08 Jul Guest Blog: Make Your Dream A Reality – 5 Ways To Save For That Overseas Trip by Jenny Latto
Do you have a goal of one day hopping on a plane and flying off to far off countries? But it seems too much like a dream and not a reality. With a little planning you can add that trip to your bucket list. Here are 5 ways that you can help you save money to put towards that trip.
Work out a budget for your trip
First, have an idea in mind about when you would like to go on your trip i.e 6 months, 12 months etc Once you have that sorted, you’ll need to do some research. Will you be visiting one place or many? How long do you plan on being away? Decide if it’s going to be a budget trip i.e do it yourself or if you want someone to book it for you. Going the DIY route can save you money. Once you have figured out your destination and an estimate of the cost for the trip you will be able to work out how much money to put away each week.
Twin Lakes, Mammoth Mountain California
Expenses
Look at your current outgoings and decide what things you can trim money from.
For example:
Grocery shopping- buy cheaper brands of food and perhaps seek a cheaper supermarket
Outings – instead of eating out cook at home
Utilities and other regular bills – power, gas, insurance make sure you are not paying top dollar when other companies may offer an incentive for you to join them.
Fuel costs – check out prices at different petrol stations and you might be able to save some money.
Declutter
You could do a Marie Kondo on your possessions. Be ruthless do you really need all those appliances or books? Remember you’re going on an overseas trip, but don’t give them away, sell them.
Take your lunch to work
Do the sums on that brought
lunch compared to a loaf of bread and fillings or a home cooked quiche.
Perhaps you already make your lunch. Are there other things that you do each
week that you could forgo so that your dream becomes a reality?
Open a separate bank account
Open a bank account specifically for your trip. Find one that has restrictions on withdrawals, so you are not tempted to spend the money. One idea is to deposit the amount of money saved from making changes to your current outgoings. Also if possible put a specified amount away each week into the account. Another idea is to convert some of your money saved into the currency of the place you are visiting so you are less tempted to spend it.
Stockholm Archipelago, Sweden
And before you know it you will be heading off overseas to places you’ve only dreamed about.
Jenny Latto, Artist, blogger and photographer
New Zealand based artist Jenny Latto loves to explore destinations around the world and to seek out hidden gems. Often coming home with a souvenir to remind her of her travels. Those souvenirs have also become an inspiration behind some of her art works which you can find at www.jennylatto.com