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36 Real Ways to Save Money While Traveling (Actionable Tips)

Written by Becca

Updated on May 15th, 2024

Here are our proven best ways to save money while traveling. When traveling on a budget, there are lots of ways to make your money last longer, even during inflation.

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Table of contents

• Travel in the off-season (aka never around Christmas)
• Find things to do for free when you travel
• Walk and take public transit when you travel
• Minimize attractions with entrance fees or cover charges
• Minimize buying drinks at bars
• Avoid losing all your money with an emergency stash
• Cook more and eat out less
• Cook with fun local (and cheap) ingredients from markets
• Compare the flight costs in low season
• Save money by staying in hostels
• Try house-sitting to save money on accommodations
• Save money by booking accommodation for longer to get discounts
• Travel in places where your home currency takes you farther
• Travel on less than $50 per day
• Track your spending with an app
• Use Splitwise to keep track of splitting bills with friends
• Avoid the most expensive places to travel (or know the reality)
• Research the price of travel and the trends
• Cut out shopping and take photos instead
• Get connected to some locals
• Drink the tap water (if it’s safe)
• Buy local brands and locally-grown produce as snacks
• Do your research in order to save money and avoid fines
• Listen to travel and finance podcasts!
• Use a credit card to get a good foreign exchange rate
• Sign up for credit card a bonus to pay for your trip on miles
• Don’t pay foreign transaction or ATM withdrawal fees, ever
• Shop around for trip insurance online
• Get Priority Pass to save on airport lounges, and get in for free
• Find the best price for flights
• Save money with rental cars

Save money by using ride-share-style cabs

• Travel in a group and share download links for free credit
• Shop around for the best hotel, Airbnb and hostel prices
• Take out a weekly budget in cash
• Find creative and new ways to work remotely and travel

When traveling, you may want to save as much money as possible so that you can extend your trip. The less money that you spend means that you have more money to spend on experiences, accommodations and everything else.

It’s easy to not think twice about expensive upgrades and eating at restaurants every meal. At home, you’re in control and you know your budget. When traveling, you may have different currency and don’t want to skimp!

So, how can you still have a great time on your trip while optimizing for a budget?

Let’s find out!

Travel in the off-season (aka never around Christmas)

Have you heard the term ‘high season’? It’s a real thing!

Some places become more expensive during Christmas and New Year’s, during summer (relative to the hemisphere!) and during spring breaks (depends on local university schedules).

If you avoid these times of year, you’ll find hotels that want to fill up their properties, tours that may discount prices in order to draw visitors in the off-season and lower flight prices.

Depending on where you are going, do your search to determine when high season is and try to avoid it.

Find things to do for free when you travel

All over the world, it is possible to find things to do for free. It’s a great way to beat inflation or rising costs, and enjoy activities that cost nothing.

If you’re not interested in walking for miles to see a city and its parks or buildings, you can seek out ways to enjoy nature and the arts, like for example with this list of free things to do in NYC .

In Rotterdam , which is a fairly expensive place to travel in terms of the cost of accommodation and food, we appreciated famous architecture for two days, all without paying a Euro! We took ourselves on a self-guided walking tour and snapped photos of the Cube Houses and the train station that looks like a spaceship.

In Tenerife, we hiked Teide National Park for free on its trails that are available when you get off the public bus. The visitors center is free as well. We avoided the tourist-heavy gondola ride up the mountain, and we somehow didn’t pay any fees aside from the public bus ride.

In Ireland, we entered natural and historic sites like Glendalough for 0 EUR, and enjoyed priceless views and the feeling of being in ancient medieval ruins.

On a road trip in Upstate NY, we got the coolest scenic views of the Hudson River on a beautiful (and unexpected) hiking trail at Olana State Historic Site , all for free.

All these cool things we did cost us nothing and were just as memorable as lots of things we’ve done that cost us entrance fees.

Walk and take public transit when you travel

We love walking, and we also focus on our daily step count. As our friends Alex and Ryan would say, “Keep moving!”

If it comes down to having some time in which we can walk rather than taking a taxi, we’ll do that! If we can’t walk, meaning if distances are too big, we first consider mass transit. Mass transit is more environmentally-friendly and usually saves money (especially if traveling solo).

In Europe, the train and bus systems are very impressive and efficient most of the time, and in Amsterdam , we immediately looked for the public train that would take us from Schipol Airport to the city center.

From there, we used Google Maps to find the correct tram to the Lloyd Hotel and the ticket-taker advised us to buy a multi-day tram pass that wound up being very efficient for our purposes in Amsterdam.

Overall, walking and figuring out the bus, subway or train routes helps us to avoid hefty prices on taxi travel.

Minimize attractions with entrance fees or cover charges

All over the world, there are attractions that cost money. During times of inflation, these types of charges will increase .

In no way am I telling you not to go to incredible wonders of the world like the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona or the Forbidden City in Beijing (both of which require paid tickets acquired beforehand for entrance), but it’s important to realize that most of enjoying a place does not require spending heaps of money.

For our days spent in Barcelona, Spain , when we did not go to the Sagrada Familia or Parque Guell (also requires a ticket purchased in advance), we walked six or seven miles, getting to know the city, its neighborhoods, its many parks and cafes.

This kind of enjoyment is free (or costs very little, depending on what you eat or drink).

When I went to Singapore in 2012, I saved money by staying with a friend, but blew my budget by taking a $40 taxi one night by myself and going to Singapore’s most famous bars and clubs, which charged cover fees of $25/person, each night of the weekend. This accounted for a chunk of my daily travel spend and gave me a bit of stress!

Conversely, we went on a day trip to the Mexican village of Izamal , where all attractions were free and we spent an entire afternoon packed with sights, without spending anything.

Minimize buying drinks at bars

If the cost of food wasn’t enough when traveling long term, the cost of alcohol has to be added on top.

If you consider that in some of the world, beer costs $0.25 (Vietnam), but in some places, $10 (San Francisco, CA), there are some very varied costs in consuming alcohol in different parts of the world.

No matter where you go, alcohol is not something required for your body. Although some people travel for beer, or travel for cocktails or wine, or consider alcohol as a way to explore a place, if you consume alcohol every day, it can become a hefty portion of your daily travel costs.

There are ways to avoid paying per-drink at bars, however - if you’re staying at a hostel and there’s a common space, backyard or rooftop, you can bring back a six-pack or bottle of wine (if rules allow it).

We did this at our hotel in Montauk, NY , where sitting around the fire pit with a can of hard seltzer was just as relaxing as it would have been in a bar in the downtown.

In some countries, drinking in parks is allowed (Spain has this type of culture, for example), and you can purchase your wine or beer at a corner store or supermarket and enjoy it in the outdoors.

Avoid losing all your money with an emergency stash

This is for of a safety trick, but it goes for saving money as well because you’ll save money if you are smart with it.

Best tip is to avoid travel with a lot of cash, but do keep an emergency stash just in case of emergencies.

Be sure to break it into smaller stashes and spread them around your gear in places people won’t think to look, like places that are not visible. Don’t ever let anyone see you handling your cash stash (or where you stash an emergency credit card (i.e. don’t keep all your credit and debit cards together).

Lastly, write down where you stash your cash so you don’t forget (write it in a place that only you can access!)

Especially when walking around places where petty theft is common (Spain, Colombia and Vietnam, to name a few) we choose to leave most credit cards and most cash in our apartment or hostel, and only leave for the day or evening with what we need.

This means having one debit card, one credit card and a non-excessive amount of cash in our wallets at any given time.

Our emergency and alternate credit cards are kept in secret places (it’s true!) in our luggage so that someone who may enter the room where we’re staying won’t find them quickly.

Cook more and eat out less

There, we said it: stop eating in restaurants (all the time!).

If you travel for longer than a three or four-day getaway, you notice how eating in restaurants adds up very quickly.

There’s tax, tip (most places), the drink from the ‘Drinks’ section that looks good, the add-in of an appetizer or a side (or three) and a little bit of dessert.

Unless you’re in Sri Lanka , where eating out for two runs you 6 USD (all following prices are listed in USD) or so (with tea and smoothies), chances are that eating out in most of the world is more expensive than cooking your own food.

Plus, cooking more and eating out less (or skipping the full sit-down meals and opting for fast casual) is a great way to save money during periods of inflation.

Cook with fun local (and cheap) ingredients from markets

For this reason, when traveling long-term, Dan and I choose to cook with fun local ingredients we find in markets and in supermarkets.

In fact, one of the first things we do when we get to a new city is to locate the nearest supermarket, and ‘star’ it in our Google Maps.

In Peru , we cooked with Peruvian chili peppers, in Colombia we cooked with arepas and in Mexico , we made everything into a taco (a package of 10-12 corn tortillas is about $1 at most corner stores).

If you’re traveling full-time or for an extended period of time, it’s a great idea to learn to cook some easy dishes, because eating out can get old, fast.

Compare the flight costs in low season

As a quick example, Dan and I compared the cost of flying from Mexico City to New York on January 1 and on January 15.

On January 1, a one-way from MEX to NYC is $577, and on January 15, the price goes down to $164, one-way. To save $413, you can schedule your trip two weeks later (when schedules permit).

An interesting way to think about this is, Will the cost of staying another X days in the city will outweigh the costs of a more expensive flight, sooner?

To date, I’ve also taken two trips to Colombia in February, which is a rarer time of year to travel, relatively-speaking. My flights were rarely more than $350, round-trip.

Save money by staying in hostels

Why should you stay in hostels ?

First, it’s appropriate to point out that hostels aren’t ‘always cheap.’

In fact, in the Netherlands and on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way , we chose to stay in Airbnbs because hostel privates cost upwards of $100 per night.

Hostels are a memorable experience

For the most part, Dan and I have traveled in many parts of the world and have stayed in awesome hostels that have been both affordable and memorable.

Why do we love hostels?

Hostels are a place to make connections, to meet people, to have access to helpful staff, to take part in group outings and to learn.

Hostels provide cultural & social experiences to remember

In Israel, Abraham Hostel Jerusalem had us take part in a hummus-making class, and in a hostel in Salento, we met our hiking buddies for the following day at a campfire on our very first night.

Even if you would like some privacy and quiet by booking a private room, you can still socialize and meet other travelers in hostel common areas like lobby areas or hostel bars, patios, kitchens and rooftops.

We have both made lifelong friends from all around the world by traveling on our own (and together) when in hostels.

Plus, you may wind up with a travel buddy for a hike or side trip the next day - who knows!

Hostels are good for our budgets

For the most part, hostels have been a cost-effective way for us to travel for months on end. In Sri Lanka , we stayed in hostel privates for $40 per night, and in Guatape, Colombia , that figure was sometimes as low as $15 for the two of us.

In places like Andean South America, Central America, South and Southeast Asia, you can sometimes get a hostel dorm bed for as little as $5 to $10 USD per night. You can also find hotel rooms for as little as $16 USD on sites like Booking.com , like we did in Vietnam.

Try house-sitting to save money on accommodations

House-sitting is another great idea, and we’ve read about people who make their entire livelihoods traveling the world as house-sitters. It’s a great way to essentially get paid to travel , if you think about it like this.

Ryan and Alex recently told us that you can find free housing on TrustedHouseSitters.com with a membership fee of approximately $100 for the year.

This is a great tip for looking into, if you’re flexible, open-minded and ready for a little bit of responsibility!

Save money by booking accommodation for longer to get discounts

For long-term travelers who use Airbnb to book accommodations, you can save a significant amount of money (anywhere from 10-50%) if you book for at least four weeks, as hosts will offer monthly discounts to avoid having new guest turnover every few days.

Similarly, for the risk-takers among us, look for new properties (those with the fewest reviews), as they’ll often come with the biggest discounts from folks in need getting reviews. They’ll often be incredible hosts, as they really want the five stars.

Even if you’re planning a few side trips from wherever you are, the savings can be significant enough that you don’t have to worry about leaving the room empty for a few days, AND you won’t have to find a new place upon your return!

Our Hanoi apartment (an Airbnb) was booked for four weeks, so we got a 12% discount. We treated it like an apartment we were paying rent on, rather than a place that costs us X amount per night.

Travel in places where your home currency takes you farther

A great hack for lowering the price of travel, saving money and maximizing your budget during times of inflation is to travel in low-cost countries.

There’s a very important website I like called Price of Travel and I’ve used it a lot to compare the cost of travel in various places. Sometimes this can be very plain and simple, but sometimes it’s not as clear.

Travel on less than $50 per day

Whenever we travel to Asia and Central and South America, we put a maximum of $50 per person per day. Dan and I travel together if it wasn’t clear!

We almost always out perform our target and sometimes even make it close to $50 per day for the both of us combined.

Keeping a target for yourself and your family is a great way to stay on track and not exceed your means.

Track your spending with an app

Apps like Mint and YNAB are staples in most households for keeping track of your day-to-day budget. When you travel, well, you can still use those apps!

If you put your expenses on a credit card, you can automatically file your expenses into the travel category. If you take out cash, you can manually enter in every line item, or put the lump sum in one line item.

Some credit card also come with a baseline categorization for transactions and may give you a monthly summary. That won’t help you for cash transactions, other cards and if you split an expense with someone.

Any time I travel, I’ll manually track everything in a Google sheet (MS Excel also works). After each trip, I reflect on my spending categories and determine the cost per day and if I overspent somewhere.

With this data, I can be better informed with how to plan another trip.

Use Splitwise to keep track of splitting bills with friends

Splitwise is an app that allows you to be part of a group and track shared expenses and amounts owed over however long you want. We used it at Nine Coliving had to track amounts we owed to other travelers for groceries, group dinners and other expenses.

What we like about the app is that you only owe the final difference, and you can keep the tally going for the duration of your stay somewhere or for the length of a trip with other people. It’s so useful for traveling with friends or with group trips .

Avoid the most expensive places to travel (or know the reality)

I’ve been to Singapore, which clocks in as one of the most expensive places to travel . My cost of travel in Singapore averaged closer to $100 per day, even with staying at an American friend’s apartment.

Dan traveled to Iceland and the cost per day was comparable.

In Singapore, street food meals cost close to $20, beers in a convenience store were $7, a taxi from the bar district to my friend’s apartment was $40 and other daily expenses like snacks, coffee and taking the metro added up fast.

For places that are inherently expensive, there might not be an off season to travel in. It might be expensive all year around.

Some baseline trips that we’ve mentioned throughout this article, like leveraging hostels, shared rooms or cooking at home might help you save money through these destinations.

Research the price of travel and the trends

Figuring out the average price of travel in world cities helps us determine what we’d like to do in order to travel longer and better.

Sometimes it’s committing to cook all of our meals or cutting out drinking in bars in order to compensate for costs like rental cars, taxis we’ll need to take or costs incurred in visiting the must-see attractions of a destination.

Cut out shopping and take photos instead

If you want to stop spending money when you travel, stop shopping. It’s a great hack during periods of rising costs and inflation, or at any time, as a smart choice for travel saving.

I used to buy something every time I traveled. I considered my souvenirs as a collection of the places I’d been. I used to buy a tank top for every Southeast Asian and Central American country in which I backpacked.

I grew out of this phase when I realized that the shirts would get old and stretched out or not fit anymore, but my photos were the basis for all my memories.

Is it worth collecting souvenirs?

The truth is, now I have these eight or so tank tops sitting in a box collecting dust. For the ones I like, I wear them as pajamas.

I would also buy things to take home to my family - shot glasses for my family members, local snacks (wrapped and non-perishable) for my mom and always a bag of coffee, from Guatemala or Costa Rica, for my dad.

If you’re someone who’s very into collecting souvenirs, go for it. But if you find joy in photos, or simply memories in your mind, skip the material objects that may collect dust one day in a closet.

How to stop buying stuff when you travel

So, I stopped buying things both for myself and for others. I consider that my photos say it all.

Instead of ‘investing’ in souvenirs for yourself and others, invest in a trusty travel camera that will help you remember your travels even when souvenirs get lost or broken.

Photos don’t weigh down your luggage, and they definitely don’t spoil, rot, collect dust or break (ok, maybe they can break if you don’t take good care of it). Above all, once you stop shopping, you’ll notice how much money you can save.

Check out our favorite budget cameras!

Get connected to some locals

Anywhere you go, locals know what’s up. If I have visitors in NYC, they’re thankful that I can take them to the non-touristy neighborhoods they never would have found otherwise, or take them for local activities like picnics with my friends, which cost tons less than a tour or an activity that costs a lot of money.

Dan and I love meeting locals and meeting up with local friends of friends when we travel.

In Buenos Aires , it was my friend Ayelen who took us on a double-date with her boyfriend to their favorite place for steak and wine. We sat on the street and commented that if not for them, we never would have found such a local experience.

When I started planning my trip to Nicaragua, my parents found out that a friend of theirs had a good friend who owned a coffee plantation in Esteli.

They put me in touch, and I wound up with an airport pickup from their driver and a private stay on a coffee plantation for my first night when I flew in by myself!

For anywhere you go, reach out to your network. You never know who you may find - an old friend from years back, a relative you’ve never met before or a friend of the family, who has a connection to the destination you’ll be traveling in.

Post on your social media channels about where you’re headed, and ask around and talk about your trip to determine if any friends or family members have connections there.

The most meaningful travel experiences are the ones that happen with other people!

Drink the tap water (if it’s safe)

It’s incredible to realize the difference between a trip on which you can drink the local tap water and one on which you can’t.

When you can’t safely drink the water, there’s so much more to think about, like running out of water, or how much water to buy or how much water can you physically carry back to where you’re staying.

In Europe and Israel you can safely drink the water that comes out of the tap, no matter what. After traveling in Asia and Central America for five years, this came as a pleasant type of culture shock to me!

I love water and staying hydrated, so water availability is a big factor in my travel.

Is it OK to boil tap water?

When living in Shanghai, I would boil the water that came out of my sink in order to make it drinkable.

In all honesty, this was a fine scenario because most of the winter months, my apartment was so cold that I wanted to warm up with hot water! I would add tea, lemon and ginger to make it taste better.

Some places are a pleasant oasis for drinkable water, namely Medellin and Bogota, Colombia, where you can safely drink tap water and it even tastes pretty okay. In these places, it’s smart to pack a reusable water bottle in your luggage in order to minimize plastic.

Buy local brands and locally-grown produce as snacks

What’s better than trying new foods? Nothing! We love trying the ‘local stuff’ when we travel, whether it’s local tamarind candy from Mexican drugstores (only $0.30!) or dried coconut sweets in Colombia (roughly the same price tag, at $0.31 for one!).

When I lived in Shanghai, I shopped local - Asian pears, chestnuts roasted on the street, eggs from the supermarket and of course, rice and tofu.

My friends who ‘required’ imported American goods from home at the expat grocery stores would fork over lots of money to have a taste of what they missed from home like specialty flavor M&Ms and American cereal (nearly $7.00 for a small box).

In Estonia, Dan and I asked the hostel owner of our hostel which types of foods were native to Estonia and therefore would make for affordable purchases in the supermarkets.

We found out that products like potatoes, dill, apples, pickles, carrots and beets were the in-season foods that we could buy in order to shop local and lessen our carbon footprint.

We ate pan-fried potatoes with dill countless numbers of times in the following weeks, with no regrets!

When you land in a new place, ask a local - your taxi driver, a local or any other connections you can make - for what’s locally-grown. You may be in for some great surprises.

Do your research in order to save money and avoid fines

This one’s funny, but true - if you are aware of the rules in a new place, you will save money by following them. Whether it’s about open-container laws or driving regulations on the highway, asking locals or researching online can pay off.

When Dan and I were in Argentina, we rented a car and started a road trip through the Cordoba Sierra region .

The company that rented us the car had warned us to always use the daytime lights, at all times. Seems easy, right?

We stopped the car along the highway to take some photos of the mountainous views, and when we got back into the car, we forgot to turn the daytime lights back on.

Within fifteen minutes, we got stopped at a toll plaza and were issued a ticket, which we tried to fight, but we were unsuccessful.

An hour later, while closer to our destination, we stopped the car again for a break. When we got back in, we forgot to turn on the daytime lights. Would you believe it? We somehow got stopped again and were issued a second ticket for the same offense by a police officer.

It pays to keep the rules in mind! We spent our final day in Cordoba running around the city looking for the office at which to pay the fines. You could say we learned a lot about the rules in Argentina for highway driving!

Listen to travel and finance podcasts!

Ok, this isn’t really a specific way to save money while traveling; however, it’s an excellent podcast and it talks about a lot of different ways that you can save money.

We listen to podcasts super often and it’s how we’ve gotten new ideas on how to optimize travel, budgeting and finance.

Use a credit card to get a good foreign exchange rate

Whenever we can, we use credit cards when we travel, in order to get the best foreign exchange rate of the day and to also build points and miles.

Lately, we’ve been using the United Explorer card . There is no foreign transaction fee and has some really nice benefits.

We typically like using credit as much as we can while we’re away. We’ve found that we get the best conversion rates and don’t need to take out too much cash if we’re using credit often.

Using credit when you travel also (for us) shows exactly where our money went. And, if for some reason your credit card number gets stolen while you’re traveling, a company like Chase will contact you by text and email and let you know that there was fraud so you can resolve it.

This is especially relevant when purchases made abroad on a credit card can come up as a little bit dodgy for credit card companies and the security checks they may run on your account to make sure your account number is safe.

Note that when referring to a travel credit card, there is a difference between this and an “airline voucher.” For more on airline vouchers, see our guide called “ What is an Airline Voucher ?”

While you’re shopping at home, a browser extension like Honey can help you save money on everyday things!

Sign up for credit card a bonus to pay for your trip on miles

Travel costs can really start to add up. You’ll start paying for flights, hotels, things that you need to pack and the list goes on.

Lots of credit cards have sign-up bonuses that you can leverage to get either cash back or points that you can redeem toward travel.

The famous Change Sapphire Reserve used to give you 100,000 points for signing up. That was worth about $1,500 that you could use toward travel.

In order to get the bonus, you needed to spend a certain amount, like $4,000 in three months. Note, though, that making large travel purchases in an optimal timeframe is a perfect way to hit spend minimums like this.

Our travel has changed so much since we learned the points and miles games through travel hacking . My first flights completely on miles with United was round-trip to South Africa. Even though the flight path was a bit crazy (New York - Frankfurt - Johannesburg - Cape Town), I got a built-in day to spend seeing Hamburg, Germany.

We save and earn miles on Jet Blue as well, and we book flights (sometimes big flights!) on our points with our credit card rewards. This has been really exciting for us in recent years!

Also, always remember to use any airline vouchers you may have gotten or earned on past or cancelled flights, to apply when purchasing.

Don’t pay foreign transaction or ATM withdrawal fees, ever

Whether you’re taking out cash or swiping your credit card, if you travel internationally, you may be paying for foreign transaction fees.

These fees are determined by your bank or the ATM itself and usually take something like 2 or 3% of the entire purchase.

That is expensive, and wasteful. It can also add up and put a damper on your travel budget.

