So, you’ve taken the plunge and decided that you’re gonna strap a back pack on and head off to see the World. The hard part has been completed, taking the decision, now comes the next difficult part, funding it, well fear not as here are some great tips for saving money to spend on your journey.
Just Say No
As difficult as it will prove to be, saying no to nights out, meals out and day trips is imperative. Your friends may hate you for it as you become a social leper but you need to think about the greater good here. Spending £100 per week on nights out to the same old places may well be fun, but think of how much better than money can be spent seeing new cultures, meeting new people and experiencing amazing things on the road. The same can be said for those frivolous purchases that you make, £5 on your lunch each day, the extra £2 on a coffee, remember, it all adds up and the money will always be best spent on your travels, remember, just say no!
Earn Some Extra
Taking on a second income will be tough and time consuming but as long as you keep the big picture in mind you will get through it and have more cash-on-the-hip when you hit the road. Second job opportunities will be things like bar work, restaurant work, delivering of leaflets, take-away menus or phonebooks, if you drive you could pick up a job delivering for take-aways. A second job isn’t necessarily required, you could make money online by writing for people, start a bit of online gambling or even have a go at online bingo with landmark bingo to make some extra cash for your travels. Whatever it is that you have to do before leaving then I would suggest that it is worth putting the effort in now, it will pay great dividends in the future.
Sell, Sell, Sell
Remember that what you are about to embark on will be the experience of a lifetime, a time when you’ll realise the value of experiences over possessions. With this in mind I suggest that you search every nook and cranny of your house, flat or bedroom to find anything that you could possibly sell, one man’s rubbish is another man’s meat and with so many online opportunities to flog your stuff there is no excuse. DVD’s, books, computer games, CD’s can boost your budget and with sites like eBay you’ll soon realise that even stuff you thought was worthless may have some value, list it anyway and see what happens, you may well be surprised. Get rooting around in spare rooms, lofts and wardrobes and find whatever you can to sell, you sure won’t need that stuff on the road and remember the old saying, where there is muck, there is brass.
The most important thing to bear in mind before you leave is that cash is king on the road, it will allow you to do more, see more and be more so don’t think that leaving with just a few quid and a dream will be sufficient, it won’t.