Travel is not as difficult as we think. All too often we let ‘barriers’ like time or money get in the way. Maybe it’s time to stop talking and start doing. Stop waiting for the right time and start looking in the right direction. If you don’t start planning for this trip now, trust me, it will never happen. Set a deadline. It’s going to happen, isn’t it? Yes. Here’s how.
1. Sell things that you don’t need
It has to be done - those clothes, those shoes, that brick phone in the bottom of your bedroom drawer. Do it. Get yourself on ebay.com or gumtree.com and start selling. All those little things will add up and make your around the world dream a reality. Then, get the cash in the bank. Don’t touch it - no, you do not need another pair of shoes.
2. Travel during low season
For me, it’s the best time to travel - cheaper flights (try Easy Jet or Ryanair) cheaper rooms, less annoying tourists - what’s not to love? Try and avoid expensive countries like Japan or Singapore where £5 can just about get you a coffee, compared with Thailand, where it buys you breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Make sure you ask questions. Be cheeky. Often you can negotiate prices during low season that you wouldn’t be able to in high. So, try and bid hostels and B&Bs down - after all, they want to get those rooms filled.
3. Social Networks
You have to do it. When you travel, if you want to really cut costs, you have to reach out to people. Every single person carries stories that you can learn from, so, engage with them on your travels. You might learn where the cheapest hotel is, or where is good for food and you might even make friends for life. If you know someone in the city you’re travelling to, reach out to them, bunk with them, catch up with them. Download Skype as it will save you a fortune on the road. If you really want to open up your options, try Couchsurfing, an app which allows travellers to stay with locals rather than at hotels. It’s kind of like hitchhiking your home - groovy.
SEE ALSO: Travel Dubai in 24 Hours...
4. Pay your way with odd jobs
If you’re looking to stay a little longer at each place on your travels, then you need to consider picking up some short-term work to pay your way. You can be an au pair (greataupair.com or aupair.com) or you can do something outdoors like fruit picking, pony trekking or garden maintenance (anyworkanywhere.com). You can literally ‘odd job’ work your way around the world. Not too shabby.
5. House - sit
We tend to forget that often things just fall into place. If you are flexible with the times of your travel, then house-sitting might be just for you. Sometimes good citizens of the world need someone to watch their house while they jet off on holiday. If you fancy house-sitting on your travels why not try housecarers.com, or mindmyhouse.com for postings in several different countries. Websites like gumtree.com, craigslist.org and facebook.com are also worth a try. You’ll get free accommodation in exchange for watering some plants and maybe feeding the fish. Success.
The adventure of your wildest dreams is just around the corner but, if you keep postponing, it will never happen. Make the most of now. Plan, and then do. These money saving tips and travel tricks should help too. You can thank me later.
Happy travels!
Adventure awaits follow Sam Belkacemi for more inspiring ideas on twitter @thetravelcrush and instagram @thetravelcrush.