How to save money to travel...

For most people, when planning a trip, the biggest consideration is the money! How much is in the bank account? How much will I need to spend on the basics?


​If you want to travel, you need to either be rich, win the lottery, or save money which requires discipline. Here are a few tips to help you save enough for your next holiday so that you can keep your travel bug alive.

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• Reduce the amount of petrol you spend by choosing to either walk or bike ride to as many places as you can. You will be amazed how this can add up.
• The biggest expenditure most households have is food. Change the way you eat – don’t eat take out and try to plan your meals for the week so that you only purchase food according to your meal plan – no extras.
• Reduce the number of nights you go out on the town. Try inviting friends to your place and ask everyone to bring a plate of food or snacks to share. These evenings can be much more intimate and rather than everyone getting sloshed and not remembering what they have done you may actually have an evening to remember.
• Sell some unwanted items, be it clothing, the surplus electrical can opener you got for Christmas from Aunt Marg. Gumtree and eBay make selling on the net quite simple and all these little items can add up to increase your nest egg.

• Instead of buying expensive Christmas and birthday presents, why don’t you suggest to your family and friends that you create a “homemade” Christmas and give gifts of jam or relish?
  
• Open a bank account from which you cannot withdraw money easily or on a whim. Some Christmas saving accounts or an online bank may be the way to go.
• On the other end of the scale, plan your holiday economically. Book flights well in advance and keep your eye out for last minute hotel deals. Maybe try and house swap with someone from another country, a bit like in the movie “The Holiday”.   
  

Whatever you do, enjoy the journey. That includes the journey and anticipation before you travel.