five frugal habits of highly effective travelers
As you may have figured out, we’re not Kate and Pippa Middleton. This is disappointing for about 100 million reasons (many we haven’t even figured out yet), but the main one? Lack of funds for a lifetime of gallivanting.
It’s highly unfair, but the more travel gets in our blood, the more we just have to make it work. The biggest hurdle, of course, is money, but as two New Yorkers with a love for retail therapy and wine at any cost, we’ve been forced to figure out how to fit travel into our budget. The romantic has already pointed out that her and the hubs spent almost two full years saving for their current RTW, and the wino is no stranger to saving her money for a rainy day (or at least a cheap airfare alert).
Though we still have a ways to go (i.e. learning that when we pick a new pair of shoes now, we might be forgoing a swanky hotel later), we’re working on it. We brainstormed a few ways we prioritize saving money to travel, and decided that–because we like you–we’re here to share.
You, too, could stay at The Wynn, wino style.
(Ignore that this particular stay was for a business trip–that trip earned her some dough that will go toward travel, no doubt)
1. Set up a separate savings account, solely dedicated to travel.
The romantic and hubs set up a high-yield savings account shortly after their cohabitation began (i.e. LIVING IN SIN), and it quickly turned into somewhat of a travel account. They rarely, if ever, dip into the account in between trips, and watching it grow means a bigger and better trip is up ahead. This plan also works if you have a specific trip in mind. First, figure out your budget, then, start a savings plan! Easy breezy. Unless you’re easily distracted by J. Crew sales. In which case: we hear you, sister.
2. Open credit cards that also provide points towards travel-related items.
The wino recently opened a card that allows her to save up points and then use them toward a variety of things–everything from airfare to tours to hotel stays. The romantic & hubs, on the other hand, are tried and true SPG members, and have a credit card that’s been racking up the points for the past two years in anticipation of their RTW. The best part about this option? You don’t even realize you’re saving. The hardest part at the end of this tactic is figuring out how to spend all your fancy points!
3. Slow down.
You’re excited, we get it. You’re ticking a new item off your travel bucket list, you’re visiting your dream destination, and you want to make sure you do and see EVERYTHING. But here’s the thing: you’re not going to remember everything. Chances are, you’re just going to remember the feeling of being there and the days you spent wandering around, immersing yourself in the experience. This means you don’t have to plan every last second–and chances are, by not doing so, you’re saving serious change.
4. E-mail is your friend.
Perusing every travel website known to man will only get you so far, and most likely will result in a headache thanks to the sensory overload. Why so many colors and fonts, travel websites? Instead, make them come to you. Sign up for alerts from the likes of Travelzoo, Jetsetter, and Kayak, and craft your vacation around whichever deals look most appealing!
5. Stop saying “I wish I could do that,” and just do it.
If you really, genuinely wish that you could travel, then you need to stop saying “I wish” and realize that you can. We don’t mean to get all Tony Robbins on you here (motivational speakers kind of freak us out), but it’s likely that you’re the only one holding yourself back from actually traveling. Sure, maybe you can’t board a plane this second. But if it’s genuinely what you want to do, then pick one place and make it happen. You don’t have to see the whole world–you don’t even have to leave the country if you don’t want to. Just pick one place that makes you want to cry when you think about visiting it for the very first time, and make it happen. If all else fails, take out a bank loan that you can pay back ASAP, get your butt in gear, and jet yourself off to Bhutan or Moscow or Toronto, or wherever it is that’ll make you happiest.
Tell us, travelers. Because we’re still growing in this department… what are your ways you save?
xo!
the romantic & the wino
Lazy Travelers
The Lazy Travelers are two transatlantic best friends who have mastered the art of exploring a new city. Though Ashley is based in London and Carolyn is in Philadelphia, we'll use any excuse to reunite around the world. We’re professional bar hoppers, pub crawlers, and food testers, and you’ll never see us zipping around, checking things off a list of “must-sees.”
18 Comments
Yolanda
Well I sell things on eBay and I cut way back on my drinking and take more freelance jobs
Yolanda recently posted..Fashionable Treats Good Enough to Eat- Lanvin x Ladurée
Lazy Travelers
having just sold SOO much stuff on craigslist, the romantic can totally agree–great way to get extra $$ pre-travels!
