Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
longer to get to work using public transportation, but you'll find that you don't really need a
car as much as you think. I understand this tip may not be feasible for everyone, especially
those in smaller towns that don't have a good public transportation system. A good alternat-
ive is to sell your car and buy a cheap used car. You will only need a car to last you until you
go away. Buying a “throwaway car” will allow you to pocket the money from your better
car and put it toward your trip. Additionally, consider getting a bike as an alternative to the
car altogether. No gas, no insurance, no repairs—it will not only save you money but will
keep you in shape!
Move Out:
Lowering your housing costs will allow you to see huge gains in your savings.
Get rid of that apartment or bring in some roommates. If you can, try to move in with Mom
and Dad. Six months before I went abroad, I moved in with my parents. It wasn't that fun
being twenty-five and living with my parents, but I saved more than $3,000 USD in rent. If
this is not an option for you, bring in a roommate. Turn that living room into a spare room
and get a housemate. In New York City, people turn living rooms into bedrooms and studio
apartments into two bedrooms by adding a folding screen through the middle of the room.
It's not the most ideal living situation, but it does save money. If you're spending hundreds
of dollars per month on rent, cutting that figure in half or reducing it to zero will give you
the biggest whole number jump in your bank account.
Get a New Credit Card:
While I will go into more depth about credit cards in Chapter 4,
a travel credit card can give you free money, free rooms, and free flights. You can accrue
miles and reward points on your card and redeem them for free travel on your trip. And
that trip doesn't need to be long—you can use those points on a trip that is two weeks or
two months. A free flight is a free flight. After all, the best way to save money is to avoid
spending it. You'll see the most benefit from this by starting early. As soon as you decide to
travel the world, get a travel-related credit card and begin earning free points on your daily
purchases.
Get Rid of Cable:
In the age of Hulu (hulu.com) and free (and legal) streaming TV, there's
no reason to be spending $50 USD per month on cable television. Get rid of it and just
watch everything online for free.
Open a Savings Account:
While you are saving money, you can have it grow a little bit
more by putting it in a high-yield online savings account so that it can earn interest. This is
what I did while preparing to go away, and I netted a few hundred dollars extra. You can
refer to Chapter 3 on how to set this up.
Earn Extra on the Side:
The rise of sharing websites has made it easier to earn extra
money on the side. The website TaskRabbit (taskrabbit.com) lets you do tasks (many are
online) that people don't have time to do—from cleaning to moving, doing research, or
helping with errands. Another similar website is Elance (elance.com), which is geared to-
ward more professional tasks. Finally, the website Zilok (zilok.com) allows you to rent out
your unused stuff for money. These sites can provide an easy way to earn money on the
side. Be sure to check them out as a way to earn extra money for your upcoming trip.
Frugality is the watchword of great travelers. While it sometimes made me feel like an old grandmother,
I clipped food coupons to save money on food. I saw matinees if I went to the movies. I did my shopping
