Save! Save! Save! 💰

One of the most important steps to taking any travel excursion is to create a budget (don't just look at it either, actually follow it 😉) 

You know those Friday nights when your at the bar and you drop $50+ on a bar tab and those patron shots sounded so good? Guess what? Those bar tabs add up! Sure it's fun in the moment, but what satisfaction does it really give you? Personally I just get a nasty hangover and $50 less in my bank account. Don't get me wrong I am guilty of this at one point or another until I started making my budget a priority again.😖

Here's something to consider: 

Make your budget and trip your priority.

Your friends will understand, even if they give you shit for not hanging out. If you work in the service industry like me, pick up and extra shift at work. I try to work 6 days a week in order to save for my trips, it's hard, but in the end so worth it!

If you don't, just try to stay home and remind yourself why you are doing it by googling images and research the place you are working towards. 

Cut things out of your life that you don't need! 

Ladies and gentleman I'm talking about those extra monthly bills for things that you aren't actually using. 

Netflix

Xbox live

Tanning memberships 

Gym memberships (admit it, some of you have this and only go once a month) it's called running shoes and a sidewalk... Utilize them since they are free.

Quit smoking 

Buy less designer brand clothing

This is my golden phrase: 

Are you ready? 

Avoid paying retail at all costs! Anyone who actually knows me personally knows I am a bargain hunter supreme. This includes online and even sometimes at stores. 

These following websites are your friends:

eBay 

Amazon 

You know that loose change that always ends up on your floor? 

Throw it in a jar! 

I can't tell you enough how quickly it will add up! 

Today I turned in coins to 

COINSTAR (found in most grocery stores) 

When all was said and done I walked out of there with a $70 amazon gift card with no fees. They only charge a processing fee when you opt for cash. Use the giftcard when you have that urge to buy something. I've found a lot of incredible deals there. 

  

I have another jar which holds cash which I consider my savings jar. Every month I load it up with the tips I make and at the end of the month I take a trip to the bank to deposit it into my savings account. 

There's many other ways to budget which I will touch base on in another post to come soon! Happy saving friends!