You’ve got your ideal destinations all mapped out, and now all you need is the ticket to get there. Often, finding a way to pay for travelling is a lot harder than planning your trip. It doesn’t have to be impossible, however, if you consider unique ways to save up for it. Here are five methods for funding your travels.
Have a boot sale. There’s no better way to prepare for extensive travels than to lighten your load. You can get rid of belongings you don’t want anymore while raising money for your trip by having a boot sale. First, clear out your wardrobe and other areas of your house or apartment so that you can see what items you have. Then, you can host a boot sale or a garage sale to earn cash.
Sell online. If you’re not keen on boot sales, you could always sell your old belongings on a site like musicMagpie.com or Ebay. musicMagpie even have a free app, so you can get started on selling those old CDs, DVDs and games on the go!
Become an au pair. Never discount the age-old strategy of getting a side job to start funding your travels. Positions like being an au pair or becoming a tutor are a perfect fit for aspiring travellers because they allow you to earn extra money without having to take on the responsibility of getting a second job. Also, being an au pair may just give you a chance to work on your communication skills, which you’ll surely need once you embark on your journey.
Secure a job in a foreign country. Alternatively, you could try to doing a proactive search for work in your destination country. Many people who travel choose a country or a city as their “home base” while they are away, and then search for a job there. You could do bar work, translate or teach English, all while having the freedom and flexibility to travel on the weekends or whenever you have free time.
Turn odd chores into a business. If none of the previous fundraising methods work for you, turn to what you love to make you some extra cash. If you like to wash cars, mow lawns or clean your house, for example, you could market yourself to your family and friends by offering to do these things for them — for a small fee. If you put away all the money you make, it could add up to a large sum sooner than you think, giving you the green light to start your travelling adventures.
