"I haven't been everywhere, but it's on my list"- heres how!

Its no secret- putting away savings can be hard as hell. Sacrificing nights out, weekend getaways & even eating out on the daily can take some serious self-control, but guys trust me, if I got this- then you got this! Travel doesn’t have to break your bank (or break your heart in the process), and money certainly shouldn’t restrict you from travelling to anywhere your heart desires! After 9 months on a seriously strict saving regime, I’d like to think that I have some above average saving hacks down to a fine art! So, I decided to compile my top ten savings tips that helped me get to where I wanted to be when my itchy feet just couldn’t wait any longer- I hope they provide some motivation or support in your travel savings journey!

1. Bite the bullet- move your butt home

I know that sometimes it can feel like a massive step backwards, especially if you’ve lived out of home for university or for work, but my biggest tip for saving would have to be to move home- even just for a little while. I lived away in Wellington for just over 3 years & I even opted to move to Auckland (the most expensive damn city possible) just to avoid moving home but man oh man am I glad that I finally came to my senses and moved back in with my parents. Moving home not only helped me save money on rent (literally around $200 p/w) but it decreased my expenses ten fold ($20 max on petrol and next to nothing on groceries) & it gave me the greatest opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends- and meet someone pretty special and unexpected along the way. Moving home was all kinds of good for my soul and my savings! Two steps back to take one massive step forward. I am so super fortunate to have been able to increase my savings just through living at home- thanks Mum & Dad!

2. Set a weekly saving target & stick to it

It is so important to set a savings goal for every week and stick to it! No excuses, once you’ve set the amount you know you can realistically save without feeling like you’re stretching your paycheque out too thin, lock it in. Literally. Set up an automatic transfer every pay day, call the bank, lock the account from their end and that way you won’t be tempted to touch it! If you’re putting away money automatically then you won’t even notice that it’s gone and it’ll add up in no time! Another trick I found really handy was to ensure that any left over money I had at the end of the week was put into that savings account, even if it was just a few cents! A little goes a long way when you’re travelling on a budget!

3. $52 for 52 Weeks

An oldie but a goodie! If you’re saving for a trip in the long term, this one might just do the trick! All you have to do is match the dollar for every week of the year e.g. Week 1= $1 saving, Week 40= $40 away. This adds up to just over $2,700NZD for the year and makes little to no difference to your weekly pay package! Thank me later.

4. Take advantage of Travel Agents

I know that it might seem easier and cheaper to book your travels independently- and for solo short-haul/short-term travels and quick trips away I would tend to agree with this. But, I have got to say; travel agents really do have some serious deals up their sleeves, especially when it comes to package bookings e.g. Contiki trips! I booked both of my long haul trips with STA travel and managed to save some serious money on both my Vietnam & Europe trip- and I even managed to upgrade my carrier services so I wasn’t flying with the most budget/basic airlines; trust me, you want the best you can get when your stuck in the air for 17 hours straight. I mean, I’m not complaining with upgrades & $450 saved in my back pocket for a later date!

5. Make travel alerts & apps your best friend

Downloading apps such as Hostelworld, Air bnb, Booking.com & Skyscanner were a real game changer for my travels. Whether it’s last min plan changes or you’re booking in the long term, you can find some serious bargains on these apps and sites! Sky scanner is particularly perfect for those weekend getaways (even in New Zealand, despite flights seeming to cost an arm and a leg just to get to and from the South Island), with the site offering special deals almost weekly that won’t break your bank. I managed to visit and stay centrally in Italy for under $400NZD and what’s better, I didn’t have to sacrifice a decent nights sleep! (Please do note, you could def book cheaper on these sites, but- birthday week!). Turn those alerts on, and get yourself some well-deserved bargains!

6. Eat. At. Home.

Now, ask anyone, I am probably the biggest fan of treating yourself to a few snacks or meals out here and there. But when you’re strictly saving for your budget travel adventures, it’s important to realise you do not need that pack of sushi, because you have food at home- that you bought yesterday! I found it really helpful to meal prep every week and stick to staples- luckily for me this played in well with training but it is easy once you get into it! I’m truly not saying that you shouldn’t allow yourself treats, but set a limit- maybe once a week and twice for coffee (because that’s a necessity) or vice versa! If you’re a hospo kid like myself then learn to take serious advantage of staff meals. Whilst living in Auckland I managed to get myself working on double shifts (10-12 hours+) and although this took up nearly all of my days it in turn meant that my meals were covered almost daily by work (I just bought in fruit and basics like crackers to snack on) and it gave me extra $ for my trip. A win-win situation!

7. Recognise the difference between a want and a need

Its time to prioritise. Do you really need to see that gig for the third time? Or do you just not want to miss out? A massive element of this savings game is recognising that sometimes you’re going to have to say no to a few nights out or a new outfit, just so you can say yes to everything on your trip! I removed myself from the situation of wants & needs for three months and moved in with my best friend & her little family just to work and save money in a new city where I knew next to no one. I literally worked, slept, and spent time working on my savings and own passions instead, and although I moved back to New Plymouth after 3 months up there, I am seriously grateful I did this! It made me understand the value of what I actually want and what I need- and in the long term that was money, honey.

8. Keep yourself sane with short term adventures

Without contradicting my pervious point, it is really important to give yourself something to look forward to every so often whilst you’re on this savings journey. This might be a night out, a little weekend getaway with friends or even a small gig. One little thing to look forward to can help prevent you from impulse buying and can be easily affordable e.g. $20 out of your pay (on top of your normal savings) per week! Keep yourself sane by taking advantage of this tip, but within your means.

9. Take advantage of low season deals

This tip is for those of you who can't wait to getaway! If you’re desperate to travel, and only have a certain amount of time to go, take advantage of low season travel dates! Travel agencies are renowned for last minute low season travel deals and you can also find heaps of bargains online. These trips may come faster than anticipated but can be super affordable and often allow you to venture to places you may never have dreamt of going to! Combine this with a bit of hard-core, strict savings and you’ll satisfy those travel cravings even just for a little while!

10. Last, but not least

My final, and biggest travel savings tip would be to make sure you stay realistic. You’re not going to feel confident all the time, you’ll have days where you feel anxious and as if you’re not on track. You even might not always hit your weekly savings target because life just gets in the way. But keep on pushing. When you start your savings journey its important to sit down and budget out how much you can afford to save weekly from your pay on top of any necessary expenses e.g. petrol, groceries, phone bill and rent (if you’re paying it). For me, I managed to put away at least $300 p/w in Auckland and a little more back home in New Plymouth. Any extra money left over at the end of the week made its way straight into my savings account- but if it didn’t that was cool too, because I’d already hit my weekly target!

I can’t stress how important it is to be kind to yourself during this process because damn it is going to be testing sometimes, but the one last thing I will say is god damn, its going to be worth it!

Abbey X