Here are some creative tips on how to save money for your next trip. Use these tips and start ticking off all those destinations on your bucket list.

1. Get rid of your expensive habits

If you can cut 50% of these habits, you will have enough money to do anything you want. Drink less coffee, try cheaper liquor, prepare your own meals, avoid expensive nightclubs and seek alternative ways to have fun.

2. Get an app to track your daily expenses

You can either download a budget app or you can open a Google Sheet to help you to track every dollar you spend and get a handle on where you can save. Examples of the apps you can use include; Trail Wallet, TrabeePocket, and Concur.

3. Use coupons and promo codes when you shop

No, you are not being cheap. You are being smart by stretching your money so that you can have enough to use on the really important stuff. Among the best places to find coupons and promo codes are coupons.com, retailmenot.com, and rakuten.com (formerly Ebates.com).

4. Sign-up for newsletters and apps

We all have our favorite shopping targets. Sign up for their newsletters and apps so you’re always in the know. Most companies notify their subscribers when there are offers to be had and provide a heads up on upcoming promotions and sales. A good trick is to create an email address for all your newsletter subscriptions.

5. Unplug all your devices during your absence

Imagine how much saving you will make on utility bills if all your devices are offline when you are not using the house? Use an extension cord and connect all your devices to it so that with one flip, you can switch off all your appliances.

Warning: leave the alarm on!

6. Change your cell phone plan

You do not need 1200 minutes a month. Try to use internet tools such as Skype, WhatsApp, and Facebook to chat with your friends. They are almost always online anyway. Downgrade your cellphone plan and use a Pay As You Go plan.

7. Cancel your Memberships

Are you going on a long trip? Cancel your gym membership, your country club membership and all those other places that you will not be going while on the trip.

8. Pick up some freelance work

If you are planning to travel on a budget, you can pick up small gigs such as teaching English to supplement your traveling budget.

9. Don’t buy books!

Almost any book worth reading is available online. Unless you have a problem staring at a screen for long, you will save a lot of money just downloading the book into your laptop or smartphone.

10. Sell your old clothes on eBay

Why do you keep making room for clothes that you no longer wear? You are better off selling them and putting this money in a checking account that you can use during your vacation. Even better, why don’t you sell off everything that you can live without?

11. Wait for the movie on Netflix

You do not need to go see the movie in the theater. All you need is to wait a little bit longer for it come out on Netflix.

12. A change jar

Grab an old vase or large beverage container and repurpose it into a change jar.  Every time you come home with small change in your pockets drop it in the jar. You’d be surprised how fast it accumulates.  This will help fund your next vacation and/or give you a little more spending power during your travels.

13. Got a raise? Save it

If you recently got a raise, don’t include it in your budget. Save it for your next trip. The same can be done when you pay off your credit cards! Put that amount in a separate account and watch it grow.

14. Limit your utility bills

You do this by spending a few less minutes in the shower, dry your clothes outside, don’t drain your water heater, turn off your automatic sprinklers during the rainy season, cancelling your cable subscription and use Netflix, eliminate your land line, etc.

15. Offer to babysit

There are hundreds of parents in your neighborhood who would want some free time and are looking for a responsible adult to take care of their kids for a few hours. If you are the kind of person who loves children, you could make a few extra bucks spending time with them.

BONUS!  Volunteer on a cruise ship and travel for free

Cruise ships are always looking for people to do tasks such as cooking, serving, entertaining etc. Research and understand what’s on offer on a cruise ship. You’ll get to visit all the destinations that the cruise ship docks without spending a penny.

Have a creative way to make or save money on your next trip? Don’t hesitate to share with us in the comments. Are you ready to chat about your next trip? Contact Us!