People always ask me "How can you afford to travel and take trips all of the time when I can't do anything but live paycheck to paycheck?
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It's really not all that difficult if you're willing to make a few changes in your life! I've made them myself so can assure you these changes enriched my life in ways I never imagined possible. Nor were they all that difficult to make.
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The first thing you want to do is change your mental vision of travel from one of typical tourist travel to a 'think outside the box' version of travel.
After I did that, I sat down and made a list of all my monthly expenses that I had to pay - insurance, medical bills, groceries, utilities and the like.
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Then I made a list of what I spent each month on what amounted to 'luxury items: Lunch with the girls here and there, dinner out, movie tickets, Starbucks...you get the idea. What I was horrified to discover was that I was hemorrhaging money on frivolities! A LOT of money that I could spend on traveling instead.
I prioritized and simplified my life. Instead of spending on frivolities, I began putting that money in a travel account.
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Encouraged by how fast that account was growing, I set about researching ways to save money while traveling - and then trying those strategies myself to see if they actually worked. So everything I'm going to share with you I've tried myself already.
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I'll break these strategies down into categories to make things easier for you, but we'll start with some general savings strategies.
Set a budget and track your phantom spending
In order to save money you have to know where you're spending it frivolously and eliminate doing so. Do you really need that $7 Starbucks mocha latte every morning? Multiply that $7 per morning by 365 days a year = $2,555 per year. That amount alone will finance half a trip within the U.S.!
Heck, I paid for a trip for 2 to Cozumel, Mexico at a 4 star luxury resort for 10 days on that amount!
Establish a travel savings account
I discovered a really simple way to do this. I have a big jar I put all of my spare change in. Every 2 months I go to my credit union and put that money in an interest bearing savings account. That's $400 saved everry 2 months by simply saving my spare change vs. spending it = $2,400 per year + interest.
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Interest rates are very high these days and you can earn around 4% on your savings account! Take advantage of that!
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The other thing I do to add to my travel savings account is pay myself first when I get my monthly check. Even if you can only afford to put $50 per month away, that money will be earning interest while it's sitting in that account. Out of sight, out of mind and you won't spend that money.
Photo credit: Amazon
Apply for credit cards that give you travel rewards
People always ask me "What's the best credit card to get?"
There is no "best card". You have hundreds of options to choose from and the 'trick' is to find the card that best suits your travel needs!
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Are you interested in loyalty to a brand, free rewards, or avoiding fees?
The Bilt Mastercard is the only credit card that earns you points when paying rent (up to 100,000 Bilt Points each year) without any transaction fees (really!). It’s an overall great card with plenty of category bonuses and over 19 transfer partners.
It’s the main card I use for my day-to-day spending. I pay the balance off in full every month so I don't accrue interest charges or get myself into debt.
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While I don't pay rent or a mortgage, if you're a renter you
Photo credit: BILT
might want to consider this card.
With the arrival of the Bilt Mastercard®, you can now earn points on rent (up to 100,000 Bilt Points per year), without paying any transaction fees for doing so. And it has changed the game. (Use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points.)
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Plus, in addition to earning points, the card also gives you:
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Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection
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Trip Delay Reimbursement
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Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver
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Cellular Telephone Protection
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No foreign transaction fee (Terms & Conditions)
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$5 USD in Lyft credits each month after taking three rides that month
Click here for a full breakdown of Rewards and Benefits and Rates and Fees.
Photo credit: American Express
I used to have an American Express Delta Skymiles credit card but when I quit flying I no longer needed Skymiles awarded me and certainly not at a $95 annual fee for the card!
(The annual fee has now jumped to $150!)
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So I dumped the gold card and downgraded to a no fee American Express card that still gives me rewards but not the number of Skymiles I had been getting that I no longer needed.
A couple of times a year I'll go through my travel reward cards and re-evaluate them.
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I also keep a couple of credit cards for accommodations I routinely use that award me free stays and other travel rewards, like the Hilton Honors card.
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There are different versions of this card to choose from depending on your travel needs.
I keep the No Annual Fee card as that suits my needs just fine.
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Sign up for accommodations and restaurant rewrads programs
Photo credit: Landry's
When going to Disney World for 10 days my sister and I signed up for free to Rainforest Cafe's Landry's Select Club. We got $75 worth of rewards points that afforded us a FREE lunch at Rainforest Cafe right outside the entrance of the Animal Kingdom park plus priority seating - a big plus when dealing with Disney crowds.
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Even if you think you'll never use them a second time, sign up for these free rewards clubs. It costs you nothing.
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The Landry's Select Club also offers special deals for members, such as bonus points for dining reservations
made and kept, exclusive promotions, ticket presales, wine dinners, events and more.
Plan your trip well ahead of time
I always plan my trips at least six months in advance and most often, one year before actually taking the trip. This gives me the opportunity to take advantage of annual promotions, deals, sales, discounts and comparison shop.
Utilize travel newsletters
These are a great way to score savings on travel and they're usually FREE to sign up to receive. If you don't want them sent to your regular email and cluttering it up, then set up a free email account to have just travel newsletters sent to and clean that account out once a month.
