Every once in a while, people from different parts of Pennsylvania want to come to the Poconos to experience all the fun that we have in any season, but especially summer.

That's when folks like this, weatherman and meteorologist Brett Thackara with ABC27.

"Heard you wanted to come up to the Poconos, Brett," said Jim.

"We do like to bring the family up and I hear it's a great place," Thackara said.

"It certainly is. We have so many things to see and do. We want to talk to you about financial planning for vacations, and maybe talk to an institution in a little bit that can help with that. But let's find out a little bit more about what you guys want to do when you come to the Poconos," Jim added.

"Sounds great. Let's do it."

Even the friendly local meteorologist needs to get away, and Brett at ABC27 in Harrisburg has been forecasting a family trip to the Poconos.

"The Poconos is great because it's not right here. Right? You want to go away, but not go too far. Especially with young kids. And so then the question is, well, what's close? And I hear the Poconos has a lot to offer," said Brett.

The plan: load up the car and take the couple-hour trek with the family to Kalahari in the Poconos.

But before he puts down the weather clicker and trades it in for a cocktail poolside, Brett knows it's wise to plan, especially financially.

"So I think planning ahead is smart, not only with the itinerary and the places you're going, but also financially. Can somebody help me with the with the lodging part of it? Can somebody help me with the recreation? How much are you going to spend on dining? It all goes kind of funneled into one budget. And if you can get the help you need, there's no reason not to do it. Because as long as you're responsible, you want to have fun. And that's what it's about."

So now we know Brett and his family would like to visit the Poconos. Well, how can they best plan financially so they can be responsible about this trip or other trips?

Members 1st Federal Credit Union, with many branches down in the Harrisburg area and even one coming to the Poconos soon, can help them out.

"We really encourage things like vacation savings clubs, things like that with the automatic savings," said Devon DiBiase of Members 1st Federal Credit Union. "So all year, they can plan to put money aside into a savings account right from their checking account to allow them to save for those larger items like vacations."

Devon DiBiase and the team at Members 1st have so many tools to help folks like you and me plan for and afford trips, yes, even to the Poconos.

That vacation club is one. The money gets taken out of your paycheck and ready for you when vacation time comes.

"It's a very successful way of saving for a vacation so that it's not that sticker shock when August comes around and they're ready to start traveling and they have to pull from maybe a Visa or a home equity loan. They can use their savings account to do that."

You can open a vacation club account anytime with no minimum deposit or balance requirement, save as much or as little as you want.

That way, you avoid debt and can automatically manage your savings online.

In person at branches in Central PA, the Lehigh Valley, or online, Members 1st is accessible and prepared to guide members to the right goals.

Branch Manager Ryan Rivera understands the value of having dedicated support for life's financial needs, even that annual trip with the family.

"People helping people, um, the big thing for Members 1st is understanding the person in front of you, their goal and their financial picture currently, and then aligning that with our products to help them get to where they want to be."

In addition to the vacation club and savings approach to vacations, the pros at Members 1st also recommend using a Visa Signature Rewards card that has travel perks built in.

"They help to plan for those future needs, including vacation," DiBiase said. "Plus, when you're traveling, sometimes using your debit card isn't the smartest idea in case there's fraud or your card gets stolen. So if you have the Visa card, it adds a layer of protection to you."

Because at the end of the day—

"Everyone has a financial goal, and it's about figuring out what that is," Rivera said. "And then again, coupling it with a Members 1st product to help them get to whatever that financial goal is."

Everyone, including Brett and the Thackara family, who wound up taking his own advice and planning for a trip to Kalahari at the end of July.

Want to learn more about Members 1st Federal Credit Union? Head to Members1st.org.

You'll find becoming a member as easy as splashing around at the waterpark.