Are you looking to enjoy more travel but finding money is a bit tight? There are a number of ways you can learn to simplify your life by reducing your daily expenses in order to help you save up for travel.
By learning how to differentiate between essential expenses and unnecessary purchases, along with changing what you put value on, you may be able to enjoy more travel without having to find a second job or sell everything you’ve worked hard for.
We’ve all read those articles about individuals or couples selling their homes and nearly all their belongings in order to travel the world. While the notion may seem romantic and adventurous, for many people it just isn’t realistic and does come with obvious drawbacks and challenges.
Sure, saving can be difficult, but you don’t have to sell everything you own in order to afford taking a holiday. There are many things you can do in your daily life that will help you cut your everyday expenses and allow you to save for the travel you desire.
By setting goals and learning how to budget, along with tracking your spending and cutting costs in certain areas, you too can free up some of your income to allocate to travel. Here are some of the best ways that will allow you to save money for your yearly travel fund.
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It’s one thing we all crave; a passionate love affair that will still make us smile even when we’re 90; that electric attraction where you can’t keep your hands off one another when together, and every minute spent apart is an unbearable state of intense longing.
As travelers, we fall head over heels quite often; swept up by the romance of intrepid adventure, and easily addicted to the high of new discovery.
But in terms of an affair to change your life completely, and a relationship where you fit together so naturally it feels like it was always meant to be, today I’d like to introduce you to Standard Luggage.
A durable carry-on backpack designed to fit the maximum dimensions of most airlines (that’s right – it’s big, but not so big that it doesn’t fit), expandable from 35-45 liters, Standard Luggage have created a travel bag so stylish and practical that you’ll remember this bag when you’re 90! (here’s the link).
It’s convertible to be used as three different bag styles, made from ballistic nylon to be both durable and water resistant, and includes a huge range of add-ons which enhance the travel experience without charging extra.
And if you fantasize about plenty of well organized, practical pockets (because which traveler doesn’t), you’ll never crave unzipping another piece of luggage.
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The future of paying for travel may not be with cash or credit cards, rather with cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. The tourism industry has embraced this new age way to pay, with travelers already being able to pay for flights, hotel rooms, tours, and more with their secure digital wallets.
There are many advantages to using this decentralized digital currency as a way to pay for travel and as more and more airlines, hotel brands, and other travel-related companies join in on the acceptance, using Bitcoin may quickly become the go-to form of payment for travelers.
The industry is at the forefront when it comes to accepting cryptocurrency and more and more travelers are purchasing Bitcoin to pay for their travel.
Here are just some of the current airlines and travel booking websites where you can use your Bitcoin to get traveling once again.
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Many people pack a journal to document their travels, as it offers you the ability to later reminisce about the exotic flavors, sights, and sounds you encounter. More and more travelers, however, are beginning to also get paid for their travel writing.
Whether you’ve scribbled a few lines in a notebook or are an experienced writer, there are many ways in which both amateur and professional writers can earn cash for writing about travel which can help fund continued journeys around the world.
I’ve gone further, and for me it’s become a full-time career.
With a bit of self-motivation and willingness to think outside the box when it comes to landing online writing jobs, you too can join the millions of other travelers that are getting paid for their stories which are helping to fund their future travels. Here are some of the top ways you can get paid for your travel writing.
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How much money have you forgotten about? Money that’s sitting in your drawers, leftover from overseas trips? Euros, Pounds, Canadian Dollars, Japanese Yen? Maybe you’ve got a couple of Australian gold coins with a kangaroo and emu engraved on them.
Almost every traveler I know returns home with a pocket full of foreign coins. And they either get lost in the washing machine, or go in a draw for ‘when I’ll visit again’. But have you ever visited again? Or have you been sitting on hundreds of dollars worth of coins and notes for years on end? (Though it doesn’t need to be hundreds, I’d love to exchange my currency even if it was only worth 10!)
Fortunately now, there’s a cool app where you can sell your coins to others looking to buy them! It’s called MoneyAtlas (here for iPhone / here on Android), and you can connect with other travelers to exchange your foreign currency, at a price you set! Skip the inflated exchange rates at the airport, and make a deal traveler to traveler!
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Even though I grew up in Ukraine, I didn’t realize how much natural beauty there is in this country until I started camping. While most tourists like to go to see the cities, local Ukrainians love to camp.
Why? Because it’s generally free.
You might know that Ukraine is not a very rich country, so we Ukrainians derive a lot of pleasure from nature. These 3 awesome places to camp in Ukraine tend to be filled with locals, but hopefully this guide in English helps bring some interested foreigners to my beautiful country.
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As we head into 2021, no doubt many of us will be eager to get traveling again. While we haven’t managed to control COVID yet, vaccines are being rolled out and I am optimistic international travel will be back on the cards in the coming year.
While we may soon get to travel once again, many of us have been hit hard financially by the pandemic, which is why I thought I would share some of my tips on how you can save money while traveling this year.
If you’re thinking of traveling this year, follow these tips to help reduce your travel costs from the moment you book your trip to the day you return.
