I've given up buying coffee on the way to work and almost never go out to eat. Lists that cover things you can do to save money for X-reason, no matter how general they may be, are definitely valuable. If every list you look at has even one idea you haven't yet thought of, the time investment of reading (or browsing) is worth it. If you're hoping to spend some money on a trip (or any other want-but-don't-need-for-survival item), I've got some tips to save for travel!

Now if you know me personally, or have ready anything I've ever written, you'll already be clued in to the fact that I don't make a whole lot of money working for a non-profit, nor do I have a whole lot of free time - but I still find a way to "go away" at least twice each year. People become suspicious of how I make it happen and I'm here to tell you that it takes a whole lot of hard work. I think it helps that I grew up understanding the "value" of money- started working at age 15 and understood that if I wanted one of those frilly yogurts with the candy packet on top (circa 2003), I was going to have to take it from my hard-earned, union dues deducted paycheck. Though I feel like I had a bit of a head start in my relationship with money, I do employ some unorthodox methods of saving.

I came up with his list over time. I realized that there were some habits that would gain me a little side-eye at work or family members would poke a little light fun, and that's when I realized that some of my travel saving methods might be a little unorthodox. Whatever, it got me to Africa in August 2017 and will get me to Quebec for the Women in Travel Summit in May 2018.Let's get into it:

15 Odd Tips to Save for Travel

I'm meticulous and plan in advance when I'm going to shell out money on something "frivolous"

Every Thursday is Donut Thursday and the coffee shop near work. I plan to spend $3.24 on a donut maybe once per month- but they release the flavors the day before. If they don't excite me, I don't get one and that money stays in my pocket.

Taking the time to examine if its something I really want, or just think I want in that moment has saved me lots of money.

I don't spend on decorating

I spent $8 on a clearance watercolor of a cow. I hang pictures using clothespins and twine. The sticky 3M hooks and double sided tape are my best friend. If its too heavy to stay on the wall with some tape, it either goes back on the shelf, brought to Goodwill, or in rare and special cases, put into a case for safekeeping (for when I'm paying enough in rent to be allowed to put nails in the walls).

We all want to have a nice living space, but spending money on throw-pillows and nice art can be a bad use of funds if you've got a spending goal. Goodwill/thrifting and DIY repurposing are great solutions.

I have four roommates

That's right: five people sharing a living space. It's not ideal, but it saves me from spending more than 1/3 of my monthly net income on housing. Yes, sometimes I need to do some deep breathing when the pots pile up, but if I want to save money for a trip, its totally worth it. [Also, side note, they're all rad ladies, so I feel super lucky there!]

I wash the "disposable" aluminum pans and ziploc bags

Yes, I'm serious. I meal prep like a champ which usually means freezing soups and lasagnas. Once they've been consumed, I carefully wash and dry the bags and disposable aluminium pans. Given how often I would go through them, I'm saving money and a little stress on the environment. I treat recycling like an extreme sport.

Like I said before, I prep like a mofo

I have a few soup recipes that are super filling and less than $1 per portion. Because I cannot eat the same thing every day, I keep 2-3 portions for the week, and then freeze the remaining 2-3 portions for times when I'm too busy to cook. This way I'll have something I know I like, which will keep me from being too tempted by the ease of takeout. I always have something more satisfying in the freezer, too - something like a lasagna or cottage pie - something that I know can and will win out over a takeout burrito (because sometimes the though of soup is a little boring... but a cheezy, tomato-y lasagna........).

Intermission: Here I am at Victoria Falls in Zambia.... on my last "I saved like a weirdo to afford this" trip!

A post shared by 《 KatieD 》 (@thebudgetbackpack) on Nov 1, 2017 at 7:05pm PDT

I'd rather buy the whole pineapple for $2.50 and carve it myself than the frozen bag for $3.99 with only 2/3 the volume

Truth be told, I would actually rather buy the easier option - but that doesn't make the most financial sense. For me, I'd rather take a little extra time than spend a little extra money.

I almost never Uber

Train, walk, bus.... Uber is reserved for when I'm physically incapacitated or its too late and the train isn't running.

I also don't own a car, which means no loans, insurance, or gas money being spent regularly.

I pay my rent with a money order so it is deducted on my terms (versus my landlord's "I'll cash this check whenever I feel like it" timeline)

This is pretty self-explanatory.

I truly rarely buy coffee or lunch out

BUT if I'm having a rough week - or recovering from a trip - given how tight I usually am about this one, I don't feel guilty about indulging in a coffee + donut.

I utilize bulk bins when grocery shopping

I buy "in bulk." By that I mean I use the bins that have the lower unit price, but usually only buy exactly what I know I'll use since the shared kitchen space is limited. Also, pantry moths are a real problem in old houses, so I don't want to keep grains so long that they'll potentially get ruined. Oatmeal isn't supposed to fly.

I compare baseline grocery prices

I've got 2 grocery store options within a 10 minute walk. I had a day off and some time to kill, so I listed out the top 15 items I buy most frequently OR are the higher ticket items (like coconut milk), and found the cheapest versions at each store. I now know where to buy which items.

Another intermission/Bonus tip: Here I am in Nicaragua on a beach that I would never have been able to get to if I didn't (a) save like my life depended on it and (b) allowed myself to be bumped from a flight just for the high-ticket voucher. I always volunteer because of the compensation!

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A post shared by 《 WTF?Katie | Travel Blogger 》 (@weirdtravelfriend) on Jul 15, 2018 at 9:14am PDT

I don't eat meat (usually)

Easy to cut it out at home. So easy. Per weight, beans are way cheaper.... chili with beans and quinoa is way more cost-effective than ground beef.

I look for free things to do in Boston when I have some time to kill

Not all social activities need to carry a high price tag. Walking around an art park is free. So is hanging out by the harbor. The Boston Calendar is a fantastic tool to keep an eye on for free festivals and whatnot!

Cash diet

When I'm a little concerned about my credit cards, I go on a cash diet. I take out a conservative amount of cash not at the beginning of the week, but rather right before the first time I'll need it for the week, and then make it last. If I have a surprise expense, it goes on the debit card so its actual money being spent (and not credit).

Saving cash and coins

When I'm on that cash diet, I don't spend the coins. They go straight into a jar and I just let them accumulate. Once I have $100 in coins, I turn them in and take the payout as a single $100 and save it for a trip. When birthday and Christmas times come around, I tell interested parties that I will never say no to cash and I do not find it impersonal to receive money as a gift. A gift like that (or a Visa gift card - something along those lines) goes into a special place and is saved for a time when I really, truly want to go somewhere but simply cannot afford it off my normal income.

I hate to echo the masses, but it really comes down to one thing: priorities. Behind essential living expenses, my push to save money for travelling is what motivates me.

If it wasn't implied, let me state it explicitly: its not always easy to save money for a trip. It takes a lot of mental fortitude and the ability to keep your eye on the prize (which is particularly difficult when the prize is still a hypothetical trip and not yet on the horizon).

What are your best tips to save for travel?
Anyone out there who lives at home with Mom/Dad to save some $$? How is that?
Any big trips on the horizon that you're trying to save for? Tell meeee!

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