The past couple of years has been very restricting for travel. Many plans have been changed, flights canceled, and trips delayed. But I think we’re all feeling hopeful that 2022 is going to be the year of more travel and adventures domestically and internationally.
Traveling isn’t cheap. But it doesn’t have to be unreasonably expensive either (obviously depending on the destination) And if you want to travel badly enough, it is attainable for you. The most asked question I get is how do I manage to travel as much as I do. And I’ll be honest in saying, I do travel pretty frequently and I am so grateful for that- but it’s not because of luck or stacks of money I have lying around somewhere- I work really hard, prioritize traveling, and budget well.
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Over the years I’ve gained some knowledge on budgeting, saving, and tips in general for traveling more regularly. I’d love to share this with all of you in hopes that it helps just one person gain some knowledge and confidence in their ability to make a travel dream come true.
Who’s ready to travel more in 2022?! Let’s get started.
1. Have More Than One Stream of Income
For most of my adult life, I’ve worked at least two (sometimes three) jobs. Having multiple streams of income really opens up the door for more opportunities to save money for trips and traveling. My motto has always been, “work hard, play hard!”
So if you’re looking to start stashing away more money for travel and you currently only have one job or one stream of income, this is a great place to start! Re-evaluate your schedule and see where you can fit in time to pick up a second, part-time gig. Or maybe you have a creative outlet that could allow you to freelance some work, such as photography, writing, or virtual assisting. One of my favorite additional streams of income I’ve had in the past was teaching English online with VIPKid. You need to have English as a first language and a TEFL certification, which you can receive online. There are tons of options out there and more work equals more money for travel!
2. Open a Savings Account Specifically For Travel Money
Saving money is not easy for a lot of people. But if you want to travel more, it is 100% necessary, and it’s a habit that needs to be adopted and taken very seriously. One thing that’s assisted me the most has been opening up a savings account in which I put in money specifically for travel.
This is the habit I recommend adopting: at the end of the week (or bi-weekly depending on when you get paid) pick an amount you feel comfortable sparing with, and immediately take it out and deposit it directly into your travel money savings account. Do this every single time you get paid. Even if it’s just $50 to start- it will add up and it will make a difference. But the goal is to raise the amount whenever you can.
The key though, is that once that money hits your savings account, YOU DO NOT TOUCH IT! It does not come out because you found a new outfit you want to buy, or because you want to go to a fancy dinner. This money is strictly for travel and only you can hold yourself accountable for that.
3. Track Your Spending
Something I started doing last year, which helped me figure out a better budget, was tracking my spending. You can easily do this on an excel spreadsheet. This is how I set mine up:
Tracking your spending will allow you to see where you’re spending more money than you need to and it will allow you to see where you can be cutting back. The key is to input every purchase you make during the month period. I found it helpful to get into that habit at the end of the day, to input any purchase I made that day and label them accordingly. Maybe you have some subscriptions you’ll see adding up and realize you don’t need them all. Maybe you’ll start to notice for the first time how much money you spend monthly on eating out and you know this is something you can cut down. Tracking your spending can really open your eyes up a bit more to where your money is going, and instead, you’ll be able to put it towards travel!
4. Develop Habits That Save Money
Creating good habits isn’t just good for your mind and body, but it’s also good for your wallet. Some examples- get into the habit of making coffee at home instead of going to Starbucks regularly. Start meal prepping instead of ordering out for lunch and dinner multiple times a week. Instead of going to a bar after work, buy a bottle of wine and invite a friend over. These are just a couple of habits that could save you a bit of money in the long run, but I’m sure you get the point. Start assessing areas of your life where you could change a habit that you know will be saving you more money for travel.
5. Adopt a Minimalist Lifestyle
This one didn’t really happen for me until I started traveling long-term, but it has completely changed my life. And if it’s a lifestyle change you can work on now, it will allow you to save more money than you’d ever expect to.
The definition of minimalism is “a style or technique that is characterized by extreme spareness and simplicity.” To live a minimalist lifestyle means you’re striving to only use or buy things that serve a purpose. It’s about living simply and having only what you need to go about your daily life. This may sound extreme for someone who is not familiar with the idea. However, if you want to save more money for travel it means spending less money on things that aren’t actually necessary. Think about it in terms of giving up “things” for “experiences.” Which one is more important to you?
6. Make Travel A Priority
This last one is singularly the most important thing on this list. You must make traveling a priority if that’s what you’re saving your money for. If it’s not a priority then chances are you won’t be tracking your spending or putting money in your savings account. If you don’t get crystal clear on your priorities and your desires, then you will not keep yourself accountable in making your travel dream a reality. That is the honest truth.
I hope this post has given you some clarity on ways you can start to save more, habits worth forming, and lifestyle changes you can make, which will all aid you in traveling more in 2022. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to leave below, and as always, happy travels!
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