Tips on Saving for a Trip
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There are so many ways to cut down before a big trip to ensure you have more to spend whilst living it up in Ibiza, or romancing in Paris, riding around Amsterdam or being in the happiest place on earthy in Disneyland. Here are some tips to help you get on your way:
First Up - GET THE BEST DEALS YOU CAN! - If you’re heading overseas with friends or by yourself, set aside some time to really study. Sit down on your computer and research, where do you want to go? What rates are you willing to pay for accommodation? Are there any special deals going on at the moment? Days you travel can change the price of your airfare, travel on a Tues – Thurs will cut the price, continue getting quotes from travel agents and compare them carefully; you don’t want to take the cheaper option if you’re staying in a hostel with twenty people when you wanted a romantic holiday for two. Pre-booked tours are popular not only because of the fun but also the ease and convenience. Most of the trip is paid for so you already know how much money you will need to pay, and how much you want for spending. Check out Contiki Tours, Student Flights, Adventure World, Gap Adventures, to name a few (PHEW!)
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WATCH THE SEASON - Another way to save is to travel in off-peak season. You can save money on everything from flights, to accommodation and on meals and entry tickets. Be aware though, the off peak season is cheaper for a reason. The weather may not be the best which means that some of the things you might want to do might not be open.
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BUDGET BUDGET BUDGET! - Study your pay packet and needs carefully, pay for things you need to and then save the rest in a bnext Net Invest account. Work out how many pays you have until your trip, then work out how much you need to put away each time. Put some more money on your credit card as well as the bnext Net Invest account, you never know when you will need it and small amounts always add up.
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GET RID OF THE LUXURIES Yep, we all want the new iPad, we all want to be up to date with the latest fashion in the magazines, and we all love a great coffee on the way to work, but these are things you can skip and save on. Say you skip the daily coffee for 12 months, that’s around $1300 already! Cut back on the nights out and have friends over for dinner and DVD’s instead, fun but also much cheaper. Think of the nights out in Paris, Ibiza, Italy, LA, Phuket instead.
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FOOD - this is a huge trap, you haven’t done you’re shopping, you’re at work and you’re starving, that’s about $10 for lunch a day and $200 a month, $200 a MONTH! In one year bringing your lunch into work could save you $2400, a staggering amount to add to your travel kitty.
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ASK YOURSELF HARD QUESTIONS - When you see something you want, ask yourself if you realllllly need it? Yes I have four pairs of sneakers but these are awesome, they might be but is it worth it? The dress you have been eyeing off is on sale, great – but again, do you really need it?
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PAY NOW PAY NOW – for all the things you can, pay up front before you leave this great Australian land. Pay for tours, flights, accommodation, tickets – anything that is set in stone. That way, you are free to spend the money you have saved on other things. If you know the prices of what you are doing, include those in your budget and once you have the cash, pay it off.
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BE REALISTIC - ok so no one wants to be bored 7 nights a week, when you’re putting your budget together make sure you allow yourself some cash to spend or you’re never going to stick to it. Make some milestones, saved a grand? Awesome, head to dinner to congratulate yourself.
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ASK FOR IT! Do you have a birthday coming up? Christmas even? Why don’t you check with your family to hand on over dollars instead of a gift? Put that straight into the kitty for your trip and you can thank them for their help towards bungee jumping in New Zealand, or for the bungalow on the beach in Thailand.
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SELL SELL SELL!! Do you have heaps of stuff that’s really just taking up space in your home? You know what they say, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure….. cash converters, eBay, auction sites, garage sales… there are so many opportunities to sell the things that you don’t use to someone who wants them for cold hard cash. Anything you haven’t used in the last 12 months, consider it fair game!
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