The World According to Me

In about a week I will be leaving for a trip to the Netherlands and Belgium. I cannot even count the number of times in the last few days that I have been asked how I can afford to travel on my salary. So I thought I would share some of the ways I make traveling fit in my budget.

I can afford it because I am smart about when I go. I don’t travel to Europe in August. I go in what are called the shoulder seasons, which usually are April, May, September and October. This makes flights and accommodations cheaper. Some attractions may also have reduced rates.

I can afford it because I’m smart about how I go. I look at all the options for where I want to go. I’m not the type to stay in a hostel or do the backpacker thing so I look at decent hotels. Sometime looking at packaged tours will allow you to do all that you want to do for much less cost. Being on a bus tour does not mean you need to stay with the group all the time. Just tell the director you are going off on your own and ask when you need to meet the bus (or boat).

I can afford it because I save for it. I know I want to travel so I put money in my budget for it each year. I save a good chunk of my disposable income for travel. I participate in programs that help me earn money for activities and shopping I do online, like Sunshine Rewards. (Check out the banner on the side panel for a link to the site.) Any found money I get also goes to my travel savings account. Bottles returned to the depot, birthday money from a friend or family member, money I’ve found on the street etc.

I can afford it because I use a travel agent to find me the best deals. I tell her what I want and let her play with the dates and times of travel to get me the best bang for my dollar. Others prefer to do it themselves but may miss out on some of the last minute bargains to be had. It doesn’t cost me anything to use their services and I find I save time and money by going through them.