No Money for Travel?
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How often do you stop your daydreaming because you think you have no money for travel?
I’d love to go to Hawaii, but…
I really want to ride a camel in the desert, but…
Southeast Asia looks so amazing in all the pictures I see, but…
But what? I have no money for travel.
No Money for Travel Can Be Seen as an Excuse
I get it, travel can be expensive, yet it doesn’t have to be. There are ways to be careful about planning and spending to make every penny go further, and that will be another post. This quote post is all about getting you to realize that using your lack of money excuse will hold you back from ever traveling and seeing the world outside of your little bubble.
Let’s encourage each other to look past the money issue and continue planning for an adventure you’ll never forget.
Time to Get Thinking and Planning
Think long and hard about why you’re working. We earn the money to live our daily lives, and if there’s extra? What do we do with the money remaining at the end of the month? We save it for the future, for retirement, for when we have time. Many people never get that time, so don’t waste your precious time thinking you have no money for travel. With some ingenuity and planning, you can find an adventure to fit every budget.
Do you have to go to the other side of the world? No. Often it just takes being somewhere different to change our perspective and make us feel like we’re on vacation. It allows us to see things with fresh eyes and teaches us to appreciate the little things that makes life so amazing.
Create a Travel Savings Fund
Even if you can’t afford to travel right now, start a dedicated savings account specifically for travel. Establish specific travel goals and create a plan to achieve them. Contribute small amounts whenever possible, and watch your savings grow over time. Knowing that you’re actively working towards your travel goals can be motivating.
You can find a part-time job to supplement your income and help your savings grow. Maybe there’s a skill or product you could sell to make some extra travel cash. Be creative and you’ll find ways to add to your travel savings fund. Have the courage to do what is necessary to reach your goals.
Plan and Research
Immerse yourself in the world of travel by researching destinations, reading travel blogs, and watching travel documentaries. This allows you to virtually experience different places and keep your passion for travel alive. While you are researching, there are several other activities that will help you move closer to your travels.
For even more information about wanting to travel when the funds are low, check out this blog post about Travel Fever.
Connect With the Travel Community
Engage with fellow travelers and travel enthusiasts through social media groups, forums, or local meetups. Sharing stories, experiences, and tips can keep you inspired and provide a sense of belonging to the travel community. You may also find a travel partner to share ideas and destinations.
Learn New Skills
Use the time you have to learn skills that can be useful for future travels. This could include learning a new language, mastering photography, or developing travel-related skills such as cooking international cuisines or researching travel itineraries.
Some of these skills could also give you the opportunity to earn money for them. Add it to your travel fund!
Volunteer or Work Abroad
Explore opportunities to volunteer or work abroad in exchange for accommodation, food, or a small stipend. Programs like Workaway, HelpX, or WWOOF connect travelers with hosts who offer lodging and meals in return for assistance with various tasks. These tasks might include working on organic farms or helping with other physical labor in exchange for lodging. You then get to experience a different place on your free time.
Other people have signed up with housesitting companies. They provide a service to take care of the home, and often pets, while other people are traveling. You get to stay in their home, in a new destination, while they are away.
Another position to look into would be as an English teacher. This is how I got to spend a year in China and explore that amazing country. There are specific requirements for this, such as a 4-year degree and a teaching certificate. If you have the degree you can look into getting your TEFL Certificate with the company I used by checking them out here.
Travel Hacks and Deals
Stay informed about travel deals, discounts, and airline promotions. Sign up for newsletters or follow travel websites and social media accounts that specialize in finding affordable travel options. Additionally, consider using travel reward credit cards or loyalty programs to accumulate points or miles for future trips.
If you have no money for travel, these hacks and tips can shave lots of money off of your travel expenses. Many people have flown for free and earned a free hotel stay with points earned on their credit card. Use the credit card for everyday purchases and make sure to pay the balance each month. This allows you to earn the points while not getting yourself into debt.
Stay Close to Home if You Have No Money for Travel
While you may not have the money to travel far, there are often interesting places to explore in your local area or within a short distance. Look for hidden gems, parks, museums, or cultural events that can provide a sense of discovery and adventure.
If money is tight for you right now, sit down with a nice notebook and drink of your choice. Now write down at least 10 places within 100 miles of your home that you’ve always wanted to visit. Choose places people ask you about and you have to say, “Oh, I haven’t been there yet.”
Now is the time. If you have a hard time thinking of 10 places, then a quick online search for your town, city, or state will come up with plenty of ideas to choose from. Sometimes you just need a little help from an online search.
Take a Day for Yourself
Take an entire day to yourself and go explore. Have some new adventures, bring along friends or make new ones. It’s all about finding the opportunities to feed your urge to travel, even when money is an obstacle. Keep your dreams alive with smaller, local adventures that will feed your soul and allow you the space and time to save for a more extended vacation.
Allow yourself the courtesy to dream, plan, and then take action on those travels. Make the planning fun by using a journal, stickers, or something special to you to keep you on track. Check out these journals/planners.
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Remember, traveling doesn’t always have to involve extravagant trips. Embrace the joy of exploration, even if it means starting small or taking a break for a while. The world is full of wonders, and with patience, determination, and creative thinking, you can find ways to make your travel dreams a reality, regardless of your budget.
Let me know if you have another way of your own to keep the dream of travel a reality when you have no money for travel in your budget. Make room for your dreams and your travels with what you do have.