Traveling can be more than a hobby or a pleasant pastime. For some people wandering from place to place can become an actual lifestyle. You’ve probably seen countless blog posts from avid travelers, recounting their incredible adventures in locations you can only dream about, accompanied by amazing pictures to make the storytelling process even more impressive. Social media platforms such as Instagram also feed us with countless images of fantasy-like settings that have you wondering if they’re even real.
Being surrounded by such strong travelling vibes makes you not only fantasize about packing your suitcase and heading off towards the first destination that comes to mind, but it also gives you something serious to think about: how can all these people afford to travel so often to so many fantastic places without being multimillionaires? Excluding those who are indeed uber-rich, what are the others doing to support their passion for traveling? Is there really a secret that you haven’t discovered yet?
The truth is that there is no secret. Most people who travel a lot are simply savvy travelers who have learned a few tips and trick along the way. The good news is that you can also learn how to make the most of your budget when you travel, so you can enjoy your wandering experiences even more.
Decide what you want, what you really, really want
Knowing what kind of traveler you are will help you a lot when planning a trip. Based on your past experiences and your general self-knowledge, decide what you’re actually searching for in your journeys. What are the things that can turn an ordinary holiday into an unforgettable adventure for you? Consider the things that you can’t do without and the things that you can easily give up on. Deciding how much you’re willing to pay for accommodation, food, transport etc. will help you create a budget that will allow you to enjoy your trip, without feeling that you’re cutting corners.
Research and preparation will take you places
A thorough research of the places you want to visit, and a well-organized plan are just as important before hitting the road. If you’ve decided on your interests, it’s time to test your investigator skills. There’s a wealth of information on the internet where you can find out anything you want about any place in the world. It wouldn’t hurt to put down on paper the prices for important things like transport, accommodation, tours or activities you’re interested in to give you an idea of how much you’re going to spend in each location, and plan your budget accordingly.
However, if you suddenly find yourself without the necessary funds, it’s good to have a backup plan. Should you need to receive money from abroad, you must know what type of services are available where you’re going. Money transfer services such as WorldRemit allow you to receive money safe and fast and help you overcome a potential budget crisis. If you want to learn more about it, reding an honest review of WorldRemit by MoneyTransfers.com can clear up all your questions and help you decide if it’s suitable for your needs.
Take a reality check before diving into your dream
There’s nothing worse than being let down by your own expectations. Well, maybe there are a few things worse than that, but this surely makes our top five of things that can ruin your trips. There’s nothing wrong with having great expectations, but they must also reflect reality. Before getting your hopes up, make sure that you have the means to make your dreams come true.
There’s no point in daydreaming about spending your holiday at a luxury resort in an exclusivist location if your can only afford a basic hotel room. If you already know how much money you have available, plan your trip based on those numbers and not the other way around. Thinking you’ll be able to find extra funds along the way is highly unrealistic, so you should focus on your real budget, not on your ideal one.
Keep track of all your expenses
Once you’re on the road, you should continue your mindful approach when it comes to budgeting and keep a close eye on your expenses. If you’re giving money away like you’ve got the bank account of a mogul to support all your lavish spending, you’ll risk ending your trip sooner than planned due to unexpected lack of money. Unexpected is not the best way to describe it however, as you can’t blame fate for a situation that was actually caused by irresponsible behavior.
There’s really no excuse for not being able to track your expenses. If you’re not big on writing down where your money is going, there are more modern methods such as mobile apps that will help you manage your budget.
Resist the urge to buy all things tourist
Sure, buying one or two souvenirs to remind you of the wonderful times you spent on your journeys is perfectly understandable. But stopping at every shop, boutique or market to purchase items that will probably end up gathering dust in a corner of your house is a bit of a stretch.
Before purchasing something, stop for a second and ponder: do you really need it, does it really bring you joy or is it just something that caught your interest briefly? the answer to these questions will help you decide when you should spend your money and when you should refrain.
Travel with like-minded people
If you’re planning on going on a trip with other people, it’s good to choose companions who have similar interests to yours and the same type of approach when it comes to traveling. Of course, people are different and you can’t expect everyone to follow the same strict plan, but if you’re traveling with people who only want to travel first class and eat at fancy restaurants, while you’re on a tight budget, then you’ll see where the problem lies. So chose your travel buddies wisely and avoid spending more than you have planned just to fit in and please others.
