So here’s the thing, I’m a traveller. I have been traveling all of my life. My first plan ride overseas was at the tender age of 6 months and I have probably been on at least two flights every year since. Growing up, traveling was the norm for me because my mom was a travel agent. We’d get tons of free flights and comp tickets and my mom thought that it was very important us to see the world.
Now that I’m an adult, I have bills and don’t get as many comp tickets (hello frequent flyer miles), I haven’t been traveling as much as I use to as a kid. For whatever reason, I decided that this year I would change that and want to travel to 15 new places. I don’t know why or how I came up with 15 but thats the number.
Now, I know 15 sounds like a lot of places but heres my logic. I’m very fortunate to have a career (yay for real estate) that allows me to create my own schedule. So with a flexible schedule, a few other tricks I’ll get to in a moment and some luck, your girl will have all the tools to get this lofty goal done.
So maybe your goal isn’t 15 but if you’d like to travel to at least 1 new place this year, here are some of the tips I have for you.
Tip #1: Be flexible
Ok, maybe not as flexible a me if you have a 9-5 but try to be flexible on when you’d like to travel. People tend to travel during two times of year, winter/holidays and the dead of summer. You are missing out on some incredible deals if you don’t consider the Fall or Spring.
Tip # 2: Make traveling a priority and put it in your budget!!!
A lot of people are on a tight budget, I get it. But if you can set aside funds to go to the movies and eat out, you can definitely find the funds to travel. It may take a few months to get there but I assure you, if you cut down on one of your current luxuries and put that money toward a traveling budget, you’ll see that it will quickly add up and soon you’ll be able to go on that trip.
Tip #3: Use Google Flights
When I first discovered Google Flights, it was like a veil was lifted and I could finally see the f-light. No but really, Google flights is a great site to compare prices on different carriers, different dates and different destinations. You can even set an alert to let you know when a flight you have been eyeing has decreased (or increased) in price.
Tip #4: Stay in an Airbnb
If you are on a tight budget or even if you’re not, staying in an Airbnb is a great option. It’s cost effective, there are some really cool spaces to choose from, and you get a bit of a sense of what life is truly like in that particular city vs. the touristiness (yes that is a made up word) of a hotel. Now, I know that some people may be skeptical of staying in someone else home but from someone who has stayed in some amazing Airbnb’s in places like Cuba, Paris and Greece, I can assure there is nothing to it. These home are rated and fully vetted by other users so you can see honest opinions of the place before you stay.
Tip #5: Travel with Friends
Traveling with friends is not only super fun and can deepen your bond but it is also very cost effective because most everything will now be split. I’m going to be honest I don’t take advantage of this tip enough because I always thought my friends would want to go (stupid, I know) but after being yelled at by a few of them, its safe to say that I will be having at least one friends trip this year.
So there you have it people. Traveling doesn’t have to be super expensive or complicated. With a little planning and a little sacrifice you could see the world. Traveling is one of the best investments you can make in yourself. I’ll leave you with the words of Gustav Flaubert “Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” Now go out there and see the world in 2019.
I would love to hear you travel plans or goals for 2019. Let me know one place your excited to visit in the comments!
Zara Top (similar here and here), Vintage Belt (similar here), Target jeans (similar here and here), Marc Fisher Booties
