Travel Myth: “I have too many expenses, I can’t save money for travel”
In the previous installment of this week’s Travel Myth Buster Series I argued the common excuse of “I Can’t Afford to Travel” and showed that you can easily organize an exciting international trip for $500-$600, or even less.
So, that leads us to the next for not traveling:
A lot of people claim that even when offered an amazing travel opportunity for a price as low as $500-$600, that they are still unable to save that amount for travel.
Well, my response to this is Do you really want to travel? Because if you really value travel as an end, if you really want to explore the world, visit new cultures, and see global wonders, then with a few short-term lifestyle changes, saving $500-$600 for a life-changing travel experience should be a breeze!
How it works:
Think about it, how much money you spend on “negligible” everyday expenses at home? And how far could that same “negligible” amount of money take you abroad. A $1.00 bottle of Coca Cola at home can buy you an entire meal abroad in South America, a $7.00 movie could be a night’s accommodation in India, a $70.00 night on the town could support you for a week in Southeast Asia!
Now most of us aren’t willing to just give up soda, movies, and nights out with friends, forever, but what if you just made a few changes for 2 months. What if you stopped buying soda, coffee from Starbucks, DVD’s, or fewer drinks at the bar, for 2 short months? Think about all the money you could save!
Just think of the rewards for 2 months of frugality, a trip to Egypt, Brazil, or Thailand! Is it worth it?
Change the way you view money:
If you are going to adopt foreign travel into your lifestyle, you have to first change the way you view money.
What’s $5 at home? The answer: NOT MUCH! Perhaps a combo meal at McDonald’s.
What’s $5 in Ecuador? The answer: The average Ecuadorian’s wage for an entire day of work. For $5 you can buy a meal, a taxi all the way across town, and a beer at your favorite bar or club!
You have to stop thinking about $5 as “negligible”, and start thinking about how much that meager sum can get you during your travels.
See the following list of examples of common expenses at home, and what you can buy with that same amount of money while traveling:
| At Home | Abroad | $1.00 | small bag of Doritos | entire meal in SE Asia | $3.00 | domestic beer in a bar | 3 domestic beers in a bar in South America | $7.00 | an evening movie ticket | night’s accommodation in Africa | $40.00 | a week of gas for your car | a visit to the Ancient City of Petra in Jordan | $50.00 | a night of drinks on the town | 2 nights accommodation at a beachfront resort in Fiji |
Conclusion:
Everyone is capable of saving money, it’s just a question of whether the result is worth the trouble. I wouldn’t recommend cutting movies or drinks out of 2 months of your life if the final result was just that you would have an extra $500 to blow on some other unnecessary expense. But if the result of your savings is a travel adventure abroad, I would absolutely recommend the small sacrifices associated with 2 months of frugality!
Further Reading:
I have just skimmed the surface here on the idea of saving money for travel, and am certainly not the first blogger to write on the subject. For more tips and advice on how to save money for travel, the following articles are fantastic resources that should leave you inspired and ready to begin saving for your next big trip!
Return to the “Travel Myth Buster” series
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This reminds me why I pause for a moment before buying my latte! Yes, the cash goes a lot further in most places we go to.
Taking home made sandwiches and flask to work saves you few dollars a day and could be healthier than some fat laden ready made sandwiches.
Eyeflare - exactly, it’s all about thinking before spending, and remembering how much you’ll appreciate that extra 20 bucks, quid, euros, etc. while on the road.
Karen - great tip, I like how you describe the ready-made sandwiches as “fat laden”.
In June 2006, I could get 4 lattes for less than the price of one here. Makes me think twice now about going to Starbucks.
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Hi there!
I am sooooooooo happy I found your blog! Thanks to you I traveled to Mexico and I saved thousands of dollars! I found a rountrip ticket to mexico city for only $307 and my lodging was just $200 for both of my hostels. Less than $1000 for everything! I am planning another trip and I use your blog as my inspiration.
Thanks:)