Travel is expensive. We get it. After years on the road we’ve felt the pinch of having to watch our wallets. Luckily we’ve now built a business around traveling. In fact, for us, it’s more expensive to stay in one place because we literally get paid to travel. But we understand that this lifestyle isn’t viable for everyone. Not everyone wants to be on the road forever. Most people want to take a few short, but meaningful trips a year. Or perhaps you’re saving up for that big year long trip of a lifetime. Either way, it’s going to cost you. Thankfully, over the years, we’ve acquired some helpful tips that can help you get some much needed cash and save money for travel. Here are our favorites:
Travel to Cheap Countries
Our most recommended tip is pretty damn simple: travel to cheap countries! Sure, who doesn’t want to sip cocktails in an overwater cabana in the Maldives? Unfortunately those cost $500+ per night. You and your partner can travel for a week or more while backpacking in South America for just the cost of one night of accommodation! And traveling to cheap countries doesn’t mean you need to slum it. There are plenty of luxury locations that will keep you on budget. $5 dollar massages in Thailand come to mind…
Take a “Workcation”
One of the biggest catch 22’s of traveling is that not only are you spending money while traveling, but if you quit your job you risk not earning money for a while! Luckily remote working is becoming a huge trend and more companies are allowing their employees to take “workcations.” There are plenty of “digital nomad” hubs popping up around the world that are perfect if you’re combining work and travel. These spots, like Chiang Mai, Thailand or Medellin, Colombia, are filled with cafes that are perfect to work from by day and restaurants and bars perfect to play from at night! Plus you can take day or weekend trips to nearby locations for adventure! Have a chat with your boss about how taking a workcation can be profitable for the business. It’s alllll about how you spin it!
Get Creative
If you’re trying to save up money for a big trip, you may have to get a little creative. We’ve all seen those GoFundMe accounts of people trying to raise money for their trip. And while it may be a bit obnoxious to ask your friends and family for money so you can travel, there are creative ways to fundraise for your trip. Think about how you can give back to people who help you support you. Maybe you’ll run errands for your family and friends for a couple months or make a kick ass short documentary about a country to share when you get back. Figure out your strengths and capitalize on those.
Sell Your Stuff and Rent Out Your Home
If you feel like you’re just not making money fast enough, consider selling some of your stuff. If you’re going on a long trip you probably don’t need that new TV or even your car. Use platforms like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, Ebay and Gumtree to list items that you no longer need when you’re on the road. If you’re traveling to a developing country (see: tip 1), chances are you’ll come back realizing you don’t need all that junk you have in the first place!
Another great way to save up some cash is to rent out your place while you’re gone. If you have an apartment, consider subletting it or putting it up on Airbnb so it doesn’t sit empty and you earn a bit of cash while you travel. Getting set up as a host is super simple and all you’ll need to do is hire someone to come and clean the place once the guests are finished. It’s a great way to supplement your travels and be on the road for longer.
Take out a Personal Loan for Travel
If you are saving money, but just feel like it’s not happening fast enough, you may want to consider taking out a personal loan. With lower interest rates than credit cards it’s better than expensing your whole trip on the AmEx. Those looking to take out a personal loan for travel should consider going to a credit union.
Credit unions are owned by their customers – their members- meaning they’re focused on supporting their customers compared to banks who are purely in it for the profit. For Australians, People’s Choice Credit Union offers reputable personal loan options with competitive low rates. Of course, if you are taking out a personal loan, remember to only take what you know you can repay. You want to be realistic about your financial future. Just because you’re approved for a large loan, doesn’t mean you should charter a jet to a private island for the week. Create a plan for paying your loan back as soon as possible!
Never taken out a loan before, and don’t know how it works? People’s Choice Credit Union helps you break it down with their super simple personal loan repayment calculator. Simply input the amount of money you’d like to borrow, set the amount of time you’d like to pay it back in, and the calculator will do the rest. This calculator will help you easily understand exactly how much you need to repay each month, for how long and the total amount of interest you’ll pay. No need for hidden fees and unknown costs, if you’re taking out a loan to travel you should know exactly how much you’re going to need to pay back.
Traveling doesn’t have to be expensive, but there’s no denying that you’ll need some money to get started. With our helpful tips we hope everyone can get out and see the amazing world that we live in. And who knows, we might even catch you someone along the way for a beer!
This article contains an affiliate link with our partner, Airbnb. When you click the link to sign up as a host we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. We have used Airbnb for years and absolutely recommend them. As always, we would never promote a product or service we didn’t personally use or support.
