Tips on Saving Money to Travel More

Everyone has fantasies about packing and jetting off around the world to the most beautiful places. After all, a break is as good as a rest. But the crushing reality about traveling is figuring out the money. While one of your New Year resolutions may have been to save money and book that bucket-list trip, after some time your savings may feel slim. But don’t despair – you still have time to save money. Here are a few tips to help you spend less and save more.

BUY THINGS IN BULK

Although buying in bulk may seem like the opposite of saving money because you spend much, for the items you constantly use in the house, this is one of the best ways to save a few dollars. Consider purchasing some items like alcohol, toilet paper, butter, laundry detergent, soap, and paper towels in large quantities. If you’re like most of us and dislike carrying large shopping bags home, you can purchase your items in bulk online through Amazon Pantry, and they will be delivered to your house.

PACK YOUR LUNCHES

In case you didn’t know, spending as little as $12 a day on lunch alone for five days a week can end up being an expense of over $3,000 a year! That’s quite a lot of money, and you can save more by packing your own lunch.

STOP EATING OUT

Restaurants are one of the things straining your travel savings plan. Learning how to cook a delicious meal for yourself is enjoyable. You can find several recipes on the internet to start you off. Cooking for yourself can help you eat comfortably on $50 or less a week. Apart from being affordable, simple and, unprocessed food like pasta, beans, rice, potatoes, chicken, and vegetables are healthy.

CUT DOWN ON EXPENSIVE COFFEE DRINKS

​You cannot do without coffee, and coffee shops are an important place where most people go to study, socialize, and work. However, you shouldn’t spend a fortune on coffee. Consider drip coffee instead of the fancy mocha grande. Spending $2 every day instead of $5 can help you save $1,092 a year!
​

CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS

You most likely don’t know that you’re spending hundreds of dollars every year on different services that offer you similar things. If you cannot do without HBO, Showtime, Hulu, Netflix, Spotify, and Amazon or any other streaming platform, gather some of your friends or relatives and set up a family account. You can cut down on how much you spend on a monthly basis if everybody contributes some money for the subscriptions. Besides, books can be cheaper than movies.

SKIP THE SPA

While spending a day in a spa can make you feel pampered, relaxed, and rejuvenated, it comes with a serious expense. Massages and peels will put holes on your savings plan quickly than a woodpecker on amphetamines. Plus, a spa won’t boost your confidence as much as a dress would. The easiest and most affordable way to boost your confidence is to build your wardrobe.  

QUIT SMOKING

You might have heard that smoking causes emphysema, lung cancer, and heart disease. Quitting this dangerous habit won’t only save your life, but also spare your $2000 a year. If you are finding it difficult to quit smoking, you’re not alone. Only 6 percent of those who try to quit smoking are successful. However, you can resist tobacco cravings by trying a nicotine replacement therapy or ask for help from someone who can help you keep accountable.

REDUCE YOUR CAR USAGE

It is estimated that the average American spends approximately 1.1 hours every day driving. Therefore, it can be very difficult to live without your car. To reduce your car usage, you can replace it with a bike or just walk. Additionally, you can reduce your car usage by shopping closer to home or purchasing items online to take advantage of the free delivery services.

MINIMIsE YOUR UTILITY BILLS

Open the windows and let in a cool breeze into your house instead of switching on your air conditioner. Put on a sweatshirt and switch of your heating system. Always turn off the lights when you leave a room, and also shorten your showers. Utility bills in the US average between $90 and $140 every month, and if you trim just 20 percent of your monthly utility bills by being more efficient and conserve energy, you can add approximately $336 to your savings every year.

So you want to burst your bubble, travel the world, and meet new people. Saving is the only way to reach your goal. In the coming months, life may derail some of your plans, but the most important thing is to always keep your eyes on the prize. Before making a purchase, think about its worth in your destination.
​