Contrary to popular belief, dreaming of traveling the world is not only meant for those born with a silver spoon in their mouth. Even someone who is dirt poor can make this dream a reality, provided that they earn enough money to save up for the journey.
Having the desire to see the world beyond your doorstep and experience different cultures is not foolish, despite what other people might say. If you have something to live for, then you should do whatever it takes to achieve it, even if it meant limiting your spending for some time. Here are four hacks to traveling the world on a budget:
Hack #1 Pack Light
When it comes to traveling on a budget, it’s important to bring only what’s necessary. This means that you should have everything you need in one luggage: all your toiletries, clothes, gadgets, and other items that you can’t live without. One bag is all you need to survive, so pack wisely.
Traveling light will allow you to go at a moment’s notice. Since all your things are in one place, you won’t be stressed about packing and unpacking each time you go to a different location. It will also be easier to move around quickly because all your things are on your back.
Imagine if you had three bags while climbing the side of a mountain, you would be worn out immediately, and you won’t be able to enjoy the experience. That’s why you must pack light and bring items that can serve multiple purposes. This way, you can maximize the space it occupies in your luggage.
Hack #2 Make Smart Decisions
When you’re traveling on a budget, you have to remember that your goal is to see the world and experience different cultures. This is not a luxury vacation but an experiential journey to gain wisdom that you can’t get by staying in your hometown.
That means you need to make smart decisions, especially about where you’re staying. Before you head to your next destination, it can be smart to look at your options for cheap long-term accommodation. Doing so will give you an idea of how much you’ll need to spend to get a roof over your head as you sleep.
Now is not the time to splurge on five-star hotels or beach resorts because the money you’ll be using there could be spent on more rewarding experiences. This is not to say that you should never spend on luxury hotels. But since you’re traveling on a budget, you should be very mindful of how you spend your money.
Hack #3 Group Your Destinations
While you’re traveling on a budget, it can be wise to group your destinations depending on their geography. This will allow you to spend your time experiencing more cultures than going back and forth. Plus, it’s the best way to save money because you’re only spending what’s necessary.
For instance, if you’re planning to see Paris or Amsterdam at some point in the future, you can group them into one journey to see Europe instead of making separate trips. Traveling Europe by train has become popular because of their intricate railway system, which connects most of the continent.
Or if you prefer to travel in Asia, you can map out your visit to several countries in one go because flights will be cheaper for countries in proximity. It would be a waste of money to hop from continent to continent if you had the option to maximize your travels one continent at a time.
Hack #4 Prepare for the Journey
Being spontaneous might be necessary to enjoy life, but planning easily beats it out of the running when it comes to traveling on a budget. You can’t just up and at ‘em when you feel the urge to travel, especially if you don’t have the money to afford your spontaneity.
So if you’re planning to go on a long journey to travel the world, you have to prepare for it financially. This can mean saving up enough money to cover the costs of your airfare, accommodations, food, and day-to-day living expenses without breaking your bank.
It can be difficult to enjoy your travels if you don’t have enough pocket money, which is why preparation is key to make sure that you won’t run out. Having remote work that you can do anywhere in the world as long as you have an internet connection might also be a good way to keep your cash flowing.
There’s no reason why you can’t make your dream of traveling the world a reality, even if you don’t have the means to be a jet-setter. Your wanderlust spirit will thank you for your efforts to make your dream possible, so don’t let something as simple as money get in the way of your dreams.