Lazy Travelers recently posted..five frugal habits of highly effective travelers
Kay @ Travel Bug Diary blog
I like to track deals – and then jump on whatever’s the best value. My bucket list is really long, so it’s not hard to stumble on deals. I’m pretty tired of the junk email though, so I prefer to subscribe to deal blogs via google reader. I can check out deals when I want, my favorite is called the “Flight Deal” – it lists cheap airfare deals.
Kay @ Travel Bug Diary blog recently posted..Even More Unemployment Vacation
Lazy Travelers
ooh, love the idea of using google reader! also have never heard of “flight deal”–will definitely check into it. thanks!
Lazy Travelers recently posted..five frugal habits of highly effective travelers
Anita Mac
I am all over the credit cards. With work, I sign up for the hotel loyalty programs too! That way, I can get a free night for a weekend away, or if I need a place to stay en route! Thank you Marriott – the luxury for my one night in Frankfurt totally on points did not go un-noticed!
Will be doing the Craig’s list thing next…time to off load things I don’t need to travel!
Anita Mac recently posted..Tips for walking the Camino de Santiago
Lazy Travelers
the craigslist experience was just… i mean, we made money, but we met some WEIRD people. but it ended up funding a week of our trip, so whatevs!
Lazy Travelers recently posted..five frugal habits of highly effective travelers
Ryan @ Pause The Moment
Great post. We follow just about everything you mentioned in the article. Great minds think alike!
Ryan @ Pause The Moment recently posted..How to Start a Blog for Under $100!
Lazy Travelers
truth!! xo
Lazy Travelers recently posted..five frugal habits of highly effective travelers
Sonya
Very cool frugal tips for traveling! It’s challenging but I really do try to “Slow Down.” I’ll blame it on the coffee.
Sonya recently posted..100 Years In Paris
Lazy Travelers
just take a cue from us and let yourself be a little lazy 🙂
Lazy Travelers recently posted..no travel required: #frifotos
Dan Meyers
Great post – we hope to do about 1/3rd of our stays through hotel points; earned through both stays and credit card points. In fact, we’re staying at the Hilton Bora Bora in two weeks for free!!
Lazy Travelers
if you’re ever looking to share points, you know where to find us…
Monica
Great advice. I particularly like that last one, stop wishing for things and just do it! I always suggest to people that they book their flight as soon as they can afford it (even if it’s for a flight in 12 months time). This means you HAVE to save and you can’t keep putting it off.
Monica recently posted..Petting leopards at Moholoholo Rehabilitation Park in South Africa
Lazy Travelers
we’re big advocates of pulling the trigger when its something you know you really want. there’s nothing more irritating than people saying to us “we wish WE could travel…”
if we can pull it off financially, anyone can! xo
Natalie @ In Natalie's Shoes
Very motivational in a totally non-motivational-speaker kinda way! I really need to get on the rewards points card bandwagon. It’s just extremely overwhelming trying to choose which one is the “right” one for me! I totally agree with setting up a separate savings account and I even have a set amount of my pay check that is directly deposited into that account every pay period– that way I don’t even see the money I’m currently not spending. Thanks girls!
Natalie @ In Natalie’s Shoes recently posted..How to Hula
Lazy Travelers
the wino got a capitol one venture card last year, which has been pretty decent with rewards points- good for travelers! you should give it a try!
Lance Wiedower
We have a second savings account that receives travel funds socked away each month. We also use one rewards credit card for everything and usually book airfare with those rewards. What I don’t do, though, is hotel and airline rewards. Probably bad I guess. I need to educate myself on the rewards, but I stay in apartments so frequently or use Priceline to book hotels that using specific hotel rewards don’t seem to be an option to me. Maybe I’m wrong.
Lance Wiedower recently posted..Get fit for travel
Lazy Travelers
oh, we’re terrible with airline rewards–definitely need to learn how they work, as well. the romantic & hubs use their spg amex like crazy, but you’re right–it totally depends on how you travel.
Lazy Travelers recently posted..no travel required