There’s no denying travel can be expensive, but hopefully these tips will help you learn when to travel to get the best bang for your buck, how to save on travel insurance, score cheaper flights and accommodation, and keep costs down throughout your holiday.
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Travelling by bus will never go out of style. It’s such a convenient mode of public transportation, and a great way to explore a new city, or travel between two destinations.
When you’re travelling by bus, whether regularly or occasionally, it’s become the norm to use an app to buy online bus tickets. But how do you choose the right app?
Make sure you look for these features!
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Most of us dream of spending our lives exploring. But the main question is, how can you quench your thirst for exploring new places when traveling is an expensive hobby, and you need money for it.
The good news is that you don’t have to be rich, and if you follow the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement diligently, it can help you save enough money to fulfill your travel dreams.
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We’re all familiar with backpacking, whether we ourselves embarked on a journey or knew a friend or family member who did. Backpacking is a great way to experience authentic travel by really embracing the local culture of a destination.
But what exactly is flashpacking?
Similar to backpacking but with more comfort and opportunities, flashpacking is becoming an increasingly more preferred way to travel.
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Tanzania is a spectacular country in East Africa, which fits every stereotype of the romantic image of the continent; from the dramatic wildebeest migration through the famous Serengeti, to the beaches of the Zanzibar Archipelago, and Mt Kilimanjaro.
This is an adventurous destination which has fewer cheap packages than its neighbors; tourism infrastructure is well laid out here, and it’s attractions are far from low-key.
But that doesn’t mean it’s totally impossible for backpacking students, and there are definitely ways you can experience Tanzania on a budget, like keeping your itinerary simple, and your accommodations basic.
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When you’re planning on going away, packing can be the most stressful part of preparation.
Packing the right travel essentials can make or break a getaway, but what would it be like to travel like an A-lister? And how can you get the same look for less?
We’ve had a lot of fun this past week playing with the Cashlady travel pack, a handy free online tool that makes it easy to budget and plan the things you need to bring with you.
You set your budget, set your gender, and the tool makes a set of product recommendations for all of the carry-on essentials you’ll need to pack.
And while I’m always traveling on a budget, if you want a glimpse into the lives of the rich & famous, just select ‘Blow The Budget’ and discover a world of eye-watering, diamond-encrusted opulence!
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There are many ways to make purchases while traveling abroad. You can convert your home currency into local cash, wire money, use a debit card or prepaid travel card, or look into traveler’s checks if you want to go old school (and can still find a company that issues them!).
Most travelers, however, will opt for the easiest and often most economical way to pay for things which is with credit cards.
While it’s always a good idea to have a variety of ways to access your cash while traveling, credit cards will most likely be your go-to when paying for food, transport, admission tickets, and souvenirs. If you plan on using a credit the next time you travel internationally, here are a few important things you should know.
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When done right, road trips can be an economical and much less stressful way to travel. It not only saves a great deal of money and time by not having to purchase and wait for flights, but it also allows couples and families the opportunity to really connect with one another.
Whether you’ve been planning a cross-country road trip for months or just spontaneously decided to drive up the coast for a weekend, there are some important things to consider when preparing for any road trip.
It starts with setting a budget and choosing a route before then thinking about what vehicle you’ll take and what you’ll need to pack. There are then of course precautions you need to take to ensure the safety of you and your fellow road trippers that will be traveling with you.
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It’s always been important to be smart about how you withdraw and spend your money when traveling. Though faced with a long road ahead to economic recovery, this is true now more than ever.
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Don’t let the beauty influencers fool you – great skin doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg; especially when you’re traveling and would prefer to spend the money on experiences!
Travel exposes our bodies to many different climates, extremities and environments, so while skincare is something you may not prioritize as highly as your passport, it is something which may hit you unexpectedly on your trip.
Sudden changes in climate can irritate your skin, from exposure to the sun (i.e. Australia) to harsh, wintery conditions (i.e. Antarctica), or polluted cities (ie Beijing), every new destination brings new challenges for our skin.
You can find plenty of affordable brands at the drugstore that offer effective treatments for any type of skin. Even DIY skincare can be great for the face and the wallet.
The trick is knowing what ingredients to look for and how to treat your skin type. Which is exactly what this post will cover!
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In recent years, timesharing (also known as vacation ownership) has become one of the most popular ways to take a holiday. Because ultimately, there are a huge amount of perks.
Yet for many intrepid travelers, a definite downside of investing in a timeshare is being locked to vacation in the same place every year, or, in the instance of a Points-based ownership (more about that below), locked to large resorts, and a specific set of destinations. Depending on the presence of your vacation club, you may not have the option of traveling too far off the beaten path.
But the good news is that it doesn’t have to be that black and white. For those wanting to take advantage of the perks of timeshare accommodation without the long term commitment, timeshare rental sites provide a fantastic solution.
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Anyone with a real love for travel knows the importance of budgeting on the road. The price of a trip can be the difference between a dream vacation and a week-long nightmare. So how do we travel smarter?
While it’s important to think outside the box, and people are constantly innovating with new apps, tricks, and budget hacks, sometimes the best methods are the simplest and most common!
So, today we’re getting back to basics; the following are five simple ways to make sure your vacation keeps your bank account out of the red.