Looking for a new travel credit card? Consider the United Explorer card . We have this card! We like it because of the sign-up mileage bonus, Global Entry credit and no annual fee for the first year.

Avoid paying fees when taking money out of ATMs abroad

When Dan introduced me to the Charles Schwab ATM card, I couldn’t believe it. I was so accustomed to getting charged $3-4 per ATM transactions on my trips to Guatemala, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia that I didn’t think there was a way around it.

We use the Charles Schwab Investor checking and Fidelity Cash Management , which reimburses our ATM fees at the end of each month (save your receipts!) and we only use credit cards with 0 foreign transaction fees. Travel wouldn’t be the same without either of these cards in our wallets.

Now, I go to ATMs liberally on my trips and take out smaller amounts of money so that I can control my spending, and, stay safe by not having too much money in my wallet at one time.

Shop around for trip insurance online

These days, anything can come up that might prevent you from going on your trip. Lost bags? Theft? Trip cancelled?

Check out World Nomads and what this travel insurance company offers, before you go. You can save a lot of money and time by insuring parts of your trip.

Get Priority Pass to save on airport lounges, and get in for free

Are you sick of getting to an airport and having to pay and arm and a leg for even a water bottle? Are you sick of the WiFi network being locked, or broken, when you’re at the gate or arriving in baggage claim?

Another way to make travel more comfortable and save when you’re in airports is to get Priority Pass for airport lounge memberships around the world. This is a great feature of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, and probably the benefit that we love most.

Around the world, we’ve eaten buffet brunches in Hong Kong airport, taken naps in nap rooms in the Lisbon airport and had snacks on a deck of an airport in the Canary Islands all with our Priority Pass membership.

If you’re not ready for a new credit card, you can apply directly for Priority Pass in order to get a membership to airline lounges around the world and never have to buy overpriced airport food or WiFi again.

We love Priority Pass!

Priority Pass is a must-have for long airport visits.

Find the best price for flights

If you’re traveling during your trip or trying to plan your vacation, check out Google Flights and experiment with picking different days to depart and return.

You can also use a site called Skiplagged to help you find some of the cheapest flights out there. The way it works is by finding you cheaper flights that have a connection in your final destination.

I actually did this type of “flighting” back in 2016 when I was flying to Iceland. Well, technically London. I didn’t end up wanting to go to London and wanted to spend more time in Iceland.

Luckily, my flight had a connection in London and I got off the plane and missed my connection. I saved a lot of money because London is expensive and this flight was already cheaper than flying to Iceland directly.

(Note: Iceland is expensive too, and that’s why I wrote about traveling in Iceland on a budget ) .

If you have checked luggage, be careful because your bags will end up in your final destination. This only works if you have carry-on bags.

Lastly, consider taking a red eye flight . The prices on these flights tend to be cheaper because flying overnight isn’t as ideal as a morning or afternoon flight.

Keep in mind that when you arrive in your destination, you’ll have a lot of time to explore while waiting to check in to your accommodation.

Book a ticket in basic economy to save money on flights

Another thing you can do is book a ticket in basic economy class to get a lower flight price, if you don’t mind bringing only a personal item.

Lastly, you can sign up for Going , which will send you emails with various different flight deals. If you’ve been waiting for a vacation and looking to save the most amount of money, check it out!

Book flights on Skyscanner (or other sites) on anonymous mode

Booking flights for cheap with anonymous mode removes any cookies that may have pushed the prices up. So, when you keep searching flights on Skyscanner or other sites for bookings, the computer remembers you, and slowly the prices creep up (only sometimes).

When you’re ready to book, turn shadow mode on your browser, and sometimes you’ll get lucky and the prices will be cheaper.

The tip here is to use a trustworthy VPN like this one and incognito window is pretty pro.

Save money with rental cars

Rental cars have gotten really expensive these days.

When we traveled to Los Angeles recently, we decided that we needed a car. LA is a driving city and you can’t get very far by walking.

We checked all of the traditional sites and rental car prices were really high.

Luckily, an app called Turo exists and it worked perfectly. We rented a car from an LA local and we were able to get a great deal. In fact, we paid about half of what traditional rental car places charged.

If you’re not interested in Turo, you can shop around at different Airport locations, close by cities, through credit card market places and look for deals or promotions to save even more money while renting a car.

I’ll sometimes look at rental cars near a major train line to try and find the “local price”. For example, if an airport has a train line that takes you closer to a major city, look for a rental car location a few stops past the airport.

If you can wake to rent a car from the train, than great! Even if you need to take a taxi to and from the rental car location, you may still save some money with the total cost of the car.

I’m sure you’ve heard of Lyft and Uber . Both have really taken over the world.

Instead of renting a car, you can check out using those services. If you only need a few rides during your trip, it’ll be much cheaper than paying for gas, tolls and the daily rental car rate.

Lately, I’ve found that regular yellow cabs are often cheaper than ride shares, in NYC. Check around and ask for price quotes to determine what makes the most sense for you.

Here in New York City, I have an app called Curb , which allows you to get yellow taxis. It’s also safe, which is why we talk about it so much in our NYC safety guide.

Before leaving for the airport one time, we did this and it cost half as much as what Lyft and Uber were charging.

You can get $5 off of your first ride with Curb! Download the app and use the code 32S31M .

Travel in a group and share download links for free credit

While traveling in a group, try being the first one to latch on to any apps that would be useful. This could be local food delivery apps or local ride share programs.

If you get these apps first, and then share your download links with the group, you can clock yourself up lots of free credit for bringing in new members!

This tip really works because you can be trying new things and being adventurous while also getting freebies from apps.

The more you share, the more referral credit you get, and you can also learn by talking to other travelers and expats about the most efficient apps for ordering food or for ride-sharing in a particular city.

Shop around for the best hotel, Airbnb and hostel prices

Before we go somewhere or while we’re traveling and looking for an additional place to stay , we shop around to try and find the best rates.

Sometimes we’ll check Airbnb and see what prices look like. We’ll head over to Hostelworld and see if we have any luck. Maybe we’ll search on Booking.com.

Consider that if you’re traveling with a group of friends, couples or family members, that you can save money by booking an entire multi-bedroom Airbnb house or property like this one in Upstate NY , which will typically beat the cost of everyone getting individual hotel rooms elsewhere.

Before you know it, we’ve seen listings from too many sites and it’s hard to remember where we say some of the listings that we liked.

Because we’ve been staying in hotels more recently, we like to check out HotelTonight . We’ve seen some of the best prices on this website over anything else.

The only thing with HotelTonight is you can’t book too far in advance.

We’ve been having good luck on Priceline and Kayak for hotels.

Take out a weekly budget in cash

Weekly spending budgets are a huge way of seeing if you’re on track to avoid overspending during your travels.

In some countries where cash is king and credit is not so available quiet yet (or may never be), visually seeing how much cash you have left can show you how much you’ve spent.

Find creative and new ways to work remotely and travel

Traveling doesn’t have to be expensive. Have you considered working remotely while traveling in order to make some money to pay for your expenses?

You find some types of remote work to work on while you’re away, by checking these remote work tips for travelers .

If you are a professional looking for freelance work, Flexjobs can work out nicely for finding remote work and part-time opportunities.

What we also really like is traveling with a group and getting everything under the Remote Year platform like coworking membership, housing and flights onward, all for a flat fee.

Sign up for Remote Year to join the experience!

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23 Easy Ways to Save Money While on Vacation, From Travel Experts

By Lindsey Lanquist

Vacations have a way of making money disappear—and I’m not just talking about the large sums spent on airfare or lodging costs. Smaller expenses— breakfasts out, daily cafe visits, souvenir shopping, and the like—can add up. Fast. It can be hard to strike the right balance between treating yourself and reining it in while traveling; vacations are meant to be enjoyed, but not so extremely that your bank account is in shambles afterward.

Knowing this, I spoke with some travel experts—in this case, people who travel a lot —to learn about the little, creative, and sometimes-fun steps they take to save money while on vacation. Here, 23 of those tips.

“To save on checked luggage costs, we try to stay at Airbnbs or hotels with laundry facilities. We've been able to cut our packing in half thanks to this tip.” —Lori LeRoy, 45, a travel blogger who takes at least six trips a year

“I use carry-on luggage so I don’t have to pay to check my bags. If I’m tight on space, I use a backpack as my personal item and put clothes and valuables in it. Not only does this carry-on-only trick save money, but it also eliminates the risk of losing luggage.” —Lauren Maffeo, 29, a former expat who’s so far visited 26 countries on five continents

“I always try to avoid the oh-I-will-just-buy-it-when-I-get-there stuff, like toiletries and sunscreens . These things are usually less expensive than they are at your destination, so bring them with you.” —Megan Trivelli, 29, a senior account executive at a PR firm who travels once every few months

“I buy my souvenirs last, after I’ve scoped out all the shops and their prices. Throughout my trip, I take a mental note of how much items are, and I revisit the least expensive stores at the end. A lot of people buy something the moment they see it, but that’s a sure-fire way to get ripped off. The only exception to this rule is: If you want something that’s rare or limited, snag it when you see it, because it might be gone by the time you circle back.” —Nicole Faith, 26, an entrepreneur who typically takes six trips a year

“If I don't have a VIP lounge club membership or credit card that offers me lounge access, I buy a pass on eBay—sometimes I can find them for as little as $1. These passes come in handy when I have a long layover and need something to eat or drink; whereas airport snacks and drinks are usually overpriced, snacks and drinks at the lounge are usually free.” —Mona Molayem, 28, a travel blogger who takes five international trips a year

“I bring snacks with me so I have something to eat on the plane (that I didn’t have to spend money on at the airport). I also bring crackers and almond butter packets with me so I can eat breakfast at my hotel, rather than buying it every day while I’m traveling.” —Kim Kessler, 43, a PR representative who spends about five months each year traveling

“I always bring a refillable water bottle with me, even to use at the airport. You’d be shocked by how many places you can find a refill.” —Megan Trivelli

“I travel with an Aeropress . I love coffee , but it can be expensive on the road. Instead of buying it out every day, I grab a bag of local beans from a specialty roaster and make my own coffee. This saves me quite a bit of money.” —Megan Starr, 34, a travel blogger who spends eight or more months each year traveling

“My family of four often eats at least one meal in our hotel room every trip. I just run to a grocery store and pick up ready-made food—or something that doesn’t need to be cooked, like hummus and veggies. It’s great for saving money, and we’ve found that at the end of a long day, it’s often a lot of fun to kick off our shoes, sit on the floor, and snack on delicious food I’ve picked up. Pro-tip: This is a particularly great strategy if where you’re staying has a mini-fridge.” —Lori LeRoy

“If your hotel offers free breakfast, eat it! Such an easy way to save money.” —Jamie Harper, 36, a family travel blogger who takes about 20 trips a year

“Check out your destination’s destination marketing organization (DMO) website. It’s a promotional website full of great deals. Not many people think to check them, but they’re often full of ways to save money on restaurants and hotels.” —Alexa Johnson, 26, a PR manager at a travel and tourism bureau who takes four or five trips each year

“Have dinner at food stalls, night markets, and other similar, inexpensive options. You can save money while getting a taste of what the locals eat.” —Clemens Sehi, 34, a travel writer who spends half the year traveling

“ Groupon Getaways is one of my favorites. If you're traveling with a friend or partner, you can usually find huge discounts. Just be sure to check the reviews before you book something.” —Monica Rivera, 38, a podcaster, writer, and photographer who takes at least six trips a year

“Spend a day at the park. Go on a hike . Hit the beach . Check out free museums. All of these are great ways to explore a destination without spending a ton.” —Jamie Harper

“Many cities offer guided walking tours that don’t cost a lot; travelers are asked to pay what they want. I’ve done several, and I’ve consistently enjoyed the tour guides I’ve met, information I’ve learned, and hidden treasures I’ve discovered along the way. —Adriana Smith, 29, a travel blogger who takes seven trips a year

“Several European cities offer city cards, and they’re a great way to save money. Typically, they give you access to free public transportation, free admission to local tourist attractions, and discounts on restaurants.” —Heather Ebert, 26, a travel blogger who takes at least six trips a year

“I'm really big on getting to know the concierge. They often have access to discounts for dinners, tours, and day trips. It’s a win-win-win; I get a discount, the concierge gets appreciation from the local establishments (and a tip from me), and the local businesses get more business.” —Laurie Richards, 55, a public speaker who is constantly traveling

“I'm not ashamed to use coupons from travel books, brochures, and online searches. If I’m going to visit a site or do a chauffeured day trip, you can bet I've Googled the attraction alongside the words ‘discount’ and ‘coupons.’” —Laurie Richards

“I absolutely hate spending a ton on taxis to and from the airport, so I research public transport and rideshare options to avoid costly fares where I can.” —Zoe Macfarlane, 44, a freelance travel writer who’s been to 10 countries in the last 10 months

“For car rentals, I have two tricks up my sleeve. The first: Priceline.com ’s name-your-price option. I’ve gotten daily car rentals for as little as $9/day. The second: Costco travel . They have some of the best deals on car rentals.” —Tania Elliott, 35, an allergist who loves to travel and takes about 15 trips a year

“I use the GasBuddy app to find the cheapest prices on gas nearby, which is great when I’m renting a car.” —Jamie Harper

“Public transportation is a great resource. This week, I traveled from Venice to Ljubljana in less than four hours for just $21 on the bus. It was comfortable, and way less expensive than an intercity flight.” —Sarah Mikutel, 36, a podcaster who currently lives abroad

“Learning how to avoid paying international fees while traveling is key. Airport foreign currency exchanges usually have some of the worst rates around, so those are good to avoid. Withdrawing currency from an ATM usually offers a much better rate, but ATM fees can seriously eat away at your travel savings. I use a debit card from Charles Schwab bank, because they reimburse any ATM fees I incur.” —Trang Pham-Nguyen, 29, a travel blogger who used to live abroad and now takes full advantage of her vacation days

“While on vacation, I only keep the money I’ve budgeted for traveling in my checking account. I move everything else to a savings account so I can’t overspend. I’m taking a trip only lasting a few days, I might even just bring cash with me so I have a clear visual of when I can spend and when I need to rein it in.” —Lexi Palmer, 25, a jewelry studio employee who travels once or twice a month

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Wanderlust Movement | A South Africa Travel Blog

50+ Genius Ways To Save Money for Travel

September 20, 2023 by Lauren Melnick

Last Updated on September 20, 2023 by Lauren Melnick

“Travel is expensive”.

“I can’t afford to travel”.

Sound familiar?

Well, I’m here to tell you that’s some bullcrap in a wine glass .

If you want to save money for travelling, it’s possible, but it is hard work.

You need to give up some luxuries, stick to a budget, and hunt down those travel deals to spend lazy afternoons on exotic beaches and days exploring the streets of Rome .

With that in mind, I’ve typed up a storm and created a list of 50+ ways you can save money for travel before AND during your dream trip.

Armed with these actionable steps, you will start growing your travel budget in no time!

Psst…Want more money-saving travel tips? Check out these other articles:

• How to Travel Bali on a Budget as a Frugal South African
• How to Travel Kenya on a Budget
• How To Travel Rome on a Budget (& Still See the Top Sights!)
• How to Backpack Sepilok, Borneo on a Budget
• 3 Insanely Cheap Ways to Travel Europe in 2022

Table of Contents

1. Create a Savings Goal

2. audit your monthy expenses & cull non-essentials, 3. start budgeting… and stick to it, 4. use the fnb savings pocket, 5. sell your stuff, 6. swagbucks, 7. start a side hustle, 8. rent your house or apartment on airbnb when you leave, 9. use skyscanner to find cheap flights to anywhere, 10. be flexible with your dates, 11. try using a vpn to change your location, 12. subscribe to airline newsletters, 13. take advantage of black friday sales, 14. look out for flight + hotel combo deals, 15. ask for south african rates, 16. split your travel costs, 17. house sit around the world, 18. try couchsurfing, 19. the genius loyalty programme with booking.com, 20. try wwoofing, 21. work at a hostel, 22. book a hotel with breakfast included, 23. cut down on booze, 24. put the ubereats down, 25. switch from woolworths to shoprite, 26. find free things to do, 27. watch netflix instead of going to the movies, 28. pounce on 2-for-1 deals, 29. no more takeaway coffee, 30. cancel your gym membership, 31. reduce your utility bill, 32. car pool with your friends, 33. cut your beauty expenses, 34. move back in with your’ rents, 35. travel during low and shoulder seasons, 36. travel to rand-friendly destinations, 37. travel to visa-free countries, 38. use public transport, 39. walk everywhere, 40. skip the car hire, 41. use ridesharing apps, 42. try carpool sharing apps, 43. use overnight buses and trains, 44. fly carry-on only, 45. do your own laundry, 46. don’t exchange your money at the airport, 47. switch bank cards and reduce your withdrawals, 48. eat where the locals eat, 49. buy booze at the supermarket, 50. cook your own food, 51. don’t buy bottled water if the tap water is drinkable, 52. look out for lunch time specials, 53. research museum no fee days, 54. grab a tourist city card, 55. research free things to do, 56. harness the power of group travel, 57. always ask about discounts, whip your spending habits into shape.

The first step for saving money for travel starts with a goal.

Without one, you have nothing to work towards, and it’s going to make it  thaaat  much harder to give up your “Trenta, no foam,five-shott, half-caff., no foam, pumpkin spice latte, with no foam at 210 degrees.”

Whatever number you decide to work towards, make saving for it a non-negotiable.

An easy way to force yourself not to “accidentally” forget is by creating a separate savings goal within the FNB app in the  Nav-Money  section.

Set up a savings goal (the app will calculate how much you need to save each month) and create a scheduled payment date.

And like all your other debit orders, you’ll automatically save every single month without thinking about it.

Before I started travelling, I wasn’t really aware of my daily expenses.

Well, besides the many drunken nights and dancing on tables in Johannesburg .

So when I started planning for my first big trip abroad, I had to take a good, hard look at where my money was going and nip those leaks in the bud.

My favourite method (which I still use today but switched over to Notion) is to create an Excel spreadsheet and track every single purchase.

I categorise everything, so I can see EXACTLY how much I’m spending on my business, shopping, food, debit orders etc.

When you’re done, take it a step further. Highlight your essential and non-essential expenses and add each section up.

Pssst…An essential is something like your RENT. You have to pay it every month, not shopping sprees to Cotton On.

Look at your non-essential list and cull any expenses you can live without. Get rid of those subscriptions you don’t use and things you don’t really need, like Spotify Premium.

Just turn the sound off when the ads come on, and you’ve got R70.00 to put towards watching your favourite band LIVE in Belgium.

In the same Excel spreadsheet, create a column for the amount of money you’re committing to spending on each expense.

For example:  Maybe you’re only going to put R200.00 per month towards an UberEats treat.

You can take your budget a step further with the FNB app Nav Money section…again.

(…No, this is not sponsored. A girl can only dream…)

Inside the  Smart Budget  tool, you can set spending limits for each expense category (create as many as you want!). 

There are also Smart Alerts which will let you know if you’re getting close to overspending for a category in the month.

Remember, sticking to your budget won’t always be easy. It’s going to require self-control.

But when you find yourself about to go on a spending spree, ask yourself what experience you would rather have:

That trip to Bali or overpriced Col’Cacchio pizza?

Another one of my favourite FNB money-saving tricks (and the last one, I promise) is the  Savings Pocket .

It’s a ridiculously easy way to save for a trip on autopilot.

Once the service is activated, FNB automatically rounds up amounts every time you swipe your card and add it to your Savings Pocket.

You won’t be saving millions, but those small amounts add up, and when you’re trying to stretch your travel budget, every little bit helps.

How to Make Money for Travel

Downsizing is an excellent way to make extra money for travel and de-clutter your life.

I’m the former owner of 20+ shoes I only wore once or twice and had an entire suitcase of clothes from my teenage years.

Spend an entire weekend going through your wardrobe, gadgets and everything else you own and make a sell, donate and keep pile.

When you’re done, take photos of everything you want to sell, upload it to Facebook Marketplace and secure that bag!

Swagbucks  is a site that rewards you for Googling and answering surveys.

Hop on once a day, answer a few questions, and you’ll earn points you can redeem for gift cards or get cash back from PayPal.

The amounts per survey aren’t HUGE, but over time it adds up.

Plus, you can use your Swagbucks moola to save up for all those $10 massages in Bali!

Read More: 10 Easy Ways You Can Make Money While Travelling The World

While teaching English in Thailand , I started my freelance writing biz on the side to cover all my debit orders back home.

You can do the same to raise extra funds before your trip OR use it as a way to make money while travelling.

Think about your most profitable skills and talents and how you can monetise what you know.

For example:

• Start freelance writing or graphic design
• Become a part-time social media manager for small brands
• Tutor English online
• Pick up a bartending job on the weekends
• Get a part-time retail job
• Sell prints of your photographs

Read More: 10+ of the Best Side Hustles for Introverts

My cousin lives in Amsterdam and pulls this out of his hat of tricks each time he leaves the city for work.

It’s a way for you to make spending money for travel in your sleep!

All you need to do is set up an account on  Airbnb  and make arrangements for smooth check-ins.

Tip:  Travel over the high season in your country to make BANK, especially if you live in a top tourist destination like Cape Town .

Read More: The Most Secluded & Romantic Airbnbs in South Africa

How to Save Money on Flights

I’m often asked how I scoop up flight deals like:

• R2,500 return to Rwanda
• R5,000 return to Belgium
• R4,500 return to Thailand

The answer? Skyscanner .

It’s my holy grail. I swear by it. It’s the #1 way I save on travel and cut costs.

Use the advanced filtering options to find the cheapest flights from any destination in the world as well as the cheapest month to travel.

You can also set up flight alerts if you want to monitor prices before whipping out your credit card.

Read More: How To Book Cheap Flights From South Africa To Your Dream Destination

Got your eye on a destination (or even a couple)?

The best way to save money on flights is to be flexible with your dates.

It will give you the wiggle room you need to select the cheapest departing and returning dates.

This little trick is what has saved me thousands of Rands in airfare and is usually the deciding factor in my trip length.

For some odd reason, some flight prices change according to your location.

Invest in a quality VPN like  Express VPN  (you can also use it to watch Buffy The Vampire Slayer on Hulu btw) and change your IP address with a single click of your mouse.

For the latest deals on local and international flights – sign up for airline newsletters.

You’ll get news on discounts before everyone else, and when seats are limited – it’s vital to have your credit card ready to go before you miss out.

We are daaaaays away from the biggest retail sales day of the year: Black Friday .

Besides massive discounts on gadgets and clothes galore, the airlines of the world also get in on the action. It’s one of the best ways to save money on travel and spend less on airfare.

Sign up to those mailing lists and keep your eye on Skyscanner for drops in prices.

I scooped up a Black Friday deal on round-trip airfare to Bali for R6,000.00 in 2019! 

(Flights to Bali from South Africa are usually R8,000.00 return).

