This blog is focusing on ‘monitoring your overheads for travel’.
Foreword:
Practical tips for saving and how to save for travel.
I am not a financial advisor nor is this blog to be taken as financial advice. It is simply a representation of what I personally do in my own life to save more money to travel.
I am single, unmarried with no dependants. So I understand that people with a different lifestyle to me will not-have the same ability to adapt or make drastic changes as I do. That’s totally fair and OK.
“Live within your means” essentially means save more than you spend and don’t create a lifestyle above your income or ability to afford. Saving for travel is all about making sacrifices.
Cut back on overheads
Gym memberships:
Cancel unused gym memberships. You can workout at home doing calisthenics or start doing activities like running which cost nothing.
Phone plan:
If you have an expensive phone plan, downsize or cancel it if you can. Shop around for a better deal if you need to.
Home Wi-fi:
If you have an expensive Wi-Fi plan, downsize or cancel it if you can. Shop around for a better deal if you need to.
Netflix/Spotify/Audible:
Most of these apps bring people relaxation and enjoyment which is valuable. But if you truly want to save money, it’s time to cut back everything that’s not essential.
Bills:
What is your standard water or electricity bill? What ways can you minimize this? Do you have an extra fridge, does your hot water system use a lot of energy, are you boiling the kettle 100 times a day or leaving lights on when you leave the house?
Wallet cards: What cards are in your wallet that are costing you money? Are you paying $50 a week for unused public transport for example.
Move House: Depending on what you are saving for, consider moving location if you live in a very expensive area; like Sydney. If you really need to get ahead, moving back-in with your parents may be necessary or moving to a cheaper town is also viable.
Downsize
Make a budget:
include things like rent, weekly food shop, cost of public transport or fuel/insurance for your car. Estimate your monthly ingoing (wages) and outgoing (expenses).
Stop Drinking alcohol:
Cut alcohol out all-together or at the minimum stop going out to nightclubs and bars to party. Drinking is an expensive hobby and will vastly deplete your savings over the long-run.
Stop Eating out:
Aim to eat every meal at home. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Do a once weekly big shop and pack a lunch to work. If friends are going to dinner, you can still join them if you truly want to; but eat at home first or after.
Stop Buying non-essential items:
If you smoke cigarettes, try and cut back. If you buy designer clothes or decorations for example; this kind of spending should stop.
Learn to bargain:
Talk to your bank for a better deal: I have walked into my bank on multiple occasions and sat down and negotiated a better interest rate because I am a loyal customer. The bank uses your money to make investments and increase its own capital, so it is totally acceptable for you to then ask your bank to pass some of that profit back to you! Don’t be rude or pushy or confrontational, just be polite and honest and ask for a better rate and see what happens.
Employment:
This one may be tricky but it may be time to bargain with your employer for better wages. I have done so on multiple occasions with multiple employers and it has been far less-awkward than I expected. If you are on an hourly wage perhaps you can increase your hourly wage by just a couple dollar. A $2 increase for a standard 40 hour week is now an extra $80 a week, which could pay off perhaps half your groceries or go towards transport or fuel in your budget.