Traveling is such a trend with the younger generation. Open Instagram, YouTube, or any other social media, you will see posts about this wanderlust phenomenon that may make you want to get on the next flight to anywhere. However, if you are a student, this might be a bit difficult since traveling isn’t free. Yes, you can personalize your trip and make it as cheap as possible, but there is always a fee of some kind. So, based on experience, here are a few tips on how you can save up some money while being a student:
1. Plan your budget and make a 'Travel Vision Board'
Saving money, for any purpose, is easier when you have a clear concept of what you want and how much expense is needed. So, before making travel jars and all that, be sure to have a good idea of where you want to go and the budget needed. If you don’t have a destination yet, try going on Google Flights and maybe check out random destinations with the best prices.
For those who already have a destination and have got your flight tickets out of the way, go ahead and build a ‘Travel Vision Board’. You can customize it with travel quotes and pictures of the place you are going to visit. Be sure to place your travel board in a spot that you look at everyday, such as in your living room; it should be the first and last thing you see each day.
2. Plan your meals
Your eating habits play a big part in saving money. Try to do grocery shopping in bulk and cook your own food, instead of eating out three times a day. If your accommodation does not include a kitchen, try your best to eat in at least once a day (the easiest way is by having a homemade sandwich for breakfast or lunch). There are so many no-cook recipes for students online, so be sure to make use of them! Cutting down on that daily stops to Starbucks also helps to save some spending money for your travels.
Planning your meals can help a lot, but remember to love yourself as well. If you did great in saving some bucks throughout the week, then give yourself a treat. You can make a customized schedule on when to pamper yourself; this gives you extra motivation and all the more reason to look forward to that afternoon in a café or dinner with your friends.
3. Make ‘staying in’ the new ‘going out’
While going to movie theaters and hanging out with your circle of friends is a great way to enjoy your student life, it can be a bit harsh on your wallet, especially when done every weekend. So, why not do all that while staying in? There are plenty of ideas online about how you can still have fun in your room or apartment such as movie nights, cooking together, house parties / gatherings, etc. You save money on transportation and food, especially if you and your friends pitch in.
4. Make use of what is around you
Love buying books? Have a gym membership? Having subscriptions such as gym memberships, magazine subscriptions, even Netflix (yes, I am putting this out there), can drain your budget without even realizing it. Let’s say you have a magazine subscription for 7 USD every month, which is basically 84 USD a year; that is enough for a week’s accommodation in Southeast Asia! If you love reading books, head to the library and borrow books there. If you love working out, try doing it in parks or in outdoor school facilities that don’t require a fee every month.
5. Have some self-control
Being a youngster in this generation is quite fun since there are so many different trends going on the Internet starting from clothes, interior design, food, etc. However, catching up with the latest trends also need a lot of money. At this point, having some self-control is important. Which one would you prefer: a nice dress or a few days in Goa, India? There will be many moments when you will have to ask this question, since temptation is everywhere. So, before making that big purchase, be sure to ask if it’s really worth it.
6. Get a part time job
This tip sounds very cliché, but there is no way around it. If you need extra money for the road, getting a part time job is really a good solution. Part time jobs can vary depending what you are comfortable with. Jobs in restaurants, cafés, and movie theaters are examples of part time jobs off campus. However, if you would like to stay on campus, don’t hesitate to look for jobs in your school such as in the library or administration offices. Don’t be embarrassed about your part time job, because you will be laughing it out on your travels!
Ready to save up?
As students, your options might be limited, but it doesn’t have to be that way. There is usually always a way to create your own option and fill up that travel jar. So, what are you waiting for? Get on with planning your next trip and start saving up. Happy travels!
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