How to Travel on a Budget
Yes you can!!
Recently I read an article stating that travel is "dependent on privilege" followed by statements such as, "I don't travel because I'm poor." I understand the struggle of brokeness as much as the next person. I'm a college student paying too much for an overpriced apartment and I work less than 40 hours a week at minimum wadge. Yet I find ways to take a trip here and there. Contradictory to what the article read, I'm not getting money from my parents and I'm not swimming in credit card debt up to my neck. So what's my trick? Lots of planning and the willingness to sacrifice my more frivolous wants. Admittedly yes, the post rubbed me the wrong way. I work hard to pinch pennies in order to have the experiences that I do. On the other hand, the article did make me think, perhaps if I share some of my travel strategies I can help people with this negative outlook plan a trip of their own!
Ladies and Gentlemen I present to you my strategies for traveling on a budget.
**Stay at an Air B and B:
Air B and B's are a great way to save a nice chunk of cash. In my experience they're much cheaper than staying at a hotel. Each space for "rent" is reviewed by previous guests and the website provides lots of photos to help you get a good idea of what the place is like. I will be honest in saying that sometimes photos can be deceiving as you can't really gauge how clean the place will actually be based on a picture. However, my experiences with Air B and B's have been positive thus far! Staying at one of these places is a great way to meet locals and get the scoop on events going on around town, plus they make for more interesting stories and experiences than your run of the mill hotel.
P.S- Most Air B and B renters allow you to have access to their kitchen!
** Do Free things once you arrive:
When I go places I pick one or two BIG things to do while visiting. The rest of the time I'll focus on seeing all of the fun free sights and activities the area has to offer. Depending where you travel to the attractions and cost of things will vary. If you're staying in a city there are almost always free museums and tours that you can check out. Luckily, with the assistance of this handy thing called "the Internet" lists of free sights to be seen are easily available for all destinations imaginable.
** Go Camping:
A really good way to save cash and escape the stresses of day to day life is camping! I am a camping fanatic and let me tell you there is nothing like a good camping trip! We always go to state parks because they are well maintained and reasonably priced. Also, have I mentioned day trips! All you need is a state park sticker, a yearly sticker costs around $30. Once you have a sticker you can visit any state park at any time!! How awesome is that? There's nothing more refreshing than relaxing in nature for a few days, unplug, unwind and enjoy! If you don't have any camping gear no worries. Mostly everything you might need is easily accessible at your local Wal Mart, delicious s'mores included! :)
** Cook your own food:
Cooking our own meals has become something of a tradition for Jake and I when we're on the road. Instead of going out every meal cook your own! Often we have breakfast where ever we're staying, we keep it simple with oatmeal packets and some apples or bananas. We will usually cook dinner at "home" a time or two during our trip too. Not only does this tip help save money it also prevents you from feeling like a blob due to too much delicious restaurant food.
** Set money aside each pay check:
Pick a set amount of cash that works for you and take it out of your pay check each and every time. This amount could range from $20-$50 whatever works for you! Sure, you may not be able to jet set off to Mexico tomorrow but if you stick with it you'll eventually find yourself by the ocean sipping on a margarita!
** Consider your options:
I've traveled using multiple modes of transportation. If you do the research you can find the cheapest way to get to your destination. When we went to Denver we traveled by train. It was an 18 hour train ride but it was $200 cheaper than buying a plane ticket. We took a 9 hour road trip to Nashville and it costed less than $100 each for transportation. These prices are no where near crazy! If you plan and budget for the trip you want to take you can make it happen!
Traveling with a friend or significant other won't only make for good company but it will give you someone to split the cost with!
By following these basic guidelines I have been able to create fun new memories in distant lands. Travelling is something we can all do. It won't happen overnight but if you save, save, save and keep your eye on the prize you can make it happen!!
