For adventurous travellers, there’s truly so many places in the world to explore. From soaring peaks to the depths of the jungle, arid deserts to entire worlds underwater, there’s no end to the vacation destinations you can visit. The world is also constantly changing – just because you’ve been to a place before doesn’t mean you can tick it off your list.
But how do you afford all these adventures? Going off the beaten track doesn’t usually come cheap, especially if you need specialist gear or someone to lead the trip. In this post, we share four ways you can fund the trip of your dreams.
Create a monthly savings budget
There are usually two scenarios when it comes to planning a vacation: you’re anticipating going on a trip at some point in the future, or you’ve got a set date in mind. If it’s the former, you can put aside a small amount of your earnings away every month, building up a healthy pot of cash that can be used when you’ve got enough and have decided where to go. Even if you aren’t expecting to travel in the immediate future, it can be a good idea to do this as a matter of routine – that way, if you want to go away spontaneously, you’ve got some money to hand.
If you’ve got a date in mind but haven’t got the funds currently available to you, you could look at buy now, pay later deals (BNPL). This payment option gives you more flexibility – you can work backwards from the holiday date and work out how much you need to put aside every month to make the final payment. Even if you can’t get a BNPL package deal, you may be able to find accommodation or activities that allow you to put down a deposit and pay the rest in instalments. Just make sure you’re keeping track of the money you owe if it’s split between different providers.
Get points
If you’re a regular traveller, then try and make the most of the loyalty schemes available to you. Whether that’s airline points that get you reduced tickets, or credit card benefits that mean you get extras like lounge access, these perks all add up. Even if you don’t get a discount, you may be more
likely to get upgraded, which is a nice extra on long journeys. Adventurous travellers can also benefit from loyalty schemes for outdoor suppliers, getting extra discounts on equipment.
You can even get credit cards that collect points for discounted hotel stays at certain chains, which can be useful when you’re travelling to major cities. If you’re nervous about the appeal of borrowing money you don’t yet have, simply pay with the credit card, but set up a direct debit from your current account so there’s no risk of late payments or interest charges.
Volunteer when you’re abroad
Need to cut the cost of your trip down? One way to reduce expenses when you’re abroad is to include some element of volunteering, whether that’s a day or several weeks. Sometimes, these types of activities often come with free or discounted food and accommodation, as well as being a great way to meet other people.
The nature of volunteering experiences also often means you get a chance to see more authentic parts of the country, rather than being stuck in the expensive tourist hotspots. Again, this can reduce the overall cost of your trip.
Buy secondhand or hire your gear
Travelling to the more remote areas of the planet often means you need specialist gear to stay safe and comfortable. Whether it’s a sturdy pair of boots, a supportive rucksack or warm jacket, the cost of these specialist extras soon adds up. Whilst you might be happy to invest if you’re going to get use of them again in the future, for some of us, the initial bulk cost on top of the vacation expense is just too much. Plus, it’s annoying to buy something brand new that you’re only going to get one wear out of.
Instead, look online for secondhand gear. Set up search alerts ahead of time for specific products, or wait for season intakes to the charity shops such as after Christmas, when everyone has a clear out to make way for their new things. You can also investigate if hiring is an option, with some leading outdoor brands starting to offer a hire option for jackets, sleeping bags and tents for example. Not only is this cheaper, but it’s more sustainable – a factor which as someone who loves the outdoors, you will appreciate.
Photos by krakenimages and Arthur Hickinbotham on Unsplash. Main Photo by Joshua Earle on Unsplash
