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During the pandemic, I was unable to go anywhere for two years. This period made me VERY aware of the uncertainty of the future and the limited time we have to experience life and see the world. A.K.A. Lots of FOMO and inspiration to save lots and travel lots.
Not to start on a dark note, but all my « I will travel far and experience this someday » thoughts became more urgent. I want to see and feel all the things before I die, and I WILL work my butt off to do it… but it is not as challenging as you may think.
Little Steps for Extraordinary Results.
This realization drove me to pursue my passion for experiencing things like molecular gastronomy and visiting the best bars and restaurants in the world… at least once. So I started with the more affordable options in Spain and Peru.
For instance, a cocktail at Carnaval, one of the top 50 bars in the world located in Lima, costs between $12 and $15. Surprisingly, these are similar prices to what we’d pay for cocktails in our current home city of Savannah, Georgia. And this is on the low-end. Cocktails can cost up to $25 at nicer restaurants.
Many people don’t hesitate to spend at least $100 at a local restaurant for a night out. Yet, the idea of embarking on an international trip often seems daunting.
Here’s a wild thought: I would personally spend between $10 and $15 at lunch time 5 times a week, sometimes even buy lunch for a friend or go out on a lunch date with my husband before my work shift. That added up to about $300 a month. This is the price of a tasting menu for 2 at a Michelin Starred restaurant in Barcelona called Dos Pebrots, including a bottle of wine, 2 glasses of Cava, another 2 glasses of wine, 2 glasses of sherry and a coffee (what can I say, it was 9 courses, we were there 3 hours… we got thirsty and a bit too excited) AND including a 20% tip.
Side note: Nobody tips 20% in Spain, the lady who took care of us was confused and super happy, we didn’t care, it was the experience of a lifetime. In addition, those prices are from October 2023, so this experience was very recent.
An event like this one seemed so out there and unattainable to me a couple of years ago but became a reality with just cooking at home and packing a lunch every day. I had this experience with my husband for our 10-year wedding anniversary, and it was some of the best food I’ve had in my life.
Truthfully, ridiculously good. I have said it before, and I’ll say it again: Spain is a different world in its own.
Everyone can travel.
Lately, many of my friends and acquaintances have commented, ‘Oh, I wish I could travel’ and ‘Must be nice,’ assuming I have thousands just to throw around for travel. Here’s the truth: Most people can travel—yes, most people. It’s just a matter of what you’re willing to sacrifice temporarily (Not even forever!) and how much effort you’re ready to invest in your travel budget.
I acknowledge that some people face health challenges that hinder travel. Additionally, family situations and financial struggles can make travel a lower priority. However, a significant number of people I know are accustomed to their spending habits and aren’t fully aware of the costs and planning involved in traveling— specifically, how long it might take them to save for a trip, and how they would navigate being out of their comfort zone in a foreign country with different languages.
I get it! There’s nothing wrong with finding comfort in your established routines. However, I wanted to share some concrete facts, including specific numbers, to illustrate how possible and achievable traveling can be.
Luxury travel anyone?
While traveling CAN be expensive, it doesn’t have to be. Surely you can spend thousands on flights and luxurious accommodations in the best places around the world. Saving for such life experiences is fantastic, and I highly recommend doing it a few times in your life.
However, I’ve been traveling since my teenage years, exploring Europe with very little money. I’ve lived on 1200 calories a day, with a few pastries, water, soup, or a sandwich, spending less than 20 euros daily. And you know what? Who cares, it was fine, I was a skinny teen with lots of wanderlust.
It was a beautiful time, and I regret nothing.
There’s Nothing Wrong with Budget Travel at ANY Age.
Even after graduating from college, I’ve embraced budget travel for many years—decades, even. I’ve learned to appreciate the little things, like staying in local neighborhoods, using public transportation, and dining where menus aren’t translated to English. Now in my 30s, I believe in splurging on what truly matters to me, such as a comfortable place to rest and rejuvenate, while being frugal where possible. This often means indulging in local cuisine instead of opting for pricey touristy options and relying on walking and public transport over taxis and first-class flights.
For instance, when it comes to flights, flying directly from my hometown, Savannah, can be expensive. However, opting for a flight from New York City is usually more budget friendly. My travel hack is to book a one-way ticket to New York, spend a day there, and then continue to my intended destination (typically Europe or South America). Interestingly, my ticket from Savannah to New York is often covered by JetBlue miles or costs less than $100.
Allow me to share some recent October 2023 numbers: A round-trip flight from NYC to Barcelona with a budget airline typically costs under $400. With careful planning and a bit of browsing, you can find a flight on Air France to Paris for under $550. Plus, both options typically allow for one carry-on and a personal item. Don’t believe me? I just checked this for fun on the Air France travel app.
