Every month, I used to update the background of my computer screen to a stunning scene from different regions of the world I desired to visit. While working from 9-5, a job that I did not hate, but also did not love, I would daydream about adventures across the Pacific, swimming with whale sharks and sipping on coconut water. Travel, it seemed, was an unattainable passion; something I desperately wanted to do, but could not afford.
Since I no longer wanted money to be an excuse, I gave myself two options to make travel happen: 1. get a second job or 2. change my spending habits. Working two jobs didn’t sound appealing to this lazy millennial, so I decided to take a look at my monthly spending and see where it was possible to make some cuts. By reviewing my expenditures, I noticed apparent areas that could be adjusted. If you are like me and can’t even save enough for a one way ticket, you simply need to make a few sacrifices. Here are 5 that worked for me and may inspire ideas for your own budget:
Share the Cost
Because I lived on my own, almost half of my monthly income went towards rent. Sure, I never had to fight with someone over whose turn it was to wash dishes, but not having a roommate meant I had little money leftover for other payments. Not only that, but I was burdened by all other living costs. Moving in with someone else meant I could also split the cost of utilities, wifi and potentially groceries. Two happened to be better than one and I was even tempted to find a third.
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Beauty Comes at a Price
Everyone has some sort of beauty ritual they take part in to face society with confidence. For myself, it was painted nails. Ashamed to admit, I was buying a new color every time the current color chipped. Though the cost of a single polish is minimal, splurging on multiple added up at the end of the month. With the collection I already racked up, there was no need to keep buying more. Besides, no one was going to notice if I wore the same color I did the week prior. I am not saying to abandon beauty altogether, but maybe you don’t have to be done up from head to toe.
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Skip the Gym Membership
Health and fitness should never be neglected, but there are other ways to manage your weight while managing your bank account. I loved swimming laps after work, but I did not love the high cost of the monthly membership. Unfortunately, I could not swim for free in the pond near my house (probably wouldn’t want to), so I found other methods of working out. With thousands of free fitness videos available online, I could work out in the comfort of my home.
Costly Cups of Coffee
One benefit of having an office job is the free coffee that is made available to employees. Of course, the coffee isn’t the greatest, but taste doesn’t necessarily matter if you add cream and sugar anyway. On my way to work, I was often tempted to stop at a coffee shop. Starting off the day admiring latte art seemed like the best way to get through the morning. Because lattes are expensive, I knew this habit would have to go. Instead, I opted for the bad tasting, free coffee and discovered that the best conversation happens around the coffee maker and not the water cooler.
Take the Bus
Public transport may be unreliable at times, but it is a cost-effective way to get to where you need to be. Most cities offer monthly passes to save frequent passengers a significant amount. Because downtown parking costs were ridiculously high, I rode the bus to work. I thought I was saving money this way, but I was still driving my car around the city on weekends. Why wouldn’t I take advantage of the monthly pass and take the bus for grocery shopping as well? Letting my car sit meant less oil changes and fuel fill-ups.
What are some unique ways you adjusted your budget to travel the world?
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