it, the best time to prepare for it is yesterday. However, there are hacks, some time-tested, some more recent, which can help you accomplish this starting now. Here are some of them:

Create a separate savings account - Open a separate account as your travel savings account, which automatically deducts from your income account and adds to this travel account. It is much better if it is the old passbook account type, so it will be harder to withdraw from it. Also if you have extra income or bonuses, you can add to this account.

Try freelancing websites - Huffington Post  says there are a lot of freelancing sites online, and you can determine which skills you have and work for these websites. For example, if you can write, draw, do voice impressions, write music or do web design, you can search for sites that you can work for with your corresponding skill or skills. There are many options online, and you can look up "Fiverr" and "Upwork".

Prioritize what is most important to you - Determine first what is most important to you, or what experiences would you like to have. For example, if you are the type who would like to visit museums, then you prioritize your budget for this, and less for food. You can try to plan for eating out less instead.

Use the sharing economy to your advantage - Travel US News says that aside from using new kinds of peer-to-peer booking sites to secure affordable accommodations, the sharing economy also helps travelers to find "quirky tour guides, rideshare options and home-cooked meals with local chefs," says Matthew Kepnes of Nomadic Matt, an American travel expert. Depending on locals can help you get the best deals, he adds. " Locals know which supermarket sell the cheapest, which stores offer the best sales and where to find the hole-in-the-wall restaurants and bars with the best food at the lowest prices," he says. "The sharing economy has really changed travel and allows people to save a lot and connect with locals. It's the biggest thing someone can do," he adds.

Plan to travel like a local - if you want to have a local budget, then you can plan to live like a local. If you are in an AirBnB place or the like, then you can cook your meals in your place of stay. If you want to eat out, then it is better during lunchtime because many places offer special lunches with special rates. Also, you can travel during off-peak season in order to take advantage of off season rates.