5 UNUSUAL WAYS I SAVE MONEY FOR TRAVEL (and for other things I care about)

There are my not-so-secret, not-so-magical tips on how to hoard away your money.

Insert generic money photo here.

I don’t have any great advice on how to earn money, otherwise this post would be worth a whole lot more. In my experience, being a white American female with a supportive family and a computer engineering degree seemed to do the trick. That’s so helpful, I know.

Also, before you follow any of the advice below, go for the “big savings” first - share costs as much as you can with family or roommates, comparison shop and negotiate on your monthly bills, pay down your high-interest debt, etc.

That said, here are the “crazy little things” I do so that I can save up for the big things I really want to do. As a bonus, most of these items are also designed to save time, because time is money, right? (Also, I’m super lazy.)

1. Drink Only Water

There are few things I love more in this world than a cold glass of water. (I just might be the most boring person ever.) Plus, they say it’s great for your health.

YAAAAASS! Beautiful water!

Juices, soda, coffee, and alcohol are expensive and often packed with extra sugars/calories. Alcohol and caffeinated drinks tend to cost the most since they can cause dependencies. In fact, that should be another item on the list: if you want to save money, don’t do recreational drugs. (Is that preachy enough for you?)

One of my favorite parts about living in the United States is that potable tap water is plentiful and every cafe and restaurant offers glasses of water for free, usually cooled by the miracle that is ice.

When I’m abroad or in the woods, I use a water filter on a reusable water bottle to keep my habit going. It pays for itself in a short amount of time.

2. Agonize Over Every Purchase

Put the item you're considering on a list. Walk away. Think about whether that item will actually improve your life. Do you really need it? How much time will it save you compared to the money spent? Will you remember it fondly when you’re at the end of your life? If you can't justify it, remove the item from the list and forget about it.

*Just. back. away. If you're reading this, please take a moment to explore the stock photo world of RobinHiggins.

When making bigger purchases, particularly technology such as a phone or laptop, wait for the latest version to come out and buy the just-barely-obsolete editions for at least 50% off on Craigslist or Ebay. Oftentimes, the used items are still under warranty.

For instance, last year I decided that I wanted a mirrorless camera. I knew it wasn't even close to a necessity, but I had enjoyed a free photography class in the past and figured a fancy camera and the images it captures could be an important part of my life. I chose the Fujifilm X-T1 simply because it looked like the most fun to use.

Then, I waited for the X-T2 to come out. As soon as it did, a lot of people sold their X-T1s. The extra competition in the marketplace drove their prices even lower, and I purchased the $1200 camera for $450 in like-new condition, with a bunch of accessories included. Still scary expensive, but I don't regret it.

Not my camera, but how cute/weird is this stock photo?!

During the extra time before the release, I read the camera’s manual online and watched tutorials so I already knew how to use it. And I do use it almost every day.

3. Embrace Looking Terrible

Why, yes, this is the same exact outfit I wore earlier this week - I cycle between three t-shirts, one pair of jeans, two light jackets, and some exercise shorts. I haven’t had a haircut in over a year, and my $7 prescription glasses have a chip out of them. I almost never wear makeup, so the dark circles under my eyes and the zit on my chin are obvious. In short, I look like crap.

My face.

Fortunately, I’ve never had the kind of job that requires looking “professional”, and I’m often (but not always) too distracted to care about how plain-looking I am. People are still friendly to me, and I even managed to attract a boyfriend.

However you look, your health should always come first (and as people with chronic illnesses know, it sometimes does come first in finances).

Use soap and water to fend off illnesses and sunscreen to protect your skin. To stay in shape, you can do yoga and bodyweight exercises at home, using free online videos to get you started. If you can, walk or bike to get around.

These preventative measures for your health should save money in the long run, and your body will thank you.

4. Loaf Around in Public Spaces

Make use of your tax dollars by taking advantage of the amenities offered by your government. You can even hop on public transportation to get there!

If you live near a library, it can be used as a free air-conditioned workspace with internet and books galore. Mine even offers free classes and group activities. There’s a reason so many homeless people hang out there - it’s a sweet deal!

I could spend all day here. Admittedly, my local library looks nothing like this.

You can also get free books without leaving your home if your library offers e-books. I actually found out I'm eligible for both the county and city libraries, which doubled my selection. If not, check out Project Gutenberg and free Kindle books. You can read them on your phone or computer if you don't have an e-reader.

Public parks are great spaces to enjoy open space and the outdoors. My town's parks host free concerts, movies, festivals, and performances. Outside of town, “dispersed camping” on U.S. National Forest land is also free, so long as you maintain the specified distance from roads, trails, and campgrounds. You can check for similar rules in other countries.

5. Eat Like a 12-year-old

I admit that my diet can verge on pitiful, since I usually eat one or two meals a day. The benefit of this is that it’s inexpensive (and slimming!). Just be sure that you’re getting enough calories to support your body type and lifestyle.

It also helps that I tend to prefer some of the cheaper foods out there. I’ve eaten vegetarian for years, which rules out expensive beef and fish. My boyfriend buys beans and lentils in giant sacks from local farms, and he’s the king at making homemade breads and tortillas from nothing but flour, water, and salt.

At the grocery store, we stock up on oatmeal and pasta and rice, using the per-weight price to find the best deals. We always check whether our favorite splurge items, like Quorn nuggets and Field Roast sausages, are on sale. All these meals are inexpensive and easy to prepare.

A typical meal. A didn't say they were always healthy!

If there’s one food to invest in, it’s a good spice collection. Spices last for years and can turn bland meals into something varied and flavorful (we even spice up our macaroni and cheese!). To add more color and texture, you can toss in some fresh or frozen produce.

Maybe because so much of what I eat is what I ate as a child, but meal times always feel so fun.

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Contrary to the way I’ve titled each section, don’t be masochistic about spending habits.

I used to not heat my apartment during winter because I thought it was wasteful, but spending all my time shivering wasn’t worth it. If you have expendable income, you get to choose your own comfort level, and you must also take into account the comfort of those around you.

Also, all of the above are guidelines, NOT rules. I don't follow them all the time!

For instance, I love bubble milk tea and do a little happy dance every time I get it even though it’s definitely not water. I put on mascara and eyeliner and dress up for special occasions, like a musical or sit-down meal.

But mostly, I save up so I can take breaks from work and splurge on travel. I once spent $1500 in a single week to fly from California to the Bahamas and swim with wild dolphins. It was a wildly selfish act that I would do again in a heartbeat.

More typically, I average $50 a day on the road, including airfare. That's a mid-range budget that balances simplicity and luxury - if you get creative you can do it for much cheaper!

Most happiness comes from within, but I do believe that money can buy happiness, so long as you spend it what actually makes you happy!

For me, it's buying myself free time with the people I care about and trips to new places (along with camping gear and the occasional fancy camera haha). For you, it may be video games or cosplay supplies or concert tickets.

It’s all about priorities.

I like to think of spending money like casting a vote. Care about animal welfare? Purchase products and donate to organizations that reflect that. Is there an author or artist or designer you love? Buy everything they make to support them!

Hopefully, if we spend our money on things we care about, the marketplace will respond by delivering the things that truly make us happier. :)

Thanks for reading! I'm pretty terrible at giving advice, mostly because I don't consider myself an expert, but I do live happily by these guidelines so maybe there's something useful in them. Or, you can tell me why I'm wrong! All the stock photos are from pixabay.com.
- Katie, @therovingreader