20 Ways to Save Money to Travel
So, you’re looking for some simple ways to save some cash?
Well, I’ll let you in on a little secret…
You don’t need to make a lot of money, to save a lot of money.
We all miss the key word, “save” in the phrase “how to save money”.
Odds are, you’ve come across a time when you’ve wanted extra money for something – and here, in the digital age of the 21st century, everyone makes it look so easy… but is it?
You can search online for billions of tips and tricks on ways to fill up your bank account fast, but the truth is – many of those new, nifty apps that promise to bring you effortless cash, aren’t the most lucrative approaches.
Everyone I know is always baffled how I’ve afforded to travel as much as I have; given I’m only 21 and have been doing this since I was 18.
Whether you’re a teenager looking to pay for your trips to Chipotle, a broke college student trying to make ends meet for ramen and textbooks, trying to buy a house, or get out of debt – here are 20 productive ways to save money.
1. Cancel Subscriptions You Aren’t Using
When’s the last time you actually used Netflix to chill? Do you still read those magazines that show up at your doorstep? How about those beauty samples that you get every month?
Take a look at your credit card statement and get real with yourself about which subscriptions you need and don’t need to survive.
2. Stop Buying Starbucks
Do you like soy vanilla lattes from Starbucks?
Do you like how easy it is to grab it and go on your way to work?
While hip, trendy coffees are great, they’re also incredibly expensive.
Let me paint you a picture:
Let’s say you get a handcrafted Starbucks drink every week day before work.
On average, they’re about $5 each.
That’s $25 a week.
That’s $100 a month.
… That’s $1200 a year.
I hate to break it to you, but if you were to buy your coffee to go every week day for 25 years, you’ve just missed out on 30 thousand dollars that could’ve been yours.
My family is old fashioned; we still haven’t gotten on board with Keurig’s. We buy our coffee granules in bulk from Costco – the $17-dollar bag lasts us 2 weeks, totally to each cup of coffee costing around 20 cents.
Cleaning out coffee grinds from the filter can be frustrating, but it could be the thing that digs you out of debt.
3. Don’t Save Your Credit Card Online
In this day and age, buying something you don’t need online is almost as innate as breathing.
When my credit card isn’t saved to a website, I have to take a step back and ask myself,
“Do I really need this?”
By the time that I’ve filled in my address and the security codes, I’ve had enough time to decide if what I’m buying is a necessity or a luxury.
But when the card is already pre-saved, it’s easy to keep clicking your cash flow away into the abyss that is the internet.
If you manually enter your credit card each time, you’ll have time to decide if your purchase is pressing.
4. Buy What You Need, Not What You Want!
Again, take a moment to analyze the item you’re about to buy.
Ask yourself a few questions like these,
“How often am I going to use this?”
“Am I going to use it a year from now?”
“Is there a better or cheaper alternative?”
If you’re answer no to one of these, it might be best to rethink your impending purchase.
5. Use Cash
There have been studies that show that it is way easier to overspend when using a card, because all you’re doing is swiping.
You can’t see the money being taken away from you.
With cash, you can – and the gravity of money suddenly begins to feel much heavier.
6. Stop Eating Out & Cook More!
I don’t want to even think about the amount of money I spend each summer going out to eat when my friends come home from school.
I’ve grown up in a household that cooks, and I’ve learned to make homemade meals as well – to the extent that I can’t comprehend the value of eating out on a constant basis.
If I go out with my friends and order a brown rice & tofu curry bowl here in the D.C. area – it’s going to cost me around $12.
But if I go to the grocery store, buy a bag of brown rice for around $3, a block of tofu for $2.50, and a $5 jar of curry sauce…
… I’ve suddenly made a meal for five for $10.50.
Eating out is fun and convenient, but making meals at home is much cheaper.
If you’re looking to stow away some extra cash, try your hand at cooking.
7. Sell Your Old Stuff
I haven’t had much luck with this one, but if you’ve got some old clothes or valuable items you aren’t using any more (like old cameras, iPhones) – you should try your hand at selling online.
Try ebay, craigslist, poshmark, or depop.
8. Look for Neighborhood Jobs
My brother’s best friend is almost always offering to do yard work for his neighbors.
You’d be surprised how many people are willing to pay a teenager to mow their lawn.
9. Invest in the Stock Market
This one requires some studying on your part, but it can be a really good long term tactic.
My dad introduced me to the stock market when I was 13 years old, and though I was reluctant at the time – my investments have saved me in some desperate moments in my early adulthood.
10. Offer Up Your Skills!
Do you know a foreign language? Play an instrument?
There’s a good chance someone near you is in need of a Violin tutor or looking to improve their Spanish skills.
There’s an even better chance that they’re willing to pay you well in exchange for your expertise.
11. Shop Off Brand
Is Claritin D your holy grail when allergy season is in session?
