When we were younger, my siblings and I assumed that all vacations entailed spending time in America with uncles and aunties we did not know. Oh no, I don’t mean that we went on any of such trips o, Lol. I wish. But we heard stories from our classmates about “how they spent their summer holiday.”
I was often mad at my parents, of course. For not taking me to America to see Disneyland in August and snow in December. Now, I know that it isn’t an easy thing to just pick up a family and go through all those expenses to squat with other family members that you don’t even speak to. Plus, adulting has shown me pepper and taught me that coins are hard to get and easy to spend.
I still want to travel, though. Not to “the America” this time. But to all the many places that give me serious wanderlust all over the world. It’s funny how you think the whole of the “abroad” is just one country. Until you grow up and realise that vacations can mean beaches in the Caribbeans, safaris in East Africa, desert rides in the Middle East, food of so many different colours in Asia.
Vacations can be spent backpacking in Australia, camping in Iceland or hiking in South Africa. It does not have to be expensive, however. And you can see a lot of the world without having to wait to earn 6 figures. My 2020 vision board has a large aspect reserved for travel. And here’s how I plan to do it on a budget.
Have a Travel Account
The reason why many people don’t get to travel is that they hope to come up with the lump sum of money at once. That can be overwhelming. Instead, reserve a percentage of your earning in a travel account. That way, you don’t even feel like you have taken out of your salary for a trip. Third-party savings apps also help you save for particular goals and if you fix your money in those apps until the predetermined time, you won’t be allowed to withdraw or “touch” the money till when you need to travel.
Plan Early
The closer you are getting to the time you want to take a trip, the more expensive it becomes. Flight tickets can be as low as half the regular price when booked months in advance. So, if the plan is to travel in November, you should have your itinerary ready sometime in August. Bonus tip will be to search for flights during the weekday, between 1 am and 4 am and via a private browser. Avoid searching for flights on public holidays except if the airline is offering a discount for that time. It’s best to travel off-season though.
I know, I keep dropping gems! Lol.
Travel in Groups
Solo travel may be satisfying in its own respects. But travelling in groups pays off more than just for company. You get discounts off group activities, group packages are cheaper and resort and hotel companies usually have extra perks for a larger number of people. Plus you get to have fun with a lot of people you know or may not know. It’d that is not an experience, it sure is something!
My trip to Ghana last year was with my two sisters. We had an amazing time going round Ghana. And we got to crash together in the same place and saved some major cost. Same thing I plan for this year. I already made plans with a group that I met through a mutual friend and we are already hitting it off on our WhatsApp group chat.
So, fingers crossed, it’ll be a great trip.
Research
It’s one thing to save up for a flight ticket, it’s another to have money to spend over there. Detail all your hotel reservations/Airbnbs. Look for the cheapest, safest places to crash. You don’t need to stay in a 5-star hotel to have a great trip. Try cooking or alternatively eating in affordable places. You don’t want to spend all your money on hotel food.
Also, look into transport and if it is a developed city with a good public transport system, then there’s no need for spending money on Ubers and car hires.
Your itinerary does not have to be too tight. But you should have a general idea of what to spend where.
Hope we’ve learnt a thing or two. I can’t wait to share all my adventures with you this year. I hope you have some of yours too.