Let’s get things straight; the idyllic Instagrammed travel adventure is never quite as it seems. For every moment that takes the breath away, there’s a thousand that didn’t. For every memory collected, a suitcase of ‘things’ was needed to make it happen.
For every time you found yourself, countless times you were lost. And perhaps most pertinently, for every pound spent, a hundred pennies needed to be saved. With this in mind, here are 5 IDEAL tips for budget travel best practice.
MAKE SAVINGS BEFORE YOUR TRIP
The best way to be fiscally comfortable when travelling is to save sufficiently before you set off. While that may seem obvious, it’s still important to bear in mind; having the pounds in place prior to your trip is the way to be financially free during it. By knowing exactly how much you have to play with, you can create a sound budget, planned out considerately according to your savings, and stick to it. Of course, some extra money should be put aside for mistakes, mishaps and missteps; an absolute inevitable when travelling with a free spirit.
Speaking of budgeting, getting a prepaid credit card like Monzo is a good idea. You simply preload one with money and you can see exactly how much you’re spending every day via an app. Moreover, unlike other debit and credit cards, you can use Monzo to spend in any foreign currency without being ripped off by dodgy exchange rates; you can withdraw up to £200 every 30 days for free overseas. What’s more, if you lose or misplace the card while you’re travelling, you can “freeze” it immediately, and unfreeze if you manage to find it.
WORK WHILE YOU TRAVEL
It is not ideal to be continually eating into your savings without any money coming in, which is why working while you’re on the go is a wise idea if you want to experience a richer, fuller travel experience. There is often seasonal work or bar jobs ripe for transient employees, and these can be a fun way to meet new people as well as the obvious financial benefits. Alternatively, you could look into online work which you can do anywhere and at your own pace.
There are plenty of internet gigs you can earn money from like freelance writing, web design tasks, paid surveys and more, which allow you to earn while you travel. All you need is a laptop and stable internet. We’ve written more about that ‘digital nomad’ lifestyle here. Check it out!
CUT OUT THE EXCESS
The dream of ‘travel’ is one of hidden street food gems uncovered, roadside dive bars where lifelong friendships are made, of slumming it in the name of adventure and sleeping out under the stars. Therefore, a little sacrifice needs to be made on the finer things and home comforts you might be used to. This might take the form of cutting back on expensive fast food in favour of street eats, of drinking less or more cheaply, and of putting the pricey skin and hair care regime on hold; no one’s looking at the top of your head on that desolate mountain top, after all.
KEEP FOCUSED
Everyone has a reason for visiting a country, be it to sample certain foods, visit friends or see some famous sights. This is why you should streamline your itinerary according to your specific tastes rather than following the hype. Many tourist spots with that one Instagram worthy shot are actually pretty low on entertainment and high on cost otherwise, and additionally, are super crowded all year around. Don’t fall into the trap.
While planning, preparation, strategy and foresight aren’t exactly words which chime with the spontaneous, carefree approach to travelling which so appeals, a little focus can go a long way when it comes to being budget savvy. Indeed, creating a master wish list of things you truly want to see and do will ensure you can make the best decisions on the day based on where you are, your budget, and how you feel.
EMERGENCY FUNDS
Sometimes, an emergency can arrive or new travel options emerge and the need for quick cash will hit. If you need money immediately, it may be prudent to take out an online loan. You can get approved for quick loans online which will provide you with cash in the short-term to fund your trip. Of course, interest rates on such a loan are high, so make this a last resort.
There are lots of travel credit cards out there which might be a good idea before you go away. Some offer emergency travel assistance which can help fix travel fiascos like lost baggage and legal assistance.