We all have that one friend who is able to travel, and is always out on one adventure or another. Our lucky friend is off seeing the world and we are stuck at home unable to afford the luxury of travel. We might even feel a little bit jealous at times and wonder how we can save money to travel more. I get asked this question all the time and I’m going to let you in on my little secrets on how I save money so that I can travel more.
10 Ways to Save Money so you can travel more often
We all have the freedom and the ability to travel more often just like that one friend does if we really want to.
Make Travel a Priority
Making travel a priority is step number one in saving money to be able to travel more often. If we want something badly enough, we can always find a way and be dedicated and make it happen. This goes with everything in life not just travel, but for the purpose of this article we will focus on saving money for travel. In order to be successful saving the money we need for travel, it is imperative that the desire to travel is made a priority. If this step is skipped, saving money for travel won’t be successful.
When I made the decision that life was too short and my primary focus turned to travel (next to my family and my employment of course), I sat down and took inventory of all of my current expenses. Since I am a solo traveller, travel is much more expensive, but I was shocked to see how many areas of my life could be changed in order to save more money for what I loved to do the most…travel.
Cut Down Expenses to Save Money for Travel
Walk Instead of Drive
In this day and age, we think nothing of hopping in the car and driving to where we need (or want) to go, failing to plan our errands in advance. There are times when we may find ourselves out, only to realize that we had forgotten to pick up something that we think we might need. Then off we go again.

Not only will we save time when we pre-plan our errands, we will also save money by not using as much gas (and we all know how expensive gas is these days). Before running errands, take the time to determine what is needed for the week, plan your route, and get it all done at once so that you aren’t taking the car out as often. Better yet, leave the car at home and walk whenever possible. Not only will you save money, but you will also get in a bit of exercise and save a ton of time.
Stay Home
Going out shopping or to the movies encourages more spending. Change your lifestyle when you aren’t travelling to be more of a homebody. Take up new hobbies, become an avid hiker (which is free and healthy), or entertain your friends at home. Just stay home more often. Everytime we leave the house it does cost money.
Stop Eating at Restaurants and Getting Take-Out
Most of us are guilty of either going to a restaurant at least once a week, or at the very least getting take-out. I always did this on a Friday night. As somebody who loves going to restaurants, I found this a tough one to give up, but travel was more of a priority for me, so give it up I did. I do occasionally treat myself by going to a restaurant every month or two, just so I don’t feel like I’m missing out on one of my favorite things to do.
Skip the Timmie’s Run
Canadians will know exactly what I mean by this one. We love our Timmie’s coffee, and I certainly am no exception. I use to stop for a Timmie’s every night after work and two or three times on the weekends. My weekly coffee bill often exceeded $15.00 per week. Although it doesn’t sound like much, over a month that’s $60.00. That $60.00 has gone a long way to help me save money so that I can travel more often.
Quit Smoking and Drinking
This is a biggy! Yes, I was a smoker for my entire life until almost 5 years ago. I decided that I wanted to begin to travel 4 or 5 times a year, and quitting smoking was the only way that I would be able to do that. With cigarettes in Canada being $16.00 a pack (at the time I quit), I made a HUGE savings for my travel fund. It certainly wasn’t easy to quit after smoking for 45 years, but my desire to travel and see the world was much greater than giving myself shitty health.
Need vs. Want
Finally, when cutting down on expenses, ask yourself, do I really NEED this? Or do I just WANT this? It is amazing how much we buy just because we want it. If serious about traveling more often, especially as a solo traveller, it is important to purchase only what is needed and forgo the wants.
Saving Money for Travel
In addition to all of the money saved by cutting these unnecessary expenses, there are also additional ways to save money in order to travel more frequently.
Travel Savings Account
Once you have reviewed your weekly/monthly budget, determine what you can afford to set aside. Open a separate bank account strictly for your travel fund. Deposit the determined amount either weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, into that account. Do not have this travel account linked to your debit card, so that the only way you can access it is to go into the bank.
Save Your Pennies
This strategy has always worked for me and I am surprised that more people don’t use it. I have a large jar (it’s actually a 2 foot plastic beer bottle), that I put all of my change into. When it comes time for me to travel, I roll it up and exchange it for bills. This strategy pays for all of my adventures and/or tours when I am travelling. It is a great way to save so that you can have those little extras when travelling.

