Dreaming about your first trip but feel like you’re too broke to travel? You’re not alone. Many beginners think travel is only for rich people—but with a simple plan and a few money habits, you can slowly build a travel fund that actually works.
This guide will show you how to:
- Decide how much money you really need
- Create a simple budget (no complex spreadsheets)
- Find easy ways to save and earn more
- Stay motivated until you finally book that trip
You don’t need to be perfect with money. You just need to start.
1. Get Clear on Your Travel Goal
Before you can save, you need to know what you’re saving for.
Ask yourself:
- Where do I want to go? (City/country or even just “beach” or “mountains”)
- How long do I want to stay? (Weekend, 1 week, 10 days, etc.)
- When do I want to go? (Month or time of year)
Now break your trip into simple budget parts:
- Transport: flights, trains, buses, local transport
- Accommodation: hotel, hostel, guesthouse, Airbnb
- Food: meals, snacks, drinks
- Activities: tours, entry tickets, experiences
- Extras: shopping, SIM card, emergency money
You don’t need exact prices at first. Use rough estimates from:
- Google “average daily budget in [city/country]”
- Flight search sites for rough ticket prices
- Booking sites for average hotel/hostel prices
Add everything together to get a total trip cost.
Example:
- Flights: $300
- Accommodation (7 nights x $25): $175
- Food (7 days x $15): $105
- Activities & transport: $120
- Emergency/extra: $100
Estimated total: $800
That’s your target number.
2. Turn Your Dream Trip Into a Monthly Savings Goal
Now that you have a target (for example, $800), decide how long you want to save.
Example:
- Need: $800
- Time: 8 months
- $800 ÷ 8 months = $100 per month
- That’s about $25 per week
This looks much less scary than “I need $800”.
If $100/month feels too high, you can:
- Increase the time (save for 10–12 months)
- Choose a cheaper destination or shorter trip
- Combine saving and earning extra money (we cover that below)
Write down your goal somewhere you can see it:
“I’m saving $100 per month for 8 months to go on my first trip to ____.”
3. Track Where Your Money Is Going Right Now
You can’t save what you can’t see. For 1–2 weeks, write down every expense.
You can use:
- A simple notes app on your phone
- A paper notebook
- Free apps like Money Manager, Spendee, etc.
Create 3–4 simple categories:
- Food & drinks
- Transport
- Shopping & fun
- Bills & subscriptions
At the end of the week, look at your list and ask:
- What surprised me?
- Where did I spend on things I don’t really need?
- How much could I have saved if I was more careful?
This is not about feeling guilty. It’s about seeing where your travel money is hiding.
4. Easy Ways to Cut Daily Costs (Without Feeling Miserable)
You don’t need to stop living your life. Just make a few smart cuts.
Look at these areas:
1. Food & drinks
- Reduce takeout and food delivery; cook simple meals at home.
- Limit expensive coffee or soft drinks; bring your own bottle.
- Pack snacks from home instead of buying every day.
2. Subscriptions
- Cancel or pause apps you don’t use regularly (music, OTT, games).
- Share plans with family/friends if possible.
3. Shopping
- Give yourself a cooling period (24 hours) before buying non‑essential items.
- Ask: “Do I want this more than I want my trip?”
- Avoid “just browsing” in malls and shopping apps.
4. Transport
- Walk or use public transport more when possible.
- Combine errands into one trip to save money on fuel or rides.
Even saving $2–3 a day can become $60–90 a month—a strong boost to your travel fund.
5. Make Extra Money Just for Your Travel Fund
Saving is faster when you also earn a little more on the side. This doesn’t have to be a big, serious business.
Simple ideas:
- Sell things you don’t use:
- Clothes, gadgets, books, décor—list them on local marketplaces or apps.
- Small online tasks:
- Basic freelance work (writing, design, translation, simple data entry) on beginner‑friendly platforms.
- Always check reviews and avoid anything that looks like a scam or “too good to be true”.
- Local side jobs:
- Tutoring, babysitting, helping in a local shop or café, helping neighbors with tasks.
- Use your skills:
- If you can cook, draw, edit videos, or do henna/mehndi, offer it to people you know first.
Whatever extra money you make, treat it as “travel only” money and don’t touch it for daily expenses.
6. Keep Your Travel Savings Separate and Automatic
To avoid “accidentally” spending your travel money, keep it separate.
- Open a separate savings account or use a separate digital wallet.
- Set up an automatic transfer right after payday:
- Example: as soon as you get paid, $100 goes straight to your “Trip Fund”.
If automatic transfer isn’t possible, make a fixed date:
“Every 1st of the month, I move $100 to my Trip Fund.”
Name the account something fun like “Paris Trip 2026” or “First Solo Trip”. This keeps you motivated.
7. Save Money While You Travel Too
Smart planning can stop your trip budget from exploding.
- Be flexible with dates: mid‑week and off‑season can be cheaper.
- Book in advance for flights and long‑distance transport.
- Look at budget stays: hostels, guesthouses, small hotels, homestays.
- Eat at local places and street food stalls instead of expensive tourist restaurants (and if you’re Muslim, combine this with your halal food research).
- Use public transport instead of only taxis.
- Choose free or low‑cost activities: walking tours, parks, markets, viewpoints.
Your goal isn’t to be “cheap”, but to spend on what really matters and cut what doesn’t.
8. How to Stay Motivated Until You Fly
Saving for months can feel boring. Keep yourself excited with small reminders.
- Visual board: print photos of your dream destination or set them as your phone wallpaper.
- Track your progress: draw a bar or thermometer and color it in as your savings grow.
- Celebrate small wins: every time you reach a mini goal (like 25%, 50%, 75%), treat yourself to something small but cheap (a snack, a movie night at home, etc.).
- Follow travel content creators who share budget travel tips, not just luxury trips.
Remember: even if you save slowly, you’re still moving closer than if you did nothing.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a high salary or rich parents to travel. You need:
- A clear goal
- A simple budget
- A few smart saving and earning habits
- And the patience to keep going
Start today:
Decide your destination, estimate your budget, and set your first monthly savings target—even if it’s small.
What trip are you saving for right now, and how much do you want to save each month?
Share it in the comments so you can stay accountable—and inspire other beginners too.
