Everyone has a bucket list—or at least a list of places that they want to travel to. Whether you want to visit the Amazon Rainforest, see the Northern Lights, go on a safari in Africa, climb and explore Mayan ruins, explore the pyramids of Egypt or hike the gorgeous mountains of British Columbia, you will have to save money. This often prevents people from doing what they truly want to do.
Let’s face it: traveling is expensive, which easily deters people from even considering crossing these places off their bucket lists. However, traveling to whatever destination your heart desires can easily be done. All you need to do is use the right methods to save for your travels.
Don’t sit back and let life pass you by while you wait, and definitely do not let your dreams and exciting things you want to do in life slip past you. Don’t struggle to fit travel in; incorporate it into your life and money plans with these easy and effective tips and tricks on how to save money.
1. Change stash
Having a system where all your change or even extra bills go is a way to ensure that you are putting money away every time you spend as long as you use cash. This method works wonders because no one likes carrying around change.
By doing this, you are also less likely to buy something small because, psychologically, you won’t want to break any bills or use your credit card for said item. The bonus to this is that you won’t even realize the amount of money that is adding up as long as you don’t touch it and you just put excess change and the occasional bills in. You will have a lot of money saved up by the time you are ready to count it.
2. Hunt for deals
Hunting for deals is a smart way to save some cash: why pay more when you can pay less for the same thing? When buying everyday items, it is a good idea to wait for items to go on sale, look at other stores that offer the same thing or use coupons.
The money you save on the necessities you are buying will add up faster than you think. Just remember to avoid buying items you don’t need. Similarly, when booking your trip, use sites such as Trivago or Kayak as they will also help you find great deals for your airfare and hotels with offers from countless other sites.
3. Luxuries vs. necessities
In order to save up for what you really want, you need to realize that there’s a difference between necessities and wants. For example, instead of buying new shoes, purses or clothes, save that money. Similarly, you can always pack a lunch with snacks, which will not only help you to stay healthy, but will also help you keep your piggy bank full. The same applies to coffee: if you can make it at home, then go with that because it will save you money and remove the temptation to buy it on your way to work.
4. Credit cards
These can be evil: you go to the mall, say you’re going to buy one thing, but then buy a whole bunch of items and don’t pay too much attention to how much you’ve spent. You then feel like you can keep spending thanks to this small piece of plastic, which really only wants your money in reality. Once again, this is where cash comes in handy: by using cash, you will realize how much you are spending, and will not feel the urge and temptation to spend as much.
The only benefit to credit cards is that you get benefits such as cash back or those that allow for cheaper flights thanks to air miles. Some stores also offer credit cards, so if you are going to buy something from a particular store regularly, use the card for that store as it will give you points that you can use for future necessities, meaning you won’t spend actual money on that item. Just remember not to spend money on items that you don’t actually need; acquiring points will take a long time, but it will also help with future buys and future plans.
5. Money challenges
If you insist on having Starbucks every day and not giving up that luxury, then challenge yourself every month to go without buying an overly expensive coffee for a week. Who knows: you may actually like how much money you save and might continue the challenge.
This challenge can be done with a variety of things, and is an effective method when it comes to saving money, making you realize how much you spend on certain things, and how you can continue to save even more money.
These tips and tricks on how to save money are easy and effective because all the money you’re saving technically still comes from your job and income, but it isn’t involving you saving money from where there is no money.
The money you would be saving comes from other places you already spend money, meaning it isn’t money you technically don’t have. All you have to do is save, and not touch the money you’ve saved up for travel.
Live your dreams, be happy and take the vacation you have always wanted. Do not let traveling pass by you. Use these tips and tricks to save for what you really want. If you have any more tips and tricks on how to save money for your dream travel destinations, feel free to share!
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