Read More: How to Find The Best Skyscanner Black Friday Airfare Deals

How to Save Money on Accommodation

For my 29th birthday, I flew to Mumbo Island in Malawi . It’s one of the top eco-hotels in the world, and a night here is worth a pretty penny.

But I found an incredible combo deal to the island.

For R20,000 in total, I got:

• Return flights to Johannesburg
• Six nights of accommodation
• All meals included excluding alcohol
• All activities included besides scuba diving
• Transport to and from the island

For specific destinations like Seychelles, Zanzibar and Madagascar, it often works out cheaper to buy a flight + hotel combo deal than booking everything separately.

Read More: What It’s Like Staying on Mumbo Island in Malawi

Planning a romantic rendevous for two in South Africa ? 

Always ask the safari lodge or property if they have rates for locals.

Most places have incredible discounts for South Africans, which can shave a couple of thousands off the per-night rate and help you cut down your travel costs.

Read More: Top Romantic Getaways in South Africa

It often works out cheaper to rent out an entire home than to book a private hotel room.

Case in point: Bali.

You can stay in a stunning 6-person private villa for around R800 per night.

Meanwhile,  shared dorm rooms in hostels  on the island cost anywhere from R150.00 – R200.00 per person per night.

Read More: How to Travel Bali on a Budget as a Frugal South African

Sign up for sites like Nomador and explore the world while house-sitting and looking after people’s pets.

It’s a win-win situation.

You get free accommodation (plus a fur child travel buddy), and the owners don’t need to put their animals in a kennel.

Couchsurfing  is another way you can score free accommodation around the world.

How it works:

Users can list their couch (or room) on the site, and travellers can request to stay there.

A big part of the Couchsurfing culture is having authentic travel experiences and learning about different cultures.

So I wouldn’t recommend using the site if you’re not going to make time to get to know your hosts or you’re not going to respect their culture and space.

I used the site while backpacking around South Africa and met some incredible people!

However, safety is something you need to keep in mind, especially if you’re a solo female traveller.

The more you use  Booking.com , the more discounts you unlock.

You can get up to 10% off select properties around the world as well as perks like free cancellation and access to secret deals.

WWOOFing  has nothing to do with looking after adorable puppies, but it’s a way to get free accommodation on farms around the world.

Sign up on the site and experience sustainable living on local organic farms and family homes.

To score a free bed, you’ll need to participate in the daily life of your host and help out on the farm.

Think of it more as a cultural exchange holiday than you doing your own thing 100% of the time.

Another way you can get a free roof over your head is by working at a hostel.

Some hostels will let you stay for free in exchange for work around the property.

Your tasks might include checking in guests, managing social media accounts, replying to emails, cleaning or cooking meals.

It’s one less travel expense and meal you need to worry about!

Oh, and make sure to set your alarm so you don’t miss breakfast. It’s happened to me a few times, and the frugal traveller inside me was most displeased.

How to Save Money on Food & Drink

Booze is expensive. It can quickly eat into your savings and your travel budget if you’re not careful.

Before you go on your trip, re-live your varsity days. Switch to a cheaper brand of wine/gin/vodka/beer and opt to pre-drink before a night out.

Or you can stay in and drink with friends at home.

I love me some UberEats, but it’s not CHEAP. 

As delicious as it is to get your favourite Indian curry delivered to your house, an authentic curry in India is so much better.

To help you avoid the temptation of opening up the app, meal prep for the week. It solves the problem of feeling “too lazy” to cook dinner or buying fast food for lunch.

Business Insider  compared prices of essentials across all major South African supermarkets, and Shoprite came out on top as the most affordable option.

It’s 20% cheaper than Woolworths, with Checkers coming in a close second.

Reduce your monthly bills on groceries even further by buying in bulk and planning your meals around what is on special AND in season.

How to Save Money on Your Lifestyle

You can still have fun without it negatively affecting your bank balance.

Before you leave for your trip, save a bit of money for your travel fund by opting for free activities around your city.

Explore nearby hiking trails, go to food markets, visit museums on “no entrance” days, go to the beach and keep tabs on other free events. 

Read More: 12 Best Hiking Trails in Cape Town With Jaw-Dropping Views

Netflix subscriptions cost as little as R60.00 per month.

Meanwhile, a trip to the movies is usually R100.00 or more per person.

You can always catch up with the latest movie releases during your 8-hour flight to Paris. 

From Happy Hours to Wacky Wednesdays at Steers and all-you-can-eat sushi – hunt down those deals which give you more bang for your buck.

I love a good cup of coffee, but all those delicious cappuccinos add up.

Instead of shelling out R26.00 to R30.00 per cup, re-direct that money to your travel savings account.

Plus, the coffee in Italy just hits differently.

Is your expensive gym membership collecting dust? Do you struggle to stay consistent with your workouts?

Cut the cost and switch to free at-home workouts. 

Chloe Ting (one of the biggest fitness influencers in the world) has dozens of free workout plans.

No gym required.

If you’re serious about cutting costs to travel the world, it’s time to act like it’s 2017 again – the height of Cape Town’s drought:

• Switch the water off in the shower when you’re lathering up.
• Collect the greywater to flush your toilet and water your plants.
• Keep your showers as short as possible.
• Wash your dishes by hand instead of using the dishwasher.

The same goes for your electricity bill:

• Keep the lights off when you’re not in the room.
• Switch the plug points off at the wall when not in use.
• Use energy-saving lightbulbs.
• Dry your clothes outside instead of using the tumble dryer.

Got plans with your friends? Carpool.

Not only is it better for the environment, but you get to split fuel costs and save money.

Manicures, facials, waxes and massages are fantastic ways to pamper yourself and practice self-care – but it’s NOT cheap.

If you’re serious about cutting costs and boosting your travel budget, make the sacrifice and do DIY treatments at home.

Then you’ll have more than enough travel money for daily R200.00 massages in Bali!

I know moving back in with your parents isn’t possible for everyone, but if the option is there – take it!

Rent in South Africa can cost anywhere from R4,000.00 to R8,000.00 (or more!) per month.

Imagine if you could bank some of that coin every month. You’ll hit your travel goal faster and find your bum on a seat on a plane in no time.

P.S. Give your ‘rents money towards bills while you’re there. 

Ways to Save Money While Travelling

Each destination has high, shoulder and low seasons for tourism.

For mega discounts on hotels, attractions and flights, plan your trip over the quieter months.

While you might have to sacrifice the good weather, you’ll gain smaller crowds at the top landmarks and a bunch of money in your wallet.

It’s no secret that countries like Australia, the USA, and most of Europe are ridiculously expensive for South Africans.

With a weak currency, you need to apply your frugal ways by going on holiday to Rand-Friendly destinations.

It’s much cheaper to spend two weeks in Bali or Thailand than Paris . Your money goes further, and you can afford to stay in luxe accommodation with more wiggle room for activities.

Read More: The Best & Insanely Cheap Rand-Friendly Destinations for South Africans

If there is one thing I hate the most – it’s admin.

And that makes Schengen visas an incredibly painful and expensive process.

Instead of putting yourself (and your wallet) through the experience, travel to one of the 90 visa-free destinations for South Africans.

You don’t need to worry about collecting 3-month payslips, employment letters, bank statements, visa processing fees and all that other bullshit.

You simply arrive, fill out a form and get a stamp in your passport. 

Read More: The Complete List of Visa-Free Countries for South Africans

In countries like Singapore , Turkey and the UK which have robust public transportation systems, it’s much cheaper to hop on the metro than hire a car.

You can get further discounts by using the destination’s transport card over buying a single ticket every single time.

These cards usually offer fare discounts on buses, trains, trams and metros.

It’s free, and you get a workout.

(I usually clock up 20,000+ steps per day in walkable cities like Rome ).

BUT always check if it’s safe to do so (especially if you’re a solo female traveller) and the distances.

Renting a car is expensive.

And when you throw in parking costs on top of that, it starts to eat a huge chunk of your travel budget.

Unless you’re planning a massive road trip around South Africa or you’re travelling to a country where public transport isn’t safe, forgo the car hire and stretch your money further.

Read More: The Ultimate Road Trip Essentials Packing List (+ Free Checklist!)

I think we can all agree that metered taxi prices in most countries are a complete rip-off.

The number of times I’ve been scammed is too damn high!

Also, I suck at bartering prices. It gives me so much anxiety that I usually accept the first or second price.

Ridesharing apps like Uber, Taxify and Grabr have helped me save so much money over the years.

You can instantly see how much a ride will cost, and there’s no need to waste time negotiating prices with drivers.

Want to share a long-distance trip at a rate that’s much cheaper than buses or trains?

Try carpooling sites!

Sites like  HitchPlanet ,  BlaBlaCar  and  Kangaride  match you with a driver going in the same direction.

Think of it like Tinder without the Netflix and chill.

Again, as a solo female traveller, safety is something you need to consider when using these sites.

Okay, hear me out.

Overnight buses and trains aren’t comfortable in any shape or form.

BUT if you’re willing to sacrifice a good night’s sleep, you can save money on accommodation.

Fares are usually cheaper than a night at a hotel. You get to reduce your carbon footprint and arrive at your next destination without losing a day.

It’s a win-win!

Read More: A Quick and Easy Guide to Train Travel in South India

My love for travelling with only a carry-on bag came on hot and heavy when I realised how much some budget airlines charge for checked-in baggage.

After countless YouTube videos, I learnt how to fit my entire life in a 22-centimetre x 35-centimetre x 56-centimetre bag and weigh in at 7-10kg.

When it comes to country-hopping in Europe or Southeast Asia, travelling light will save lots of money.

And bonus: You don’t need to worry about your bag getting lost.

Read More: Minimalist Backpacking Guide: How To Travel With Less

It’s cheaper than using a laundry mat.

Plus, it makes it easier to pull off the carry-on-only trick.

It’s a rip-off.

The exchange rates aren’t in your favour, and you have to pay the teller a commission.

Instead, speak to your bank before you leave and unlock your debit and credit card for international travel.

(Always travel with two cards and keep them in separate places in case you lose one)

When you arrive at your destination, withdraw money at an ATM in the airport.

The machines have a much better exchange rate.

The only exception is if you need money to pay for a visa on arrival. Always organise that before you leave in the correct currency.

Do your research and find a bank card that isn’t going to charge you for overseas withdrawals and swipes.

If you’re using your card with fees, keep your withdrawals and swipes to a minimum.

A good rule of thumb is always to eat where the locals eat.

If you see a restaurant with only tourists – it’s most likely a tourist trap with high prices.

But if you come across one with only locals, you can bet the food is:

• Delicious AF

For example, in Bali, the local warungs charge as little as R30.00 to R50.00 per meal. Meanwhile, the restaurants for tourists charge as much as R200.00 per dish.

Booze at bars and clubs is expensive in most countries around the world.

If you want to drink, buy a bottle of your poison at the supermarket and pre-game.

The beauty of staying in an Airbnb, a hostel or self-catering accommodation is that you don’t have to eat all your meals at restaurants.

Go grocery shopping, make yourself sandwiches for lunch and cook dinners at home.

It’s worth it when you’ll have extra cash left over for once-in-a-lifetime experiences like swimming with whale sharks, tracking cheetahs on foot and hot-air balloon rides over the Serengeti.

Tip: Do your research and go to the Shoprite or Checkers of the destination – NOT the local Woolworths.

Buying water bottles is bad for the environment and your wallet. 

When travelling to a country with drinkable water, bring a reusable water bottle and fill it up as you go.

In some countries like Italy and Spain, the locals take their lunchtime specials super seriously.

Keep an eye out for these delicious discounts and fuel up in between exploring.

History nerd?

Google all the museums you want to visit beforehand and make a note of the entrance-free days of the week.

It’s one of the best ways to save money while travelling without making sacrifices to your itinerary.

Plan your trip around these dates, and you won’t pay a cent to wander around the iconic Louvre or Van Gogh Museum.

For this next money-saving travel tip – you need to do the math.

The tourist city cards CAN give you major discounts on entrance fees and even free transportation, but it’s up to you to work out if it’s worth it.

For example, if you only have 3-days in Rome:

• Will you have time to see enough attractions to make the cost of the card worth it?
• Does the card give you access to the sites YOU want to see?
• Or is it cheaper to pay the separate entrance fees per attraction?

No cash for entrance fees? No problem!

It’s surprising how much of a destination you can see without paying a cent.

I have an entire itinerary for Rome dedicated to seeing the top sights for free!

Do your research beforehand and come up with a list of free or cost-effective things to do. Sprinkle those in between a few paid activities at the top of your bucket list, and you’re good to go!

A downside of solo travel is it more expensive.

Most places require a minimum amount of people to do the tour. Otherwise, you have to pay a much higher single supplement fee.

When you travel with a group, you can split costs for guides, transport, accommodation, activities and more.

No friends keen to go with you?

Stay at a hostel and rope in your fellow travellers for an adventure!

There are usually discounts for students and pensioners (even if a sign is nowhere in sight).

But you can get discounts outside of those two groups.

In Africa, most countries have a rate for SADC nationals (Southern Africans) and EADC (East Africans).

You might even get a discount or free entry if it’s your birthday!

So remember, closed mouths don’t get fed.

Whew! Congrats on making it to the end of this mega money-saving travel tips post!

Hopefully, you’ve got more than a few ideas for how you can save money for travel before and during your trip.

Got any good tips on saving money for a trip? Hit ya gurl up in the comments below, and let’s discuss!

 If you like it, then you should put a pin on it! 

About Lauren Melnick

Lauren Melnick is the founder of Wanderlust Movement, Wander to Here and is a South Africa travel blogger. She's been travelling the world as a full-time freelance writer since 2016 and has visited over 40 countries.

When she isn't typing up a storm, you can find her conquering overnight hikes around the Western Cape, rock climbing, and hosting sold out group travel trips around South Africa, Namibia and Morocco.

Reader Interactions

November 13, 2020 at 10:05 am

This is a very useful post. So many brilliant ideas to save money. Thank you so much.

November 17, 2020 at 7:00 pm

Glad you found it useful! Hope it helps you save money for travel.

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How I Saved Money to Travel the World for 15+ Years

Last updated on October 19, 2023 by Shannon

Those who read this blog regularly know that my family background is modest , at best. Instead of that trust fund image many have for world travelers , I attended college on merit-based scholarships.

When I decided that I wanted to live a life of travel , instead of counting on help from family, I budgeted for my round the world trip . Of course, it’s never quite that easy.

Table of Contents

How I Decided to Save for Travel

Before I booked my round the world tickets , I faced many obstacles—personal, family, and financial—preventing me from traveling. And for many years, I allowed those issues to keep me tied to the United States.

There were a dozen reasons to believe that I could not change my situation and save money for travel : I had to help my family, I was struggling to stay afloat from my debt , I had a relationship and close friends who I would miss.

One day, I took stock of my situation. I honestly looked at how my personal choices affected my ability to travel around the world . I realized that I could travel, but only if I drastically changed my situation as well as the personal story I told about myself and my ability to save money for travel.

To travel, I would need to reprioritize every aspect of my life. I would also have to believe that someone like me could find a way to travel. The decision to travel was the culmination of many re-prioritizations in various aspects of my life.

Why Anyone Can Actually Save Money for Travel

Travel is expensive. It’s doable—it’s comparable to a year of living in the U.S.—but saving that much money is a considerable feat for many.

When I left, my income was a smidge above poverty level. My online job allowed me to work every single week of these past 15 years that I have traveled the world and lived abroad .

Without online work, I would have spent years saving the funds. But I could have saved. Saving was within the realm of possible. Even more, the U.S. dollar is a strong currency, and I live in a country with work opportunities and a social safety net. If you’re reading this page, there’s a chance you also have one or more of these safety nets and benefits.

Money buys happiness up to a point, according to leading research . Once you’re comfortable and you can afford your next meal, happiness stems more from your approach to life. It comes down to your attitude about what you have, and the choices you make. Even before you are cash flush, you can cultivate an approach to life in line with your goals.

Happiness is in the content of moment-to-moment experiences. Nothing material is intrinsically valuable, except in whatever promise of happiness it carries.

What you own, what you buy, and what you prioritize contributes to the experiences you create in your own life. For anyone who has found this website, you hope to prioritize travel and save money to make that dream happen.

To choose travel may mean making large shifts in your lifestyle, it might mean second jobs, smaller houses, years of tackling debt . But it’s the larger goal that should motivate you to continue saving throughout it all: to travel.

To these things, you may say “but that won’t work in my situation.”

Challenge that idea at every step of the way. It’s your biggest obstacle toward taking that dream trip.

Most things we take as a given—big houses, cars, new smartphones—are a series of choices that align with our priorities . The advice on this page will show you how to align your money priorities with your goal to travel.

Spending money well comes down to affording those things you have prioritized—so what are you prioritizing in your life?

Do you have secret fears or doubts that have held you back from saving for this big trip?

How long have you had this desire to travel?

Now be honest: Are you making choices that prioritize your travel goal above lesser ones?

Let’s dive right into it.

Six Common Obstacles to Saving Money

Are you wondering: Why can’t I save money? I’ve heard a litany of reasons from travel dreamers justifying to me why they can’t actively saving for their trip. It comes down to things like: car payments, debt repayments, medical debt, mortgage, and a host of other—often valid—reasons.

But even beyond the personal issues, the process and action of saving money has additional obstacles, and it’s not something that most travelers talk about, mostly because it lies outside of “travel” specifically.

When you’re looking for ways to move the needle on your own savings goals, it behooves you to understand the psychology of saving and money. Money obstacles are just as important as the personal obstacles travelers face when saving for travel.

Let’s dive into areas where you might find resistance as you embark on your savings journey.

It’s human nature to start something filled with fiery licks of excitement, only to feel that initial burst of motivation peter out as time passes. This is not the way to accomplish any savings goal, especially one like long-term travel. To successfully save money over a long period of time, you must create a pace that fits your situation, goals, and timeline.

Think about this as you set your savings plans in motion. Pick a reasonable savings goal each month and year until you reach your target. Then—and this is the hard part—stick to it with small and consistent contributions.

Discipline makes a huge difference in saving and budgeting.

You will likely face setbacks along the way, but if you start now, your travel fund will increase over the coming weeks and months.

2. Materialism

Minimalism is a snazzy, trendy topic. It also has a place in any conversation about saving in general, but especially in saving money for travel. When you set out on the road, you will have very little left to your name .

Even if you have items in storage, before you leave to travel you will have whittled your life down to the essentials, the practical, the nostalgic. Part of owning fewer things is also about buying fewer things.

Saving and budgeting for a long-term trip should alter your purchasing habits. It’s small things like understanding that yes, you might need a car to get to work. But saving for travel means recognizing that an older model car might better fit your budget and your desire to sock away all extra money into your travel fund.

Consumption—or, more pointedly, over-consumption—is a major obstacle to saving. Embarking on any savings journey assumes some comfort to even consider saving for travel (and we’ll talk about that in a moment), even those living in poverty tend toward thoughtless consumption.

Happiness researcher Dr. Thomas Gilovich found that experiences bring us more happiness than possessions. He notes:

You can really like your material stuff. You can even think that part of your identity is connected to those things, but nonetheless they remain separate from you. In contrast, your experiences really are part of you. We are the sum total of our experiences.

Saving money for travel is the ultimate opportunity to trade material possessions for experiences that forever become a part of your personal story. The reward may be months or years down the line, but keep in mind the end-goal of spending money on the travel experiences that you’ve decided to seek.

You will face mainstream media messages pushing consumption, pushing you toward the novelty of owning new things. There is a balance somewhere between bare minimalism and wanton consumption, and by looking at your budget and savings goal we can find areas to adjust.

Life is messy. It can careen out of control in a moment’s notice. Sometimes, you may need to pause even the most reasonable and practical savings goals. A myriad of things crop up. Perhaps you’ve lost your job, a recession hit, or you’re helping your elderly parents.

There are heaps of reasons we jump off our savings plan. And it’s disheartening, especially when it’s not only a pause in the plan, but a harsh setback that leads to more debt.

This savings obstacle may seem obvious to some, but for those with a long road ahead—one that includes reducing debt, learning to budget, and saving money—it’s important to start this journey with realistic expectations and the ability to weather outside events.

The Optimism Bias is cognitive bias that fuels the belief that negative events are less likely to happen to ourselves than to others. It’s our ingrained, neurological tendency to underestimate the likelihood we will personally experience adverse events. As a result, we are prone to disregard precautions that might limit or mitigate those risks.  

In her Ted Talk, The Optimism Bias , Tali Sharot discusses how this bias is a powerful force in the human mind. Bias can play a major role in the reason people underestimate the saving and budgeting process.

Life has struck me a few times, and it took years to wade out of those messes. I first traveled abroad when I was 21 years old. My brother passed away four days into my trip . I was heartbroken. It took me years to recover from that emotionally.

Unfortunately, it took me years to recover from the situation financially, too. I hadn’t planned on purchasing an extra transatlantic flight, but I swiped my credit card and flew home. It took me six years to pay down the initial costs, interest, and related expenses.

My brother’s passing was a huge life setback. To overcome it, I had to pause, take stock, adjust the plan, and then continue reducing my debt and saving money. I share this painful piece of my history so that you don’t get lost when life throws you obstacles.

Keep perspective on the end goal even in the moments of overwhelm. Expect these moments to happen. Take a break, but don’t let that stop you from resuming your savings and budgeting plans as soon as you can.

Over the years, I’ve spoken with wanderlusters at every stage of their life and with a range of unique personal situations. Many talk with me about what they see as the ultimate financial obstacle to travel: debt. It’s a biggie.

Whether it’s student loan debt, medical debt, or credit card debt, as you go deeper into the red, you may find it harder to save money and plan a long-term trip. Debt is an obstacle, but it’s not impossible to overcome.

My Tackling Debt resource page shares strategy and tips, but for now, let’s talk about the psychology of debt. It’s a doozy.

Being in debt takes an emotional and even physical toll. If you are facing profound, serious debt, then you likely need to seek the advice of a certified debt counselor, or discuss it with a therapist.

There are neurological components—depression, anxiety, and other factors—that affect our relationship to debt, and for help with those you should seek counseling.

But if you’re facing manageable debt, even if it’s overwhelming, then the techniques I recommend on budgeting and debt reduction will help lower your debt load while increasing the savings in your travel fund.

If you are running right up against your budget every month, then you might consider if there is a way to add to your monthly income. While most people can benefit from the saving ideas in the next section—even when implemented in moderation—making more money is a profound way to increase your travel savings.

While some might consider negotiating a raise, others could look to what is called a “side hustle.” This is a growing niche and there are vast resources online about how to build a new stream of income alongside your current work.

Read more about side hustles on my detailed advice page on How to Work Remotely & Digital Nomad Resources , or head straight Side Hustle School , a fantastic podcast and resource site with tons of ideas to get you started.

6. A Note on Poverty

For many people, my savings advice is not even plausible at this stage. To begin saving money for travel implies a level of comfortability in your situation that may be out of reach at the moment.