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Airlines and accommodations (just 2 examples) offer some last minute deals that can save you as much as 50%.
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Additionally, consider signing up for a website like Going.com. They hunt down deals and send them directly to your inbox — for free! They also offer a premium service that offers more (and better) deals but at the very least join their free newsletter.
Buy used & save the difference
We live in a disposable, throw-away society. I always buy used if possible, then put the money I saved buying used in my travel savings account. Certainly you don't have to buy everything used...but I've found items for pennies on the dollar that looked brand new and worked perfectly.
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Even if you live in the boonies like I do, you'll usually find a nearby thrift store or secondhand shop. There are also garage sales, flea markets, estate sales, Goodwill, where you can find some real bargains. And I don't just shop for travel necessities at such places.
For example, at left is my every day dinnerware that I've had for years. Over time pieces got broken, etc.
A new 8 place setting of dinnerware would've cost me over $100 even on clearance.
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I happened to be wandering through Goodwill one day when I found multiple pieces of my wolf plates! I was able to replace (and then some) all of the pieces in my set I was missing. Cost: $3.
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The plates, etc. I bought look brand new.
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If you buy used and save the difference you'll be surprised how fast your travel fund will grow!
Become a couponer
I used to be the coupon queen of grocery shopping until stores did away with double coupon days. I once added up what I saved in one year by double couponing and sending in for free products - over $10,000!
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I still coupon for travel!
The Entertainment Book, grocery coupons, Groupon, and loyalty cards all reduce the price you pay at the register.
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You can find these coupon books at rest stops or your travel destination's Visitor's Center or Chamber of
Commerce. Some cities publish their own coupon books that you can purchase for a few bucks. Dining Guides for a specific travel destination are FREE and you'll find them in lobby magazine racks of stores along with the free travel pamphlets. (You can even find coupons in those!)
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Also, use Rakuten, which is an app and web browser extension that gives you cash back on purchases that range from 1–20%. You can also get American Express Membership Rewards points instead of cash back if you want. You can also tie a specific credit card to your Rakuten account and get cash back in physical stores, too.
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Combine Rakuten with coupon codes you find on the web and you have a very powerful combo to save money.
Develop a side hustle to earn travel cash
More and more people are trading their skills or labor for travel accommodations and other travel perks - labor on sustainable farms for room and board, teaching English overseas, cultural exchange programs, etc.
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TaskRabbit lets you do tasks that people don’t have time for—from cleaning to moving, doing research, or helping with errands. Websites like Fiverr and Upwork allow you to be people’s assistants, editors, designers, or a host of other professional roles, while Yoodlize allows you to rent out your unused stuff for money. These sites can provide an easy way to earn money on the side. Be sure to check them out as a way to earn extra money for your upcoming trip.
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Additionally, you can become an Uber or Lyft driver, teach a skill on the side, or rent out a room on Airbnb. In the age of the “side hustle,” there are lots of ways to utilize your proven skills for extra cash. Get creative!
Here is a full list of sharing economy websites you can use to earn some extra cash on the side.
Be flexible in your travel dates and times
The more flexible you can be with your travel dates and times, the more money you stand to save by being able to take advantage of annual, seasonal, and last minute promotions and specials.
Travel during off season, not peak season of your travel destination
Prices will always be higher in your travel destination during the peak tourist season. By traveling during your destination's off or low season you'll not only pay lower prices but won't have to fight large tourist crowds.
Always purchase travel health insurance
We always tend to think "Won't happen to ME!"
On a recent trip to Switzerland, my sister fell down a castle stairway, breaking her leg. She found out Switzerland's health care system is vastly different than that of our own. She had to go to 3 different specialized hospitals just to get x-rays and her leg set and then cast.
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Had she not purchased travel insurance, her hospital bills from Switzerland would have cost her roughly $50,000.
Use Viator
If you’re looking to do any tours in your future travels, I HIGHLY recommend using Viator. They offer the best curated experiences in destinations across the US and Europe, from walking food tours to other guided sightseeing. I've found you'll save at least 15% more than on sites like Get Your Guide.
Consider domestic travel
I've never had the desire to travel overseas. There's still too much I haven't seen and experienced right on our own continent. Domestic travel is obviously less expensive than foreign travel and far more hassle-free as well!
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Consider road trips to nearby national parks or charming towns. This allows for flexibility and the chance to discover​ hidden gems without the high cost of international travel.
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Budget travel has become popular among those who want to see the world without spending a lot. It focuses on experiences, not expensive things. This way, people can travel more for less money.
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More people are choosing to save money over spending a lot on travel. They want to explore and discover new places. Instead of fancy hotels, they prefer hostels, vacation rentals, or camping.
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Traveling on a budget can be less stressful and reveal hidden treasures. Street markets, local food, and off-the-beaten-path spots offer great cultural experiences at lower prices. These options make your trip more meaningful and connect you with the places you visit.
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In today’s world, it’s easier than ever to travel affordably. Budget travel lets you have amazing experiences without breaking the bank. It encourages exploration and a love for discovering new places on your own terms.
Consider traveling with a group
Many travel establishments now offer discounted group travel rates. Take advantage of those discounted rates!
Use these strategies and you'll be traveling in no time!