So, you’re finally going travelling? You have been dreaming about it for years and now, your actually going to do it! Argentina? Cambodia? Australia? Italy? Kenya?? Wherever it is, the only thing stopping you is money. To be precise… not having any! Don’t think for one minute that you are alone! 99% of aspiring nomads begin with a rock bottom bank balance and just a dream to see it all. Especially me!
Firstly, set yourself a goal!
Do your research to see how much money you will need for the place you want to visit, I filmed a video all about How Much Backpacking Costs which may be a good starting point. Now you have your big number, add a couple of hundred on for unseen expenses such as loss of passport, return flight home or even a big purchase you want to make to treat yourself!
GET A JOB!! This really is the biggest way you will fund your travels! It is how I have funded all my travels around Europe whilst I was studying at university! Part time or full time. Whatever is possible for you. Whether you moonlight as a waitress for minimum wage or your a dental assistant out of university working full time. Everyone will save at a different rate, but it really is going to be your main source of income!
Then you need to look at your income!
Take how much you earn per month and subtract the necessities such as rent, bills, car payments, food etc. Then you will be left with what you can play with!
Helpful tip! Don’t just stick it all in your savings! The biggest mistake people make is to live to travel, when in fact everyday should be enjoyed, not just those few weeks a year you go on holiday! So set aside some money to enjoy yourself with! Whether it be going out with the girls for dinner, a couple of drinks with the lads or even a pair of shoes you saw on sale! MAKE SURE YOU ENJOY YOUR LIFE WHILST YOU’RE SAVING!
Once you have a number which you are happy with saving each week/month, then set up a standing order for that amount to go from your current account, into your savings! That way you don’t have to look at it, and before you know it, all those $$ will be adding up!
If you use online banking then you may be able to set up a target under your savings account which will show your progress.
Now, if your job does not pay enough to support your next trip, or maybe you are just getting itchy feet and want to save up more money quicker, then try these handy tips!
Get yourself a coin jar!
It really is surprising how quickly they will fill up! If you can financially do so, every day/week empty your purse and drop all the coins into your jar! If you need some motivation then why not decorate the jar with photos from a travel magazine, or draw lines around the jar which gives you a target amount to aim for when filling it up! It may not save you enough for a RTW trip, but it will give you a little extra to go with!
SELL YOUR STUFF!
We all have an excess in clothing, shoes, books, DVD’s, plant pots or wedding hats which we know deep down, we really don’t need. Sites like GumTree, CraigsList and eBay are great to get a few bucks for your unwanted items! Plus, it’s always good to have a clear out! You can then transfer all this dose directly from PayPal into your savings account! Done!
RENT OUT A ROOM?
Do you have a spare room going? Feeling lonely on a friday night? Want to meet people!? Then why not rent it out? If you don’t want to rent long term, then why not add your listing to AirBnB? Then you get to meet tonnes of travellers from all over the world, earn money from their rent and maybe meet up with them when you head out into the world on your trip!? Win win! 🙂
SELL YOUR CAR!?
This one might not be possible for everyone as some people really do need a car to get to work etc. However if you have been considering your reasons for having an over priced hunk of metal when you only use it to go down to Asda every Friday or to work (which is on a bus route) then maybe it is time to sell!
DECIDE WHAT YOU’RE SPLURGING ON!
Next time you walk into Burger King or H&M with a craving for a burger or the new clutch bag displayed in the window. Ask yourself, what could that money buy when i’m travelling? For example, $100 on a dress = A flight from Darwin, Australia to Bali, Indonesia!
KEEP MOTIVATED!
So, you are ready to save! But sometimes you have a lapse, or forget to fill up your coin jar. To prevent this, try sticking up posters/magazine articles/photos/notes all over the house, especially near your savings jar or on your desk! Then keep reading, whether it be blogs, magazines or newspaper articles! Keep aspiring and dreaming!
What are your tips for saving money? Do you struggle, or are you naturally thrifty?
This post does include affiliate links to products or companies which I have personally used and would highly recommend! If you click on an ad, at no extra cost to you, I make a small commission from the sale. All of which goes straight back into my travels and my YouTube channel to bring you even more PsychoTraveller goodness!
