At some point, most of us have dreamt of travelling the world
Whether for a few weeks or months – exploring cities and iconic locations that you see splashed across magazine covers or your Instagram feed can seem like a dream – until now.
Travel can come with a hefty price tag. However, the good news is there are new ways you can make that dream a reality thanks to a little something called, technology. You may have heard of it.
A combination of experts have given Now To Love the ultimate guide to travelling the world with platforms you need to know about, especially if you’re broke.
Share to earn cash fast
Thanks to the sharing economy you can now make an extra income off your spare time and assets.
This includes pet sitting and dog walking through MadPaws; renting out your idle caravan or motorhome on Camplify ; jumping behind the wheel and putting in some hours as a courier with Zoom2U; or renting out spare space in your home such as your shed, garage or driveway via Spacer.com.au.
All can significantly improve your finances, especially if using multiple platforms to earn over $30,000 a year.
Be more strategic when searching for flights
Flights are often the biggest expense for any overseas trip, and getting the best deal possible can make a huge difference to the cost of your trip. Utilise websites such as IKnowThePilot and SkyScanner to sign up to alerts on price drops on your selected flights and never miss another airline sale.
It’s also important to be willing to be a bit flexible with your dates and routes to maximise your money. Flying direct might be the quickest option – but it’s unlikely to be the most cost effective. It’s worth considering that a four hour layover could save you $500. What’s four hours in the grand scheme of things, really?
Be smarter, bank smarter
When it comes to saving money, it’s pretty amazing how much we actually spend on our banking.
Re-evaluate your current situation – does your institution charge exorbitant ATM fees? Look for one that gives you free ATM access. Also an interest free credit card when abroad could get you out of trouble, and leave you better off financially. If you’re putting money away in a savings account, consider opening an online based savings account, such as the ING Direct Online Savings Maximiser, which typically has a higher interest rate, and no fees to keep more money in your pocket.
Lay-by your travel
If saving is not your strong point, you can opt to lay-by your travel with LayAway Travel. Choose from hundreds of package deals for just a few dollars a day to dream destinations and even cruises. You also get to pick the price plan to suit your individual budget, so everyone has the opportunity to globe trot without the debt-lag.
Say yes to the deal!
Group buying sites have come a long way in the last few years, and now companies like Scoopon Travel and Groupon offer some excellent travel deals.
Typically they have flights and accommodation bundles that let you choose a travel date within a particular window, and offer popular destinations including South East Asia and the South Pacific. If you’re looking for a beach resort getaway at a great price, you can pick up a great deal this way. Often the closer to the travel date, the better the deal.
