Cutting Expenses (to Have Enough Money to Travel) by April Trent

One of the main excuses that most young Americans give for not exploring the world is the overall cost of traveling. Yet, average twenty year olds are usually playing on their gaming consoles, listening to their MP3 players, or talking on their smart phones while shopping for another outfit. Many young adults can afford to travel if they set up a goal and take the time to budget for their plans.


1. Develop an overall budget and decide on how much money is left over after all of the necessary bills are accounted for and paid.

2. See if there are any corners that could be cut from the bills. For example, instead of having unlimited texting, lower the plan to 500 text messages per month.

3. Analyze all excess spending to determine whether the money disappears from weekend shopping trips, movie rentals, or fast food.

4. Ask whether or not this item is necessary. Does a person need five dresses or amplified speakers inside a dorm room? Is this worth the investment?

5. Find ways of trimming the unnecessary spending. Instead of buying a pair of $45 shoes right away, wait until those shoes go on sale or search for a similar pair on eBay.

6. Think of the alternative ways this money could be spent. Three movie tickets at the cost of $8 each could be saved for a ticket to the top of the Eiffel Tower by elevator or it could pay for an entire night in a hostel.

7. Quit unhealthy behaviors such as smoking and drinking in excess. One individual can save hundreds of dollars a year by giving up unhealthy habits. This person will not only have more money to spend, but their overall health will improve.

There are numerous individuals in the world who travel to far away places on a shoestring budget. They do not rely on credit cards or winning the lottery in order to travel. These people work hard, save their money, and spend very carefully without starving themselves or feeling miserable. The best way to start traveling is to learn how to save money and spend wisely. Anyone can start right now by looking through their room and deciding to become a smart shopper.
 
~
Not only will these tips help you save enough money to trave; they will help you lead a healthier spending lifestyle as well.

To view April Trent's original post, click here:
http://www.examiner.com/x-16273-Youth-Travel-Examiner~y2009m7d8-Cutting-expenses