I have been profoundly poor at stages of my life, where the suggestion of taking on extra work was laughable and my expenses and debt were higher than I could see my way through.

If this is your situation, your timeline to travel may be very different from another’s timeline. And that’s OK. If you’re struggling, if even the idea of adding on more work is impossible now, then adjust your time-frame.

Even an extra $5 or $10 per week against your debt is progress. And even that much money into your travel kitty is also progress toward your goal. It might take ten years to save, or it might take five years to build up even a modicum of online income, but there is truly an opportunity for most people to save money for travel with priorities and a reasonable timeline.

I do believe that many people—but certainly not all—can prioritize travel. It’s only at the point that you agree to look for possibilities that you see the opportunities to make it happen in your life. And this isn’t Pollyanna of me to say.

Although I was childless when I left to travel, and thus had fewer hard-and-fast obligations and larger life priorities, I worked for years to pay down my debt. And while I wish I could claim it was all student loan debt, much of it was credit card debt.

Debt happens, especially if you are poor. Some of my debt came from breaking my arm mere months after graduating college, and thus just after leaving my parent’s health insurance plan. Other debt came from bailing out a complex family situation, twice.

The fact is, it was debt and it was hard for me to conceive of a way that I could pull myself out from under it. Even in the first years of travel, my income was barely above the poverty line. I traveled and continued to spend a generous chunk of my freelance income paying down my past debt.

For years, I had decided that it was impossible to travel and I chose to remain stagnant on my goal. Until one day, when I simply switched my belief about how I could save money and travel. I decided that somehow there was a way out and I simply needed to get creative on how I thought about my situation.

Key Savings Takeaways

I read a saying once that has long stuck with me, and the gist was this:

You don’t have to know how, only that it is possible.

This might not be the ideal time for you to save for a long-term trip. I get that, I truly do understand. But, this is the right time to think about your relationship with money, debt, online work opportunities , and which small steps will make progress on your current situation. The first step is often the choice to make a sincere change, then come actions and follow through. Strangely, choice is often harder than the follow through.

3 Mindsets to Approach Saving for a Big Goal Like Travel

By this point, you have a clear idea of your personal financial situation. If you have debt, I hope you use the recommended tactics and resources to tackle the most important aspects of that debt.

If you are not creating a personal budget, then you need to research online and create a personal budget. You need a firm handle on your what a realistic savings timeline and goal looks like in your unique situation.

Now, let’s look at practical ways to increase the amount of money you put into your travel savings each month. I’m a huge proponent of striking the right balance. It’s why I recommend using a clear personal budget before you decide to save for travel.

Get your ducks in a row, understand your debt, plan your retirement goals, and then add your travel goals into that mix.

There are three primary schools of thought on approaching a budget (well, three that I think work best, there are many others, too).

1. Consume everything you enjoy, but in moderation.

Take a moderate approach to all things and enjoy small splurges—don’t eliminate habits you love, just adjust your expectation of frequency. Budgeting requires forming and sticking to long-term habits.

In that regard, the theory goes that by not denying yourself treats and getting burned out, frustrated, or defeated, you are instead better able to develop a habit that sticks and a habit that preserves your quality of life.

This is how I budget, even after years of travel. Moderate consumption and moderate spending is how I afford to live as an expat in Spain and still travel for most of the year, 15 years after I first left. If I want a fancy coffee, I buy it—I just don’t make it a daily habit and I budget it into my allowed expenses.

2. Ruthlessly cut unimportant expenses, then spend openly and without guilt on those areas you’ve pegged as most important.

Ramit Sethi puts it like this, “Spend extravagantly on the things you love, and cut costs mercilessly on the things you don’t.” If you have a decent amount of income, this can work well, but if you’re counting pennies then there might not be a lot of room for either cutting ruthlessly, or spending extravagantly.

But the psychology of it is high reward, and that goes a long way toward helping stay motivated to budget and save. Sethi’s theory is ruthless though; you pick one or two focuses and the slash the rest nearly completely from your budget.

3. Calculate the opportunity cost of every expense, both discretionary and non-discretionary.

Opportunity cost is an economics concept that identifies “the loss of potential gain from other alternatives when one alternative is chosen.”

In budgeting and saving for travel, you’ll see this employed by many travel bloggers when they write of their own savings approach and say things like, “Splurging on one new outfit costs the same as traveling for four days in Southeast Asia .” Or, “One night of partying at home is the same price as a day tour to a volcano in Nicaragua.”

The case for retirement savings is also often offered in terms of opportunity cost, but in the opposite perspective. Save your dollars now because compound interest will work in your favor if you invest over the long-term.

Spending thousands of dollars to travel now also has an opportunity cost as that money might have grown much larger sitting in a retirement account for 30 years. But, that’s where life and values come into play—it may be more money in the long run, but you’ll miss the opportunity to travel now, when you likely have youth, enthusiasm, and health on your side.

All three approaches can work. In each, success hinges on also automating your savings and sticking to a long-term money plan. How you most effectively save money and budget can wholly depend on your personality—we’re born with traits that affect how we deal with high-reward or low-reward situations.

Sethi and I are two very different people. The methodical, moderate approach melds well with my lifestyle and personality. From his online persona, I can see why and how his approach of high reward works for him. Assess what works best for you, not anyone else.

12 Ways to Reduce Your Expenses & Increase Your Travel Savings

Pick the savings ideology that fits best with how you approach personal finance, and then consider where you can tweak and adjust your own budget, lifestyle, and savings. I’m just going to offer a running tally for this section.

A massive list of ideas.

Even if you swap out a single spending habit for a saving habit once a month, that gradual change adds up over weeks and months. Some of these are cliché, others are hard to implement, but all of them make small, incremental changes in your spending and savings habits with the end goal of traveling the world.

Opt for low-cost, budget outings.

Visit museums. Organize an afternoon at the park. Host potlucks with friends. If you’re opting for the second budgeting approach, where you ruthlessly cut out less important areas of spending, you can alter which outings should stay. This might mean keeping the weekly trip to the movies that you truly love, but cutting the after-work beers that are less enjoyment and more habit.

Make coffee at home.

I enjoy coffee shops, and I still purchase from them every week. But now I think of an artisan coffee as my weekly treat instead of a daily necessity. I went for a moderate approach because it’s something that I enjoy, but it’s not a hardship to swap out a couple of my previous coffee trips.

When I was aggressively saving money toward my goals and paying down debt, I had my bank automatically transfer the $45 per month that I saved from visiting the coffee shop once a week instead of three times per week.

Lower your cell-phone plan.

Unless you use your cell phone for work, you might have a lot of wiggle room in how much you spend each month. Many low-cost providers offer bare bones plans with just a bit of data, but unlimited calls and texting.

While it’s fun to watch YouTube from the doctor’s office, perhaps it’s a habit you can replace? WiFi is rampant and if you lower your plan you can likely shift your habits slightly and ensure you’re on WiFi when doing data-heavy tasks.

Change your grocery shopping habits.

If you shop at Whole Foods, then you might be able to limit that shopping trip to essentials and balance your grocery visits with a more affordable alternative like the “green” version from your local grocery store.

Also, consider buying the generic store-brand on purchases that don’t have a strong impact on your life (most non-perishables fall into this, including laundry detergent, shampoo, cereal, etc). Stores like Aldi beat out the chains on nearly every price measure.

Lengthen the lifespan of purchases.

While many assume that it’s easy to cut your clothes/shoes shopping budget entirely, that will depend on your current habits. Instead, look for ways to extend the lifespan of your current purchases.

If you’re a designer handbag fan, consider skipping an upgrade cycle. If you begin the purging process , you may find clothes and shoes you’ve long forgotten that you can cycle into your wardrobe to “freshen” it rather than buying more items.

If you truly love the lure of shopping, consider allowing yourself the chance shop for your travel gear slowly. Build out your travel packing list a little at a time; use your shopping budget to purchase one piece of travel gear each month until you leave.

This allows you to quell the shopping urge by purchasing items that actively work toward your goal, and it also lessens the sticker shock of buying those items just before your trip.

Or, if you take the Ramit Sethi approach, keep the shopping habit but downsize your apartment. Create a tradeoff for the thing that you most value.

Add any irregular or unexpected income to your travel fund.

Deposit your income tax return into your travel kitty. If you get a bonus at work, perhaps treat yourself with half of it and save the other half. Balance your spending and saving.

Lessen your rent burden.

Some people can get away with moving home as a way to lessen expenses. I was in my mid-20s when I planned my trip and I spent my final two months at my dad’s house prepping and planning.

If that’s either unfeasible or a totally insane prospect, consider other options like taking on a roommate or downsizing to a smaller house/apartment. Then there is always the option to become an Airbnb or VRBO host if you live in a desirable part of your city.

Assess your memberships.

If you have a gym membership, and if you use it, then it might be a non-negotiable to keep this in your budget. For others though, is this a good use of your money?

Consider alternatives, like your local YMCA or county recreation center. You could also price out day-passes for things like the pool, gym, yoga classes, etc. If you visit infrequently, this may work out to a savings.

Cancel cable.

Streamline your subscriptions. Don’t give up all your entertainment, but see if there’s anything you’re paying for that you can happily replace with another habit. Perhaps you don’t need HBO Go when your favorite show is out of season.

Or Netflix is less useful when Amazon Prime let’s you rush ship packages and stream shows. Whatever you cut, remember to add that to your monthly savings figure and automate the transfer of those saved funds.

Use your local library.

This is seriously a good tip for anyone who doesn’t use the public library—it will become your best friend as you save and plan. In the beginning, use the library as an alternative to buying books. (And if you have a monthly book allowance, remember to set up an automated transfer to add that money into your travel account each month).

Most U.S. libraries even offer digital lending programs that allow you to borrow books on your Kindle or e-reader (I borrow Kindle books from my library when I am traveling all over the world to keep myself stocked in reading material for free).

As you move into actually planning your trip , you can check out travel guidebooks from the library instead of purchasing one for each planned destination.

Lower transportation expenses.

If you don’t own your car, is there value in trading it for a model that you can own outright? Can you sell your car (either now or just before your trip) and add that money to your travel savings? Consider public transport, carpooling, and alternative situations to navigate transportation.

Several married friends were able to sell one car during their pre-travel savings period. This not only gave them the initial boost from the sale of the car, but lowered car maintenance and insurance expenses too. They set up an automatic transfer to put that money into their travel savings account each month.

Reduce banking fees.

If your bank charges any monthly or transactional fees then you need to seriously reconsider that bank. Ideally, you should never pay withdrawal fees, nor should you pay a monthly fee for your checking account.

There are a lot of options, but I recommend Charles Schwab for most travelers as it is the only bank that will actually reimburse your ATM fees when you’re traveling (I have no sponsored relationship with Schwab, I just truly believe it is the best bank for travelers, hands-down).

Even if you don’t go with Schwab, look into local credit unions and options that have interest-bearing savings accounts and no added fees and expenses. I get an incredible savings rate at Betterment.com , where I also keep my main investments.

Here’s my rundown of the best travel credit cards .

Wrapping Up: 7 Final Quick Tips for Saving Money for Travel

1. Open a separate savings account.

Keep your new travel fund separate from all of your other accounts: day-to-day expenses, emergency fund, Christmas money, etc. Designate a travel account and directly deposit into this account any new money that generate.

Jumpstart your savings process by purging the many things you have accumulated over the years. Dig out anything stored in corners and under beds. A lifetime of living accumulates stuff. Then, hold a garage sale, use Craigslist, or sell items on eBay.

Not only will you need to purge items before long-term travel, purging gives you a jolt of cash and action, which helps maintain the motivation to continue saving no matter your savings timeline (be it months or years).

The How to Purge and Declutter page offers extensive and detailed strategies and advice.

3. Cut your spending.

Halving your superfluous spending by 50%. Anyone suggesting a more drastic cut has clearly never committed to a long-term goal. Assess your current spending habits, and then look for compromises that do not overly impact your lifestyle.

If you begin cutting everything you enjoy, you will eventually stop saving altogether.

Instead look for moderation. Trade the mentality of “okay, I should  never  eat out again” with “I should eat out half as much each month.” Decrease non-essential expenses and then make a weekly transfer of your savings into your dedicated travel savings account.

4. Assess your debt.

Debt is a burden and a clear obstacle to travel. Worse, however, is that many people aren’t sure exactly where they hold debt and how much. Without clarity on the extent of your debt and a clear debt reduction plan, you may never make your dream round the world trip.

And the thing is, you may not have to eliminate your debt before travel, you instead need a clear understanding of it and a plan. Student loan debt is a very different beast than a defaulted credit card payment. I cleared my credit card debt before leaving, but paid off my student loan for the first three years on the road—I had budgeted that monthly payment into my anticipated travel budget.

The  Tackle Your Debt page offers comprehensive advice to create an action plan for reducing debt so that you can effectively save for travel.

5. Increase your income.

If you have a job that comfortably floats your expenses, then consider adding on a part-time job or freelance work. Side hustles are gaining in popularity and this is a great topic to research.

How to Work and Travel covers all the resources and advice I’ve discovered from well over a decade working online.

6. Stay focused and motivated.

Don’t give up, some people have a situation that allows them to save up a large sum in just a handful of months (often those who can move in with parents for a while), and others will need to take several years of slow and incremental savings, figure out what camp you are in and then stick to it.

Allow yourself splurges in your life, but never from your travel savings account!

7. Learn what you don’t already know.

Information is available in dozens of ways from dozens of sources. You can master personal finance and saving money with time and effort. While there are many free resources, I created a comprehensive treatise on the topics of saving and budgeting for travel.

How to Save for World Travel   is available on Amazon Kindle and there is nothing else like it on the internet. Instead of general finance and savings advice, this guide is laser-focused on offering solid, practical advice to specifically create enough savings to travel.

How to Budget for Travel

Saving for travel is the single biggest process that will help you reach your goal. It takes several steps to create a strong financial base from which you tackle savings. And while some steps may seem superfluous, or even too granular, this process works.

I’ve talked to dozens of travelers over the years and nearly every person followed the process I laid out. The timeline for each person varied, but all of those people who provided ideas and feedback spoke from a place of success—they successfully saved and completed an around the world trip.

In the coming months and years, life may derail portions of your plan. Throughout it all, however, keep an eye toward your priority, travel. Of note is that your priorities may shift and change.

Perhaps you begin budgeting and saving with the dream of travel, but you pivot that idea and instead decide to fund a new business. Or perhaps you decide to spend your travel fund as a downpayment on a house.

All of these choices are viable priorities, and the savings process outlined above will work for any of these big life goals.

Creating a habit of saving is about giving yourself the freedom to set your priorities and then accomplish them. I am a fan of travel, and you likely are, too. But that said, if it’s not your current priority, use the three-pronged process (eliminate debt, budget, and save) to fund your priorities.

Make purposeful choices that align with whatever you have decided is most important in your life.

Once you have the saving and budgeting portion of your own life down pat, then the next step is to develop an accurate estimate of how much your trip will cost. Other people’s round the world budgets are only helpful to an extent—your trip, your dreams, and your lifestyle all impact how much you will need for world travel.

You may have dozens of Pinterest boards dedicated to the places you’d like to visit, but have you sat down to plot out how much it would take to plan a trip to those places?

My guide, How Much Does it Cost to Travel the World , ( Kindle and PDF ) examines the cost of travel in various regions of the world. This guide deep dives into how you can plot a route that balances developed and developing economies, a tactic that extends your travels while also introducing you to fascinating new cultures and experiences.

This guide also discusses how travel style impacts budget so that you can accurately plot out an average daily budget for the type of travel you enjoy. The book demystifies travel budgets for everyone from budget backpackers to couples to boomers.

If you’re on the uber-budget end as a backpacker, then you’re looking at a different type of trip than those willing to splurge on extra flights and private rooms.

And while the budgeting tips in my follow-up book can help you plan a short vacation, the budgeting guide is intended to help you understand what it will take to actually start moving forward on your plans to travel around the world.

It could be two months, or perhaps an epic two-year adventure. Either way, the costs of long-term travel are surprisingly lower than those associated with vacations and short-term trips.

Even more, the book helps you create a trip around the world that you love and one that you can afford.

Need More Advice About Saving for Long-Term Travel?

How to Save for World Travel  is a comprehensive guide about every aspect of saving. It’s written from the perspective and experience of a long-term traveler (8+ years on the road).

This guide includes the above information, as well as:

• extensive information detailing how to create a personal budget.
• advice on how to think about saving money.
• practical advice on how to save money within your unique situation.
• ideas tailored to extreme budget and frugal lifestyles so travelers on any income can begin the savings process.
• ideas to begin eliminating debt.
• information on how to generate additional income streams to fund your travel dreams.
• a custom worksheet to track your savings journey.

The guide is available on Kindle or as a PDF bundle with the How Much Does it Cost to Travel the World guide.

How to save money for your next big trip

Dec 25, 2021 • 5 min read

Once you've saved up enough, don't throw your money away © Ben Pipe Photography / Getty Images

For some people, budgeting is a way to get excited about a trip. They use it as the first step in the planning process and as a way to get themselves psyched up about a destination. For most of us, though, saving up for a trip is like going to the dentist after bingeing on sugar for a few months.

But budgeting is better than running out of money halfway through a trip and having to make an embarrassing call home to friends or parents. Now, with the pandemic still impacting travel, you might find you have time to start budgeting for a future trip. Here we answer some of the big questions around how to successfully save money and budget for your next dream holiday. 

How much will I need?

Start your budget with the biggest expenses first—usually this will be your flights, but accommodation also adds up. In the Lonely Planet guidebooks , Guides app and destination pages of our website, there is often specific information on a country's average costs under the “practical information” section or "in detail" section on the website, which can be an invaluable reference point when estimating expenses—you don’t want to show up in Singapore having budgeted for a week in Malaysia ; you’ll starve.

With a rough idea of how long you'll be away, you can work out a daily cost based on room rates and meal costs. Add in a little more for activities , museum entry fees, a couple of souvenir T-shirts you’ll probably never wear when you’re home and last-minute taxi fares to the airport when you’ve slept through your alarm.

Allow for an occasional splurge. Add a little fat for a cocktail or two at Mumbai’s Taj Mahal Palace or skydiving in New Zealand . The worst budget is a chain at your leg pulling you away from the best (if slightly more expensive) travel experiences. Sure, it can be cheaper to self-cater your way around Europe, but if you’re missing out on tasting pizza in its birthplace or discovering the delights of vegan weed burgers in Amsterdam then you won't enjoy the trip.

What should I buy before I leave?

Add in pre-trip costs including visas, reliable travel insurance and immunizations. Some travelers skimp on travel insurance, but if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. Especially in today's times when travel restrictions can change daily. Even if nothing goes wrong, it pays for itself in peace of mind and when something does go wrong (lost luggage or cancelled flights) you'll find it invaluable.

Read more:  Do I need to buy travel insurance?  

Gear is another sizable pre-departure purchase. Travelers, especially first-timers, often over-invest in specialized travel gear, but prioritizing is the key to saving money while still making a success of life on the road. A strong, comfortable backpack is the traveler's linchpin, and it’s worth shelling out for a good-quality model (a good bag should last a few tours). An equally important investment is a pair of decent shoes—chances are you’ll be spending a lot of time on your feet, so making sure your footwear is comfortable, durable and is suited to your needs is essential.

Other gear to think about includes clothing, which should be suited to your environment , power adapters, and a good ol’ Swiss Army knife (in a checked bag of course), but traveling as light as possible is always a good mantra.

How do I save money for a trip?

Once you've worked out how much you need, you've then got a figure you can save towards. Some people make this number their screensaver or put it on their fridge, using this saving goal as motivation to go to work every day.

Have your very own telethon-style countdown as you save towards the goal. If you find saving tough, try budgeting software like Pear Budget or Mint— the latter includes countdown functions for your savings and can suggest ways to cut your expenses. If you don't hit your saving goal, then it might be time to go back and re-visit the budget—those fancy cocktails might have to be traded in for a bottle of soju and microwave ramen in a Korean convenience store , which, let’s be honest, is probably just as good!

With this in mind, being realistic is also an important part of the money-saving process. Can you truly afford that swim-up luxury apartment in the Maldives , or would you be equally content in a rustic beachfront bungalow in the Philippines for a fraction of the cost? If you’re struggling to reach your finance goals, being flexible with your trip itinerary can help get you on that flight a lot faster.

How can I keep cash safe when I’m traveling?

Before you go, someone is bound to force one of those ugly, flesh-toned money pouches on you because it 'saved their life' back when they did their gap year. Not that there's anything wrong with money belts or pouches, but you could probably do just as well by having your valuables in an inside pocket of a zipped-up jacket.

Carrying your money in a few forms and in a few different places is always good idea. Diversify your money so you hold a little cash, a credit card and an ATM card. Although there are good ATM locators for Visa, Mastercard and other major credit card providers, you'll find that they can break down, run out of cash or otherwise fail just when you need to pay a taxi driver. Sometimes cash is still king. It’s a good idea to carry a “whip out”—a small amount of loose cash to pay for things as you're walking along. That way your wallet is conveniently stashed and potential pickpockets don't know where to hit you.

Of course following the basics will also go a long way—be mindful of your surroundings at night, don’t carry around massive wads of cash and use hostel lockers and hotel safes where possible. It’s astonishing how many penny-pinching backpackers leave wallets and purses splayed across communal dormitory beds before heading off for a long shower; that’s one potential way to blow those hard-earned savings in record timing.

You might also like:  How to budget for a trip around the world  How to manage your money as a digital nomad Seeing Alaska on a budget is possible - here's how to do it

This article was first published Nov 20, 2018 and updated Dec 25, 2021.

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How to save money for travel? 15 tips to help your planning

Wondering how to save money for travel? Here are 15 great tips to help you save up for your next trip. Keep on reading and start planning your travels soon!

Apr 01, 2023

Who already has travel plans for 2022? I know I do! Whether you want to visit family and friends abroad, revisit your favourite holiday destination or do a cultural exchange program , you’ll need some money. 

We previously published a blog post about how you can make money while travelling , but this one is all about how to save money for travel. Here are 15 money saving tips to help you make your travel dreams come true in 2022!

How to save money for travel? 

1. set your intention, 2. plan your travel budget, 3. set up a direct debit to your savings account, 4. cancel unnecessary subscriptions, 5. look for offers in shops, 6. limit online shopping, 7. save on energy bills, 8. give yourself a cooling-off period for purchases, 9. swap and borrow, 10. make packed lunches.

11.Buy generic brands

12. Create home restaurants

13. do some diy, 14. plan meals and shop once a week, 15. use alternative transport methods.

First of all, set your intention. Here’s an example: "In 2022, I am going to go backpacking in Central America for three months", or "I want to travel to South America to learn about other cultures ".

Having a very clear idea in your mind of what you want to achieve will help your plan on how to save money for travel . You can make your intention more powerful by writing it down in a journal or even by creating a vision board. 

