How to Save Money for Your Next Trip:

1. Track Your Spending

   See where your money goes every month and find some areas where you can cut back. The daily stop-off at Starbucks for apple cinnamon tea could probably be replaced with a kettle and tea bags at home. Can’t blame you though, that sounds yummy.

2. Stop Paying for Cable

   In this age of Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime, I personally go days without even looking at my TV. Don’t pay for cable if this is your life too.

3. Eat Out Less

   Those fancy dinners really start to add up. Your wallet will thank you for eating more home-cooked meals. If you are truly too busy or you don’t do much cooking at all then try to start with a commitment to make at least one, two, or three more meals at home a week. Look up some simple recipes online, like those where all you have to do is put something in the oven, set a timer and wait for deliciousness. Over time these savings will add up.

4. Make A Night Out, A Night In

   Dinner and a movie with your friends/partner is always a good time and being on a budget doesn’t have to change that. Instead, have a potluck and pick a movie from your Netflix queue. Everyone can bring a dish, hang out and still stuff themselves on food they haven’t cooked.

5. Travel by Bike…

   Cost efficient and great for your calves.

6. …or Feet

   Hopping in your car and zooming off is faster but walking is free and free is what we like.

7. Bargain Hunt

   Take advantage of sales. Go crazy on Black Friday and jump on a good deal when you can but don’t sacrifice quality for cost. Look for less expensive items that will last.

8. Find Ways to Lower Your Bills

   Look into making your home and chores more energy-efficient. Dry dishes by hand or only run the dishwasher when it is full. Replace your air filter regularly and maybe the hour power shower could be downgraded to a half-hour power shower.

9. Turn Off The Lights

   Turn off lights when you leave a room and when the sun is shining. Open up those windows and enjoy some free, natural light.

10. Look Into A Cheaper Phone Plan

    Take a look at your plan and decide if you really need evvvvvveeerrrthing you’re paying for. If you realize there are a few things you can do without say buh-bye!

11. Shop Online

    You can find so many incredible deals online that now if I need something new I won’t buy it in stores unless I’ve checked the online price first. I can almost always find a better deal.

12. Sell Your Old Items

    Go through your closets, music, DVDs, etc and sell them. No need for old things to be collecting dust when they can be making you money instead. Try Amazon, eBid, Craiglist, etc.

13. Have Fun For Free

    Check out free events in your community. Volunteer at festivals in turn for free entrance. Go enjoy some people-watching at the park. Walk around and explore your hometown. Stack up on books and movies from the library.

14. Load Up On Veggies

    Veggies and fruit tend to be cheaper than meat. You don’t have to become a vegetarian but you can save a good bit if you let less expensive foods become the bulk of your diet.

15. Carry Cash

    Withdraw the amount of money you plan to spend for the week or month and only use that to pay. It will force you to stick with your budget because the act of parting with cold hard cash is harder than swiping plastic.

16. Public Transportation

    Use the bus or subway to get around. It will save you on the gas bill and you may even make a new friend.

17. Automate Bills

    Set up your accounts to pay bills automatically so that you never have to stress about late fees, or pay them.

18. Unplug

    Remove the chargers from the sockets and switch the power strips off at night. A great way to use a little less power.

19. No More Bottles

    Switch to filtered tap water and a sports bottle. Say goodbye to plastic bottles.  No more lugging those buggers up all those flights of stairs! Or maybe that was me.

20. Remember Your Goal

    Have your trip in mind. While you save think of all the things you will get to do in Southeast Asia with all those pennies you’re putting away. Remembering why you are working so hard will keep you committed.

     

Good luck and Happy Travels!