Save Money to Travel More – Wrap Up
In short, saving money to travel more often takes a lot of dedication and determination, but by following these simple, and sometimes not so simple, steps, you will be travelling more frequently in no time at all:
- make travel a priority
- walk, don’t drive
- pre-plan your errands to do all at the same time
- stay home more often
- cut out (or cut back) on eating at restaurants and take-out
- stop the Timmie runs
- determine WANT vs. NEED
- open a savings account dedicated to travel only and don’t link your bank card to this account
- count your pennies

SAVE MONEY AND MONEY WILL SAVE YOU
If you want to save for travel and be successful, these are just a few methods of saving extra money that have worked for me. We are all looking for ways to save money, whether it be for travel or other things, and I would love to hear what methods you use to save money so that you are able to travel more?
HAPPY SAVINGS 🙂
Kelly xoxo
PIN IF YOU LOVE TO SAVE MONEY 🙂
oldbirdtravels
I already do the walking bit all the time but now am smoking and drinking like a loony!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just One Passport
Lol….im eating like that lol. Good thing we don’t have a pandemic all the time
LikeLiked by 1 person
oldbirdtravels
Oh I do the eating too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tanya
Who can pass up Tim Horton’s?? Great ideas for saving those dollars, trips to the coffee shop add up fast!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just One Passport
They sure do! I have to admit though that when I go on a roadtrip, I still have to get my Timmies lol.
LikeLike
Kat Anderson
I bought a fancy coffee maker so I never buy coffee out, but I am definitely guilty of eating and drinking out. It’s crazy the amount of money I’m saving during this pandemic not able to go out, lol!
LikeLike
Just One Passport
I am too. Its been a long time since my bank account has seen this much money. Enough for another trip 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kat Anderson
That’s awesome!! Good for you 👏🏼
LikeLiked by 1 person
Michelle Segrest
These are fantastic tips! It’s so true that if you want to do something badly enough, you won’t mind giving up other things that perhaps you can live without. I love the tip about just being a homebody because when you are out and about it’s just too easy to spend money. I save that restaurant money so that I can enjoy local food when I travel, which is much more fun anyway!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just One Passport
I completely agree. Although after this lockdown it’ll be hard to stay home for long lol. But I have managed to save enough for my next trip
LikeLike
Jay Artale
The Timmie effect is the same as the Starbucks affect! People spending $4-5 on a fancy coffee twice a day, five days a week soon adds up. It’s those little things that really add up don’t they? Small changes can make an impact long term. Me and my husband stopped celebrating birthday and Christmas with loads of presents. Instead we started going on travel adventure instead. That way we didn’t accumulate more “stuff” except memories. And the money we spent went on our love of travel.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just One Passport
Many people don’t realize how small changes can save a tonne of money. My kids and I have also stopped buying for Christmas and have started doing family adventure outings. They are all adults now so we have a tonne of fun!
LikeLike
Carrie Ann | Should Be Cruising
I agree that having the mindset of making travel a priority really helps when you’re cutting out unnecessary expenses. I used to spend way too much money on new clothes and home decor stuff until I realized I’d much rather use the money for travel. Coffee was a sneaky expense, too. I actually like my homemade cold brew better than Starbucks, and it’s so cheap and easy 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just One Passport
I am actually enjoying my own coffee more now as well. I have to admit though that I am now going through a home decor phase. Likely because I’m stuck at home lol.
LikeLike
pamelard
People always ask how they can travel as much as me – and it’s pretty simple – it’s a priority. I value travel over most other things. So I use coupons, buy in bulk, and many of the things you mentioned, etc, to save money to prioritize travel.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just One Passport
Exactly. It’s all about priority! It’s easy to save money by cutting out the little things and things we don’t really need. It’s amazing how much you can save.
LikeLike
goldenundertones@gmail.com
This is something that is great for so many people! Thank you for sharing 🙂 Always looking for more tips on how to save money to travel more!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just One Passport
Thank you. I agree. This works for whatever you want in life.
LikeLike
Ashley
Great tips! It’s amazing to think how we spend money on things all the time and we don’t even realize how much we are spending.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just One Passport
Exactly. It only takes cutting out one small item and you will save money! People don’t realize how fast the small things can add up.
LikeLike
Patti
Great tips! But eating out is my weakness! We use a lot of credit card points for travel.
LikeLike
Farrah
These are great tips! I try to walk whenever I can and have definitely adopted more of a “need vs want” mentality (I have too much stuff/clutter, so working on donating a bunch of stuff too)! Thankfully no smoking/drinking, and this quarantine thing is stopping me from going out to eat, so saving money there too. (Silver linings?)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just One Passport
I agree. My bank account hasn’t seen this much extra money in it for awhile. I have my next trip paid for once the quarantine is over.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Homebody Tourist
These are great tips! I do most of these things to save money for traveling and completely agree with you that it is so important to make it a priority. If you value travel, you will find a way to make it happen!
LikeLike
Laura
Where there’s a will there’s a way! It is amazing how much seemingly little things, like a coffee a day, add up!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just One Passport
I completely agree. It’s all a matter of priority!
LikeLike
Kendra
Great tips!! I often tell people that making travel a priority is the key–and have to point out the types of things I don’t do (fancy coffee, shopping sprees) so that I can go. And I built travel savings into my monthly budget. But I also love dining out so that doesn’t help my budget!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just One Passport
Just like me! But I have cut way back on the restaurants so I can add another week of travel
LikeLike
Laura
Great article! I really need to follow your advice so I can travel more.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just One Passport
Thank you.. its amazing how much money we spend on stupid things that we don’t need
LikeLike
stefastrolls
Loved seeing this topic being written- it’s an enigma for many people, but it can be done! It comes down to balance, sacrifice & being proactive! Perspective is imagining where what you’re saving is going towards- I’d rather spend $100 in another country & possibly do something different than be at the local bar! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just One Passport
I’m with you. All about priorities
LikeLike
Larch Gauld
Some great tips! I avoid high street coffee shops and save my money for my travelling. My coin jar is not getting fed as much as in the past as using my debit card becomes so easy. Maybe I will go back to it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just One Passport
Same. I havent been using cash at all past few months but have saved because we can’t go anywhere
LikeLike
The Spicy Travel Girl
I absolutely agree. Many people my age wonder how I’ve been travel so much because traveling is expensive. Funny thing is, much of these people are much richer than me! As long as you have enough to live comfortably, it’s all about priorities.
LikeLike
sarah
Good tips and I did all of this because travel has always been the priority. I like to physically put the money away that I would spent on a cake and coffee, so I can actually see the savings. Saving quite a bit at the mo as can’t go anywhere lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just One Passport
I agree. My bank account also hasn’t looked as good as now in a long time lol
LikeLike
Samantha
Great tips! Saving money by staying home is a lot easier now 😅
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just One Passport
yes…unfortunately it is
LikeLike
josypheen
Great tips, although Timmies is such good value – imagine if you were buying starbucks instead of Tim Hortons!? 😉
I have found some of my biggest savings by attempting to cut down on plastic(!) I swapped antiperspirant for an alum crystal (it’s mad that it works) and started making my own peanut butter/ cleaning products. It was a nice surprise to find out doing those things saves money as well as plastic. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just One Passport
thats an awesome idea. Especially the cleaning products.. there are so many chemicals in them
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amanda
Such a Canadian thing! Tim Hortons! haha! love it. This is a great post. My husband and I saved up to travel for year, however we ended up getting burnt out and came home for Christmas. Happy we did though, since the virus broke out a couple months after.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just One Passport
I love to travel but I doubt I could travel from one place to another. I’d rather spend an extended period and explore 1 area at a time. P.S. I still have to buy the odd timmies lol
LikeLike
Airborne for Animals
These are some great tips! Can I also recommend trying a fundraiser? It can be so much fun and it involves a community of people!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just One Passport
thats a great idea. Will people attend though if the pupose is to allow a person to travel? It would be a tonne of fun!
LikeLike
Taylor
This is an amazing blog post! This is seriously everything I did to save up for my travels. I couldn’t be happier!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just One Passport
Its so easy to save by just making some small lifestyle adjustments
LikeLike
Karolina
Great tips for saving money! I also agree with this that you need to make a travel to your priority and then everything else will be super simple 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just One Passport
exacrly. Travel is what I love and every extra penny goes towards it
LikeLike
Kathleen
Great tips to save money for travel. That last one, saving your change, has done wonders for us. We have saved our change for probably 20 years. We’ve been able to buy 8 acres of land in Alaska with our change, buy a riding lawn mower for our house in Idaho and now we are saving again. This time it will be for a 30th anniversary trip. I’m glad you stopped smoking. Travel is much better than being unhealthy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just One Passport
I actually find it strange now when I see people smoking lol.
LikeLike
Freya
Great tips Kelly, a few of them I have only recently started implementing as a result of the lockdown. I’m definitely not eating out, driving anywhere or buying takeaway coffee right now 🙂 The small things really do make a difference. I don’t have a dedicated travel account though, so you’ve given me another good idea.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just One Passport
its amazing the money saved during lockdown. I’m not going to suggest it as a way of saving though lol
LikeLike
Sarah Barthet
Eating out and take aways used to be a big one for me! It’s amazing how much I am saving whilst under lock down! I never really thought about how much it all adds up to until now!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just One Passport
the small things really do add up, especially giving up restaurants and fast food
LikeLiked by 1 person
revolvingcompass
A really useful list for those who want to expand their travel budget. We do practice some of these like eating out really infrequently and that definitely makes a big difference
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just One Passport
Restaurants are so expensive. But I admit I really like eating out but I limit it to every couple of months
LikeLike
Yukti
Saving money for travel is always what I also prefer. Going for walks is a good idea for saving money and also a good exercise too. I too love cooking at home instead of spending lots of money in restaurants. Avoiding smoking is a really a healthy tip to save money and health.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just One Passport
for years now every extra penny I’ve earned has gone to travel. I will admit though since being in quarantine, I have spent more on my home lol
LikeLike
Amrita
These are really some great tips for saving money. And I think these tips are relevant for saving money for any thing, not only travel. Saving up the pennies is a great way to save money. The loose changes often add up to a lot. And yes, we often spend a lot of money on eating and dining out. Cutting them can actually save a lot of money for our travel fund. I don’t have a television at home. It saves a lot of time and also saves on the cable bill!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just One Passport
cable is a great expense to cut. Its my most expensive bill
LikeLike
Debjani Lahiri
Those are some practical tips that I religiously follow in order to save money to follow my passion . Eventhough I have a full time job. I think it’s very imp that one should be clear of the priority and the kind of passion travel is it definitely requires money to be invested
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just One Passport
I agree. I’m still working as well and set aside money every week strictly for travel
LikeLike
Michelle
Great tips!! Yes, travel has to be a priority. As, I have gotten older and “wiser” lol I have noticed travel just isn’t a desire for some and for others it’s not a priority, and that’s OK too. For us, it’s not the house or the cars, but the adventure we can have as a family. Now if we could curb the eating out we would have more funds!🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just One Passport
I’m the same. As I get older its all about adventures. Priorities change at different stages in life
LikeLike
Anuradha
Some nice times for saving money! We also investigate on where the money goes out, so that we can see if we can cut down the unnecessary cost. Also, we don’t do unnecessary shopping (clothes, shoes, bags and accessories).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just One Passport
yes you have to watch where your money goes if you want to travel more for sure. We all have way too much stuff. I dont even go into stores anymore except to buy work clothes twice a year
LikeLike
Matt
The coffee one is so true! $5 x 5 days a week quickly adds up.
Last year I made the switch to 7/11 coffee $2 a cup so that I could still feel a little bit of the coffee buying luxury, but even that amount was a big saving.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just One Passport
The only time that I buy coffee now is when I’m heading out on a roadtrip (I still need my coffee when driving), the rest of the time I make it at home.
LikeLike
Pingback: My Travel Bucket List – JUST ONE PASSPORT
Pingback: Where Should I Travel? The Dilemma of the Solo Female Traveller – JUST ONE PASSPORT
millionmilermom
Reblogged this on Million Miler Mom and commented:
Great tips!!
LikeLike
Pingback: Solo Travel; The Good, Bad and Ugly Truth – JUST ONE PASSPORT
Pingback: What I Wish I Knew Before My First Solo Trip – JUST ONE PASSPORT
Pingback: 15 Things Every Senior Should Know Before Travelling Solo – JUST ONE PASSPORT
Pingback: 10 Free Activities in Curacao – JUST ONE PASSPORT
Pingback: My Roadtrip Home – JUST ONE PASSPORT
Pingback: Mature Women Travel Solo Too – JUST ONE PASSPORT
Pingback: 10 Tips for the Solo Cruiser – JUST ONE PASSPORT
Pingback: How to be a Tourist in Your Hometown – JUST ONE PASSPORT
Lita
I definitely do a lot of those things to make travel a priority! I tend to skimp on other things so that I can make sure to travel as much as I want.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just One Passport
Me too. I gave up the smoking many years ago, as well as my after work coffee. That has saved a fortune!
LikeLike
Pingback: How Grief Travel Helped Me Discover Beauty – JUST ONE PASSPORT
Pingback: Exposing Paradise, Living Like a Lucian – JUST ONE PASSPORT