How I save money for & during travelling

It is true that the best things in life are for free, but I somehow grew up with the idea that traveling is for the rich because you imagine going abroad somewhere far where you will inevitably face a lot of expenses. It was and it still is a myth.

Thinking about the traveling aspect, having Erasmus and cheap plane tickets… well, the world is your oyster. You have no excuses anymore. It’s easier to travel now than ever before.

The challenge is that there are plenty of habits to break and of course they’ll get you out of your comfort zone, but in the end what you buy and spend money on will eventually weigh your travels down and become a burden if you don’t think wisely.

So here you have my saving money tips that you can try for yourself and maybe even implement them in your life even when you are not actually traveling.

1. Stop going out (the traditional way)

This is by far one of the most struggling ones, but I always try to look for the free events that are locally organized and enjoy the people and the vibe of the locals rather than looking for cocktails you can try anywhere else.

2. Don’t go out for breakfast/ brunch/ lunch/ dinner

Undoubtedly, I am a food lover and even though the restaurants and terraces are extremely tempting, my pocket will thank you if you choose a more engaging way to eat such as picnics or lunch boxes. The supermarkets or the local markets will prove to be quite enjoyable if you want to eat healthy and also try and chat with the locals about what you can prepare with their fruits and vegetables. Not to mention that if you make sandwiches or lunch boxes you will save a lot of traveling time that you would otherwise waste waiting for your food to be prepared and served.

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3. Stop ordering food at home

Laziness and lack of time will probably make you grab the phone and look for something to order quickly at home such as pizza. If you’re saving to travel or you’re on your travel, organize yourself better and you will see improvements by eating healthier, cheaper and better at home.

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4. Stop going to the cinema

Watching movies from the comfort of your home will always gather some bonus points in comparison with going to the cinema since the chairs prove to be quite uncomfortable sometimes. Let alone the silly amount of money you have to pay for sweets and popcorn. You can eat all of those at home for far less money.

5. Stop shopping for clothes

Ok, there are sales seasons and of course, who could resist so many bargains… but the real question is ‘Do you actually need this?’. What is strictly necessary will make you more happy trust me. You will be able to concentrate on what it truly matters: one new dress or two museum cards in Berlin that will give you unlimited entrance to more than 30 museums?

Long term, this money will add up and let’s be honest, we only grab those 5-6 blouses and those 2 pairs of jeans from our wardrobe. We want to be fashionable but you can dress well and trendy with some imagination too. Try to look at what you have and the combinations you can make and you will definitely find clothing that fit you just fine.

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6. Quit smoking and drinking coffee (to go)

If you’re a smoker, you probably know by now the enormous amount of money you can save ‘little by little’ if you give up your daily cigarettes. Small values add up and make a great yearly trip for example. If you drink 1 coffee a day and smoke 5 cigarettes per day this addiction will cost you:

1*1€ (or more) for coffee + 5*0.25€ for cigarettes = 2.25 € per day, which is 756 € per year. That could be a two-way ticket to New York or Thailand!

If you are committed to eliminating unnecessary spending, you’ll be amazed by how much your budget will skyrocket!

7. Record your expenses

The best start in trying to save money is figuring how much you spend and keep track of things: every coffee, every cash tip, every household item. Organise everything into categories or you can also try making totals per week and then per month and this way you will have a better perspective over the money you spend in one direction more than in others and cut down on that.

8. Watch your savings grow

Don’t say ‘Even if I give up something, I will simply just spend the money on something else without realising’. Check your progress and put money away if you want, have a pig-shaped jar or a simple traveling jar and watch how you are getting closer and closer to your next trip.

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Get inspired!

In the end, your goals need to have a big impact on this if you are really committed to save. Having a clear idea about where to start, thinking about traveling will definitely help.

And still, remember it’s not about saying 'no' to everything but rather about traveling smart and making choices that will really count in your travels. It’s more about engaging in the trip itself, having certain goals in mind that long term will matter more than the materialistic things tourists are often tempted to buy.

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