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If you have a serious case of the lust, here’s what you can do to travel more next year.
Main points
- If you want to travel more in 2023, now is the time to start planning.
- A travel fund is a good way to save money specifically for travel.
- There are several other strategies you can use to cope with travel and fit it into your schedule.
Many people would absolutely love to travel more, but sadly, few end up doing it. For many people, there is always some obstacle holding them back, like thinking they don’t have enough money or time for a vacation.
I’ve had the same hesitations, so I understand. But if you really want to travel more, you can do it and you definitely don’t need to wait years to do it. Here are all the ways you can go on some exciting new adventures in 2023.
1. Start planning now
The best way to turn your trip from a dream into a reality is to start planning it seriously. If you just hope to travel more next year without taking any action, you probably won’t end up doing anything different than before. When you understand where you want to go, how much money you’ll need, and when you’ll do it, you’re much more likely to follow through.
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2. Create a travel savings fund
Money is usually the main reason people don’t travel as much as they’d like. It’s a good idea to set aside savings specifically for travel so you don’t have to go into debt to take a trip.
If you haven’t already, open a high-yield savings account, as they offer the highest interest rates. You can normally set up multiple sub-savings accounts for different purposes. So, make a sub-account with a name like “Travel Fund” and start transferring money into it every month.
3. Find expenses you can cut
When you hear about someone who travels all the time, you might wonder, “How do they do it?” Hardly any real secrets. They have made travel a priority and do not spend much on other expenses so that they have more to spend.
To free up more money for your travel savings, look for ways to cut costs elsewhere in areas that aren’t as important to you. For example, if you’re always shopping for the latest smartphones and other gadgets, consider whether you’d like to have them or that trip to Europe you’ve always dreamed of.
4. Look for remote work opportunities
A great way to make travel work for you financially is by working remotely during your travels. Consider looking at telecommuting job boards or seeing if there’s a way to work remotely at your current job, even if it’s only occasionally.
I know working while traveling probably doesn’t sound like the most appealing thing in the world. Trust me, you can have a great time on vacation while still getting some work done. And telecommuting makes it possible to travel much more than if you had time off for every trip.
5. Open a travel credit card
A travel credit card earns rewards that you can redeem on travel purchases, such as airline tickets and hotel stays. Many of the best travel credit cards also include many other benefits, such as points you can transfer to different airlines and hotels or access to airport lounges. The right card, or perhaps multiple credit cards, can help you travel at a much lower cost.
6. Visit places in the off-season
Prices are normally much lower when you visit destinations in their off-season. For example, Europe is most expensive in the summer, but you can have just as much fun visiting in the spring or fall. For trips to popular destinations, be flexible when you go and you have a much better chance of finding cheap travel options.
7. Sign up for travel deal alerts
There are many places where you can get alerts for the latest travel deals. These work especially well if you are flexible when traveling. Here are some of the most popular places to place travel alerts:
- Skyscanner
- Kayak
- Google Flights
- Hopper
- Scott’s Cheap Flights
8. Go on shorter trips
Not every trip has to be a big, two-week vacation away from home. One of the easiest ways to travel more often is to add shorter trips that you can take over a long weekend. Look for places that are within driving distance or that you can reach with a quick flight. These are a good way to take a break from your normal routine without spending a lot of time or money.
9. Consider more affordable destinations
There are travel destinations to suit almost every budget. If you want to travel somewhere without breaking the bank, it’s all a matter of choosing the right place. You can try Latin America or Southeast Asia, both of which offer many incredible and affordable places to visit.
Or, if there’s a specific place you want to visit, try going somewhere other than the most popular tourist attraction. Of course, Paris is far from cheap, but there are plenty of other cities that will let you experience France without paying nearly as much.
10. Spend smart while traveling
It’s easier to travel often if you’re good at managing money while away from home. But if you spend a lot, then you’ll probably have to wait a while before you can afford another trip.
My preferred approach is to find a middle ground between budget-friendly options and splurging. I will go to some nice restaurants and in the spring for more expensive activities that really interest me. However, I’ll also buy food to eat at my hotel, find cheaper places to grab a bite, and do low-cost activities like visiting parks and museums.
Traveling doesn’t need to be something you dream of doing years into the future. If you make it a priority and follow the right advice, you will be able to visit many new places in 2023.
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