When we tell people about our travel plans, the one question we are always asking is how can you afford it? It’s not easy and you have to be really strict with yourself. Here are just a few tips to save before heading out on your travel adventure:
Set Yourself Monthly Targets & Stick To it
Calculate what your outgoings are each month and how much you need spending money you realistically need (see point below!). 30% of our wages is put straight into our savings account every month. Put this money a-side as soon as you get paid and don’t be tempted to dip into this throughout the month.
Stop Spending & Make Sacrifices
Do you really need more clothes, dvds or house-y things?! You can’t take everything with you on your travels, so why not save that £10/20/50 on something you can take with you or a night out in [Enter country of choice here]. Now I’m not saying don’t live, as you can’t completely stop your life because you need to be saving but it’s about getting the balance between the two.
Cut Back On Mid-Week Spending
One of the biggest expenditures is spending money during the week at work, either on lunches or after work drinks. Do you buy your lunch every day? Why not, make a bigger evening meal so you have enough to take to work for leftovers the next day. That’s what I do and don’t spend anything during the week. It can sometimes be boring to do that every day, so I usually treat myself to something nice on a Friday!
Find Extra Ways to Earn Money
There are lot of ways you can make a little extra money to help fund your travels. Online surveys are a good way to earn a little money in your spare time. You won’t get rich fast doing them, but if you’re on the computer in the evenings then you might aswell make a little money out of it! Got lots of junk you need to get rid of? Car boots are a great way to add to your travel fund and also make some more room in your house. We like to do carboots every so often and usually get about £50-80 selling old clothes, books dvds etc.
There are some great tips on how to make some extra pennies here
Make Sure You’re Getting The Best Deals
Sometimes, there are things you have to buy so when you do make sure you’re doing it the cheapest way possible. Booking train tickets? Buy in advance and shop around for the best deals or would the mega bus be cheaper? Find alternatives and compare prices of everything you buy. There’s always discount and voucher codes all over the web to help you save on the things you need.
Be Strict With Yourself
It’s so tempting to take a few pounds out of your savings so you can make that night out or buy yourself a new pair of shoes, but if you’re going to hit your savings targets you need to be really strict with yourself. You put your money into your savings for a reason so keep it there and make sure you stick to all the above.
Think About the End Goal
Saving isn’t easy, at some point it will get really tough and you’ll remember what life was like before you didn’t have to use the line, ‘Oh sorry, I can’t make tonight, I’m saving’. So, think about the reason you’re saving, look at pictures, watch videos and you’ll remember why it will all be worth it. This are the pictures I like to use to remind us:
Got your own tips on saving for travel? Feel free to share them below!
Our Big Fat North America Travel Adventure! 
travelling is the best thing in the world!