Finding funds to travel more and farther.

Many of us want to travel more. But airfare, hotels, and just about everything travel related has shot up in price since travel restrictions from Covid-19 have dropped away. This means we all need a lot more money to travel. Let’s be honest, airfare is not going to get cheaper. It’s called greed, and while you weren’t on the planes, the airlines stuffed in even more seats to pack the planes. It’s not you; the seat space got smaller. Saving for travel starts before you even leave home.

Here are some of the easiest ways to save money at home to fund more adventures:

• Set a budget and stick to it. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s important to be realistic about how much you can afford to spend on travel each month or on a trip. Once you know your budget, you can start making a plan for how to reach your goals. I like to get a number in my head of my average cost per day. This includes airfare, lodging, food, and any other entertainment and such. Take into account travel total travel days, including the time getting there and back. I know I’m not getting back to the super cheap days of my youth. I spent weeks in Europe for less than $40 a day, including airfare. Nowadays, I try to get less than $100/day for US travel and less than $150/day for international. Do research, get a rough idea of how much going some place for so long will cost you. There are way too many tools to figure it out.
• Cut back on unnecessary expenses. Take a close look at your spending and see where you can cut back. This could mean eating out less, canceling unused subscriptions, or finding cheaper alternatives to your current expenses. I’m fairly cheap while I’m at home, but there are places I can save too.
• Make more money. If you need to increase your income, there are a few things you can do. You could get a part-time job, start a side hustle, or sell some of your belongings. All these do have downsides. Working more means less time to relax. I’m not a fan of hustle culture. If you have the stuff to sell, great. Getting a good price for it might be rough and eye-opening. Some stuff you shouldn’t have bought in the first place.
• Set up a travel savings account. This is a great way to make sure that you’re always saving money for your next trip. Every time you get paid, transfer a set amount of money into your travel savings account. Automatic transfers are great, and after a while, you might not miss the money. If you do, rethink what you’re spending money on and maybe cut back that amount.
• Look for travel deals. There are a number of websites and apps that can help you find great deals on flights, hotels, and activities. Be sure to sign up for email alerts so that you’re the first to know about any special offers. Don’t fall for the bonus credit card airline miles. Pay off the debt instead of transferring it. In the end, those companies will get more money out of you than you get back. There is a whole subset of travel influencers who make a living off roping you in.
• Be flexible with your travel dates. If you’re willing to travel during the off-season or on weekdays, you’ll likely find cheaper flights and hotels. Flights are the major cost of travel. If you can, book around the cheaper flight first. Hopefully, you have a flexible employer. But you might need to book out months ahead. Unfortunately, not everyone has that luxury. But if you can, by all means do it. I start planning six months or more out. Tickets are still cheaper and I can find a way to get the time off.
• Stay in hostels or Airbnbs. These are great ways to save money on accommodation. Hostels are typically much cheaper than hotels, and Airbnbs can offer a more home-like experience at a fraction of the cost. If you are going to a major metropolitan area, think about staying outside of the downtown. Places on the outskirts usually are a lot cheaper. And if the area has good public transit, getting around can be easier.
• Cook your own meals. Eating out can be expensive, so cooking your own meals is a great way to save money. This works while at home and traveling. If you’re staying in a hostel or Airbnb, you’ll likely have access to a kitchen. If you are staying at a place that offers free breakfast and coffee, take full advantage of that.
• Take advantage of free activities. There are many free activities available in most cities. Some popular options include visiting museums, hiking in parks, and exploring local markets. Checking out the local visitor’s website can be a great place to start. Some locations even offer city passes that, for a fixed price for a certain number of days, can get you access to a lot of attractions, and some even include public transportation.
• Travel with friends or family. Traveling with others can help you save money on things like flights, hotels, and activities. This really helps to cut the cost of lodging per night. I love to travel solo, but with even two people, the price per night of a cheap hotel might be the same as a hostel, with breakfast included.

By saving money a little bit here and there, while you are at home, you can have a lot better and longer adventures while traveling. Maybe it’s booking that tour, or spending a day at a spa. If you might only get to a place once in your life, you better make it count. Someday near the end, you won’t remember all the boring lunches you packed for work. But you will remember the sailing day off the coast of Maui.