Never Stop Exploring
Recently I read an article stating that travel is "dependent on privilege" followed by statements such as, "I don't travel because I'm poor." I understand the struggle of brokeness as much as the next person. I'm a college student paying too much for an overpriced apartment and I work less than 40 hours a week at minimum wadge. Yet I find ways to take a trip here and there. Contradictory to what the article read, I'm not getting money from my parents and I'm not swimming in credit card debt up to my neck. So what's my trick? Lots of planning and the willingness to sacrifice my more frivolous wants. Admittedly yes, the post rubbed me the wrong way. I work hard to pinch pennies in order to have the experiences that I do. On the other hand, the article did make me think, perhaps if I share some of my travel strategies I can help people with this negative outlook plan a trip of their own!
Ladies and Gentlemen I present to you my strategies for traveling on a budget.
**Stay at an Air B and B:
Air B and B's are a great way to save a nice chunk of cash. In my experience they're much cheaper than staying at a hotel. Each space for "rent" is reviewed by previous guests and the website provides lots of photos to help you get a good idea of what the place is like. I will be honest in saying that sometimes photos can be deceiving as you can't really gauge how clean the place will actually be based on a picture. However, my experiences with Air B and B's have been positive thus far! Staying at one of these places is a great way to meet locals and get the scoop on events going on around town, plus they make for more interesting stories and experiences than your run of the mill hotel.
P.S- Most Air B and B renters allow you to have access to their kitchen!
underconsideration.com
** Do Free things once you arrive:
When I go places I pick one or two BIG things to do while visiting. The rest of the time I'll focus on seeing all of the fun free sights and activities the area has to offer. Depending where you travel to the attractions and cost of things will vary. If you're staying in a city there are almost always free museums and tours that you can check out. Luckily, with the assistance of this handy thing called "the Internet" lists of free sights to be seen are easily available for all destinations imaginable.
marciameara.wordpress.com
** Go Camping:
A really good way to save cash and escape the stresses of day to day life is camping! I am a camping fanatic and let me tell you there is nothing like a good camping trip! We always go to state parks because they are well maintained and reasonably priced. Also, have I mentioned day trips! All you need is a state park sticker, a yearly sticker costs around $30. Once you have a sticker you can visit any state park at any time!! How awesome is that? There's nothing more refreshing than relaxing in nature for a few days, unplug, unwind and enjoy! If you don't have any camping gear no worries. Mostly everything you might need is easily accessible at your local Wal Mart, delicious s'mores included! :)
tupperlake.com
** Cook your own food:
Cooking our own meals has become something of a tradition for Jake and I when we're on the road. Instead of going out every meal cook your own! Often we have breakfast where ever we're staying, we keep it simple with oatmeal packets and some apples or bananas. We will usually cook dinner at "home" a time or two during our trip too. Not only does this tip help save money it also prevents you from feeling like a blob due to too much delicious restaurant food.
camaje.com
** Set money aside each pay check:
Pick a set amount of cash that works for you and take it out of your pay check each and every time. This amount could range from $20-$50 whatever works for you! Sure, you may not be able to jet set off to Mexico tomorrow but if you stick with it you'll eventually find yourself by the ocean sipping on a margarita!
ossiningufsd.org
** Consider your options:
I've traveled using multiple modes of transportation. If you do the research you can find the cheapest way to get to your destination. When we went to Denver we traveled by train. It was an 18 hour train ride but it was $200 cheaper than buying a plane ticket. We took a 9 hour road trip to Nashville and it costed less than $100 each for transportation. These prices are no where near crazy! If you plan and budget for the trip you want to take you can make it happen!
career.iresearchnet.com
** Don't go at it alone:
Traveling with a friend or significant other won't only make for good company but it will give you someone to split the cost with!
By following these basic guidelines I have been able to create fun new memories in distant lands. Travelling is something we can all do. It won't happen overnight but if you save, save, save and keep your eye on the prize you can make it happen!!
Never Stop Exploring
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