Best Advice on How to Save Money Before Travelling

This is the one threat that could hold anyone back from travelling. Especially when you already have a date set and planned and you need to earn the amount before that time arrives (something I am currently going through). But alas, your gal has got herself a job and is a private healthcare assistant looking after your possible grandparents and family members. Now how does that make you feel? Don’t fret I am actually quite responsible when it comes down to someone else’s life, not so much my own though. 

But anyway instead of my blabbing lets get to some advice giving.

1) IF YOU CURRENTLY DON’T HAVE A JOB OR NOT A WELL PAYING ONE.

Find one with a decent wage even if it’s not the best job in the world. If you have a limited time to save your money this is the best option as you have an end goal. Whether you hate the job or not it will come to an end and I always find that helps to get me through a gruelling day. You may be thinking “how can I get a well paid job that quickly?”. Well a healthcare job, as much as its hard work it’s actually really rewarding thinking how much of a difference you’re making to someones life.

2) FIND A JOB WITH LOTS OF HOURS AVAILABLE

These are most commonly found in supermarket roles as they always have plenty of spare hours going free. You may think your contracted hours are small but the amount they’ll end up wanting to shove on you can be overwhelming so don’t fret there.

3) DON’T GO OUT FOR MEALS

I know. I’m sorry.
You probably don’t believe me when I say i’m sorry but trust me I love food and going out just as much as you. A lot. Too Much. Unhealthily? But this is such an expensive enjoyment. My favourite place to eat is Wagamamas but if I go there and have a starter and a main it costs me around £20 when I can get the ingredients myself and make that dish for £20 but up to 10 times. Which we did and my god did it taste amazing.

4) GET RID OF SOME SUBSCRIPTIONS, YOU CAN LIVE WITHOUT THEM FOR A FEW MONTHS

As much as we love the perks of netflix and the amount of tv and binge watching we can do but for £7.99 a month then maybe spotify premium for £4.99 and a Graze box for £3.99 each, plus Amazon Prime for £7.99 this can add up to £24.96. Obviously you may not have all of these or any of these then that’s great you’re equally saving yourself money compared to some but rounding it up to £25 a month and say you have to save for 5 months before your trip, that concludes to £125. Now for me that could be a weeks stay in a bed n breakfast in India and more.

5) STOP BUYING THAT CAFFEINE

I know I know, i’m sorry…

The crave. The need to feel the caffeine running through your blood stream to make us feel less like a zombie. If you don’t like anything with caffeine in then you’re already on the right track to saving money and possibly stopping your heart from having palpitations.

If you think about it, a coffee from Starbucks will cost around £2.80 for a medium. The way I spend money on coffee is one every day when i’m working to perk me up. I work 5 days a week so 5 x £2.80 is £14. If this was the same every time it could cost you £56 a month. This doesn’t count the coffee you might be feeling at the weekend or the more expensive festive ones with all the fancy smancy toppings. Say you’re saving up for a holiday in 5 months time this totals up to £280 that you could have saved. Which in reality could pay for a weeks holiday.

6) STOP BUYING THE EASY ACCESS FOOD AT WORK

It’s so easy to come home from a long day at work, sit down, watch something then fall asleep and not consider the next day and what you might eat as it’s just easier to buy something from that glowing vending machine.

BUT NO.

When you get home is it really that hard to find something to make which will be half the price as what you were buying such as that egg sandwich for £2.10 in which you can buy a loaf of bread for £1.50 and a box of 6 free range eggs for £1.80. Think of how many sandwiches you can make out of that rater than just the one because in my world i’d want about 2 or 3 in one go.
So here we go again. 5 sandwiches in one week, as well as maybe a packet of 50p crisps and a snack for 80p bringing it to £17 a week, £68 a month and saving for 5 months for the holiday to a grand total of £340.

So with the subscriptions, caffeine and food totaled it costs £150 a month and £745 for 5 months. 

THE HORROR.

It’s crazy but putting it into perspective like that just shows how much you could save and put towards that dream holiday. Then get back to your old habits after the holiday once you have money again.