There are countless ways to save money, but they don’t occur overnight. The devil is in the details and we need to start paying attention to the amount we spend on transportation, food, and fun. Most of us don’t realize how these habitual spending habits can make an unnecessary dent in our pockets. The secret lies in making small adjustments that will little by little fill your piggy bank. For instance, use the public transport as much possible and use the loose change you find in your pockets. Also try to limit your outings, and most of all, avoid shopping malls, since the discounts and interest-free promotions can prove to be too tempting when carrying around a credit card.
Traveling around the world is sufficient incentive to make an effort to adopt some of these saving methods. First, relax if you can’t save millions, because there are other options to not spend as much and still enjoy everything the destination has to offer.
Destination: Latin America
Travelers: 2 people
Budget: 8 dollars
Duration: 12 months
Yes! We can do it!
Always divide your budget into three parts:
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1. Transportation
Unless you’re in a city, anything that involves travelling down a long road can be solved lifting your thumb. By asking for a ride, you’ll be amazed how much money you can save.
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2. Food
Most countries have local markets where for a few dollars you can eat delicious and healthy food. If you prefer to cook, with each destination make a portable food pantry and stay in places where you can have access to a kitchenette or even a bonfire.
Don’t worry, at the end everything will be worth it.
3. Lodgings
More than a hotel, you should think of ‘lodging’ in a space that is comfortable and warm when it comes to resting. Couchsurfing is the best way to find something good, cheap, and nice. Or, you can opt to carry your camping gear and settle down in safe, even surfaces. At the end of the day, following these three basics will narrow your budget to 8 dollars a day.
Now, it is important to understand that these plans are better carried out with your partner in order to protect each other’s backs. Evidently, asking for a ride may seem a tad risky, so you should always have a discerning eye on the type of car or truck and the profile of the driver. Taking extra precautions when you set foot on the road will save you a fright.
To make this experience as good as it sounds try to be understanding and empathetic of your travelling companion. To achieve this, consider the following:
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1.Patience
Sometimes you don’t get it right the first time and many backpackers have had to travel for miles, wait a bit longer to fill their bellies, and try time and time again to get a lift to their destination. Don’t despair. At the end everything will be well worth it.
2. Logic
If you buy the first thing they offer you when you step off the plane, you will never find anything at a good price. Try to look for places that are far away from the city center, avoid big shopping malls, and supermarkets. Instead, seek out shops that local people in the area gravitate to.
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3. Where there’s a will, there’s a way
You’ve mastered the fact that you won’t be staying in an all-inclusive, five-star hotel, but sometimes fatigue and stress can crack the sunniest attitude. With a deep breath try to maintain that positivity. Seeking out a place to sleep can be daunting, but always bear in mind the three options: couchsurfing, hostels, and camping spots.
Everything to do with tourist attractions or recreational activities is an extra, since they are not covered by the daily 8-dollar budget. This is where all the savings you made prior to your trip come into play. Of course, there are tricks that will make your tourist excursions cost a little less.
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1. Choose New Activities
If you surfed the big waves the day before, don’t repeat the same activity the next day. In all tourist destinations you will find something new to try.
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2. Explore
Don’t hire tourist guides when visiting an attraction. Besides charging you an outrageous fee, sometimes they don’t know the real history of the place. Preferably, buy a good book or look up information using your cell phone.
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3. Discounts
Remember that your student ID can provide you with good discounts when it comes to paying entry fees for all these activities you want to do.
If you are a novice traveler, this experience will turn you into an expert and no one will every need to tell you when and how to do it. If you have been planning your trip for some time, we are sure that in this amazing journey you will discover new sights that no one in the world has ever seen.
