So you’re planning to go abroad before the end of the year and now you need to know how to save money for a trip FAST. Well, we’ve got the 411 for ya! ☆ Perhaps it’s time to tighten your belt, make some slight adjustments, and start putting a few extra bucks under your mattress for that dream trip. Wait—not perhaps, but stat! You want a bit of a bump in that mattress as a matter of fact. A lump of paper to help you make it so you’re not aghast when you touch down in your new location.
When it comes to traveling abroad, no one wants to be the thin edge of the wedge if they don’t have to be. But the reality is, if you’re among the throng of folks wondering how to save money for a trip fast, it might be time for some capricious changes (or, sometimes, simply make some slight adjustments). Wherever you’re at in your planning process, there are certainly ways to save money for a trip—the future isn’t all that grim.
If you’re not already at the station, get on the rather ubiquitous train and become more of a conscious consumer. This doesn’t mean watch yourself tip more beers back and swipe your card at every occasion. It’s more about thinking twice before making that next purchase, whether it’s liquid or not.
Start thinking of other ways to sate your costly habits. It all adds up. You might not listen to everything your momma tells ya, but harken to this advice to keep your cool while wandering about. The countdown is on and there’s no turning back. With a few of these oft-forgotten hacks, we’ve got your back if you want to know how to save money for a trip in 4 months.
Leaving this fall? Better watch yourself this summer to make the most of it.
How to save money for a trip in 4 months
Four months might seem like an eternity, but in the scheme of things, it’s practically nothing—especially when it comes to saving money. So put your nose down and get to work. With some planning (and willpower), you will succeed.
Month 1
1. Start a crowdsourcing campaign.
To save money for a trip, one of the first things you should consider is creating a FundMyTravel campaign. This is the crowdfunder’s dream for working your network. It’s super easy, too. Create an account, then your campaign, tell your story, and share it with everyone and their brother. Then watch the funds roll in.
It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate, but be sure to include the basics: who, what, where, when, and why. The more your crowd knows, the more likely they are to give. Paint a beautiful picture of why you’re going abroad, and people will appreciate your cause a lot more. Sharing’s quite caring, eh?
2. Analyze the cost of living in your destination
Get out the legal pad or create a new spreadsheet to work out your expenses. After all, wouldn’t having a rough estimate be useful? If you’re wondering how to save money for a trip in 4 months, you need to first know how much you need to save. A little retroplanning maybe be useful. And then you can fill in the gaps.
Here’s the deal: add up the inevitable—like the cost of the flight, your accommodation expenses, any visas or passports, and maybe even shots and vaccinations depending on where you’re off to. If you don’t have precise figures, round up a bit to give yourself a little wiggle room. It’s also not a bad idea to research the cost of living where you’re going to be living. You might even discover blogs full of the local low-down during your research too.
3. Set up price alerts
Haven’t bought your tickets yet? Great. Get on those search engines and let them do the work for you. Saving money for a trip will be easier when you set up price alerts to ensure you get the most bang for your buck. Add your dates and the final destination, and let them come to you. Easy peasy. Oh, and when you’re ready to buy, don’t forget to delete your cookies too, ‘cause that evidently can help you save some money too. Also, if you know your return date, it’s often more economical to buy a roundtrip ticket while you’re at it. You know the drill.
Month 2
4. Consider a part time job
Picking up an extra gig this summer to save money for a trip might be necessary. You know, one of those no-strings-attached kind of situations. Summers are great for this and summer jobs are great for this, too. Maybe you could provide an extra hand behind the bar, or check in with a local temp agency. “Hey, I’m here. Do you have anything with my name on it?” Hanging around campus this summer to take a few extra credits? Why not see if you could work on your tan while pulling weeds in the university’s garden (just trust us on the sunscreen).
5. Check those vices
One of the best (but hardest) ways to save money for a trip is to give up the small things that add up fast. If you must go out, limit yourself to happy hour deals. If you must dine out, see what’s on special and take one for the team. Do you really need two huge lattes a day? Conscious consumption, remember. We all know some of them are irreproachable. They get the best of us. You know what you can do. Cook more at home. Consume less. A little bit here and there can go a long way in four months.
Month 3
6. Create an allowance
Now’s the time to really get serious. And if you were already, there’s always room for more seriousness. Do the math to figure out your current expenses. Once you have the minimum, set your limits and stick to them. Do you need that gym membership over the summer? Is it worth it to cancel those premium accounts to stream your music? Creating limits will help you stay on track in your quest to learn how to save money for a trip fast.
7. Park it
What’s your daily routine like? Do you need your car? If public transit is an option, consider taking the bus. Have a bike? Ride it like you stole it (and certainly cancel your gym membership before you get too far down the road). Parking your car could also allow you to decrease the insurance plan you have on it, help decrease your carbon footprint, and give you time to read on the train. That’s right—saving money for a trip can even help you go green! Worst case scenario, you’ll find and make a new carpool friend.
Month 4
8. Clean out your closet
As you start thinking about packing your bag(s), go through your belongings and get rid of the clutter. Sell your old electronics before they’re too outdated. Have an impressive stack of last semester’s textbooks? Blow the dust off those bad boys and sell them online. A handful of sites are always looking for gently used collateral. Why not throw a yard sale with some of your mates and sell those clothes that don’t serve you a purpose while you’re at it? You’ll be thankful when it’s all said and done. Did you really need all that, anyway?
9. Move in with mom and dad?
This one might hurt, but it is a GREAT way to save money for a trip fast. Bite the bullet for this last month—or more, honestly—and move back into your old bedroom (or basement…sorry they turned your room into storage ?). Subletting your apartment is a nifty way to earn some cold, hard cash, too. Speaking of cold, the basement is a nice spot to be in the heat of the summer! Maybe mom will even invite you upstairs for dinner some evenings.
Saving money for a trip is as easy as 4, 3, 2, 1!
Four months can pass quickly, so it’s best to be a oui bit prepared. Between living a leaner lifestyle and picking up a few extra hours at work before departure, there ARE some great ways to save money for a trip fast. P.S. If you’re a student, consider checking out some of these tricks on how to save money for a trip in four months.
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