HOW TO SAVE MONEY FOR TRAVEL (IN A REALISTICAL WAY)

 Traveling is regarded as an expensive hobby. When a young person travels, it is assumed that their parents are wealthy. When we see an older person doing it, we assume they have a high-paying job. But here's the thing: many of us don't have either. Yes, you need money to travel the world, but you don't have to be wealthy. You simply need to think of some inventive ways to make the money add up.

While I believe in the importance of saving money – not for travel, but in case something bad happens – I admit that I am never good at it because every penny I make I spent on living a decently comfortable (but not luxurious) life.

For the time being, here are some money-saving tips to help you visit places on your bucket list.

It all starts with a budget - It's helpful to have a destination in mind, as well as an approximate date/week on when you want to travel. Make a note of the cost of flight tickets, the cost of accommodation at the specific hotel you want to stay at, the cost of food you want to try, activities you want to do, how much you'd need to spend on cabs – everything you can think of.

Examine your current financial situation - Examine your existing spending and identify where you may save money. Those CCD coffees (they add up to thousands of rupees a year), cheap shopping hauls, and mid-week takeouts, Netflix and Amazon Prime subscriptions (just select one! ), gym memberships (exercise outdoors for free!)

Go through your cupboards – If you open your kitchen cabinets, you'll find packets of food or ingredients that you haven't touched in months. Many of us enjoy purchasing make-up and toiletries that will sit on our shelves. Begin by using up what you have before purchasing more.

Buy in bulk – Soaps, lotions, toothpaste, oil, instant coffee, and other items are much cheaper when purchased in value packs. Of course, don't go too far with this. But consider this: many of us spend thousands of rupees at the supermarket without even looking at the bill; all the pennies you save by purchasing larger sized packs or value packs can add up to thousands of rupees.

Open a separate account – One of the simplest ways to save money is to make a monthly deposit into a separate account. One account should be used to cover your daily expenses, while another should be used to save.

Make visual representations of what you're saving for – Whether it's your phone or laptop wallpaper, a picture in your wallet, or an image of your next destination on your mirror, seeing it often helps you decide what's more important – a trip or those new jeans.

Money management is something that all of us should have learned in school, but we don't learn it until we're adults. Saving for travel necessitates sacrifice, which is difficult and why only a few people are able to do so. It becomes easier with the right mindset and practise. It's one of those things that no one can do for you and you must do it yourself.