Let me tell you, Air France is NICE. I’d choose Air France for any flight, appreciating their wine, smoked salmon onboard, and elegant style. They definitively are very classy. Recently, I took a budget Spanish airline flight from NYC to Barcelona, and it was a VERY rough experience. I would have gladly paid an extra $100 to avoid that. Live and learn.
Considering checking in a bag? Excellent! Typically, pricier flights charge an additional $150 to $300 for this, while checking a bag on a budget is usually less than $100. So, do the math. Perhaps opt for a carry-on when you depart and return with a suitcase filled with souvenirs from your destination. I frequently check a bag on my way to Peru, filled with gifts for my mom, and return with just my carry-on.
What can I say? I’m a minimalist packer, but I love my mom.
When heading to Peru, my family’s home country and my own, I frequently drive to Jacksonville and park at WallyPark for the duration of my trip. This parking option typically costs between $80 to $100, but thanks to my free membership, I often enjoy discounts of 25% off, sometimes paying as little as $60. This strategy allows me to save $250 to $450 on my flight to Peru.
Plan in Advance and Embrace the Local Spots.
For any upcoming trips, I try my best to purchase both my flight tickets and Airbnb/hotel accommodations three months in advance. Why? I value having choices and saving a bunch $$$.
This approach grants me access to THE BEST selection of budget-friendly Airbnb apartments (entire place to yourself), usually selling out a month prior to the travel dates. The same principle applies to hotel bookings and flights— If you book early, you get your pick.
When staying at Airbnbs, I make it a point to live like a local: I visit the farmers markets and buy an abundance of seasonal fruits, local meats and cheeses, taking advantage of having a kitchen and full-sized fridge. It is also healthier than eating out all the time.
Here’s another tip I will repeat: Immerse yourself in the local cuisine by exploring places where the menus aren’t translated into English, indicating they’re not tailored to tourists and inflating their prices.
Enjoy Vinho Verde in Portugal, Garnacha in Spain, and Côte de Rhône in France, respectively.
How do I prepare to fully fund my travel fund?
I highly recommend cutting eating out for a bit. The simple thought of spending that money having some amazing food and drinks in another country will make not splurging at home a lot easier.
I’m always trying my best to not be lazy and cook at home, meal prep and pack a lunch (sometimes I fail, but these efforts do make all the difference!)
Another trick is cooking mostly vegetarian meals for health reasons AND to save money. Meats are often more expensive than veggies. Also, a plant-based diet is more easily digested than meats, so it allows your body some rest from difficult digestion.
Always do your best to pack light for your trips and not checking a bag, saving yourself baggage fees.
Thoroughly studying and researching my destination (Which BTW is SUPER-FUN and builds tons of anticipation), searching for local budget activities, best value-for-money experiences, and local tips. This gives me lots of day-dreaming opportunities and a chance to let my imagination run rampant.
Saving money specifically for certain events during my trip: Museum tickets, a nice dinner experience, or a guided tour—things I really want to experience, like Casa Mila in Spain or Musee d’Orsay in Paris. Additionally, this is a personal love of mine, but I actively seek out local high-end chocolate and pastry shops in the cities I visit. Indulging in a luxurious sweet treat is one of the highest pleasures without breaking the bank.
Avoiding Travel Burnout
It is important to prioritize ample rest and staying well-hydrated, ensuring you get enough sleep. I never recommend overloading travel days with activities that not only drain your energy but also drain your wallet, leading to an unenjoyable experience due to exhaustion.
Experience fatigue is real -The urge to see everything you can while visiting a new place. I understand the feeling, but this will take the joy out of your trip and leave you exhausted. I say this from personal experience.
Side Gigs to Fully Fund your Trips.
To bolster my travel fund, I take up various side gigs wherever possible. Personally, I’ve worked (and even still make side income currently) with Rover, Lyft, and Uber.
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Have you driven with UBER before? Click here to get a returning driver bonus.
Peace of Mind While Traveling.
Making sure to have a month’s worth of bills saved up in your emergency fund to avoid any money worries when traveling. This is a way of being kind to yourself.
Side-note: I started doing this in my 30s, being a bit older and striving to be wiser. Emphasis on the « striving » part.
I have taken many trips throughout the years, saving a bit of money and stretching it out. Now I’m a bit more careful to avoid having unnecessary stress. Being stressed on vacation about things like money is definitely no fun.
What is a good base budget per day?
Normally, after paying for flight and accommodations, I budget $100 per day of travel. Many times, I don’t spend that much, and on some days, I spend a bit more, but it all evens out by the end of the trip.
