Have you ever longed to be a traveler? To see new places and have new experiences? But have you also had doubts about traveling? Something is holding you back?
So should you go for it? Or not?
Well, that is really up to you. But in today’s blog, we’re going to talk about how we manage to travel while keeping up with full time jobs, spending time with family and friends and not breaking the bank.
Traveler ≠ World Traveler
When you think about being a traveler, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Someone who has been to over 50 countries around the world? Someone who travels full time? Someone who makes their living venturing from place to place and blogging/vlogging about it?
Well, we are here to say that you don’t have to be any of those things to be considered a traveler. We haven’t been to 50 countries. We’ve only been to five. We don’t travel full time. We travel a few times a year. We do not get paid to travel. We pay to travel.
If you’re in the mindset of, in order to travel, I must quit my job, sell my house, and book the next flight to Australia, then maybe it is time to redefine what it means to be a traveler.
To us, being a traveler means that you love going to new places and experiencing new things; whether it be to Stonehenge in Great Britain or the Georgia Guidestones in Elberton, GA. You’d be surprise what all you’ve never seen just a few hours from your home.
Show Me the Money
The main reason most people say they are not able to travel is MONEY. And we get it. We’ve all been there. Sometimes you just don’t have the funds to do much of anything besides pay your bills and buy groceries.
But you don’t have to be rich to travel. There are several ways you can save some dollars and still have an adventure.
Check out sites such as Groupon. You can oftentimes find vacation rentals at a good price. Just make sure to pick a trustworthy site. Check for reviews and make sure it is well known. No one wants to get scammed.
You can also save money on lodging by checking out Airbnb. You can find apartments, houses, condos, etc in great locations for a much better price than you can find at a lot of hotels.
And if you’d prefer to stay in a hotel, make sure to shop around. There are various websites like Hotels.com, Expedia, and Travelocity, to name a few, where you can often find good deals. Every site says they have the best deals, but check them all out anyway. Most of these sites also allow you to collect a free night for every 10 or so nights that you book through them.
If you’re willing to be flexible on your travel dates, and don’t mind taking a red eye, you’ll be better off when it comes to getting good deals on plane tickets. You can also save money on flights and hotels by joining their rewards clubs. You get points for every night’s stay and every flight that you can use towards future trips. If you can stick with the same airlines and same hotels chains, you could end up getting free or discounted nights and flights.
Speaking of rewards points, if you have a rewards credit card, chances are that you can use those points towards flights and hotels. Check out the various reward options for your cards. And if you can’t get flight or hotel rewards, you may be able to cash in for restaurant or Visa gift cards that you could use on a trip.
Traveling in the off season can save you money on flights, hotels, and most attractions. Unless you absolutely have to travel in the summer (if it is the only time you can take off or if you are going to a locale that would be no fun to visit when it’s cold) then plan your trip for late fall, winter or early spring.
Work That Job, but Don’t Work Your Life Away
Take your vacation days! Most people who work your typical 9-5 get around 10-15 paid vacation days a year. Make sure to take advantage of those. A lot of employers do not let you carry days over to the next year so don’t let those days slip away.
It is also good to keep in mind that not every trip has to be a week long (or more). We went to Canada last year over a long weekend and had a great time. If you have trouble getting off of work, try taking mini trips over holiday weekends, such as Memorial Day and Labor Day. You’ll have a free day in there that you don’t have to take off. And you’d be surprised what all you can see and do over a long weekend.
Kids Love Travel Too!
Once people have kids, their whole world changes. It’s no longer about what you want, but what your kids want. But that doesn’t mean you should give up on your dream of travel. Yes, it’s true that most kids are not going to appreciate everything adults do, and long trips with small kids can wear on anybody’s patience. However, there are plenty of fun adventures for youngsters all around the US and the world.
Sites such as TripAdvisor can be helpful when planning trips with kids. They have many sorting options including “Good For Kids”. You can also read reviews from other visitors (sorted by type, including “Families”) to give you an idea of how family-friendly a certain place is.
Commitment is Key
If you’ve always wanted to travel, the best advice we can give is just do it. Don’t wait any longer because the longer you wait, the less likely you are to ever go. Don’t look back on your life someday and wish you’d seen the Eiffel Tower or the northern lights or the pyramids in Egypt.
Oftentimes, travel takes planning and saving. Start doing research on your destination. Figure up your costs. Start a travel fund and add as much as you can to it each month. It may take you a while to save up, but the point is that you are saving. You’re preparing. You’re on your way. Sometimes the hardest part of anything is starting.
So start today! And don’t give up! Make your plan and stick to it. Don’t give up halfway. Don’t look back someday and regret not taking your dream trip.
Our McTravels 