Believe that you are going to travel in 2022 and watch your dreams become a reality.

Now that you have set your travel intention, you should work out how to plan your travel budget . 

Find out how much it will cost to get there and how much money you’re likely to need on a weekly basis (taking into account local transportation, accommodation, food & drink and leisure expenses). 

Once you know how much money you’ll need, take a look at your monthly budget (or create one) and see how long it will take to save up. Don’t worry if it looks like you won’t be able to save enough money at first. The tips below will help you!

Another great tip about how to save money for travel is to set up a direct debit to your savings account. If you haven’t done so already, contact your bank right now.

This is money you are not allowed to spend until you go on your trip! By putting money aside each month, no matter how much or how little, you’ll soon see your savings grow.

Cast a critical eye on all your monthly subscriptions and ask yourself the following questions. Do you really need them? 

If you find yourself watching Netflix 99% of the time, perhaps it’s time to cancel that cable TV subscription. 

Are you actually using these subscriptions enough to merit having them? One example that springs to mind is a gym membership. If you only work out once a fortnight, it might be time to cancel. 

Could you find cheaper alternatives ? It may be handy to have a Hello Fresh box delivered to your door, but going to the local market and searching around for deals may save you a lot of money.

Before you go out to do your shopping, check the websites of various supermarkets and shops to see where you can find the best deals. 

You might find that the crate of beer you wanted to buy at your regular store is half the price at a different one, for example. And you could discover that the shop you wanted to buy new clothes from is having a sale the following week. 

Doing your own research really helps you to save money for travel .

Another way you can be more sustainable and save money for travel at the same time is to restrict online shopping. 

It can be so easy to spend your cash from behind a computer or smartphone screen; just a few clicks and your new purchases are on their way.

Unfortunately, a lot of people end up unsatisfied with their goods and end up sending them back. This is a waste of time, energy and money. 

Try to spend money using cash in actual shops; you have a better idea of how much you’re spending (because you actually see the money in your hands) and a better idea of the products too.

Another thing to research is how to save on your energy bills. One of the ways of doing this is to switch suppliers when your current contract comes to an end.

Go online and see if there are cheaper deals to be found or to find out which suppliers offer new client discounts. You should also learn how to save on gas, electricity and water – you’ll spend less money while being more sustainable.

How many of you have bought something on impulse, only to regret the purchase later? This is extremely common. A useful tip to try and prevent this from happening is to allow yourself a cooling-off period whenever you think you want to buy something you do not need. 

For example: you see an amazing pair of shoes when you’re at the mall. You don’t need new shoes, but these are just so gorgeous you want to buy them. 

Instead of following your impulse, go home and wait three days. If you still want the shoes, you can go back and get them. What you’ll probably discover is that your desire to have these kinds of impulse buys actually fades away. More money saved!

Perhaps you do not even need to buy or even own that item you want. Why buy a new dress for a party (which you’re probably only going to wear once anyway) when you could get one for free from a friend? 

Try organizing a clothes swap party with friends – you’ll get rid of items you no longer wear while getting new ones without spending any of your hard-earned cash. 

And why buy expensive items that you don’t often use when you could borrow them? Ask your neighbour if you can use their hedge trimmer rather than going to the garden centre to buy something you’ll only use a few times per year.

You’ll save a load of money for travel by taking packed lunches to school/work instead of buying food from the local convenience store.

According to some estimates, savings could reach up to $1000 per year! That will most probably be enough to pay for your flight to your chosen destination.

Moreover, why would you pay $5 for a tasteless pre-packaged sandwich when you could make a delicious one at home for a fraction of the price?

11. Buy generic brands

There’s no need to pay top price for branded products. After all, you pay a lot of extra money just to have a well-known label. You want to have good-quality goods of course, but generic products – like over-the-counter medicines, cosmetics and staple foods – are often just as good as their branded counterparts.

Eating out can be a very enjoyable experience, but it isn’t always easy on the wallet. Try to limit going out for dinner and instead set up a network of home restaurants with a group of friends. 

Take it in turns to cook for each other, but make it extra special. Create the impression of eating out by writing the menu on a chalk board, lighting candles and serving wine in the proper way. 

It’ll be so much fun and you’ll be able to put more money aside for your travels.

Instead of buying new stuff, see if you can make things or mend them. Search the internet for video tutorials and learn some new DIY skills. 

Are you bored of your old kitchen table? Perhaps you could paint it in a funky colour instead. 

Want to throw out pair of jeans that are all frayed at the bottom? That would be a waste! Turn them into a stylish pair of denim cut-off shorts.

Another tip for how to save money for travel on food expenses is to plan your meals and do the groceries once a week.

Figure out what you want to cook over the coming 7 days and then write down the ingredients you’ll need on a shopping list. Add other essential items to that list and then head to the supermarket.

When you’re there, stick to the list and don’t give in to temptation. By doing one big weekly shop, you’ll buy fewer things you don’t need compared to when you go to the grocery store every couple of days.

Before ordering that taxi or getting on that bus, ask yourself if you could get to your destination on foot or by bicycle. And before you make that long car journey, see if anyone you know happens to be going in the same direction at around the same time. Not only will you be saving money, you’ll be travelling in a more environmentally friendly way too.

These are some very effective ways if you wonder how to   save money for travel in advance, but certainly not the only ones. 

Now if you want to travel right now an alternative way that requires less planning is volunteer programs with Worldpackers . Check out those awesome articles on how to volunteer abroad with little money.

• How to satisfy your wanderlust without spending a fortune
• 7 actionable ways to save money while traveling
• 6 types of volunteer work abroad that gives you free accommodation

Do you have any money-saving tips to share with us and help other readers save up for their next trip? Let us know in the comments!

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Create a free Worldpackers account to discover volunteer experiences perfect for you and get access to exclusive travel discounts!

Helen Talbot

I quit my job as a teacher to travel around Portugal and Brazil to improve my language skills. I've ended up learning loads more than just Portuguese and am having an amazing Worldpackers experience. Passionate about travel too? Get in touch.

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Feb 12, 2022

I am a handicapped and I have a wish since childhood that I travel solo around the world but I'm unable to fulfill this wish the only reason for one shortcoming is lack of money because I don't have money to buy it I humbly request your company that I need a lightweight Racksak Bag which is 65 liters & a tent which can be of 2 person & rest as you wish so that I can make my dreams come true & I can set a better example in the society for this I will be eternally grateful and thankful to you and all your loved ones.

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23 Ways to Cut Your Expenses and Have More Money for Travel

Get out a sheet of paper and write down all your set expenses: rent/mortgage, car payments, cable/streaming bill, cell phone, insurance, school payments, etc. Tally them up.

Then write down all your discretionary spending. This is what you spend on food, movie nights, drinks, shopping, that daily coffee from Starbucks, cigarettes, sports tickets, your daily midday snack, and other similar things. If you don’t know what you spend money on, go track your expenses for a two-week period, see what you spend, and come back.

Add that all up — what did you get? Probably a large sum of money.

And I bet there will be many expenses you didn’t realize were there. Financial experts call these “phantom expenses” — we never know they are there because the expenses are so small. People bleed money without realizing it. A dollar here and a dollar there adds up. Even a daily bottle of water or candy bar can make a substantial difference over the course of a year.

What does this have to do with travel?

One of the main reasons why you think you can’t travel the world is money. “I can’t afford it,” people say to me, “I have too many expenses.” Most of us certainly have expenses we can’t cut (though remember when you travel the world long-term, many of those expenses disappear), but if we cut our phantom expenses, reduce our set costs, and find other ways to save we can build our travel fund much more quickly.

In short, if you want to start traveling more or save up for a specific trip, you need to create a budget. This will let you see where you can make cuts and where every penny you earn is being spent.

Cutting your daily expenses, being more frugal, and downgrading to a simpler way of living will allow you to save money for your trip around the world without having to find extra sources of income. I know these tips work because I used them before my first round-the-world trip (and still use them to keep my living expenses low).

Of course, the lower your income, the longer it will take to save enough to travel. But longer doe not mean never . A little bit every day adds up to a lot over a long period of time.

Here are some simple and creative ways to cut your expenses, make money, and get on the road sooner:  

1. Track your spending

As mentioned in the introduction, most people don’t have a budget so the first thing you need to do to save money is to know where you’re spending it. In an age where you tap an app and a car comes, it’s easy to not think about how much we spend. Create a spreadsheet or use a service like Mint and track all your expenses. You’ll probably be surprised at where your money goes once you start paying attention. I live in Austin and I found myself realizing I was spending close to $100 USD a month on escooter rides. The distances I take them aren’t that far and, since the weather is usually nice, I decided to start walking more. It’s healthier and cheaper. That’s a $1,200 a year savings (i.e. a few months in Southeast Asia!)

Start tracking your expenses – and keep doing so – so you can keep cutting out the low hanging fruit and find where you’re spending money. You can use a spreadsheet or website like Mint or Onomy to do so.  

2. Set up a separate bank account

Financial experts have long recommended this. Set up a separate bank account and have money automatically deposited into that account each pay cycle. No matter how much you put away there, putting that money in a separate bank account means it’s away from your spending and you won’t overspend. Think of this like a piggy bank. Don’t raid it. It’s your travel fund.  

3. Cut the coffee

Love your Starbucks? Well, Starbucks loves your money. Coffee is a daily expense that quietly drains your bank account without you even noticing. That daily $5 USD coffee costs you $150 USD per month. At $1,800 USD per year, that’s two months in Southeast Asia .

What’s more important: your daily cup of Joe or spending more time on the beaches of Thailand or exploring the jungles of Borneo?

Sure, giving up your cup of coffee seems like a “duh” thing. And, yes, there is utility in the time saved from buying one. Under normal circumstances, this would be “small thinking” financial advice that isn’t worth the time or effort.

But, right now, you have a travel goal to reach and every penny counts.  

4. Learn to cook

We all need to eat but restaurants are expensive. To keep your food bill low, cook more often. I learned to cook while in college (a skill that has helped me ever since) and before I left for my first trip, I cut down my eating out to two times per week. Every other meal I cooked myself. I would save the leftovers from dinner for lunch the next day, thus saving more money.

You don’t need to be a whiz in the kitchen, either. There are a million and one cooking sites, YouTube videos, and recipe blogs that will teach you how to cook fast and healthy meals. I never spend more than 20-30 minutes making a meal.

Here are some sites to check out to get the ball rolling:

• Deliciously Ella
• Bon Appétit
• Jessica in the Kitchen

5. Lose the car

Between insurance, repairs, loan payments, and filling your tank with gas, cars are crazy expensive to own. Get rid of your car if you can. Learn to love the bus, take the subway, bike, or walk. It may take longer to get to work using public transportation, but you can use that time to plan your trip, read, write, or do other productive tasks.

I understand that this tip may not be feasible for everyone, especially those in smaller towns that don’t have an extensive public transportation system, but an alternative is to sell your car and buy a cheaper used one, which you will only need until you leave for your trip. Buying a throwaway car will allow you to pocket the money from your more expensive car and put it toward your travels.

Additionally, with the proliferation of Uber, Lyft, and other ride-sharing services, it’s never been easier, even in small towns, to find transportation. Do the math on it but it may be cheaper to get Lyfts around town than to own a car. (Plus, if you need a car for long distances, you can easily rent one.)  

6. Save on Gas

Gas adds up! Luckily, there’s plenty of ways to save on gas! First, use the app GasBuddy to find cheap gas near you. Second, sign up for all the major gas station loyalty programs. By default, they save you around 5 cents per gallon. Shell’s Fuel Rewards is the best because you attached it to a dining program leading to savings up to 50 cents a gallon. Moreover, use GasBuddy’s credit card, which can be tied to any of these loyalty programs and then used for an additional savings of 25 cents per gallon. Most supermarkets also have loyalty programs that offer gas savings. And, if you sign up for Costco, they have huge savings too.  

In the age of Hulu and free (and legal) streaming TV, there’s no reason for you to be spending $50 USD per month on cable television. Get rid of it and just watch everything online for free. You can also start sharing your streaming costs with friends or family. Standard Netflix is $12.99 USD per month. If you can cut that in half by splitting it with a friend, you’ll save a few bucks.  

8. Downgrade your phone

The average American phone bill is over $100 USD per month. While smartphones are handy devices, getting a cheap phone without any fancy apps will cut your monthly phone bill in half (if not more). You might get bored on the train not being able to read the news, but saving an extra $600-800 USD a year will allow you to spend a few more weeks in Europe , buy fancier meals, or learn to scuba dive in Fiji.

Consider buying a simple flip phone or even a refurbished phone. You’ll waste less time online and save money. Double win!  

9. Get a new credit card

A travel credit card can give you free money, free rooms, and free flights. After accruing miles and rewards points with your card on everyday purchases, you can redeem them for free travel on your trip. Travel credit cards are a big weapon in a budget traveler’s arsenal. You’ll even earn huge sign-up bonuses when you get a new card.

When used properly, these cards generate free money so start early. As soon as you decide to travel the world, get a travel-related credit card and begin earning points on your daily purchases. A few credit cards worth checking out are:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve – The best card on the market, offering 3x points on restaurants and travel, lounge access, and over $300 in travel credit.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred – A more affordable version of the Reserve with 2x points on restaurants and travel as well as no foreign transaction fees.
• Capital One Venture – An easy-to-use card with a $100 credit for Global Entry over 10 airline partners you can transfer points to.
• Chase Freedom Unlimited – A simple cash-back card with 5% cash-back on travel.

For more credit card suggestions, check out this list of the best travel credit cards .

And, for more information on travel credit cards in general, here is my comprehensive guide on how to pick a good travel credit card .  

10. Open an online savings account

While saving, you can have your money grow a little bit more by putting it in a high-yield online savings account. I’ve done this since the time when I was preparing to go away on my first trip and I netted hundreds of dollars in extra money thanks to interest (and a bit more while I was traveling too as the money was sitting there while it was being spent down). Interest rates are very high these days and you can earn around 4% on your savings account! Take advantage of that!

Not from the US? Check out these websites for more local information:

• New Zealand

11. Get a Charles Schwab account

Charles Schwab bank refunds all your ATM fees and has no account fees. With this card, you’ll never pay an ATM fee again. When you think about how often you take out money — both at home and abroad — this is a game changer. For more on saving money when you bank, read this article .

Note: This is only available to Americans.  

12. Sign up for travel newsletters

No one likes to clutter up their inbox, but by signing up for mailing lists from airlines and travel companies, you’ll be able to get updates about all the last-minute sales or special deals happening. I would have missed out on a round-trip ticket to Japan for $700 USD (normally $1,500) if it wasn’t for the American Airlines mailing list.

Additionally, consider signing up for a website like Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights). They hunt down deals and send them directly to your inbox — for free! They also offer a premium service that offers more (and better) deals but at the very least join their free newsletter. Chances are you’ll find some awesome deals!  

13. Build a network on Couchsurfing

Building a network on Couchsurfing can help you make friends with locals and get free accommodation when you do travel.

However, if you’ve never used it before you might not get many responses. After all, someone who hasn’t been vouched for and has no reviews isn’t an appealing candidate. Before you go away, sign up for Couchsurfing, find a local meetup (there should always be at least one in your area), and attend. You’ll make friends, be added to people’s profiles and vouched for, and have a network you can utilize when it is time to actually go away.

Of course, if you have space in your apartment you can also host travelers before you depart (or just meet up with them for coffee). This is the best way to build your network, get familiar with the platform, and earn reviews that will help you down the road when you’re looking for a host.

If possible, verify your account as well. Having a verified account will boost the chances of a host accepting your request.  

14. Replace your light bulbs

Electricity costs money and since every penny counts, using energy-efficient light bulbs will cut down on your utility bills. Fluorescent light bulbs are cheap and replacing just five bulbs can cut $75 USD per year off your electric bill.

Moreover, due to energy efficiency initiatives in certain states, many electric companies will give you a rebate if you buy fluorescent bulbs! Be sure to check out which rebates your local energy company offers no matter where you live in the world.

Going green can save you green!

For US readers, check out EnergyStar or the DSIRE database . For Canadian readers, check out this page run by the government . For everyone else, check your local government or utility company’s website for information!  

15. Buy second-hand

Why pay full price when you can pay half? Use websites like Amazon (discounted books and electronics), wholesale websites, Facebook Marketplace, and Craigslist. Towns big and small usually have thrift stores like Goodwill where you can pick up clothing and odds and ends. Sure, you don’t want to buy everything used, but you can definitely buy most things used!

Plus, it’s good for the environment since you’re giving stuff an added use life rather than having it end up in a landfill!  

16. Cut coupons

The Entertainment Book, grocery coupons, Groupon, and loyalty cards all reduce the price you pay at the register. Clipping coupons might make you feel like an 80-year-old grandmother, but the goal here is to be frugal and save money, and coupons definitely help with that.

Many grocery stores also offer electronic coupons based on your shopping habits. Sign up at your local grocery store for their loyalty program and you can lower your weekly grocery bill with discounts either sent via email or added directly to your loyalty card. Here are some discount and coupon websites worth checking out are:

• Don’t Pay Full
• RetailMeNot

Additionally, check out Mr. Rebates and Rakuten , which give you cashback for purchases made via their website. They simply redirect to the retailer’s website and use a cookie to track everything. You can also use this for booking travel while still getting points and miles too. I use this when I book accommodation. You can get up to 8% back!  

17. Sell your stuff

Before I started long-term travel, I looked around my apartment and saw just a lot of stuff I had no need for anymore: TVs, couches, tables, stereo equipment. Instead of keeping it in storage (which costs money), I decided to just get rid of everything. I sold it all and used the money to travel. After all, I’m not going to need my couch while eating pasta in Rome!

Sites like Craigslist , Amazon , and Gumtree are excellent places to sell your unneeded consumer goods.

Personally, I love the app OfferUp. It’s easy to use and people are less flakey than on Craigslist (and they don’t try to haggle you down as much). Definitely check it out.

If you’ve got a ton of stuff, consider having a yard sale. That’s the fastest way to clear out your house and make a few bucks in the process.  

18. Skip the movies

I don’t know about you, but I find movies ridiculously expensive. It can cost up to $20 USD for a ticket, and that much again for the popcorn and soda. Cut out the movies or rent them online via Netflix or iTunes. Whatever you do, cutting out trips to the movies will save you a bundle.

If you do want to see the occasional movie, go on the cheap night (most theaters have one) and sign up for their loyalty program to earn free movies.  

19. Stop drinking alcohol

Alcohol is expensive. Cutting down the amount you drink is going to have a big impact on your budget. While this might not apply to everyone, those of you who are carefree might go out with your friends on the weekend. Drink before you go out to the bar or simply don’t drink at all. Cutting down the amount of alcohol you consume is considered low-hanging fruit — an easy way to save money.  

20. Quit smoking

Smoking kills not only you but also your wallet. A $10 USD pack per day amounts to $3,650 USD per year. Even half that amount would still yield enough money for close to two months in Central America . If you don’t want to stop smoking for your health, do it for your trip.  

21. Stop snacking

A snack here and there not only adds calories to your waistline but also empties your wallet — another example of phantom expenses. We don’t think much of them because they cost so little, but they add up over time and eat into our savings. Eat fuller meals during lunch and dinner and avoid snacks.

If you do want to snack, bring snacks from home and plan your snacks in advance. That way, you can buy cheaper (and healthier snacks) and avoid buying chips, chocolate bars, and other expensive junk.  

22. Earn extra money on the side

The sharing economy has made it really easy to earn extra money on the side. You can rent your spare room out on Airbnb, become a Taskrabbit, work for Instacart, drive with Lyft, cook dinner on EatWith, or lead personalized tours through Get Your Guide.

No matter what skill or unused asset you have, there is a moneymaking service for you. Use these websites to boost your trip savings and travel cheaper.

Here is a full list of sharing economy websites you can use to earn some extra cash on the site .  

23. Buy a reusable water bottle

Single-use water bottles are not only harmful to the environment, they are also harmful to your wallet. One or two water bottles a day at $1 USD per bottle will add up to at least $30 USD a month. That’s $360 USD a year! You can spend a week in France with that much money!

Instead of plastic, buy a reusable water bottle and fill it with tap water. You’ll want one for your trip anyway, so buy one now and get in the habit of using it. I like Lifestraw as it also has a water filter.

These tips will help save you thousands of dollars and will make your dream trip seem less like a dream and more like a reality . I know some of them are obvious but it’s the obvious things we rarely think about.

The most important thing you can do though is to track your expenses as everyone’s situation is different. For me, the biggest “Wow! I can’t believe I’m spending money on this” were Lyft and escooters. Hundreds of dollars a month were being wasted on those two things with me realizing it.

Track your spending so you can keep cutting what is discretionary spending. The more you do that, the more you’ll save money, the quicker you’ll be able to get on the road!  

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• SafetyWing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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How to save money to travel, five ways to save toward your next trip.

March 16, 2022 | 3 min read

We all long to travel—to see and experience what we can’t in our own backyard. But we’re not always great about figuring out how to save money for a trip, especially those unexpected but memorable trips like destination weddings and last-minute excursions. So here are a few tips that will help you save money with travel in mind. Where will it take you? That’s up to you.

If you want to know how to save money to travel the world, you first need to make sure you’re saving in your everyday life. So the first step is opening a savings account . The second step is committing to putting and keeping money in it. Once you have enough money there to cover yourself in case of a financial emergency, you can start designating travel savings.

Build it into your budget

It’s impossible to know what kind of trips you can afford if you don’t know how you spend your money. Use a paper ledger, spreadsheet or a budgeting app to build your monthly and annual budget. Be aggressive and diligent—account for everything including travel. There should be enough left over to cover you in financial emergencies . If not, look for places you can save, whether by cutting the cable cord or ditching an expensive gym membership you don’t use as much as you hoped. Once travel is securely in your budget, you’ll be able to better enjoy planning your next trip.

Padding the travel fund

Even if you think you’ve budgeted enough, you never know when you’ll see a flash airfare sale or get invited to a bachelor or bachelorette party you didn’t see coming. So, it may make sense to develop some incentives to pad your travel fund. Say you eat out for lunch most days. What if you cut back to twice a week and put the extra cash in your savings, earmarked for travel? Or maybe you’re considering buying a new car. Why not buy something slightly more affordable and put the monthly savings into a travel fund, allowing yourself wiggle room when a friend proposes a last-minute trip to Las Vegas or New York?

Teamwork makes the travel dream work

Saving for travel can be fun, because it comes with a more imminent payoff: a well-earned vacation you can afford. Even better, it’s something you can do with friends.

If you’re having trouble putting enough away in your savings account for your dream trip, try teaming up with a friend. Pick a destination and work together on the budget. Then, help each other identify ways you can save in your everyday life. Maybe you swap that weekly spin class for a jog around the lake, or that weekly movie-and-popcorn date for a night of streaming. However you do it, have a travel goal in mind, pursue it together and hold each other accountable for it. You could even open a joint savings account with a friend to stash the cash.