I agree, it works, but look for the off-brand at your local drugstore – because the ingredients in them are usually exactly the same.
You’re not paying for effectiveness; you’re paying for the name.
12. Download Money Saving Apps
I’ve heard of some good ones like Ibotta and Acorns, but the only one I can really attest to is Swagbucks.
I’ve used Swagbucks for years.
Not only is the daily poll amusing (and makes me an extra $3.65 a year), but they have a very useful feature called, ‘Shop & Earn’.
Whenever I’m about to travel, I ensure that the rebate is enabled in my browser, and I usually get the equivalent of $50 back after booking through Hotels.com.
Doesn’t sound like much, but it adds up.
13. Get a Travel Credit Card
Do you love to fly around the globe?
Do you also hate how expensive plane tickets are?
Depending on where you live and which airline you use the most, look into getting a travel credit card. They’ll often reward you with points in exchange for what you spend.
14. Quit Your Gym Membership
I finally gave into this one… and while I miss the amazing yoga teachers that I met, I’m so glad that I did this one.
I was going 3 times a week, mostly using the treadmill, and occasionally – signing up for yoga classes when I had time.
I was paying $100 a month.
That means I was paying around $10 every time I walked inside to use the treadmill for a mere 30 minutes.
I’m now saving $1,200 a year now that I’ve quit my gym membership… crazy, right?!
However, just because I quit my gym membership doesn’t mean I’m no longer in shape!
Instead of running on the treadmill, I’ll lace up my sneakers and take a few spins around the block. I don’t have the incline – but I do have the extra work of running against the wind.
I’m also a big fan of online workouts like blogilates.
You don’t have to pay big bucks to get big muscles.
15. Turn Off the Lights!
Oops, did you leave the lights on last night?
If you’re wondering why your electric bill is so high, try and be more mindful of unplugging your chargers and turning off the T.V. sets in your house when they aren’t in use.
16. Plan Your Shopping During Sales
My parents go on dates to Harris Teeter (a grocery store where we live) when they have closeouts.
My dad gets way too overzealous when he finds a can of kidney beans for 29 cents.
I always make fun of them, but I can’t say that they aren’t being smart… because they are.
If you know a big sale is coming up, trying to plan your back to school or grocery shopping around those markdowns.
17. Look for Quality, Not Quantity
I’m a victim of this.
Because I’m always trying to save money, I’m always jumping at the cheapest thing I find.
For instance – my wallet (that I obviously use every day) is from amazon, and I bought it for around $15.
However, I’ve had to replace said wallet each year because the zipper gives out like clockwork.
I’m better off buying a high-quality wallet that’ll last me for years to come instead of continuously repurchasing the cheaper, less durable product.
18. Look for Free Entertainment
My friends want to go to the movies. They want to go mini golfing. They want to go to the mall.
Going out is perfectly fine, but if you do it every weekend… you’re going to find yourself looking for spare change to see newest Spider Man movie.
If you live in a big city, like New York, you know that there are tons of free things to do within your vicinity.
How about a new arts exhibit? A free concert in the park?
Why not have a movie night at home with friends?
P.S. – now you don’t have to attempt to sneak the snacks inside the theater, either!
19. Pre-pack Snacks
On the subject of snacks, always try to plan to bring food with you when you know you’ll be out and about.
I see so many college students spending money on Chick-fil-A or potato chips from the vending machine for lunch because they didn’t pack a granola bar or didn’t have time to make it to the diner.
When I go to school, I always bring food to snack on in class (that is, if my professor allows it).
Not to mention, before I embark on a long overseas trip, I bring at least one granola bar for every day that I’ll be gone.
That way, for every day of sightseeing while I’m in a foreign country – I’ve got a snack ready to go no matter where I am in the midst of my travels.
Not only is that convenient to refuel on the go, but it’s cheaper.
20. Remind Yourself EVERYDAY What You Want
The truth is, you can google as many ways to save money as you want.
I could write you another twenty ways on how to save money, and you could read them.
They can also go in one ear, and out the other.
If you want to save money, it’s up to you.
You have to be accountable for your both your spending and saving.
Whenever I’m in Forever 21 and see a cute dress, I think to myself:
“Do I want to spend $20 on a dress that I don’t need… or $20 on a hostel in Paris?”
Keep your goals and intentions clear.
Every time you don’t buy that latte from Starbucks when you want to, remind yourself that you just got $5 closer to buying something that you want even more.
It’s important to keep little moments of incentive around you to remind you that making sacrifices are in fact worth it!
Who knows? Maybe you’ll be like me, and find yourself on a flight to Europe… every six months.
It’s like the saying,
“Study smart, not hard.”
If you spend and save your money wisely, in combination with the desire and motivation for a bigger greater picture – odds are, you will go farther than you thought you could.
If you’re looking for other tips on travel, click here.