Saving up funds for a big trip can be challenging, yet people who are serious about traveling are always pulling it off. Commit to your dream and create a dedicated travel fund. Whether it's spending less on lunch, cutting back on fancy coffee, eating out less or reducing/eliminated car usage - here are my top 5 ways to cut back on your daily expenses to fill your travel fund.
Set up Flight Alerts
Track your dream destination on one of the many helpful travel apps such as Hopper, Kayak or AirFareWatchDog. These apps can predict when the cheapest time to fly are and alert you when the airfare prices go down to your desired destination. Currently, Iceland, Cuba, Tokyo, Los Angeles and Sydney are on my Hopper watch-list.
Cut Back on Fitness Classes
I was paying an extra $50-$100 on my gym memberships, so I decided to cancel it. There are other ways to stay healthy and fit on your own - workout or do yoga at home, follow along with online video classes or go for a run. That extra money can go a long way when saving up and every bit counts!
Lose the Car
It might sound crazy, but if you're living in a city like me then there's no use for all the extra bills that come along with owning a car. I sold my Jeep a few months after moving to New York City and used that money to buy my roundtrip flight to Bangkok.
Stop Buying your Coffee
Okay, as a latte fanatic I am guilty of this, but if you cut back on buying coffee every day you can save at least $250-$1,200 per year. Take advantage of alternative options such as complimentary coffee in your work office or investing in a Keurig to make your own.
Learn how to Cook
Again, guilty for ordering sushi at least once-twice a week, but learning to cook simple meals can save you big bucks. Just buying lunch instead of packing your own costs $2,000 a year on average, according to Business Insider. So next time you're feeling too lazy to cook dinner and leaning towards ordering seamless - just picture your dream destination awaiting!
Take Advantage of Credit Card Rewards
Travel credit cards offer many opportunities to earn free points that can be redeemed for miles, hotels, restaurants or cash. Check out the credit card companies that partner with various travel brands to entice travelers with special bonuses, loyalty points, and exclusive discounts. Many offer extra travel perks such as no foreign transaction fees, free checked baggage, priority boarding, free nights, and much more.
Do you have a creative way to save up for travel? Share with me below!
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