Side hustle with a purpose

Cutting expenses is hard. But in the age of the side hustle , you also might consider finding new income to fund your travel. Are you a pro at wrapping gifts? Set up a holiday business to make some extra cash. Or maybe you're a tax professional with the capacity to handle more during busy season. Set up a side business doing neighbors’ and friends’ taxes and watch your dream vacation come to life.

When the extra income rolls in, put it in savings or open a separate savings account. Once you’ve set aside enough for taxes , save the rest for your next big trip. It may mean logging a few more hours, but it will be worth it when the wheels go up.

Traveling can be expensive, but those expenses shouldn’t stop you from seeing the world. So build a budget. Start to save. Phone a friend. And dedicate yourself to traveling smartly, so that even as you travel you can be saving for your next adventure. And once you hit the road, take plenty of pictures. They’ll remind you not only of your trip but the work you put in saving for it.

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How to Save Money for Travel: Awesome Tips for Living a Life of Travel

Posted on Published: June 21, 2021  - Last updated: March 14, 2024

Categories Blog , Resources , Travel Planning

Looking for how to save money for travel? And how do I travel so much? I get that question a lot. Even before I became a full time travel blogger, I’d hear similar comments and questions over and over again. “You’re going on another trip?” and “I can’t keep up with the places you’re going.”

Well, I’m not rich and I certainly didn’t win the lottery. I love to travel and I find ways to make it happen as much as possible.

This article contains affiliate links, which help run this site at no extra cost to you.

Travel isn’t cheap. You need to find a way to travel to your destination, whether it’s by plane, car, train, or boat. Next, you need a place to stay, which is usually some form of hotel , apartment or hostel. Then, there’s another big expense: eating!

While the main goal is not to starve, you’ll probably want to indulge in some of the local cuisine. Dining at restaurants can really eat into your travel funds. And lastly, in order to see the sights, you’ll likely have to book some tours or admission tickets. Plain and simple: traveling around the world comes at a price.

Table of Contents

How to Save Money for Travel

Thankfully, I have some tips that I use myself on a daily basis that show you how to save money for a trip. These are easy ways to save money for travel that won’t be detrimental to your day-to-day life. In fact, these suggestions are positive changes that will help you to live more minimally, be healthier, and spend quality time with loved ones.

And to sweeten the deal, I’ve discovered lots of new tips and advice from other travel experts. I’ve asked them to share their secrets with us. These travel bloggers also live a life of travel, some of them traveling the world on a full time basis. They know exactly what to do (and what not to do) to save money for travel. They’ll share the best ways to save money for a trip and show us how to travel on a budget.

Even if you’re not thinking about traveling for years at a time, this article still applies to you. Justin and I haven’t packed up our things to travel full time. We live at our apartment near Toronto and travel on a part time basis.

While I work from home as a full time travel blogger, Justin continues to work his day job in the TV industry. We plan our vacations as international travel (together when possible), weekends away, road trips, and day trips. You’ll soon discover that by making a few small changes in your regular life, you’ll have extra savings to take that dream trip of a lifetime.

Save Money for Travel Tip #1: Sell Your Stuff

If you are anything like me, you have things that you don’t really need or want anymore. You may have a closet full of clothes that you don’t wear, collections of things that aren’t that important to you anymore, or valuables that you’d rather trade in for a vacation across the world.

All you have to do is get organized, decide where you would get the most money for your things, and sell, sell, sell! Here are some places where you can sell your belongings for extra cash.

Sell Your Valuables

Ebay is the most popular place to sell valuables and collectibles, and it’s pretty easy, too. Just upload some high quality photos with good descriptions and list them in an auction or “Buy it now” format.

Ebay allows you to list up to 100 items for free each month and you only have to pay a fee that is a percentage of the selling price. Make sure that you have a Paypal account set up so you can collect the payments. If you’re unsure about how to do this, there are many tutorials online that could help you out.

Sell Larger Items / Less Valuable Items

For bigger things or stuff that won’t sell very well on eBay, I recommend listing them on Craigslist, Kijiji, or Facebook Marketplace. As long as you have some photos and you’re flexible on the price, you shouldn’t have any problem selling that extra old TV you’ve got kicking around, or that piece of furniture that doesn’t match anything in your place.

If possible, meet at a public place to exchange the goods and the cash. Don’t be home by yourself if you have to invite the person into your home, just in case the buyer doesn’t have good intentions.

Sell Your Clothes

Sell your Clothes : Thinking about Marie Kondo-ing your life ? You can make hundreds or even thousands of dollars selling your unused and unworn clothing and accessories. Sell some of your clothing items on Etsy , especially if they’re vintage.

You can also list your clothing on commission-based platform, Poshmark , which calls itself “the largest social marketplace for fashion.” Here are some other great ways to sell your clothes online.

Have a Garage Sale

Gather up all of the extra items that aren’t valuable enough to sell online and have a yard sale! Put price stickers on “ all of your items and put signs up around your neighborhood. You can also place a free ad online for your sale on Craigslist and Kijiji.

It will be a bit of work lugging all of your things to the curb, but you’ll earn some extra cash while reducing clutter in your living space! Your “trash” could easily be someone else’s treasure.

Make Donations

For whatever you don’t sell in your garage sale (or if you just have a few items that you’d like to dispose of), you could always donate it to Goodwill or another similar charity. You can try Bunz groups to swap your stuff for other things you’d find more useful.

Another idea is using your local Freecycle community to get rid of your extra clutter. You can quickly and easily post an ad that you have something to give away, and there’s a great chance that someone will want it.

Another idea that I’ve done in the past after hosting a garage sale? I put the extra stuff at the bottom of the driveway with a giant “Free” sign on it. Then, I placed an article on Freecycle that everything was ready to be hauled away.  By the end of the day, everything was gone!

Save Money for Travel Tip #2: Live Minimally

f you’re planning a round-the-world adventure living out of a backpack, you’re going to be living minimally anyway. You may as well get a head start on that! For the rest of us part-time travelers, it doesn’t hurt to learn how to live with less. My favorite minimalist blog by far is Zen Habits . You should check out that site right now as it is filled with inspiring stories and suggestions for minimalist living.

If you’re anything like me, you likely have tons of things that you don’t need. You are likely tempted on a daily basis to buy things that  you don’t need. If you’ve grown up in a Western culture like I have in Canada, you’ve been raised with the ideas that the more stuff, the better. We work longer hours and have less free time to buy a bigger house, a fancier car, designer clothing, and extensive collections of things.

There’s nothing wrong with taking pleasure in owning some beautiful things, but I’m sure there are some things that you can give up. In the process, you’ll save money, won’t have to work overtime to pay the bills, and you’ll be able to travel farther.

By making simple cuts to your monthly costs, you’ll be able to enjoy an extra night in a hotel, an extra meal at a faraway restaurant, an extra day sight-seeing in a historic city or more time lounging on a gorgeous beach. Here are some suggestions for living with less and saving more.

Cancel Your Cable TV

It all started when our cable bill went up in price. The cable company refused to negotiate with us to keep our old rate. Finally, we thought to ourselves…do we really need to subscribe to cable TV? It’s time to cut the cord and save money every month.

Instead, we subscribe to Netflix and Crave TV to watch our shows, plus we’ll watch some TV shows that stream online for free. There’s always stuff to watch on YouTube, too! (Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel !).

Don’t Buy What You Don’t Need

This one is pretty self-explanatory. Before you buy something, think to yourself, do I really need this? If you need it, buy it. If not, you might want to think about passing on it.

Save For What You Do Need

I t’s less important for us to have the latest and fanciest electronics, like brand new TVs and gadgets. However, we do splurge on things like our DSLR camera , our GoPro, and our drone. It’s important that we capture the best photos and video as we travel, so we’ll splurge on those items.

Cut Down on Monthly Bills

There are many ways to do this. When we cancelled our cable TV, we also decided to switch Internet Providers. We found a provider called TekSavvy and it uses exactly the same cable Internet line that we had before, but at way lower rates than what we were paying. There are numerous ISPs like this, so I’m sure you’ll be able to find one in your area.

A fast Internet connection is important to us, although we will happily pay less if given the choice. Other options to cut down on your monthly bills: make sure you use less hydro by turning off the lights when you leave a room, or unplug electronic devices when you’re not using them. Be sure to watch your water consumption as well.

Gym Membership

While we found a really good deal to go to the gym, it isn’t always an affordable option. It’s easy to stay in shape when you regularly hike outside or even travel to destinations that involve a lot of walking or physical activity.

I love tracking my steps with my FitBit everyday to get exercise. Using ClassPass is also a cheap way to get some exercise and try some new activities. You gain access to over 10,000 gyms around the world. I’ve put together this guide about how to stay fit while traveling that you might find helpful.

Reduce Car Usage

Now that I no longer commute to work (I work from home), I don’t have to drive as often, pay for gas, pay for wear and tear on my car, etc. This one might not be possible, but if you can give up the car, do it. I walk wherever I possibly can to save money and get exercise. I also own a Toyota Prius hybrid car, which helps to save on gas when I take those long road trips.

Reduce Salon or Spa Use

I used to attend the hair salon more frequently, and who doesn’t love getting manicures and pedicures? I do have one hair salon and stylist that I’m partial to seeing, although I go to the salon way less often now. I only go to the salon twice a year now.

As for my nails, I don’t paint them very often, but I do it myself at home. You can even be a little fancy and have your own pedicure party from the comfort of your own house.

Saving Money to Travel Tip #3: Dine at Home

I realize in some places around the world, it might actually be cheaper to eat at restaurants. However, it is usually better to buy your own groceries and prepare your own meals at home. Don’t know how to cook? No worries! There are so many free recipes all over the web with very easy to follow instructions. Plus, you’ll learn a new and very important skill in life! Here are a few tips that will help you along your way.

Cook Your Own Meals

This one is pretty self-explanatory. Usually a meal in a restaurant will  cost way more  than one you prepare at home. You will be able to get way more food out of a home cooked meal, typically with lots of leftovers that can be used for lunch the next day. Or you can freeze the extras for a later date when you don’t feel like cooking.

Bring a Bag Lunch to Work  

This doesn’t have to be anything boring or tasteless. You can bring leftovers from last night’s dinner to work with you in  a cooler bag . Prepare your lunch meals on a Sunday before the work week if you are the type that works a 9-5 job. You will save lots of money by not purchasing a meal at a takeout restaurant or your workplace’s cafeteria by bringing your own meal.

Shop at Farmer’s Markets.  

If you have a local market with fresh produce straight from the farmers, it will always be cheaper than the local grocery store. Plus, you’ll be getting way fresher food, you’ll be supporting a local farmer, and you might be able to ensure that it is organic / non-GMO just by asking the farmer.

We have some markets near us that only allow organic fruits and vegetables, which is fantastic. Unfortunately, these are seasonal and only run from June – October in our neck of the woods.

Make Coffee and Tea at Home

Ordering coffee and tea while you’re out is a really big expense, and it adds up. What might seem like a couple of innocent dollars here and there can equal thousands of dollars a year. And guess what? That’s the cost of a trip!

I recommend investing in a  Ninja Coffee Bar . That’s what I use at home. It allows you to brew coffee by the pot, by the cup, it makes iced coffee, it makes a stronger coffee (similar to espresso), and it has a milk frother on the side. Essentially, I can make just about any coffee drink at home.

Another handy device is  the Aeropress , if you like to make coffee or Americano drinks. You can also bring it with you when you travel. Here are all of my  favorite coffee makers  that will brew delicious beverages and save you money.

Switching from a Starbucks latte to a regular coffee with help with saving money to travel, but I totally recommend just making your caffeinated beverages at home and bringing them with you. I did a little bit of the math – if you purchase a Starbucks latte once a day for 5 days a week, that’s around $1500 a year!

I calculated what I would spend on regular coffee if I purchased just one a day – $655 a year! Those could equate to be a flight, meals on a vacation, nights at an apartment or hotel, etc. If you cut out the Starbucks for the year, you could easily  pay for a 7-day Caribbean cruise , and  likely your flight, too !

Go Vegetarian or Vegan

This one is obviously close to my heart since I was raised vegetarian and have been vegan for the past 13 years. Eating more vegetarian and vegan saves you a lot of money. Usually the most expensive foods are meats, dairy products, and eggs.

If you switch to eating more grains, legumes, beans, and of course, vegetables and fruits, you’ll save money and you’ll be eating healthier in the process! You might end up feeling better and have more energy in general. I found that when I switched from vegetarian to veganism, I had way more energy and didn’t need to sleep as much. Here are all the  reasons why I chose to go vegan .

How to Save Money for Travel Tip #4: Your Social Life

It’s possible to have a social life, have lots of fun, and wind up saving money to travel in the process. Who said that you have to spend lots of money to enjoy time with your friends? I think that being in the company of your greatest friends can be some of the best times no matter what you’re doing.

Your friends can take turns being the host/hostess and have a gathering at their place. Sometimes I get together with friends and we’ll play board games or video games, listen to music, eat food, cook or bake food together, have a couple of drinks, watch a movie, or just chat! I swear that playing  Cards Against Humanity  have produced some of the most hilarious nights together!

We did a lot of “staying in” over the past year and a half during the pandemic. My friends and I played a lot of games over Zoom, too. You can play this travel quiz game that I created over Zoom or in person.

Host a Pot Luck

Have all of your friends bring a meal or a snack to your place and have a pot luck meal together. This is way better than meeting at a restaurant because you get way more food options, and everyone created something special for the day.

Spend Time Outdoors 

Often times, going for a walk, hike, or  bike ride  is completely free of charge, and you’ll get to get some fresh air and exercise! Other times, the only cost is transportation to the site or a small entrance fee.

If you live in Ontario, be sure to check out my other blog, Ontario Hiking , to plan all kinds of hiking trips in Ontario, Canada. Ontario is “Yours to Discover”!

Quit Smoking / Drink Less

I enjoy having a drink now and again, having a glass of wine, or having a pint of beer just as much as anyone else. If you cut back a bit on this, or enjoy some drinks at your friends’ houses rather than the bar, you’ll save some cash. Going out for drinks is  expensive.  

I’m pretty sure that many of my co-workers wonder how Justin and I are able to always travel or visit new places. But, I see how many people are out every weekend spending hundreds of dollars at the bar, and then they have no money to do anything else. I would much rather save for travel!

Plus, drinking to excess is not healthy. Neither is smoking, so try to quit that habit if you can. I don’t think I need to go into how expensive that habit can be!

Saving Money to Travel Tip #5: Travel Savings Account

I have a couple of separate ways to save towards our holidays. It is most important that you choose a bank that does not charge you any service fees, plus try to get as high of interest as you can. Also, there are many travel credit cards out there that give you points or miles towards travel. Make sure you sign up with one of those ASAP!

Open a Travel Savings Account  

I put $100 every two weeks into a separate savings account and let the money accumulate. It is amazing how quickly it adds up!

Travel Fund Jar

In Canada, we have these $2 coins called “Toonies”. Every time I spend money and get my change back ( like when I purchase a coffee..haha) , I take all of my toonies and throw them into this change jar. On our last Caribbean cruise, I had so many toonies that it translated into all of my spending money for the trip! There are even  adorable travel fund jars  to make saving even more fun.

Do Additional Work  

If you’re able to, do some extra freelance work on the side, work a little bit of overtime at your job, or get a second job to save towards your vacations. You can put all of this money straight into your travel savings account.

Being a full time travel blogger is more than a full time job for me (helloooo 16 hour days!). But, you might find that you have some free time and can spend a couple of hours a night doing some freelance work from home for a little bit of extra cash.

Need Travel Insurance? You should never leave home without travel insurance! Check out the best rates to make sure you’re covered in case of an emergency or accident.

Alright gang, I hope that you’ve collected some great ideas from these past two articles about saving money to travel. I hope you’re able to visit all the places of your dreams!

Lauren is the full-time travel blogger and content creator behind Justin Plus Lauren. She started Justin Plus Lauren in 2013 and has travelled to 50+ countries around the world. Lauren is an expert on vegan travel as one of the very first vegan travel bloggers. She also focuses on outdoor adventure travel, eco and sustainable travel, and creating amazing travel itineraries for cities and small towns.

Jolanta aka Casual Traveler

Thursday 18th of June 2015

Yes, having money for travel is just a matter of priorities. Do you really need those new pants, and a pair of shoes, if that could get you a night at a decent place in a city you always dreamed of visiting?

skateaustralia.org.au

Wednesday 4th of February 2015

Very descriptive blog, I liked that bit. Wiill there be a part 2?

Tuesday 3rd of February 2015

2004. The very best deer velvet extract has been found by our laboratory and imported it from New Zealand.

Sunday 22nd of June 2014

These are some great tips you share. Travelling and living abroad really teaches you a lot about what you really need. As I get older, and with each move, I just want to get rid of more stuff, and simplify life as much as possible.

You know, you can stay fit without attending a gym. I do yoga and pilates-type exercises at home, and take long walks and bike trips!

Lauren | Justin Plus Lauren

Sunday 17th of August 2014

Definitely! I've done yoga and pilates from home and I'm a big fan of bike riding and long walks! Those are all great suggestions.

Friday 6th of June 2014

Great tips, I do a couple of them myself, especially a few months out from a super big trip!

Justin and Lauren

Sunday 15th of June 2014

Yes, once the trip starts coming up, it's great to have a bit of extra savings for it!

Money-saving travel trips

You can always count on TIAA for strategies and tools to help you save for short-term goals like travel as well as longer-term priorities like retirement. When you're planning for a trip, it’s important to save money for travel, but it's also valuable to think about how to manage money when traveling.

Careful planning and being smart about how to save money for travel will help turn your dream adventure into a reality. We've got some tips to help you manage money when traveling so you can have the best experience without financial stress.

Select an affordable destination

For many, saving for a vacation is as valuable an investment as saving for retirement because exploring the world pays dividends to your personal growth. But simply throwing darts at a map is a great way to ensure your trip never gets off the ground. Before you take flight, it's important to do some deeper research into a destination's cost, your travel budget and the best way to travel with money when you get there.

You might want to start by choosing a region known for its affordability—including a strong exchange rate. The best way to exchange money is typically at an ATM when you arrive, but it's best to check rates with a currency exchange tool Opens in a new window and then find out what the typical fees are where you're going. It's a good idea to do this for all the places you’d like to visit.

As you evaluate your destinations and travel budget, be sure you look into the average cost of travel basics, like where to sleep (you could start with hostels or homestays), what to eat (try street markets or food trucks for quick, authentic bites), and how to get around (trains or buses could save you money and connect you with the locals). These are the most critical things to understand before you determine your travel budget.

Create a realistic travel budget

Now that you understand how much things cost, the next step is saving up travel money so you can avoid any financial stress when deciding how to afford to travel. To come up with your vacation fund goal, multiply your estimated daily costs in the places you'll visit by how long you hope to stay there. For example, if you want to spend three months somewhere where it would cost you about $800 a month, you would need $2,400. Next, break this monthly total into a daily amount: $800 per month / 30 days = $25 a day. While you’re traveling, it’s much easier to track against a daily budget than a monthly one.

Your phone is your friend for managing money when traveling

The first rule for how to manage money when traveling is to create a simple system for tracking everything you're purchasing, but you probably don't want to be updating spreadsheets every day of your trip. After all, that feels like the opposite of a vacation. Luckily, all you really need to do is create a daily note on your phone and input everything you spend money on that day—including travel costs, food, lodging, trips, gifts and everything (yes, everything) else. If you can make this a habit during vacation, you can easily keep it up once you get home, and that’ll lead to even better spending habits for life .

The 15-minute rule

Here's one of the most useful money-saving travel tips: Take 15 (or fewer) minutes each day to track your spending. Consider making it part of your vacation routine, maybe during your morning coffee or that sunrise bus ride to an exotic temple. During this downtime, review your previous day's spending and look for categories where you may have overspent (or even underspent!). Also check your online bank and credit card accounts to make sure everything looks accurate.

Adjust on the fly

Staying consistent about tracking your spending will help you understand it better and use your travel money more wisely, increasing your financial confidence.

Once you arrive in a new place, the things you thought would be important may change. Maybe you realize that you just can't pass up an opportunity to explore the untouched beauty of a hidden waterfall even though you hadn't budgeted for a three-day kayak excursion. All is not lost! By looking at your daily travel budget notes, you can easily adjust for that leg of your journey by increasing your sightseeing allotment and decreasing in other areas, like food or museum-entrance fees. A good rule of thumb is to figure out what excites you and redirect your travel money toward those experiences.

Waste happens

If you're traveling to another country, there's almost a 100% chance you'll overspend on something during your trip. Don't beat yourself up about it. Remember, you're on vacation. Instead, recognize those moments and learn from them.

Here are three great traveling abroad money tips:

1. Understand tipping etiquette Many countries don't tip. If you come from a country where tipping is the norm, you may be spending your travel money when it isn't expected.

2. Chat with other travelers Strike up a conversation to find out how to save money on food and how to avoid overpaying for goods from shops.

3. Practice your haggling skills In many countries, haggling is the norm—and you'll find vendors quickly negotiating prices to try to sell you something. Be prepared with a price you think is fair (possibly by asking experienced travelers what they paid), negotiate confidently to get the best price, and don't be afraid to walk away from a purchase that feels too expensive.

You'll find that no two days are the same when you're traveling. Your spending will go up and down—and that will provide a great learning experience for balancing your travel budget.

Remember, if your spending feels too high one day, you can pull back on another day. By saving ahead and tracking your expenses, you should feel more confident that you don't have to miss out on an amazing opportunity because you're worried about money.

Bonus: Consider a trip that could be tax deductible

One of the hottest travel trends right now is combining tourism and volunteer work abroad into a single trip—turning your vacation into an opportunity to enrich your life and someone else's at the same time. With the right research and some attention to detail, the travel money needed for your volunteer vacation could be tax deductible.

You can start by volunteering with a qualified group. Just make sure to choose a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that’s approved by the IRS Opens in a new window so your trip can be considered tax deductible.

This is important: If your trip includes excursions or recreation in addition to volunteer work abroad, the IRS may not allow your deductions when tax time rolls around. Get to know the guidelines it's set before you go so that once you’re there, you can maximize the good you'll do and the total amount of your deductions.

You'll also need to know how to write off travel expenses, exactly what you can deduct Opens in a new window  and what you need to keep track of before leaving for your trip. Keep track of those receipts!

Finally, once your trip is over, if you need any additional helpful advice for saving and investing back at home, we're here to help. Happy travels and smart spending!

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This material is for informational or educational purposes only and does not constitute fiduciary investment advice under ERISA, a securities recommendation under all securities laws, or an insurance product recommendation under state insurance laws or regulations. This material does not take into account any specific objectives or circumstances of any particular investor, or suggest any specific course of action. Investment decisions should be made based on the investor’s own objectives and circumstances.

10 Easy Ways To Save Money For Travel

1. pick your type of travel.

