Saving money for travel when you only have one source of income can be challenging but possible with focused effort. It's all about making strategic choices to maximize your experience while minimizing your expenses.
Firstly you need to set clear budget goals and research destinations that fit within your financial constraints. I'll give you some tips on how you can raise funds for either your first trip or to continue traveling.
Cut back on non-essential expenses: Cut back on dining out, entertainment, and shopping.
Sell unused items: You have probably been procrastinating about decluttering so you have a perfect reason to hurry up and get it done. Declutter and sell items that you no longer need to boost your travel fund. You can sell your item on Facebook marketplace, Etsy, and other local marketplaces where you are located.
Supplement your income: Consider part-time jobs if your working hours allow. Examples of part-time jobs you can do are:
Tutoring English lessons through sites like Preply, cambly, italky, lingoda, and native camp. you can set your own hours to fit your schedule and work as much or as little as you can. Some of these sites require you to have a TEFL certificate and some do not, if you are required a certificate but don't have one, you can get a 120-hour TEFL certificate from Teacher's Record completely free. You can also tutor other school subjects, through other online sites.
You can do Freelance gigs if you have skills in graphic design, social media management, content writing, copywriting, translation, transcription, video editing, digital marketing, etc. You can advertise these services on freelance platforms such as Fiverr and Upwork, also Entrepreneurs and business owners' Facebook groups are a great place to find clients.
If you have a sizeable following on social media, leverage it to create content for brands/businesses and get paid for it. If you don't have a following, don't worry you can still create content with UGC. UGC is user-generated content that brands use to post on their social media pages, it is popular with brands nowadays because it is cost-effective for them and you don't need to personally post content on your own page. A win-win situation if you ask me. To get started you simply need to have a portfolio in which you showcase your videos and you can create these sample videos using products and items that you already own around your house, create different types of videos and include them in your portfolio along with a brief description of what you do and your rates. The best place to learn more about UGC is on Twitter, under these hashtags #ugc #ugccreator #ugccommunity these communities are the most supportive out there, so ask questions and people are generally just kind there. If you need a portfolio template to simply customize with your details then I recommend this UGC starter pack which also contains social media prompts and email pitches examples.
Use Cashback and Rewards: Utilize cashback apps, credit card rewards, and loyalty programs to save on everyday expenses like groceries, gas, cosmetics, etc.
Pause or cancel subscription: Let's be honest, you've got a couple of streaming platforms that you don't use quite often because you don't have time but you still pay for it. Consider canceling those services and other services that you don't need at the moment ( Just Don't touch your gym membership please.)
Resist Impulsive Buying: If you did not budget for it, don't buy it. (Here's a reminder to resist that Black Friday Sale)
Accommodation
Consider staying with friends or family at your travel destination to save on accommodation.
One of the best ways to save on accommodation is homestays. Sites like Workaway let you find host families or organizations that you can stay with. The arrangement is usually your time in exchange for a room and a meal or meals per day. Read through the requirements of every host and have a clear understanding of what duties you will undertake and for how long so you can plan your travel activities and other fun stuff properly. Typical things that travelers do for the host are tutoring, volunteering at an NGO, or just teaching the host about your culture and language. You can agree to commit maybe four hours a day in exchange for accommodation, that's a pretty good deal if you ask me.
And that cuts your travel expenses by a large percentage.
Choose Destinations carefully
Pick off-peak destinations which are less crowded and more affordable
Mid-week flights are a lot cheaper than weekend flights so book your flight during the week.
Stay in less touristy areas where hotels are more affordable
Book accommodation well in advance to get a better deal
Travel Smart
Use public transportation like buses and tuk-tuks at your destination instead of rental cars or Uber which cost way more.
Enjoy local cuisine, street food if you are a fan, or local eateries that are affordable and to experience the culture.
Search for free or low-cost attractions such as museums, parks, and holiday festivals for entertainment.
Pack light, Avoid excess baggage fees by packing efficiently and sticking to carry-on luggage.
Check when travel apps and websites have discounts on packages
Use fare comparison sites like Momondo, kayak, Student Universe, and cheap flights
Use local currencies
Budget-friendly destinations
Asia: Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal
South America: Nicaragua, Mexico, Bolivia, Peru
Europe: Greece, Georgia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania
Affordable travel isn't just about finances, it is also a mindset. You determine what kind of trip you want it to be, what is good for somebody else may not necessarily be good for you so tailor your travel to fit your needs and your budget. Remember to create great memories on your trip. Until next time, love, Esty.
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