Traveling While Living Your Best Professional Life: Travel Tips from Kelvin Isom
One of the questions I get most often is, “how to save money for traveling as a young professional?”
Before I started traveling, I too thought of travel as a once a year treat – something that was too expensive to enjoy more often. I understand how it could It seemed crazy that someone could afford to travel so often. But, as someone who has been traveling for nearly 12 years – I’m here to tell you that travel is both affordable and attainable.
Traveling is without a doubt the best experience of my life and I’m so glad that I have invested so much time, energy and money into it. For every penny I have spent, I have had a lifetime of adventures that have grown and shaped me as a person.
Create a travel savings plan– Remember why you’re doing this and to remind yourself every day. Put a picture on your wall, or a map with pins and strings.
Assess – Compare your plan to the reality of your financial situation. Is it feasible? Be honest. Once you’ve got a general idea of your trip’s overall cost, compile a spreadsheet that lists your income vs. your expenses to see how everything stacks up.
Setting goals – Your savings plan should comprise several goals, some short-term and long-term. List your goals in specific numbers and don’t be shy to shoot high. But, not so high it kills your enthusiasm for your big trip (people have traveled around the world on next to nothing!).
Creating a plan –
1. Simplify your life- (lunch, dining out, expenditures)
2. Earn some extra income.
3. Get into habits of frugality (save without shame)!
4. Create a separate travel fund
Implementation – Put your plan in motion and maintain it.
Monitoring and reassess – As time passes, your plan will evolve as your spending habits change. Look at your progress every month and scrutinize the budget for possible adjustments.
Top 10 things to remember when you travel
1. A Reasonable Priced Flight and Hotel Room- Book your flight 60-90 days prior on a Tuesday or Weds when travel is infrequently booked.
2. Fastest Way Through Airport Security– Not a secret but having TSA Pre-check or downloading the global entry app will make airport security a breeze.
3. Public Transportation Is Your Friend– Move like the locals and you learn of the hidden gems of a new city (plus its usually free or very cheap).
4. Go to Museums National and State Parks– Usually free, informative and fun for the whole family.
5. Pack Like A Pro– No need in packing 3 or 4 bags, a light suitcase is easier to move around with and will create less stress and worry.
6. Go Road-Tripping– You will see many things and create many memories with friends and family along the way.
7. Best Times to Travel– During the off seasons, in May, just after winter; less overcrowding not too hot or too cold.
8. Learn cultural etiquette for wherever you plan to go. You don’t want to be that guy who insults someone by mistake.
9. KNOW WHEN AND WHERE TO DRINK AND NOT TO DRINK THE WATER.
Travel Credit Cards points- My personal favorite travel rewards card is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best for travel redemption options that allow you to get paid to travel.
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Tags: budgeting, KelvinIsom, pittsburgh young professionals, savingfortravel, settinggoals, travel, young professional