Most of you love to travel, whether it is exploring your city or going to a country on another continent. However, not all of you can afford to globe-trot or tour often; several families save months’ worth of money to pay for a single vacation trip. You may be wondering, “What happens to my credit score if I borrow a travel loan?” but worry not!

Most individual travellers go around the world on a limited budget thanks to various tips and techniques they follow to keep themselves financially afloat. Here are some of the proven methods used by travellers across the world that allow them to go their dream destinations without money troubles. 

7 Money Management Tips While Travelling

1. Plan Your Trip Meticulously 

Everyone has spontaneous urges and impulses when they travel: a sudden idea for a picnic, a new landmark that you absolutely should not miss, and whatnot. However, you cannot afford to do these every time if you are on a limited budget. That is why you should have a thorough travel plan even before you leave home. 

You need not have a tight hour-by-hour itinerary, but a daily checklist is undoubtedly useful. Plan your events each day as well as expected expenditures. Leave some time and money for emergencies, but never misuse these. 

2. Travel Off-Season 

Holidays are when the travel prices shoot up the most. If your goal is to visit a place to mingle with the people, get a taste of their culture, and do some sightseeing, you will not miss much if you travel off-season, when the tourism activities are minimal. 

Hotels and travel agencies tend to reduce their rates at these times to attract more customers. For example, consider travelling to Italy in the winter, Hawaii in the summer, and Southeast Asian countries during the monsoon season. You could even have the beaches to yourself instead of being with thousands of other tourists! 

3. How to Book Flights 

Most airline services open their booking months in advance. If you do travel off-season, you may not be struggling to find seats, but booking in advance saves you time and gives you peace of mind. Getting stuck abroad without a ticket back home can lead to all sorts of problems. 

Although the business class looks exquisite, chances are it doesn’t come under your budget. Flying in economy class is ideal for short distances, and midweek prices are lower than weekend rates. You can also cut down on on-air food and beverages – if they are extra – by planning your meals accordingly. 

4. Accommodation Adventures

Hotels designated for tourists are expensive in almost all the countries or places you visit. Stay is one domain where you can cut down costs significantly if you are willing to explore a little more and have a “shared” experience. 

Check with your friends or relatives in that place if you can stay with them for a few days. If that is not an option, once you land, ask around for shared accommodation like paying guest facilities, where you can split the cost with a fellow traveller. These have the added advantage of getting a more authentic experience of the culture and lifestyle than what you get from the comfort of a luxury hotel.

If you are the kind of person who can fall asleep anywhere and anytime, you can plan your travel such that you spend most of the time on planes or trains to sleep. Sure, you may miss out on some scenic landscapes, but you could get away without needing an overnight stay at all. 

5. Pack Light 

You should not travel with anything but a credit card, hoping to buy everything on the way. At the same time, you should not pack your entire house into suitcases, hoping to be entirely self-sufficient. You need to find the right balance of carrying the necessities but still travelling light.

A pair of long jeans, a warm hoodie, and a waterproof jacket are the best garments against all unpredictable weather incidents. Leave some room for souvenirs, if they matter to you. Unless you are a professional photographer, you don’t have to pack your DSLR. 

Travelling light also gives you the flexibility of using public transport often to bring down the expenses. You can use trains and buses to go within the country or across borders without worrying about carrying around bulky travel bags. 

6. Make Your Own Meals 

Eating outside in a foreign destination is quite costly, so there are a couple of alternatives. If you decide to stay in a hotel, ask the manager for a complimentary breakfast; most hotels offer it. You can also cook your own food during your stay; this saves you money and gives you the freedom to make whatever you want. 

If you want to try out some famous or traditional local dishes, chances are you will find them in roadside shops and stalls. These are much cheaper options than dining in hotels. 

7. Earn on the Go

While the techniques mentioned so far help bring down your expenses, you can also make more money while travelling. Based on your skill set, there are several ways to earn money on foreign soil. 

One way is to apply for a job that requires considerable travel. This job does not necessarily have to be a corporate one, but also positions like a photographer or musician seeking opportunities in other countries. If you can do freelance work like content writing or graphic design, you can approach the local newspaper or agency in your destination and offer your services. 

In the long run, if you plan to do low-budget travels regularly, you can start your own YouTube channel or blog to discuss your adventures. With enough viewers and subscribers, you become eligible to earn money through advertisements on your channel. 

Time to Pack Your Bags 

With these tips, you can travel to your dream destinations and get a wholesome experience despite being on a budget. To be on the safe side, you can check your credit report (UK, US, and other countries each have different ratings) to gauge your financial position in case of emergencies. If those numbers are reasonable, you are ready to start your journey around the world!

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