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Part of French Canada, just north of the US border with Vermont, Montreal is a unique city which mixes Old World European charm with a distinctly modern North American buzz.
An incredible city where centuries-old architecture is still very much alive, you can stroll down cobblestones streets, past heritage churches and 18th century facades, and the next minute be in a bustling metropolis.
Montreal is an energetic, modern city, that is also fiercely proud of its European heritage; it has many faces, and offers a conflicting yet captivating fusion of North American modernism and Old World Europe.
The city goes crazy over a festival, is passionate about its food, and has a proudly European flair despite being a Canadian metropolis. The great news is that you can experience all of this on a budget!
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There’s no doubt that traveling as a student is one of the most exciting ways to add to your studies, and one of the most enriching ways to gain life experience, and broaden your perspectives and global knowledge.
Though it’s often tough traveling as a student – not just because you’re often juggling your travels with essays, deadlines and assignments, and not just because you’re limited to only being able to travel during semester breaks.
The toughest thing about traveling as a student is often the money! Actually being able to afford to travel, because when you’re studying full time, you’re not always capable of earning!
And that’s exactly why most countries offer student discounts.
If you want to get student discounts abroad, the key thing you’ll need is an internationally recognized student ID. Your ID from home might work, but don’t count on it.
While there are several student cards offering discounts around the world, the best known card is the International Student Identity Card (ISIC). This is the only internationally recognised proof of full-time student status issued in close to 130 countries.
Flashing these cards means access to some great discounts abroad, and you can easily save hundreds of dollars when you total it up! Wondering what discounts you can get with the ISIC? Read on!
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There are many things to think about when you’re traveling as a student – which destinations throw the best parties, which might further enrich your studies, and, before you leave, making sure your essays are all submitted.
But one of the biggest considerations is your budget.
At home, you’re probably used to taking advantage of student discounts to get you through each week – clothes, movie tickets, transportation – often students get a 10 – 20% discount to reduce the burden on the cost of living.
But this is something you can also apply to traveling!
Many countries around the world (most actually!) offer student discounts, which can greatly reduce the cost of travel. And depending on the country you can get these discounts on everything from flights, to ground transport, and attractions.
So, read on for how to get them!
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Whether it’s macroons from Paris, or Harem Pants from Bali, there are just some products that are widely unavailable or wildly expensive in your home country. And as a frequent traveler, I’ve been well positioned to pick up goods in other countries.
Yes, it was out of love that I shopped for my sisters in London, would buy my brother the latest American drones, and pick up a Japanese sumo loincloth for my cousin (I don’t ask questions!!). But what if you could connect with people who were willing to pay you for the service?!
Grabr is exactly that; a peer-to-peer marketplace that has exploded since 2016, connecting travelers to shoppers as a way of monetizing the extra space in your luggage!
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Are you jealous that all your friends are travelling to exotic Insta-worthy places, while you just can’t seem to save up enough to join them?
For most people, the biggest obstacle to travel is figuring out the money. Most of us understand the concept of saving, but when push comes to shove, it’s not uncommon to find it really tough.
Yes, saving money can be a daunting task, but there are many ways to cut costs, and with a couple of tried and tested strategies you might be amazed at how quickly you can build a travel fund.
So, if you’re willing to look at your spending habits and assess what mistakes you’ve been making, you may just be surprised at how much, and how quickly you can save!
To get you started, here are 5 very realistic ways – these aren’t creative, and they aren’t ‘think outside the box’ approaches – they are the proven, straightforward, widely accepted strategies to saving money.
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House sitting has become a massive movement in the travel community, and we can totally understand why; from luxury villas in the countryside, to modern lofts amidst skyscrapers, and cottages right by the ocean, it’s an incredible way to travel, and sample local life.
An exchange where you take care of someones property and pets while they’re away, and in return are allowed to stay in their home, house-sitting is basically “borrowing the homeowners lifestyle for a period of time”.
Owners have peace of mind that their home and pets are lovingly cared for, and that pets get to stay in their own home, while pet loving sitters experience life in new places, without having to pay accommodation.
Now a massive movement, it’s super easy to find house sitting opportunities all over the world, of all kinds; it’s a very viable way to travel (some people even do it full time!), and while some house-sits might only last a few days, some can be for weeks, or even months at a time.
Taking care of someone else’s home and pets might seem like a dream come true, but you do need to be a reliable, responsible, and committed sitter. And there are some things that you just shouldn’t do.
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Good entrepreneurs never let a business idea go past them. And increasingly, the modern digital nomad has worked out ways to supplement their travel budget by making money from the road.
As a traveller, you’ve probably got keen senses about you. You’ll know how to put together a travel budget, and how to find the best prices on flights; you’ll know tricks for beating the language barrier, and how to avoid tourist traps, and seek out authentic experiences and sights.
This type of thing might come naturally to you – expertise you’ve built up over time without realizing that you’re actually very skilled. And there’s a business opportunity there – teaching others everything you know.
It’s become a massive trend in recent years; the idea of traveling perpetually and making money from the road. But one untapped idea is actually teaching people how to travel. This could just be the perfect side hustle for making money from the road!
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