How can I save money for travel?
The age old travelers question. How can I afford my traveling dreams?
I'll give you three simple tips. Tips that aren't for elite status 5-star travelers, but tips for people like you and me. Backpackers who want to travel but must do it on a budget!
1. Set a goal.
2. Live within your means.
3. Make saving fun.
1.) First and foremost, Set a goal! In this case, TRAVEL. Budget backpackers don't just click their ruby red slippers and land on foreign continents. They work damn hard to get there! Whether holding down a few jobs or pumping in the hours at one in particular, backpackers work hard to play hard.
Once you have committed to this goal, it's time to set a target savings. Consider where you're traveling and estimate how much you'll need. Websites like Budget Your Trip.com (http://www.budgetyourtrip.com) can aid in this process or purchase a used Lonely Planet or Frommers Travel Guide, great resources on specific countries, cities, hostels and activity prices. Now over shoot your target amount by another $500 USD (an emergency fund) and you'll be on your way in no time.
2.) With your goals in place, it's time to scale back. Live within you means! Do you really need that new space aged television or those designer clothes? How about visiting the local pub every night or watching more movies out then in? I'm not asking you to give up every luxury in your life but I am asking you to reaccess. Which can you live without? Once you've curbed a few of these luxuries it's time to start counting the savings. Here's how.
I'll give you three simple tips. Tips that aren't for elite status 5-star travelers, but tips for people like you and me. Backpackers who want to travel but must do it on a budget!
1. Set a goal.
2. Live within your means.
3. Make saving fun.
1.) First and foremost, Set a goal! In this case, TRAVEL. Budget backpackers don't just click their ruby red slippers and land on foreign continents. They work damn hard to get there! Whether holding down a few jobs or pumping in the hours at one in particular, backpackers work hard to play hard.
Once you have committed to this goal, it's time to set a target savings. Consider where you're traveling and estimate how much you'll need. Websites like Budget Your Trip.com (http://www.budgetyourtrip.com) can aid in this process or purchase a used Lonely Planet or Frommers Travel Guide, great resources on specific countries, cities, hostels and activity prices. Now over shoot your target amount by another $500 USD (an emergency fund) and you'll be on your way in no time.
2.) With your goals in place, it's time to scale back. Live within you means! Do you really need that new space aged television or those designer clothes? How about visiting the local pub every night or watching more movies out then in? I'm not asking you to give up every luxury in your life but I am asking you to reaccess. Which can you live without? Once you've curbed a few of these luxuries it's time to start counting the savings. Here's how.
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3.) You must make saving fun! I call this tip, "Give it to the Pig". Saving money is much easier when it's tangible so indulge your childhood by contributing your money to a porky acrylic pig. This is much more difficult then it sounds but You MUST commit cold hard cash to the pig every single day! Not a predetermined daily amount mind you ($10 everyday), instead your deposit should fluctuate with your day's spending, or in this case, your day's savings. If you decline that $8 Chinese buffet at lunch and instead pack a PB&J sandwich, then drop $8 in the bank. If you sip 2 drinks at the bar instead of 4, contribute another $10 big one's to the pig. The amount doesn't matter. What does matter, is committing the REAL MONEY you've consciously saved for travel to the pig. His or her little pink belly will be bursting before you know it!
For more many more practical ways to save, please visit: |
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