2. Research About Your Destination

3. Ink Down Your Expenses

4. bring out the piggy bank.

5. Save! Save! Save!

6. Spend Less on Food

7. Use Public Transport

8. Save on Bills and Utilities

9. Limiting your entertainment and leisure activities

10. Get rid of habits that cost you

This post was published by Prithika Maria

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4 Uncommon Tips for Saving Money on Travel

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Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Table of Contents

1. Use Hilton’s Price Match Guarantee to get 25% off your stay

2. use topcashback.com and rakuten to get cash back on your trips, 3. visit destinations that are less popular with foreign tourists, 4. use virtuoso or hilton impresario to book high-end hotels, final thoughts on uncommon budget travel tips.

We love helping you save money on travel, especially teaching tips and tricks on how to use miles and points to travel for little-to-no money to amazing destinations. We also want to make sure you stick to your financial goals, which should include having an emergency savings fund and setting an annual vacation budget .

While we know it can seem hard to travel and meet your financial goals, in this article we share four uncommon budget travel tips for saving money on our favorite hobby.

» Learn more: How to set financial goals

Hilton has one of the best price match guarantees in the business: If you can find a lower price on another website, Hilton will not only match the lower price, but will also take 25% off the cost of your stay.

To find potentially lower prices than what Hilton itself offers, we’d recommend using online travel agency TripAdvisor, which often lists the price for hotels from a number of different websites. In order to qualify for the 25% off, you need to ensure that the bookings match exactly — including dates, room type, cancellation policy and deposit upfront.

Also, although not specifically outlined in its terms, Hilton will generally only honor prices from well-known travel companies like Priceline, Orbitz, Hotels.com and Expedia.

That said, if you can find the exact hotel room you’re trying to book with Hilton for cheaper on another site, Hilton’s Price Match Guarantee is a great way to save money on your trip.

» Learn more: What to know before joining Hilton Honors

Another uncommon tip for how to save money when you travel is to use online cash back portals for additional savings. Examples include TopCashBack.com and Rakuten, and with either portal, you can often receive cash back for the money you spend on your trip (such as for hotels, car rentals and flights).

Although eligible websites vary — not to mention the exact amount of cash back offered can go up or down frequently — some deals we’ve recently seen include 3% cash back on hotels and cruises purchased on Expedia and 7% on car rentals booked through Priceline.

To get cash back through these sites, you’ll need to first register for an account with them and book your travel using the links that each site provides.

» Learn more: How to save money on holiday travel

When you travel abroad, you likely want to experience the local culture and people (rather than being surrounded by tourists from your home country). Another downside to visiting oft-traveled locales: The higher the number of foreign tourists, the pricier you can expect your overall trip cost to be.

To help you save money on travel, consider destinations that aren’t as popular with foreign tourists. For example, Paris is one of the most popular cities in the world for tourism, with over 19 million arrivals in 2019. Lyon, the second most popular tourist destination in France, is visited by significantly fewer tourists — in the same year, it welcomed around 6 million visitors.

Here's an example of how much money you can save by going to a second city . We looked into three nights in a deluxe room at the Lyon Marriott Hotel Cité Internationale compared to three nights in a deluxe room at the Paris Marriott Champs Elysees Hotel for the same dates in March 2022. Lyon's Marriott costs a total of $494, whereas the Marriott in Paris rings up at approximately $1,634.

» Learn more: Points & Miles 101: NerdWallet’s quick start guide

If you’re planning on booking a high-end property but would still like to save money on your stay, look into booking your hotel through either Virtuoso or Hilton Impresario. Both programs offer money-saving benefits.

Hilton Impresario offers the following benefits on hotels booked through an Impresario travel agent:

Complimentary room upgrade at check-in, if available.

$100 property credit, once per stay.

Daily complimentary breakfast for two guests.

Priority for early check-in and late check-out, when available.

Double Hilton Honors points.

You can find properties across several hotel brands on the Virtuoso website. The program offers similar benefits, including:

Preferred rates and availability.

Room upgrades when available.

Daily breakfast for two.

Dining, resort or hotel credits.

Early check-in and late checkout when available.

Exclusive amenities and experiences.

These benefits, particularly the free daily breakfast for two and hotel property credits, add up, making them a great way to save money on your next luxury travel getaway.

» Learn more: Do travel agents really save you money?

There are many ways to save money on your trips, including:

Taking advantage of price match guarantees.

Using cash-back websites like TopCashBack.com and Rakuten.

Visiting a destination that is off the beaten path, like a second city.

Booking luxury stays through agencies like Virtuoso and Hilton Impresario.

Regardless of your budget, saving money on travel can help you build up your travel fund or speed up other savings and investing goals.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Up to $300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Ways To Save at Disney World: 32 Money-Saving Tips

Disney World vacations are perfect for creating special family memories, yet the costs can add up quickly. As a dad who has taken his family to Disney World multiple times, I’ve learned insider tips for enjoying the magic affordably.

In this guide, I share 32 effective strategies to cut down expenses at Disney World . I’ll cover the most affordable times to visit, how to find budget-friendly accommodation and tickets, how to eat without overspending, the best places for affordable shopping, and enjoyable free activities for the whole family.

With these easy-to-follow tips , a magical Disney vacation that fits your budget is within reach. Let’s dive into the ways to save at Disney World !

1. Partner with a Disney Travel Planner

One of the easiest ways to save money at Disney World is by partnering with a reputable Disney travel agency like The Vacationeer . Their expertise in uncovering deals not always accessible to the general public can significantly reduce the cost of your trip. This method ensures your vacation is magical while remaining within budget.

• Customized Planning : The Vacationeer provides personalized itineraries and expert advice, making them a top choice as an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner.
• Exclusive Deals : They offer access to hidden discounts and the latest promotions, offering the potential for considerable savings.
• Free Service : Their planning services come at no extra cost , including interest-free payment plans , making budgeting easier.

From personal experience, working with The Vacationeer has greatly simplified our Disney vacation planning . Their deep knowledge and thorough planning have been invaluable, especially when navigating Disney World’s complex options. This partnership has consistently led to our vacations being magical and more affordable than we could have managed on our own.

2. Use Disney Discounts & Deals

Proactively seeking out Disney’s various promotions can lead to significant savings. Our family has benefitted from seasonal discounts and special offers , often discovered through diligent research or by working with our travel planner.

• Check Special Offers : Regularly visit Disney’s official deals page .
• Seasonal Discounts : Plan around times when Disney offers reduced rates.
• Bundle Savings : Look into package deals that include lodging, tickets, and dining. Discuss your options with a trusted Disney travel planner like The Vacationeer .

3. Book Value Resorts

Skimp on the cost, but not on the magic!

Opting for Disney World’s Value Resorts has allowed us to enjoy the perks of staying on-site without the premium price tag . Resorts like Disney’s Art of Animation, Pop Century, and the three All-Star properties ( Disney’s cheapest hotels ) provide themed experiences at a fraction of the cost. The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness are also worth considering if you are outdoorsy and adventurous!

• Affordable Rates : Enjoy competitive pricing without sacrificing the Disney magic.
• Resort Perks : Early Theme Park Entry and complimentary transportation add value.
• Themed Environments : Each resort offers unique Disney-themed decorations and pools, something my kids really enjoy.

4. Travel During Off-Periods

Save big on hotels by traveling in slower months

My family always tries to visit Disney World during less busy times (though it can be challenging with two kids in school). Traveling during off-peak periods , like late winter or early fall, can significantly reduce vacation costs . These times offer lower prices on accommodations and sometimes park tickets and the advantage of experiencing the parks with smaller crowds , something my family really appreciates!

• Strategic Planning : Aim for seasons like late January, early February, or September for potential savings.
• School Schedules : Work around school commitments to find a suitable off-peak window.
• Enhanced Experience : Enjoy shorter lines and more intimate encounters with your favorite attractions.

5. Skip the Park Hopper Option

For many families, including ours, choosing not to add the Park Hopper option   can significantly reduce the cost of your Disney World tickets . Staying in a single park per day also allows for a more relaxed experience and avoids the temptation of hopping, which adds unnecessary stress and expense.

• Simplify Planning : Focus on one park per day to maximize experiences.
• Reduce Costs : Save money by avoiding the premium for park-hopping.
• Less Rushing : Enjoy a more relaxed pace without switching parks .

6. Buy Discounted Tickets

Understanding the ticket pricing structure of Disney World is crucial if you want to get the best deal. Ticket prices can vary depending on several factors, such as the time of year, the number of days, and the parks you choose to visit. You can save money by purchasing multi-day tickets , which can lower the cost per day. Additionally, special offers are often available for certain groups, such as Florida residents and military families . Sadly, there are no senior discounts .

• Opt for multi-day tickets: This strategy can significantly reduce your daily ticket costs.
• Plan ahead and buy tickets early: Booking tickets well in advance often allows you to secure lower prices.
• Explore special offers: Always check for any available discounts or promotions, especially if you reside in Florida or are a military member .

7. Downsize Park Plans

While purchasing multi-day tickets can decrease the daily cost , the total expense may still be significant. If committing to multiple days in the parks doesn’t align with your budget or schedule, consider downsizing your park plans. By focusing on fewer days, you can still capture the essence of Disney without the extensive cost.

• Selective Scheduling : Plan a shorter visit, focusing on just the top attractions that are most important to you.
• Non-Park Days : Take advantage of your resort’s pool, explore other resorts on the monorail loop, or discover other free local attractions or activities.
• Budget Efficiency : Spend less on tickets for a cost-effective trip. Use our Disney World Cost Calculator to assist you in determining how to make your trip more affordable.

8. Use Disney Transportation

Disney Skyliner over Caribbean Beach Resort

Disney World’s complimentary transportation services have been a staple in our travel plans, eliminating the need for car rentals and parking fees . The convenience and added Disney flair of buses, boats, monorails , and the Skyliner enhance the journey between destinations.

• Cost-Efficient : Save on parking and car rental costs.
• Convenient Access : Seamless travel to and from parks and resorts.
• Unique Experience : Enjoy the novelty of Disney-themed transportation options.

9. Take a Day Trip Around Central Florida

Exploring the attractions beyond Disney World has added diversity to our vacations without the additional park ticket costs. From beach days to local town explorations to visits to the Kennedy Space Center, Central Florida is rich with budget-friendly options that are just short day trips from Disney World .

• Visit Beaches : Spend a day at nearby beaches like Cocoa Beach. Daytona Beach and Clearwater Beach for sun and relaxation.
• Explore Local Towns : Discover the charm of small towns such as Celebration or Winter Garden, known for their unique shops and eateries.
• Relax at Natural Springs : Enjoy nature at places like Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park or De Leon Springs, perfect for a day of outdoor fun.

Plan Your Entire Florida Trip With an Expert

10. Take Mid-Day Breaks

A mid-day break at the hotel pool helps beat the heat and possibly save on lunch

Our family swears by retreating to our hotel for a mid-day break . It’s a perfect way to recharge, avoid the hottest part of the day, and reduce impulse spending on snacks and drinks in the parks.

• Recharge : A rest or swim can refresh everyone for evening activities.
• Save on Snacks : Use hotel amenities (kitchenette or mini-fridge) to save money by snacking in your room between meals.
• Avoid Peak Heat : Skip the hottest part of the day for a more comfortable experience.

11. Pack Food & Beverages

Packing our own snacks and drinks has made our Disney trips more affordable. This strategy is especially beneficial as my daughter is a picky eater and appreciates having her favorite snacks easily accessible. It also ensures we have a mix of healthy and sweet options available at all times.

• Reduce Meal Costs : Disney’s policy allows guests to bring food and drinks into the parks. Bringing a cooler with snacks, sandwiches, and beverages offers significant savings on meals.
• Convenience & Satisfaction: Catering to picky eaters or family members with specific dietary needs is easier when you have preferred snacks on hand, eliminating the search for suitable park food.
• Long-Day Fuel : Keeping snacks readily available is invaluable for long days at the park, allowing for instant recharging without interrupting the adventure for meal breaks.

12. Utilize Grocery Delivery Services

Taking advantage of grocery delivery services can be a game-changer for your Disney World vacation. Having groceries delivered directly to your hotel room saves you money and gives you the flexibility to enjoy meals and snacks on your own terms. This can be particularly helpful for early mornings before hitting the parks, relaxing evenings after a long day, or if you stay at one of the family suites at Disney World .

• Suite Convenience : Ideal for family suites, making full meals or quick snacks easily manageable.
• Cost-Effective : Avoid the high cost of park food by enjoying homemade meals.
• Flexible Dining : Perfect for early risers or late-night snacks, offering a range of choices to fit your family’s taste.

13. Research Dining Deals

Finding dining deals and promotions has consistently allowed our family to save money at Disney World. Quick-service restaurants and special meal deals offer significant value. For those considering the Disney Dining Plan , it’s worthwhile to assess if it matches your dining habits for potential savings . For tailored advice, The Vacationeer can assist with dining reservations or suggestions.

• Value Options : Look for quick-service spots that provide substantial meals at a lower cost.
• Meal Deals : Watch for special offers at various dining locations.
• Smart Timing : Enjoy meals during non-peak hours for a more relaxed dining experience without the wait.

14. Eat Big Breakfasts and Split Other Meals

Kicking off with a big breakfast is our go-to strategy, not just for the energy it gives us for the day’s adventures but also because breakfast is typically more affordable than lunch or dinner at Disney. This approach helps us save, especially when we choose to split larger meals later in the day.

• Hearty Starts : Choose filling breakfast options at your hotel or Disney restaurants, taking advantage of the lower cost of morning meals.
• Character Breakfasts : Combine the fun of meeting Disney characters with a substantial meal to start your day.
• Sharing Is Caring : Apply the sharing approach to both entrees and desserts for dinner, enjoying a variety of flavors while managing meal costs.

15. Limit Alcohol Purchases

Alcohol can significantly increase your dining expenses at Disney World . By limiting or carefully selecting when and where you purchase alcoholic beverages, you can enjoy a drink or two without the hefty price tag. Consider this strategy both in and out of the parks to keep your budget in check.

• Selective Splurging : Reserve alcoholic beverages for special meals.
• Happy Hour Hopping : Seek out the best drink specials outside the parks.
• Water Over Wine : My wife and I usually opt for complimentary water with meals to keep costs down.

16. Use Mobile Ordering

The convenience of mobile ordering through the My Disney Experience app has revolutionized our park dining experience. This innovative tool saves valuable park time and supports budget-conscious dining by providing transparent pricing and enhanced decision-making opportunities.

• Skip the Line : Order ahead to avoid long waits during peak meal times.
• Plan Meals : View menus and prices to make informed dining choices.
• Impulse Control : Decide on meals in advance to avoid spontaneous, costly decisions.

17. Don’t Buy Water

Skip the bottled water and ask for a free cup of ice water instead

To stay hydrated in Florida’s heat without the high cost of bottled water, we bring refillable bottles to Disney World. The parks offer numerous water refill stations, and quick-service restaurants provide complimentary ice water upon request. This approach is not only budget-friendly — easily saving a family of four an estimated $100+ over a week long trip — but also supports Disney’s commitment to reducing environmental waste.

• Eco-Friendly Hydration : Save money and minimize plastic waste by using refillable water bottles.
• Free Water Access : Utilize the abundant water refill stations and request free ice water at any quick-service eatery.
• Convenience : Easily refill your bottle throughout the day at strategically located stations in the parks, ensuring constant hydration.

18. Stay in an Off-Site Hotel

While my family enjoys the convenience of staying inside Disney for easy access to the park, choosing a hotel outside of Disney can lead to significant savings. Off-site options typically offer lower rates , complimentary shuttles to the parks, and additional benefits not always found at Disney resorts.

• Lower Costs : Off-site hotels are generally less expensive.
• Free Shuttle Service : Many hotels offer complimentary shuttle service to Disney World .
• More Amenities : Benefit from complimentary breakfast, larger rooms, and proximity to affordable dining choices outside the Disney bubble.

Are you seeking budget-friendly dining or lodging options? Get in touch with The Vacationeer now and take advantage of a no-cost consultation. Their planning services are free of charge, and you’re never under any obligation to book!

19. Use Credit Card Points & Rewards

We’ve saved significantly by using credit card points for hotel stays and flights . It’s worth planning your credit card use in advance to maximize these benefits for your Disney vacation.

• Book Travel : Use points for flights and hotel bookings.
• Disney Perks : Some cards offer specific Disney rewards.
• Strategic Spending : Plan purchases to maximize point accumulation.

20. Purchase Disney Gift Cards

Disney gift cards can be an excellent tool for budgeting and often come with the potential for savings. You can purchase these cards in advance, sometimes at a discount from specific retailers, and use them for nearly everything at Disney World. They can help you set a spending limit on souvenirs and dining, making it easier to stick to your budget.

• Discounted Rates : Find Disney gift cards at lower prices through select retailers.
• Easy Budgeting : Pre-load spending money to keep track of expenses.
• Versatile Use : Pay for meals, merchandise, and more with gift cards.

21. Shop for Souvenirs Wisely

Souvenir shopping is an enjoyable part of the Disney experience, but doing it too early in your trip can lead to impulsive buys and overspending. It’s often beneficial to wait, compare prices , and think about what Disney World souvenirs will be meaningful. This strategy can prevent buying items you might later regret and helps you find the best deals.

• Shop Later : Save souvenir shopping for the end of your trip to make sure you choose wisely and not on impulse.
• Pre-Trip Buys : Find Disney items at lower prices before you go to the park.
• Budget Wisely : Decide on a souvenir budget to keep spending in check.

22. Visit Nearby Outlets

Exploring the outlet malls near Orlando is a savvy way to discover Disney merchandise at significantly reduced prices . These outlets often carry overstock from the parks and resorts, allowing guests to purchase authentic Disney items without the premium park prices.

• Discounted Merchandise : Find authentic Disney items at lower prices.
• Similar Park Products : Discover items like those sold in the parks but for less.
• Combine Savings : Pair outlet shopping with other non-park activities for a day of affordable fun.

23. Make Your Own Souvenirs

For those looking to do Disney on a strict budget , it may be best to skip buying souvenirs at the parks altogether . The possibilities for making unique and inexpensive keepsakes are endless. From custom t-shirts to commemorative scrapbooks, there is no limit to the fun DIY projects you can take on before or after your vacation.

• Personalized Creations : Design apparel or accessories for (or from) your trip.
• Collect Free Items : Use Disney World maps and celebration buttons for DIY projects.
• Family Activities : Engage everyone in making unique souvenirs. My artistic daughter especially loves this activity!

24. Order Kid’s Meals

Many people are unaware that Disney permits adults to order from the kids’ menu . Regardless of age or appetite size, kids’ meals are a budget-friendly choice, appealing to both children and adults alike. These meals provide affordability and a range of appealing options , from familiar dishes to more refined choices. My kids love these entrees and desserts, but so does my wife!

• Save Money : Kid’s meals cost less and are a good choice for anyone not wanting a large meal.
• Just Right Portions : Perfect for adults who prefer smaller portions.
• Tasty Variety : From classic favorites to healthier options, there’s something for everyone.

25. Use Ride-Share Services

While Disney World hotel guests enjoy complimentary transportation around the park, off-site guests without shuttle service or those seeking to explore beyond Disney may benefit from ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft . These services are frequently less expensive than renting a car or paying for parking .

• Cost Savings : Eliminate the need for costly parking and car rental fees.
• Convenient Pick-ups and Drop-offs : Enjoy the convenience of being picked up and dropped off directly at the park entrances.
• Versatile Exploration : Ride-sharing services provide the freedom to explore other attractions and locations in Orlando beyond Disney.

26. Bring Your Own Stroller

Bringing a stroller from home or renting a stroller from a local company saves money compared to park rentals . This strategy reduces costs and ensures your child is comfortable in a familiar stroller.

• Avoid Rental Fees : Eliminate the cost of daily stroller rentals at the parks.
• Familiar Comfort : Children may prefer their own stroller over a rental.
• Rental Discounts : Local companies often offer better rates for longer rentals.

Find The Best Discounted Rates For Your Trip

27. Pack Essentials

Adding items like sunscreen, hats, rain ponchos, swim gear, toiletries, and water bottles to your packing list for Disney World will help you avoid spending extra money at the parks . We’ve learned that bringing these essentials helps us avoid the high prices inside Disney.

• Avoid Park Markups : Items are often pricier inside the parks.
• Stay Prepared : Ensure you have everything needed for a day at Disney.
• Reduce Impulse Buys : Lessen the need to purchase overpriced items out of necessity.

28. Be Strategic With Meet & Greets

Using the My Disney Experience app to plan your Disney World meet and greets not only enhances your visit but can also help save you money. Efficient scheduling means less waiting and more park enjoyment , possibly reducing the need for more extended stays to see your favorite characters.

• App-Assisted Planning : Find times and locations for meet and greets with the app.
• Off-Peak Meetings : Aim for quieter times, like meal hours, for shorter waits.
• Best Character Dining : Booking one of the best Disney Character Dining experiences combines the joy of meeting characters with a great meal, maximizing your time and investment.

29. Maximize Free Entertainment & Activities at Disney Resorts

After a fun-filled day at the parks, Disney resorts offer plenty of free in-room entertainment and resort activities to keep the magic going without extra costs. From watching classic Disney movies in your room to joining in on poolside games and movie nights, there’s no shortage of ways to relax and enjoy. These complimentary offerings make it easy to plan a restful evening or a leisurely day away from the park crowds.

• In-Room Movies : Unwind with Disney’s TV and movie selections available in your room. My movie-loving son could sit and watch movies all day!
• Resort Activities : Enjoy free scavenger hunts and character experiences, perfect for a day off from the parks.
• Explore and Relax : Use the My Disney Experience app to discover all the free entertainment options.

30. Celebrate Special Occasions at No Extra Cost

Celebrating milestones at Disney World doesn’t have to cost extra. Birthdays, anniversaries, and more can be extra special when you inform staff about your celebration and pick up a complimentary celebration button from Guest Services. In my family’s experience, this often leads to special greetings and sometimes freebies from Cast Members and characters.

• Inform Staff : Tell Cast Members about your special occasion for potential surprises.
• Complimentary Buttons : Get a free button from Guest Services to make your celebration known.
• Surprise Perks : Watch for possible free desserts at dining spots, making your celebration even sweeter.

31. Explore Seasonal Events and Festivals

Visit Disney World during seasonal festivals for unique experiences without paying extra admission . Events like the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival offer special entertainment and thematic displays. The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival allows free entry, too, but you’ll need to pay for the international dishes and drinks you want to try.

• Cultural Celebrations : Enjoy global artistry at the Festival of the Arts and culinary explorations at the Food & Wine Festival.
• No Extra Entry Fee : Experience the festival’s ambiance, entertainment, concerts, and special activities with just your park ticket.
• Food Costs : Remember, while the Food & Wine Festival’s entry is included, sampling from its marketplace booths is an additional expense.

