When everyday life gets mundane, the thought of an upcoming holiday can certainly help lift your mood. However, the constant worry about whether or not you can afford your trip certainly has the potential to ruin your holiday daydreaming. Despite this, a careful savings plan is all you need to ensure that you’ll have an enjoyable trip away without having to worry about a thing! Here are a few easy ways to save for your next holiday:

Create a travel budget

Like any savings plan, it must begin with a carefully thought out budget. Consider your current expenses, whether that be your home loan repayments, weekly grocery shop or your electricity bill, and work out how much you have left over after these have been paid. Work out how much you can afford to save each week after expenses, and commit to doing so each time pay day rolls around.

Set a savings goal

Now that you have a budget, you need to set a savings goal. How much is your holiday going to cost? Consider things like transport, accommodation, food and drinks, and spending money to come up with a rough estimate of how much your trip will cost. Don’t forget to include a buffer of around 10-20% in case of emergency, as you never know when unexpected expenses can pop up. Once you’ve figured out your savings goal, you can work towards reaching it! If you reach it sooner than expected, just keep saving as usual to give yourself a little extra to enjoy during your trip.

Open a holiday savings account

If you’re really serious about reaching your savings goal for the trip of a lifetime, consider opening a new savings account that you can regularly deposit savings into, but cannot take anything out of. Being unable to withdraw cash from this account will make it much easier for you to save.

Make lifestyle sacrifices

If you’re finding it difficult to save for your trip, perhaps it’s time to look at what you spend your money on. Take a week to write down every non-essential purchase you make (such as your daily coffee, dining at restaurants, or clothes shopping) and figure out where you can make sacrifices. For example, if you buy a coffee valued at $4.00 every morning before work, that adds up to $20 a week, $80 a month, and $960 a year that could go towards a holiday!

Travelling the world is one of the best things in life. However, many people believe the word ‘travel’ is synonymous with the word ‘expensive’, which definitely isn’t true! If you’re thinking of adding a few destinations to your ‘around the world’ ticket, there are plenty of places to visit that won’t break the bank once you reach your destination and you can probably stick around a little longer! To prove it we’ve made a list of our top 4 countries to visit on a budget:

CAMBODIA

Just a 9-hour plane ride away, Cambodia is one of South East Asia’s most beautiful countries. With estimated expenses at under $20 a day per person, Cambodia is an excellent choice for budget-conscious travellers. There’s plenty to do in this culturally rich paradise, such as visiting temples, sampling the delicious local cuisine, or hopping between the stunning islands in the south. You can expect to find comfortable accommodation at very reasonable prices, and food & drink are also incredibly cheap compared to Western prices.

UKRAINE

Located in Eastern Europe, Ukraine is another extremely affordable holiday destination for budget travellers. From vast mountains to urban centres to beachside resorts, Ukraine has something for everybody! You can expect to spend less than $20 a day in this unique European country, with opportunities to pinch your pennies even further by visiting the countryside (where prices are even lower than in the cities), or by opting for local restaurants rather than international ones when it comes to sampling the food.

VIETNAM

Vietnam is yet another gem of South East Asia that is not only cheap to visit, but full of culture, history and beauty – all for less than $20 a day. The local food is affordable and delicious, and you can find a bed in a hostel or hotel for less than it would cost to go out for a meal in Australia. One of the most popular places to visit is Halong Bay, where you can find an incredible landscape with gorgeous islands that overhang the large bay.

NICARAGUA

Despite being one of the lesser travelled countries in Central America, Nicaragua is truly a hidden gem. Perfect for budget travellers, the daily expenses to visit are less than $15 a day, meaning you can really stretch your dollar! There are plenty of things to see in this tropical wonderland, from beautiful surf beaches to hiking the jungle, there is definitely not a shortage of options – especially when you’re paying less for a meal than you would for your daily coffee!

Travelling can be the most wonderful of experiences – the chance to explore new lands, to immerse yourself in new cultures, and to meet people you never imagined could exist. The joy and excitement of travel, however, can quickly plummet to the ground should you find yourself running out of cash during your trip. Never fear, because we’ve got 5 ways to manage your travel budget, and ensure that you have a stress-free trip!

Create a budget for each day and place

It is very easy to get carried away with spending, especially in the first few days or weeks into your trip. Further, not all places are created equal – while you can live like a king on $50 a day in Bali, you can live like a peasant on $50 a day in many European cities. Your daily budget should include accommodation and transport costs, as well as food and entertainment expenses. Take the time to do a little research into what is recommended as a daily spend in each city you plan to visit, and budget accordingly.

Monitor your spending on the road

Make sure to keep checking your budget during your trip, and adjust as necessary. If you spent more than you budgeted for in one city, you may need to cut back your daily spend in the next. On the contrary, if you spent less than you planned, you can roll over those savings into the budget for the next place on the agenda.

Book rooms with kitchen facilities

While it may cost a little extra to stay somewhere that has a kitchen, it’ll be worth it in the long run with the amount you’ll save on food. Eating out for every meal adds up, and by having your own cooking facilities, you’ll cut your eating costs significantly. That being said, you certainly don’t need to forgo all opportunities to eat out at local restaurants or cafes. By eating just one meal out a day will save you plenty, as well as ensuring you don’t miss out on any of the local cuisine!

Research free activities and attractions

While most of the major tourist hot spots will likely cost you an entry fee, there are always plenty of free activities and attractions available in every city – you just have to find them! Do your research beforehand, and remember that one of the best ways to discover a new city is to avoid touristy places and instead wander the streets and speak to the locals; they are the experts after all!

