An unconventional way to pay for a trip...

In place of putting together a made-up travel grant for your parents or grandparents, you could, of course, apply for a real one. Students, researchers, volunteers, and teachers can obtain travel grants through various public and private agencies. Your trip has to have some kind of educational or developmental purpose to be grant-worthy. But if you think you might meet the requirements, it can't hurt to look into the many programs that offer considerable travel funds for qualified globetrotters.

Find a good list of programs on Matador Network. StudyAbroad.com also has a useful list of travel grants and scholarships for which students can apply.
(contribution via  www.smartertravel.com)