Honestly, you need to research the average prices at your destination and walk around to visually and mentally compare on the first day. One café might have 2 euro beers while the next one has 5 euro beers. Also, Google search the daily costs for your destination: Thailand is definitely cheaper than France, for example.
As I have said, I have traveled on $20 per day. It is doable. But now I am at an age where I want to have certain experiences and prioritize my travel savings a bit more than before.
I’m also a person who doesn’t go shopping a lot and prefers having a drink with a view, a lovely walk, a day by the pool, a tour of a historic city, or a night out dancing. That’s what I love.
So, I recommend being truthful with yourself and seeing where you really want to spend your money. Maybe your shopping budget for clothes and souvenirs is something really important to you, or a very nice hotel is essential while you explore the streets and try amazing street foods. Perhaps you feel better taking taxis. I always opt for public transportation like buses and metros, so my transportation budget is not very significant. I walk A LOT, and my food and drink budget is big. My shopping budget is very small.
I know that Ireland can be a bit expensive, France can be more affordable if you avoid the tourist spots, but Spain is super affordable, and countries like Vietnam and Thailand are even more affordable than Spain! So, my advice is to plan your city of choice based on the money you have. To me, Spain is the dream! It’s only a 7.5-hour flight from NYC, and you can get a couple of beers and some tapas at most places for under $10. I also speak the language fluently, which helps.
Where does all my money go?
Making small daily decisions about your money can genuinely help you fully fund a month’s emergency budget plus a nice travel budget sooner than you think. Honestly, you would be surprised how much money you can easily spend on daily lunches (maybe $8 to $15?), and that adds up to $200-$400 a month! I work with several people who buy food nearby for lunch every day and don’t even give it a second thought.
Other sneaky money leaks are grocery shopping without a list and shopping without meal prepping. Too many subscriptions, excessive restaurant and takeout expenses, drinks after work, etc. You can effortlessly spend hundreds! I know this because I have done it often and I did the math one day (ouch), so I had to take some action myself.
Spending mindlessly is easy. I know it’s a cliché, and a lot of people work very hard and feel like they deserve a few little luxuries, like buying subscriptions, electronics, fancy meals, luxury goods, etc. So spending some of that money funding an emergency fund and exploring the world is very doable, and many times it even gives you a lot more bang for your buck.
Exploring other cities will also give you experiences that you will cherish for life. And when you think, ‘Where did all my money go?’ you can reflect on the places you have seen and the experiences you have tasted.
7 Specific Things We Do in My Household.
Little things we sacrifice? (If you can really call that a sacrifice…), here’s the list:
- We only have one subscription a month for shows and TV. Once we watch what we want, we cancel it and get another one.
- We share a music subscription.
- I make a conscious effort to plan ahead and pack a lunch every day for work. Sometimes I fail, and that’s okay. But, as I said, combined small efforts sum up to a big difference.
- I personally stop eating out AND drinking out a few weeks before my trip. I also carefully plan my grocery shopping and meal prep to supercharge my travel fund easily.
- We only have date night on Sunday night, but we just get a nice bottle of wine and make some food at home or get a pizza before a big trip, so instead of spending $150 (which is easily spent on dinner + drinks + a good tip), it comes out to about $50. We do this a few weeks before a trip to save an extra $100 a week.
- I pay a lot of attention to impulsive online shopping, especially on Amazon. I find that being aware of how much money I need to cover my bills and how much I need to save for my trip is a strong motivator to stop shopping. Having both of these saving accounts displayed as widgets on my phone serves as a visual reminder and prevents me from giving in to the temptation of impulsively buying a cozy robe + slippers.
- I call my internet and phone company every few months, and I tell them quite literally, ‘I don’t have this much money to give you’ (Well, ‘I don’t want to pay you this much money’ would be more truthful), ‘So, could you help me cancel my service please?’ If you try this, I recommend being super super nice and polite about it, and THEY WILL give you deals to retain you.
# 7 is a bit awkward at first but once you get the hang of it, it is very easy.
I recently lowered my house internet bill from $110 a month to $60 a month.
My husband will glance over and smile to himself at the audacity + charm with which I speak to some of them. But hear me out, those extra $50 are a night at a nice Airbnb in Peru, or a bottle of wine AND a charcuterie board in Spain!
Or hell, a round trip flight from Savannah to NYC! -Yes, those JetBlue flights can cost only $50 if you buy them in advance. –
$50 buys you 2 cocktails (currently priced at $24 a cocktail) at one of the world’s best 50 bars, located in Manhattan on the 64th floor with the best views you could imagine.
That’s the power of your money.
It all comes down to your own lifestyle, where you want to go, what you can do to get yourself there, and how much you want to do when you are there.
Do you have a place you would like to travel to? What do you do to boost your travel savings?
Leave me a comment ❤️