Don’t waste money on unnecessary purchases

Instead of forking out the cash to pay for a cab, explore a new city on foot or bicycle. It may take a little longer, but you’ll see much more, not to mention you’ll be able to spend the cash you saved on something a little more fun! Another tip is to avoid purchasing silly souvenirs that are unlikely to be kept or appreciated. You’ll find yourself out of pocket and with oversized luggage for your return journey!

Living in Australia has its perks but when it comes to traveling overseas, it also has its setbacks. Don’t be discouraged by a limited budget, there are still plenty of places for you to explore. Here’s a short guide to how you can see the world on 5k.

South-East Asia – Budget Travel

If you choose your location wisely, five thousand dollars can take you far. You can experience a highlight reel of South-East Asia and still have money left to buy a chocolate bar at the airport on your way home.

Budget Breakdown – 3 Months in Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand.

Why go? It’s cheap compared to other exotic destinations within the same distance. You’ll find lower airfares and a strong Aussie dollar in your favour. Expect to get there and back for less than $1000.

Expect to find yourself outside your comfort zone, seeing culture and living a life nothing like your own. You’re also expected to haggle over prices which means your budget will stretch as far as your negotiation skills.

Top Travel Tip – Stay on the Ground. By avoiding flights and moving from region to region via bus or train you’ll keep transit costs low and extend your trip substantially.

Accommodation – A budget hotel room in Thailand will set you back around 300-600 Thai Baht, ($10-20) which can stretch a holiday far, with similar prices for Vietnam and Cambodia. To really scrimp you can even get dorm rooms in Cambodia for just $2 per day. You can also utilise couch surfing if you want to make new friends and save some extra cash.

Food and Drink –Food in Asia will barely put a dent in your budget with a large beer going for just 55 Baht ($1.90) and a meal at a restaurant in the region of 150 Baht ($5). The prices drop further in Cambodia and Vietnam with tantalising street food the equivalent of $1 or $2.

Unforgettable Activities – Visit Angkor Watt in Cambodia for the ultimate cultural experience. A three day pass goes for $40 and is well worth the money. The rate is about the same for elephant riding in Thailand’s Phuket which is another must-try experience.

NEW ZEALAND – Mid Range Travel

Not every travel destination involves losing part of your hard earned savings through currency exchange. On the contrary, New Zealand offers an incredible natural beauty. Did we mention your dollar is worth even more across the ditch?

Budget Breakdown – 2 months in New Zealand

Why go? With a strong dollar value and a short flight time of under 4 hours from Sydney to Christchurch, New Zealand has it all. Stunning scenery for the nature lovers, incredible culture for the history buffs and for the adrenaline junkies – it’s the home of Bungee Jumping. With current prices you can easily get a return ticket for well under $500.

Expect to see sweeping Mountains and pristine beaches, fascinating Maori culture and a welcoming, high quality approach to tourism in one of the safest nations on earth. Also, pack a jacket or two, it can get a little chilly.

Top Travel Tip: When spending time in the big cities like Auckland or Wellington, invest in a City Pass. This gives you access to multiple tourist attractions for a price that’s considerably cheaper than paying for everything individually. Auckland’s city pass will set you back just $125.

Accommodation: Prices to stay in New Zealand are similar to those in Australia, with hotel rooms going for around $90 per night on average. However you can sleep on the cheap in hostels, or for a true travel experience try renting a campervan and combine your transit and accommodation costs. Look around for specials but $500 for a month is a realistic and great value price.

Food and Drink: Meals and alcohol are similar to Australian prices too so expect a similar outlay as you would if you were visiting an Australian city. New Zealand tap water is potable though so you can find savings by drinking tap water and hitting up the local supermarkets for cheap local produce.

Unforgettable Activities: Bungee jumping in Queenstown is a little pricy at $195 upwards, but it is an experience that will live with you forever and well worth the investment. Dolphin cruising through the North Island’s ‘Bay of Islands’ is breath taking, and for just $105 it’s a great deal.

ICELAND – Splurge on Travel

It was once considered highly expensive to visit but Iceland is ready to be explored following its currency crash in 2008. While some costs can be high, knowing how to save money means you get to see this incredible country within your budget.

Budget Breakdown – 1 Month in Iceland

Why go? The flight to Iceland will come in around $1500 to $2000, but the Northern Lights and the chance to visit a country so far from your own world is too good to pass up. You can’t put a price on a life changing trip.

Expect to struggle with name pronunciations – like the volcano known as ‘Eyjafjallajökull’, but be overwhelmed by natural beauty.

Top Travel Tip: The best value news in Iceland is that the majority of tourist attractions are free! From waterfalls to volcanos, glaciers to the capital of Reykjavik, exploring the beauty of Iceland can be done for next to nothing!

Accommodation: Take advantage of the large number of guest houses in Iceland which offer the comfort and security of a hotel, at a far better price. You can also find prices drop around 30% in the off peak season, with a large number of guest houses offering further discounts if you bring your own sleeping bag and avoid using their sheets.

Food and Drink: Prices here tend to be expensive so if you want to stretch your budget further just prepare your own meals. It sounds simple yet many travellers get in the habit of eating out, as Iceland has very few national dishes you won’t be missing a thing to buy ingredients and prepare as you go.

Unforgettable Activities: The Northern Lights showcase Mother Nature at her very best, organise a tour to see them properly for around $75 to $100, with many operators offering a second trip free if you don’t catch a glimpse on your first try. Or, spend the day in the Blue Lagoon for around $70. This huge, therapeutic hot spring looks out of this world and is worth the time.

So the next time you’re looking to take a trip don’t be discouraged by your bank balance. Knowing just how far your money can take you is priceless, with the whole world ready to be seen when you know how far your dollar will go. If you need some assistance with your finances, the Easy Plan team may be able to help.