Money-Saving Hacks to Finance Your Next Travel Adventure
Posted: February 7, 2025 | Tagged: Travel Hacks
When I returned from my 1423-day trip around the world and back again at the end of 2018, my bank account was empty, and all I had was 20 USD in my back pocket.
Enjoying life on the road because I had saved enough and didn't have to worry about finding a job for a long time.
Enjoying life on the road because I had saved enough and didn't have to worry about finding a job for a long time.
Within a few weeks, I had got a job sorting parcels with the Royal Mail in the run-up to Christmas. After 3 weeks of doing that, I was pounding the streets, delivering mail. Right from the start, I was putting in 60 hours a week. I was lucky. I had a good job, and I lived with my dad. I paid my way, but the setup was definitely cheaper than renting my own place.
So the money was coming in, but it's not about earning money. It's about not wasting it once you have it, not squandering it away on useless stuff. It's easier to save one dollar than it is to earn one dollar.
I used these money-saving hacks to put away more than 30,000 USD in just under two years:
So the money was coming in, but it's not about earning money. It's about not wasting it once you have it, not squandering it away on useless stuff. It's easier to save one dollar than it is to earn one dollar.
I used these money-saving hacks to put away more than 30,000 USD in just under two years:
1. Walk or cycle to work
Owning a car is prohibitively expensive. The car itself, tax, insurance, petrol, repairs. If you can, walk or cycle (or use public transport) wherever possible. Not only will your fitness improve, but you can also do your bit to reduce carbon emissions as well as saving money. I used to walk the 2 miles to my first job. It only took 28 minutes. That's not far. When I was at college, I would cycle the 8 miles. I haven't owned a car since 2006 when I lived in it for the summer, before than, my previous car was in 1997.
When I was at the Royal Mail, I walked 2 miles then 2 miles back home at 5 am and when I was delivering mail, the same plus I was doing 6 or 7 miles on delivery, 6 days a week. Kept me fit. No need a for a gym membership.
When I was at the Royal Mail, I walked 2 miles then 2 miles back home at 5 am and when I was delivering mail, the same plus I was doing 6 or 7 miles on delivery, 6 days a week. Kept me fit. No need a for a gym membership.
2. Stop wasting money on beer
Everyone loves to relax with a beer after a hard day, but that 1 beer will never be enough. It soon becomes 2 or 3. And anyway, all you are doing is pissing it all out. You might as well be throwing your hard-earned dollars out of the window. Going for a beer with your mates, that's 30 bucks gone in just one night. I used to travel for 4 days on that!
It's all about priorities. Ask yourself, where would you be rather drinking that beer? At home with your mates in a dreary pub or sitting on the balcony watching the setting sun over the Mekong, with a 50 cents Angkor beer.
Now, I don't even drink anymore.
It's all about priorities. Ask yourself, where would you be rather drinking that beer? At home with your mates in a dreary pub or sitting on the balcony watching the setting sun over the Mekong, with a 50 cents Angkor beer.
Now, I don't even drink anymore.
3. Stop wasting money on coffee
Why waste 1 to 5 bucks on a coffee at McD or Starbucks? Invest in a kettle and a jar of Nescafe. Those daily coffees sure add up. 2 USD a day, that's 10 USD a week, 40 USD a month or 480 USD a year. Imagine what you could do with that!! And that's the minimum. If you like fancy coffee, figure on wasting a whole lot more.
4. Take a packed lunch to work
Big savings to be had on preparing your own food at home.
5. Low cost relaxation
If you like reading, join the local library, or go to a charity shop with books for sale at a fraction of what they cost new. Lots of free ebooks on Kindle, too.
Ask a buddy if they have Netflix and if you can be one of their 'friends' and watch movies for less. Work more then you'll be too fucked and all you will want to do is sleep.
Ask a buddy if they have Netflix and if you can be one of their 'friends' and watch movies for less. Work more then you'll be too fucked and all you will want to do is sleep.
6. Invest your money
Free money to be had if you do your research. Get yourself a risk-free savings account. The interest rates have dropped a lot recently, but 3.5% is better than nothing.
7. Take up Calisthenics
Calisthenics is a form of strength training that utilises your body's weight to perform exercises with little or no equipment. I am using the monkey bars in the local park for leg raises, squats with a 6-litre/kilo bottle of water on my shoulders, the floor for press-ups and 120-peso hand grip strengtheners - my only gym equipment investment. There is no need to go to the gym! It's all about adapting.
8. Cancel all subscriptions
The only thing I have on subscription is my Nord VPN app. Nothing else. Check that you are not still paying for things you don't need or haven't used in ages.
