If there is one thing I have learned since I started traveling on my own a few years ago it’s that I am damn good at being resourceful. Granted, I have always worked for my trips (except Europe because that was a graduation present), but even if we’ve worked for it many times we find ourselves spending more than we should.
Seeing as how my upcoming trip to California where I will be partaking in a wedding and getting crunk with college friends who I haven’t seen in a year is very near (June 15, baby!), I figured it was a good time to share some traveling tips with you all.
Make friends everywhere you go.
I avoid dropping money on hotels. In fact the only time I’ve slept in a hotel in the last few years was in Dublin and it’s only because I didn’t know anyone. While visiting friends on my travels I’ve slept in rented out frat houses in Boston, a gym floor in Washington D.C., a friend’s apartment in Rome, and a house built by nuns in Spain. On my trip to California I will be sleeping in the bride’s apartment that she shares with her childhood friend.
My point is to make friends everywhere you go. It really makes traveling a lot more feasible, both in terms of housing and tour guides.
Travel light.
I never check baggage. And I mean never. I actually think I only did it once at the age of 11 because a school trip made me. I’ve been to Dominican Republic with a backpack, around Europe for a month with a backpack, and to Boston and D.C. with a duffel bag. Fortunately, I think having to pack up all my shit and move twice a year thanks to college helped me get in the habit of traveling light.
“But Amanda! I need all this stuff! And the airline doesn’t charge me for checking a bag!”
First of all, no one needs a ton of stuff. You just need enough stuff. If you’re going to be gone for 5 days there’s no need to pack all of Bloomingdale’s.
Second of all, while it may be true that many airlines don’t charge you for checking one bag, there’s always the possibility of them losing it. For instance, I had a friend from Arizona come visit me and some friends in Florida for a few days and his bag ended up in Johannesburg, South Africa. True story. If he had just used a carry on (It’s Florida. All you need is a pair of shorts and a bathing suit anyway.) he could have avoided the stress and saved all the money he spent buying new clothes.
Besides, who wants to carry a ton of crap around anyway?
Save for your trip beforehand.
I won’t be spending my next paycheck on my trip because I already have the money saved up in a web only bank. When you travel it makes a world of difference to already have the money on you. You won’t have to worry about making ends meet and paying bills when you get back and you can avoid using the credit card.
Traveling doesn’t have to be complicated, or too expensive. With some financial cushioning already in place you can have a blast without blowing through your cash.