32. Discover Free Fun at Disney Springs

In addition to shopping, dining, and entertainment, Disney Springs is the hub of the Walt Disney World Resort. It’s packed with complimentary activities and entertainment , and Disney Springs is free to visit. Perfect for families who want to experience (potentially) budget-friendly Disney magic beyond the theme parks.

• Stroll and Enjoy : Wander through themed areas, soaking up live music and street performances.
• Participate in Events : Dive into free events and activities available year-round.
• Explore the LEGO Store : Enjoy the LEGO Store’s free play areas and view impressive LEGO creations.

FAQs: Savvy Savings at Disney World

How can i save on meals at disney world.

• Opt for quick-service restaurants over sit-down dining.
• Consider sharing larger meal portions.
• Pack your own snacks and drinks to minimize food expenses in the park.

What’s the best way to purchase Disney World tickets?

• Buy multi-day tickets for a lower per-day cost.
• Consider promotions and special offers for residents, if applicable.
• Purchase tickets in advance to lock in (potentially) lower rates.

Are there any free activities at Disney World?

• Enjoy street performances and parades included with your park admission.
• Explore interactive exhibits and play areas at the parks, resorts, and Disney Springs.
• Participate in hotel-based activities like movie nights and scavenger hunts.

How can I manage my souvenir spending?

• Set a budget for souvenirs to avoid overspending.
• Wait until later in your trip to make thoughtful purchases.
• Visit nearby outlets for discounted Disney merchandise.

Is staying at a Disney resort worth the cost?

• Disney resorts offer unique benefits like themed environments, early park entry, and convenient transportation.
• Consider Disney’s Value Resorts for a more budget-friendly option.
• Weigh the cost against the convenience and extra perks provided by Disney hotels.

Conclusion: A Magical Journey Within Your Budget

In conclusion, embarking on a budget-friendly Disney World vacation is entirely possible with the right strategies in place. From selecting the best times to visit to leveraging the expertise of Disney travel planners like The Vacationeer , each of the 32 ways to save at Disney World shared here is a stepping stone towards achieving an affordable Disney experience. Remember, the secret lies in balancing meticulous planning with the desire for spontaneous Disney magic. This allows for a journey filled with joy, enchantment, and savings.

For those seeking personalized guidance, The Vacationer offers expert resources to ensure your adventure will be economic AND magical. Their insights into choosing the best time to visit , booking discounts, and other strategic cost-saving measures provide a clear path to maximize the wonder of Disney without breaking the bank. Let’s embark on this journey together, with every detail tailored to fit your dream Disney vacation within your budget.

The Vacationeer : Your Dream Disney Vacation Awaits

When planning a trip to Disney World , the services of a specialized Disney travel planner like The Vacationeer can be invaluable. As an Earmarked Diamond-level Authorized Disney Travel Planner , they offer a wealth of expertise and resources to ensure your vacation is both affordable and tailored to your wishes.

• Personalized Planning : The Vacationeer  provides customized itineraries that fit your interests, schedule, and budget, making your Disney experience uniquely yours.
• Expertise and Insider Knowledge : Their team stays up-to-date with the latest park news, attractions, and dining options, offering insights that go beyond the ordinary.
• Stress-Free Booking : From hotel accommodations to dining reservations and park tickets, The Vacationeer handles all the details, allowing you to relax and look forward to your trip.
• Cost-Saving Strategies : They help you navigate Disney’s various deals and promotions, ensuring you get the best value for your vacation.
• Best of all, their services are FREE! 

Booking with The Vacationeer means embarking on a Disney journey that is expertly planned, wonderfully enjoyable, and surprisingly affordable. Contact The Vacationeer now for a free quote and consultation , and take the first step towards your budget-friendly Disney World vacation!

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This is helpful. Just a quick question. Do you recommend buying tickets or packages through Costco?

Hi Barbara! I actually wrote an article on this very topic. You can check it out here: https://magicguides.com/is-costco-cheaper-to-book-disney/ . In summary, even though Costco might help you save a bit of money, I feel its still better to use a free Disney vacation planner to book your trip. They can offer you great rates, search for special promotions as mentioned in the article, and provide guidance from pre-booking to your actual vacation. I suggest that you reach out to The Vacationeer for a free quote, compare pricing and services, and go from there. Have a great trip!

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8 simple ways to save money

Saving is easier when you have a plan—follow these steps to create one

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Sometimes the hardest thing about saving money is just getting started. This step-by-step guide can help you develop a simple and realistic strategy, so that you can save for all your short- and long-term goals.

Record your expenses

The first step to start saving money is figuring out how much you spend. Keep track of all your expenses—that means every coffee, household item and cash tip as well as regular monthly bills. Record your expenses however is easiest for you—a pencil and paper, a simple spreadsheet or a free online spending tracker or app. Once you have your data, organize the numbers by categories, such as gas, groceries and mortgage, and total each amount. Use your credit card and bank statements to make sure you’ve included everything.

Bank of America clients can access the Spending & Budgeting tool in Mobile and Online Banking to automatically categorize transactions for easier budgeting.

Include saving in your budget

Now that you know what you spend in a month, you can begin to create a budget . Your budget should show what your expenses are relative to your income, so that you can plan your spending and limit overspending. Be sure to factor in expenses that occur regularly but not every month, such as car maintenance. Include a savings category in your budget and aim to save an amount that initially feels comfortable to you. Plan on eventually increasing your savings by up to 15 to 20 percent of your income.

Find ways to cut spending

If you can’t save as much as you’d like, it might be time to cut back on expenses. Identify nonessentials, such as entertainment and dining out, that you can spend less on. Look for ways to save on your fixed monthly expenses, such as your car insurance or cell phone plan, as well. Other ideas for trimming everyday expenses include:

Search for free activities

Use resources, such as community event listings, to find free or low-cost entertainment.

Review recurring charges

Cancel subscriptions and memberships you don’t use—especially if they renew automatically.

Examine the cost of eating out vs. cooking at home

Plan to eat most of your meals at home, and research local restaurant deals for nights that you want to treat yourself.

Wait before you buy

When tempted by a nonessential purchase, wait a few days. You may realize the item was something you wanted rather than needed—and you can develop a plan to save for it.

Set savings goals

One of the best ways to save money is to set a goal . Start by thinking about what you might want to save for—both in the short term (one to three years) and the long term (four or more years). Then estimate how much money you’ll need and how long it might take you to save it.

Common short-term goals: Emergency fund (three to nine months of living expenses), vacation or down payment for a car

Common long-term goals: Down payment on a home or a remodeling project, your child’s education or retirement

Set a small, achievable short-term goal for something that’s fun and goes beyond your monthly budget, such as a new smartphone or holiday gifts. Reaching smaller goals—and enjoying the reward you’ve saved for—can give you a psychological boost, making the payoff of saving more immediate and reinforces the habit.

Determine your financial priorities

After your expenses and income, your goals are likely to have the biggest impact on how you allocate your savings. For example, if you know you’re going to need to replace your car in the near future, you could start putting away money for one now. But be sure to remember long-term goals—it’s important that planning for retirement doesn’t take a back seat to shorter-term needs. Learning how to prioritize your savings goals can give you a clear idea of how to allocate your savings.

Pick the right tools

There are many savings and investment accounts suitable for short- and long-term goals. And you don’t have to pick just one. Look carefully at all the options and consider balance minimums, fees, interest rates, risk and how soon you’ll need the money so you can choose the mix that will help you best save for your goals.

Short-term goals

If you’ll need the money soon or need to be able to access it quickly, consider using these FDIC-insured deposit accounts:

• A savings account
• A certificate of deposit (CD) , which locks in your money for a fixed period of time at a rate that is typically higher than that of a savings account

Long-term goals

If you’re saving for retirement or your child’s education, consider:

• FDIC-insured individual retirement accounts (IRAs) or 529 plans, which are tax-efficient savings accounts
• Securities, such as stocks or mutual funds. These investment products are available through investment accounts with a broker-dealer 1

Make saving automatic

Almost all banks offer automated transfers between your checking and savings accounts. You can choose when, how much and where to transfer money or even split your direct deposit so that a portion of every paycheck goes directly into your savings account. The advantage: You don’t have to think about it, and you’re less likely to spend the money instead. Other easy savings tools include credit card rewards and spare change programs, which round up transactions to the nearest dollar and transfer the difference into a savings or investment account.

With Mobile & Online Banking, Bank of America clients can easily set up automatic transfers between accounts.

Watch your savings grow

Review your budget and check your progress every month. That will help you not only stick to your personal savings plan, but also identify and fix problems quickly. Understanding how to save money may even inspire you to find more ways to save and hit your goals faster.

1 Remember that securities are not insured by the FDIC, are not deposits or other obligations of a bank and are not guaranteed by a bank. They are subject to investment risks, including the possible loss of your principal.

The material provided on this website is for informational use only and is not intended for financial or investment advice. Bank of America Corporation and/or its affiliates assume no liability for any loss or damage resulting from one’s reliance on the material provided. Please also note that such material is not updated regularly and that some of the information may not therefore be current. Consult with your own financial professional when making decisions regarding your financial or investment management. ©2024 Bank of America Corporation.

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More From Forbes

15 money-saving tips that actually work.

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Saving money in today’s economy might sound like a steep challenge, but with the right tips, it is ... [+] achievable.

Saving money in today’s economy might sound like a steep challenge, but with the right tips, it is achievable.

Whether you need help diversifying your income, lowering your expenses, or increasing your savings, there are actionable ways to achieve your financial goals.

Clever And Realistic Ways To Save Money

This article covers the top 15 money-saving tips that won’t disappoint you.

1. Track Your Expenses

The first step to saving more money is to know your spending habits. Track every dollar you spend throughout the month and categorize it based on the type of expense it is.

Once you know how much you spend in each spending category, it’ll be easy to identify areas for improvement.

2. Create A Budget

It’s tough to avoid overspending without a proper budget in place. Hence, you must start budgeting your income to avoid overspending and increase your savings.

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A common budgeting rule is the 50-30-20 rule, where you allocate half of your income to needs, 30% to wants, and 20% to your savings. However, you can start with a lower savings rate or establish a specific savings amount as your goal.

3. Cut Out Unnecessary Spending

Avoid wasting money on products or services that don’t provide any or much value to your day-to-day life.

For example, if you’re subscribed to an unnecessarily expensive cellphone plan or frequently dine out, consider exploring cheaper alternatives to allocate more funds to the things that truly matter.

4. Set Goals For Yourself

Finding motivation or tracking your progress through your money-saving journey can be tricky without specifying your goals. That’s why it’s crucial to know your short—and long-term financial goals.

When setting goals, I highly recommend using the SMART model, as it’s a straightforward template for structuring objectives.

5. Set Up An Automatic Savings Account

To ensure you always remember to set aside money for your savings, automate transferring funds to your savings account. Most major banking institutions already offer automatic direct deposits, so you shouldn’t have trouble setting one up.

6. Cancel Unnecessary Subscriptions

Make it a habit to regularly check your subscriptions and cancel the ones you haven’t used for the past few months. Canceling unused subscriptions can save you money without much sacrifice, and if you ever want to subscribe to the same service again, you can always easily do so in minutes.

7. Pay Off Your Debt As Soon As Possible

The longer you take to pay off your debt, the more money you will put in the banks’ pockets instead of your savings. Consider using debt payoff strategies such as the Avalanche or Snowball method to be debt-free as soon as possible.

8. Save Any Unexpected Income

Your budget, which typically only uses your regular income, should already be enough to cover your needs and wants. So, whenever you come into unexpected income, such as cash gifts from friends or supplementary earnings from side hustles, consider allocating them to strengthen your savings.

9. Buy Generic Brands

More often than not, generic items at grocery stores are just as good as those from well-known brands. With adequate research, you can find no-brand items that are just as healthy and tasty as your go-to branded products but at a significantly lower price.

10. Pack Your Lunch

Eating lunch out may be convenient, but it’s far from an economical choice. So, pack your lunch as much as possible to reduce your food expenses further. If pressed for time, meal prepping allows you to prepare multiple lunches in a single session.

11. Sell Anything You Don’t Need

Sell things you no longer need to declutter your home and earn extra cash. You can host garage sales or list your pre-owned stuff online on platforms like Facebook Marketplace or eBay.

12. Use Cash-Back Apps

Cash-back applications can help you save money, and many integrate automatically with your debit or credit cards. So, you can benefit from their monetary rewards just by setting up the application once.

13. Avoid Impulse Purchases

One of the biggest financial mistakes you can make is spending money on things or services you don’t want or need. Before deciding to purchase something, it’s an excellent habit to wait a few days first.

Take this cool-down period to research the product and carefully consider whether it is worth spending on.

14. Reduce Your Household Bills

Household bills are unavoidable, but you can lower your monthly outlay like many other expenses.

Consider looking for cheaper alternatives for recurring bills, such as your Internet or cable subscription. Those that are charged based on consumption, on the other hand, should proactively be used as little as possible.

15. Use The Cash Envelope Budgeting System

The cash envelope budgeting system is one of the best ways to avoid overspending and save more money. It physically limits how much money you can spend on specific spending categories.

The traditional approach of this budgeting method requires you to use physical cash and envelopes, but many applications, including YNAB, now allow you to mimic this system digitally.

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Buy two, get one half off? How 'spaving' discounts can derail your finances

Any time you buy two of something and get a third item for half off, or add a few dollars to an online order to secure free shipping, you are “spaving.”

Spaving is a mashup of “spending” and “saving”: spending more to trigger savings.

But don’t fool yourself, experts say: Spaving is mostly spending.

“It’s always more spending. It’s not always more saving,” said Jeff Galak , an associate professor of marketing at the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.

Spaving has been in the ne ws lately. It sounds like something new: The term has seldom appeared in this publication. It isn’t in the online Merriam-Webster dictionary . Type it into your word processor and watch your spellchecker erupt in protest.

More ways to save: Visit USA TODAY's coupons page for deals from thousands of vendors

'Spaving': A concept as old as the shopping mall

The concept behind spaving, however, goes wa-a-ay back.

“Spaving, besides being a terrible word, is not a new idea,” Galak said. “These promotions have been around forever.”

Here’s the basic concept: A merchant entices a customer to spend a little more, or a lot more, by offering a discount as a reward. Buy a third item, or a fourth, or a fifth, and get the last one free. Add another ten dollars to your cart, and that $5 shipping fee goes away.

Who needs a gallon of extra-virgin olive oil? Maybe you do, at the right price.

Customers may be seeing a lot of spaving offers this summer. Inflation has been pushing up prices. A dozen eggs cost about twice what they did in 2019. Overall, consumer prices rose by nearly one-fifth between 2019 and 2023, federal data show.

Consumers are pushing back. In response, retailers are rolling out deals.

Fast food chains are reviving the value meal in the wake of consumer backlash against reports of $15 Big Macs .

Target and Walgreens have announced summer price cuts. More customers are choosing discounted store brands .

Spending less for the same Happy Meal you bought a week ago is a no-brainer. Spaving, by contrast, can quickly spiral out of control.

'Spaving' can lead to overspending, needless purchases

The problem with spaving, experts say, is that it can lead a shopper to overspend on something they did not want, do not need and will not use.

“It’s always good to save money. The problem is when you’re spending money you wouldn’t have spent otherwise,” said Kimberly Palmer , a personal finance expert at NerdWallet.

Palmer herself recently succumbed to a spaving offer.

“It was a buy one, get one free,” she said. “I never intended to get a second shirt. It was for my daughter. I went ahead and bought two.”

The second shirt was free, so Palmer got a great deal, right?

Well, maybe not. She paid full price for the first shirt. Absent the spaving deal, she would have held out for a discount. In the end, she said, “I did spend more than I wanted to.”

When is 'spaving' a good deal?

There is really only one kind of spaving offer that guarantees a good deal, experts say: One that has you spending less money in the end.

“Say you’re going to check out, and your cart is $5 short of the minimum to save you $30 on shipping,” said Cassandra Happe , an analyst at WalletHub. “Then, maybe spending the $5 to get the free shipping is a good idea.”

Most of the time, though, spaving makes you spend more: That’s the point, at least from the retailer’s perspective.

And if you are spending more, are you still getting a better deal? It depends.

Before you commit to buying more of something to trigger a discount, experts say, ask yourself these questions:

• Is it something you would buy anyway?
• Can you afford it?
• Will you use all of it?
• Is it perishable?
• Do you have space to store it?

Stocking up on laundry pods, or frozen steaks, or paper napkins at volume-discount prices might make all the sense in the world.

“My husband and I both work from home,” Happe said. “So, necessities like toilet paper, stuff like that, we buy that in bulk now, because we know we’re going to go through it.”

Be careful, though, if you see a spaving offer on ears of corn, or bananas, or nonfrozen steaks. Or anything with a short shelf life. Or anything your family might tire of consuming. Or anything you wouldn’t buy anyway.

What is the psychology behind 'spaving'?

The appeal of spaving is obvious: Consumers like to think they are saving money.

“You get that temporary emotional high because you feel like you locked in a good deal,” said Kris Yamano , a partner at Crewe Advisors in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The problem comes, Yamano said, when consumers want to save money so badly that they end up spending more of it, and on things they won't use.

“You walk into Target, and you’re just there to buy dish soap,” she said. “But then there’s a deal in the next aisle, and you’re walking out with a cart full of stuff you don’t need.”

The arithmetic behind spaving can be tricky.

Let’s say you buy three pairs of shoes, with the third offered at 50% off.

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A quick calculation reveals that you’re not really saving 50%. You’re only saving that much on one item. If each pair costs $50, you save $25 on the entire purchase, lowering the tab from $150 to $125: a savings of about 17%.

And what if the third pair costs only $30? In the typical spaving deal, the retailer takes the discount on the cheapest item. Now, you’re saving only $15, lowering the price from $130 to $115. Your savings drops below 12%.

A consumer can figure this out with an iPhone calculator. But few of us have time to do the math.

“A lot of times, with spaving, it’s a high-pressure situation,” Palmer said. “It’s going to expire in the next few hours, at the end of the day, so there’s some urgency to it.”

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Here are a few more expert tips on how to shop – and “spave” – without overspending:

• Make a shopping list, and stick to it.
• Set a budget, and don’t blow it.
• If you consider a spaving offer, do the math.
• Before you commit to a spaving deal, take some time to think.

"I will give myself 24 to 48 hours before purchasing something," said Jack Howard , head of money wellness at Ally Financial. After that pause, she said, "if it's still on my brain, then it's OK."

I used to fly ultra-low-cost airlines to save money. Their cheap tickets aren't worth the headache anymore.

• I used to opt for ultra-low-cost airlines because the cheap fare was worth the same no-frills experience.
• A crackdown on bag size, poor customer service, and worse reliability pushed me away from ULCCs.
• Mainline carriers' basic economy is a better bang for your buck, and it's even sometimes cheaper.

Since I got the travel bug in college, I've spent a lot of time on US airlines — but mostly on ultra-low-cost carriers, or ULCCs, like Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines

I always loved the thrill of scoring a cheap ticket, and my younger self was perfectly OK with the no-frills cabin and stuffing everything into a personal item. 

Sacrificing comfort and onboard freebies to save a buck was worth it then, and the ULCCs were banking on travelers like me to stay loyal to the business model.

However, flexibility and convenience have become more important to me in recent years, and this is where the ULCCs have slipped while mainline carriers have improved.

Plus, I'm not convinced that Frontier and Spirit's recent addition of "premium" perks will give either a competitive edge.

Cheap mainline tickets still come with cabin perks 

I know when I book a ULCC that I am committing to at least a few hours of sitting in a cramped, bare-bones plane , where even a cup of water costs money.

Most seats don't recline, have headrests, or have televisions. Only Spirit offers WiFi — and for a fee.

These cabins can be bearable on shorter flights when the fare is a really good deal. But why settle when mainlines combine the best of both worlds?

American Airlines, Delta Air Lines , and United Airlines recognized the budget competition years ago and created their own version of a cheap ticket: basic economy. The goal was to lure in price-conscious travelers like me with discounted but still amenity-heavy tickets.

These stripped-down fares have limitations. United doesn't allow a carry-on bag while American and Delta do, for example. Still, all three come with the regular mainline cabin perks, like reclining seats, in-flight entertainment , headrests, free snacks and drinks, and standard legroom.

Further, domestic WiFi is free on all three for eligible T-Mobile customers like me, while Delta and American have their respective free internet packages — even for basic economy ticketholders.

ULCCs are not always cheaper once you do the math

In my experience, mainline tickets are sometimes cheaper than Frontier or Spirit.

For example, the base fare for a roundtrip evening flight from LaGuardia Airport to Orlando in mid-August costs $211 on Spirit and $277 on Delta.

Once you factor in the $50 fee for a carry-on bag on Spirit — which applies in both directions — the total price is $311. Reserving a specific seat would be another $30 at least, with the cheapest seats being $15 per leg.

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Delta's basic economy already includes a carry-on and a standard seat with WiFi, power, and entertainment. However, it doesn't offer seat selection, even if you want to pay extra. And, unlike Spirit's new policy, Delta charges change and cancel fees for its cheapest tickets.

Despite the pros and cons, it's still an easy choice.

With everything equal in terms of route, timing, and carry-ons, Delta is $34 cheaper.

I don't want to worry about the size of my carry-on

United CEO Scott Kirby said it perfectly in a podcast interview last week: "They don't treat their customers right."

He specifically pointed to an unnamed ULCC that charged people $99 for carry-ons and then paid a commission to the agent who charged the fee. 

I've never been charged for a personal item or carry-on on Frontier or Spirit because I follow the rules to a T.

However, the fiasco proves that it may not matter if you follow the rules — there's an incentive to charge people anyway. This adds a level of stress I don't have when flying the mainline.

To their credit, the ULCCs have ditched some of their low-cost strategies with more premium options. Spirit has dropped all change and cancel fees, and Frontier is adding business-class-like seats to lure in more premium travelers. 

But it's too little too late, in my opinion. The two still lag in terms of customer service, both ranking last in terms of customer complaints and the economy product for 2023. 

One of the best examples is that Frontier's only line of communication between the customer and the airline is an online chat, not a phone number, unless you have status or are or have traveled within 24 hours.

It's a way to save on costs but at the customer's expense — which is exactly Kirby's point. 

Frontier and Spirit have limited routes and poor reliability

Frontier and Spirit ranked last for flight delays and cancellations last year , according to Cirium, and they collected the highest number of customer complaints.

Sure, you could get delayed and canceled on any airline anytime — but the data doesn't lie. I have a better shot of getting to my destination on time by booking a mainline.

ULCC networks are also less robust than mainlines. The flights are commonly early in the morning or late at night, and there are fewer frequencies per day. This inconvenience makes flying ULCCs more risky overall.

For instance, if I miss a connection or my flight is canceled, the mainlines have a bigger network with more re-booking options. In my LaGuardia to Orlando example, Spirit's morning flights leave before 10 a.m., and the evening flights leave after 9 p.m.

Delta has options all day. I like that peace of mind. 

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