Want to travel more? 3 tips to help you afford it

Is there anything better than getting to see the world, explore new places, and experience different cultures? Even with tools like Google Earth allowing you to virtually travel just about anywhere, it seems wanderlust is at an all-time high. That said, these adventures rarely come free, leaving many of us struggling to strike a balance between following our traveler’s heart and practicing financial responsibility.

Luckily, there are ways that you can travel more without going broke. Here are a few suggestions:

Search for deals

When most people decide to plan a trip, they likely start by choosing where they want to go, when they want to go, and taking it from there. However, by leaving the “when” and “where” a bit more up in the air, you can often find much better deals.

As for the “when” part of the equation, traveling during the off-season can save you a significant amount of money on airfare, accommodations, and entertainment. Of course, this could also mean that you’re visiting locations when they’re experiencing less than ideal weather and when some attractions may have limited hours. Meanwhile, if you’re open to suggestions in terms of where to visit, you can also keep an eye out for special travel deals that pop up throughout the year. This could be a great chance to see a new city while also scoring a great deal.

Downsize your life

After my wife and I spent our honeymoon in Tokyo circa 2014, we resolved to travel as much as we could. Unfortunately, neither of us makes much money, which didn’t leave us many options in terms of seeing new places. That was until we decided to make some changes that would allow our travel dreams to become reality. These efforts included downsizing our lives and even relocating.

Lifestyle modification is one way of saving up for your next vacation. (Source)

Instead of continuing to pay a high premium to reside in Los Angeles, we decided to move to Missouri where the cost of living was far cheaper. With our rent more than cut in half, suddenly we had plenty of extra funds we could use to travel both overseas and around the country. Because of our downsizing efforts, we’ve been able to see cities like Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Paris while living debt free and banking money for our futures.

Utilize credit card rewards and perks

Finally, credit cards can actually be a great friend to travelers. Whether you have a travel-specific card like the Capital One Venture, branded cards like the Delta SkyMiles AmEx, or a basic cash back card like the Uber Visa, you can use the rewards you earn from making purchasing to help subsidize your next trip. Moreover, be sure to check for cards with zero percent foreign transaction fees and other perks in order to save even more on your travels.

These days, it seems that traveling has made its way to the top of many people’s priorities list. If you want to see the world while keeping your finances in check, seeking out deals, downsizing your life, and taking advantage of credit card rewards can go a long way in helping you find that travel/money balance.

—

DISCLAIMER: This article expresses my own ideas and opinions. Any information I have shared are from sources that I believe to be reliable and accurate. I did not receive any financial compensation in writing this post, nor do I own any shares in any company I’ve mentioned. I encourage any reader to do their own diligent research first before making any investment decisions.