Travel is one of the most enriching experiences anyone can have. The chance of exploring the world can be a one-of-a-lifetime memory that’s probably on a bucket list of many adventurous people.
However, there may be several hurdles that keep one from accomplishing that dream. A lot of us may be tied to our 9-5 jobs to keep us sustained in our day-to-day living. Some of us cannot afford the traveling lifestyle due to other priorities like family, housing, or debt. Some of these factors put our travel dreams on hold.
“Even if you have a limited budget, there is always a way to travel,” Douglas Knight New Canaan, a travel expert, affirmed. “Since traveling has become a ‘hot hobby’ over the recent years. The demand for traveling opportunities are high, and a lot of businesses circle around that demand to provide competitive services. You can definitely find ways to afford traveling, and to save up on traveling as well,” he added.
This article highlights 5 smart ways to save up for traveling this year. If you are interested, read further to find out more.
5 Ways to Save on Travel This Year
1. Pick a travel schedule after the holidays
A smart way to have the cheapest of everything–flights, hotel accommodations, attraction fees–are picking vacation dates just after the holidays. Common holidays include summer, Christmas season, Labor day weekend and such. Usually, vacation spots would ramp up the prices on these times because they know that people will definitely go on vacation no matter how expensive on these days.
“To save up, take a look at the holidays on the destination you’re going to. Pick a date the week after the holiday and choose which schedules fit your budget the most,” Douglas Knight New Canaan adds.
2. Take advantage of the gig economy
A lot of workers nowadays get extra money by looking for gigs that pay. These include both online and offline tasks. Know your talents or hobbies, and find a gig that can satisfy that need. Do you love pets? Maybe you can find a gig that asks you to walk dogs in the community. Love doing art? You can find gigs offered by businesses in need of a T-shirt or a website design. The good thing about gigs is that their commitment level is project-based. You don’t need to sign a contract to get hired, you just do a task, deliver, and it’s up to you if you want to find another one again. You can find these types of jobs on websites such as Upwork or Freelancer.
This removes the difficulty of leaving a job if your only purpose is to save money for travel. Take as much as you want, whatever your travel budget is!
3. Make use of travel promotions
Travel promotions are found everywhere! Whether it’s a package deal, a newly-opened site promo, or an accommodation at a discounted rate. There are travel coupons you can avail which can save you lots of money. Orbitz and Travel Coupons are just some examples of websites where you can find the best hotels at their best price. Plus, you can also check some all-inclusive deals before planning an itinerary. Some of them can be very affordable compared to planning a trip on your own.
4. Do some temporary lifestyle changes
A surefire way to squeeze in a little more cash for your travel budget is adapting some temporary lifestyle changes to save more money. If you are a frequent outside diner, you may try preparing your meals at home. Bringing your own lunch can save you as much as around $15-20 dollars a day. By the end of the week, you have an extra $60-100 you can place in your bank. Skipping the Starbucks coffee, watching movies at home instead of the cinemas, and doing bulk grocery shopping are some of the small but measurable changes you can do save money for a travel goal.
5. Create a specific budget goal
If you’re the person who tends to pinch a little bit of money uncontrollably for random expenses, creating a budget plan may be the best strategy for you. You can do this by making a separate envelope or container where you can keep your travel budget. If safety is your concern, you can make a separate account for travel expenses in the bank. This way, there is less chance of you touching the money other than for its intended purposes. The budget goal also gives you a tangible idea of where you’re at financially so you can save just in time before your scheduled trip.
“Follow these tips, and you’re sure to succeed just a little bit more in saving money for your trips. All dreams come from single, small, realistic steps that ultimately drive you towards success,” David Knight New Canaan said.
