Travelling is great, but it can cost a pretty penny. Here are some tips that have been helpful for me in the past (and present) to get some cash together for a trip. Planning ahead is key, so start early!!!
1. Set up an automatic savings plan when your pay cheque comes in. It’s just about the easiest way to make sure you have money put aside that is earmarked for travel.
2. Increase your number of work hours or diversify your income. This one can be hard to do depending on the number of commitments already on your plate. However, I highly recommend taking some time to think about your skills and how you can market them to make some extra cash on the side without being overwhelmed. It could be as simple as babysitting a few weekends or doing some graphic design work for people you know.
3. Ask yourself would you rather drink this coffee at the base of the Eiffel Tower? They say it is with pennies that dollars are made, and it’s absolutely true that multiple coffees can turn into a plane ticket. Every time I am tempted to eat out or grab an over-priced coffee at Starbucks I always stop and say to myself, this coffee would taste so much better in Paris and resist the temptation.
4. Check the classifieds to buy stuff used and save the difference. Not the most creative solution, but with Kijiji and Craig’s list you can find just about anything online at a fraction of the cost than retail. Definitely search the classifieds and put the extra cash in that travel fund.
5. Apply for funding from governmental agencies and community groups. You would be surprised how many travel grants are available depending on the purpose of your trip. From volunteering to cultural exchanges, you can likely apply for some money to supplement your travel funds.
6. Get a travel rewards card. It may take you ten years to earn enough points for a flight of any kind, but it’s gonna be atleast one flight that you did not have to pay for. So don’t miss out and start accumulating those points.
