Team Out of Town
How to Enjoy Traveling Without Going Broke
Traveling as we know it is not that cheap (But of course it is not a problem if you are filthy rich!). But for the rest of us working class, it is something that we need to plan carefully. So how can we get the best of our travels without getting broke?
Get a Side Job
People nowadays are becoming more versatile. Even if they have their jobs, they would still find a way to earn that extra cash to fund off their dream vacations. Doing some freelance works will help you add more money to your traveling funds. If you have skills, especially those that are marketable (like writing, designing, teaching languages, etc.) why not put it to work?
Also, did you know that there are a lot of nomads working online out there? All they need is a laptop and a good internet connection and they can pretty much go anywhere. There are plenty of people who are working and earning pretty decently without enduring the life of a 9-5 employee.
There are many opportunities out there if one is only willing to look! But be careful, do not push yourself to the limits. Remember that you are a human and you need a break too. Take a work that you know you’ll be able to handle, do not overload yourself.
Plan Your Vacation
Plan as early as you can. If you want to go out of the country, then book as early as possible. Preferably 3 months before your preferred date because the airfares are much cheaper. But if flying is out of the budget then looking for alternatives somewhere within the country might be an option. Who says you have to get on an island to enjoy a vacation?
When you already picked your summer destination, it is time to plan your itinerary. Where are you staying? How long are you going to be there? What will you do? It is important to do hands-on research about the place you are going to if you are on a budget.
Find the best restaurants or bars, check the activities and the ticket costs. Sites like TripAdvisor or Klook have everything that you can know about the place you are going to.
Instead of staying in hotels, why not try hostels with a bunch of other travelers like you? They are cheaper alternatives plus you might get to meet new friends. Agoda, Airbnb, and Booking are just some of the best examples where to find the best place to stay. Take advantage of the discounted prices as well!
Cut Down Unnecessary Costs
Do you eat out a lot? Why not try cooking? Do you really need that cup of frappuccino from Starbucks? Make a list of how much unnecessary things you are spending on and imagine how much it would save you if you cut them down. Every little thing counts and can add up to your vacation funds. Surely, a little bit of thriftiness and budgeting will be worth it when you are off to your vacation, right? Suffer a little now and enjoy later.
Save Your Money
The concept of 50 30 20 rule is about saving a percentage of your salary. 50% for the most important expenses such as bills and grocery, 30% for the savings and 20% for their luxuries (one example is for traveling).
However, if 50 30 20 is not possible, don’t worry! You can totally split them up. You can do a 40 30 20 10 or even 30 30 30 30 10 rule! Do whatever fits you.
It does not matter which rule you will actually follow. What matters is you will always have enough for yourself, for your expenses and for savings. There are plenty of saving tips out there. But you really have to be disciplined. You have to stick with that if you want to make it work.
Sell Your Old Stuff
Got an old sweater that you don’t use anymore? A pair of good boots? A book? Try and raid your closet and see if you can find something worth selling. It might earn you some pretty good cash that can add up to your budget. Clean up your house, make a pile and organize them. Scavenge for that item that is still useful.
You can set up a yard sale. But if you don’t have all the energy and time for that, try setting up your online store in Etsy, Amazon or even in the Facebook marketplace. If you have stuff that you can spare and sell, check how much you can get before you sell them.
Take Advantage of Credit Cards – how to enjoy traveling
Credit cards have a bad connotation attached to them. Well, that may be true for people who don’t know how to use it. But what people don’t realize is they can actually be quite useful if only one knows how to use it properly.
There are plenty of credit cards out there that offers cash back, points that can unlock many perks and even discounts especially cards that are designed for traveling purposes. There are many advantages to having a credit card. Aside from the fact that you can travel cashless, you can even withdraw some of the cash if you inform your credit card company that you are off traveling. Look them up and see which credit card is the best fit for your needs.
But remember to wise and use your credit card well. Make sure to pay the bills on time. The better the credit history, the better benefits that you will get for yourself. So be responsible credit card holder!
Conclusion
Traveling can be a little hard and they are definitely not cheap but we can all agree that is worth it. With a little determination, discipline, hard work and research, it is possible to make your deserved summer vacation that you’ve always been dreaming of.
Also see:
- 66 Visa-Free Destinations a Philippine Passport Holder can visit this 2019
- Ultimate Overseas Travel Checklist
About the Author:
