How to travel when you can’t afford it

Traveling is something that I love to do. I don’t get to do it often though….why? I can’t afford it. I would love to travel with the kids but taking them on a flight (a decent one) is expensive. I would love to go with my girls but that can add up too because budgets go out the window when you are out shopping and having fun with your friends. I do travel though and I want to share how I travel when I really can’t afford it but need a quick getaway.

How to travel when you can’t afford it

Let’s start with transportation……

Some flights have deals or you can rack up mileage. I have never been on a plane so I know nothing about how to go about getting all the goods when it comes to flights. Search for deals. I do travel by train because I get the hookup and I also love driving. I know a lot of people hate driving…but I love it. As long as I have my music/podcasts and snacks I am good to go. I also like driving because you never know what cities you will discover as you drive through places. I love to stop and explore even if what would normally take me 8 hours takes me two days. The journey is what I live for…I will eventually get to the destination but I stop along the way.

• Search for the cheapest flight
• Find a buddy who works for the airport (I have three and still don’t use them smh)
• We recently rented a car from Budget….horrible service but the car was only $300 and some change for an entire week. We searched for the best deal and rented a Ford Explorer
• Use your own transportation if you have room for extra mileage on your car it’s cheaper
• Fly part of the way and then maybe rent a car for the rest. I know it’s bothersome to switch up modes of transportation but it may save you some money
• Sign up for a few travel credit cards, collect miles, and then fly for free

Next, let’s talk where you will sleep……….

I know two ladies who travel from the East Coast to the West….they stop at the rest stops and sleep in their car like the truck drivers. I do not recommend this at all but her and a friend do this often and they take shifts on a night watch to ensure their safety. I think its crazy but it works for them. It doesn’t work for me however so……

• Find discounts and deals throughout online websites
• CouchSurf….heard of it? Me neither…
• Stay with people that you know. We all should know at least one person in some states. If you are traveling ask to stay with them and pay them something. I stayed with a blog buddy when I went to North Carolina last year. She had a townhouse with a basement. I gave her some money and she would not even take it.
• Take more people with you and split the cost.
• Of course the more people you take the more you can save if you do an Airbnb

Food…..

• Stay at a house if you go out of town most houses have a full kitchen and you can take your own food and cook no need to eat out
• Some places if you tell them it’s your first time there they may let you get an appetizer/meal for free. I have done this and it works for me…it’s probably because I am cute though 🙂
• Drink water and lay off the extra drinks trust me it will save you moolah

Let’s run down a trip that I recently took and look at the cost. I went to Virginia…I drove my car. Transportation only cost me gas. $200 to and from in gas. I stayed with a friend…no hotel fee. Food…I sought out restaurants before I went and got a discount for 3 of them because I called and asked them if they had any deals for newbies who are new to town. I didn’t eat anywhere expensive so my total for meals for 3 days (just me) $120. I went to Virginia for a conference for my photography. I was able to score tickets for free because I entered into the drawing….never underestimate the power of contests. Total $320 bucks for travel (add about 20 bucks more for snacks)

How much would it cost you to go to Virginia or to someplace that’s only 7 to 8 hours away?

Remember, live simpler so you can afford to travel more.