How To Afford Your Dream Vacation

Funding Your Dream Trip

Figuring out how to pay for your dream vacation is a tough question to address. Some people will think this is a ridiculous issue . . . to others it’s a real concern. I recognize that everyone’s financial situation is different and individuals have vastly different money beliefs. 

The Good News: Life Ebbs and Flows

For those who want to travel but finances are presently a serious concern, remember that life ebbs and flows. What seems impossible today can become your reality tomorrow. It might take a little effort and sacrifice. Only you know how much effort and sacrifice you’re willing to give.

If you offered to give me back all the tens of thousands of dollars that I’ve spent on travel in exchange for my travel memories, I’ll keep the memories, thank you very much. I can always make more money but how many times in my life will I get to see the Pyramids of Giza?

As it turns out, at least twice. Haha.

How I Fund My Dream Vacation

If travel hasn’t been a regular expense in your budget, you may be asking yourself, how exactly do I fund my trip?

I’ll admit that as a flight attendant I’m very fortunate that I have access to a worldwide network of airlines. Some I pay a nominal fee for, others I only pay taxes. A big part of the travel expense (airfare) I don’t have to worry about.

However, I DO have to worry if there’s an empty seat on the plane, so there is a give-and-take. I’m an expert at flying around the world without a ticket. (You will hear this called Standby or Space Available). It’s still nerve-wracking waiting at the gate, praying the gate agent calls my name.

You might have the added expense of a plane ticket, but you also have the benefit of a confirmed seat.

A Little Bit of Calculated Luck

I’ve made some “accidental” good life choices.

I’m very fortunate that on average I only work about fifteen days a month. When I manage my schedule properly I have a lot more vacation time than the average person. Since 2006 I’ve regularly taken four to five trips a year.

I’ve managed all of this world travel while buying a house, paying off my student loans, adding to my 401k, investing in company stock and somehow not living like a pauper . . . even on a flight attendant salary. Most of this I did while I was single.

How do I justify the travel?

If you calculate the annual cost of flights that are taken by my travel companions on my travel passes, most years the total is way higher than my salary! To get an even bigger bang for our buck, we always try to pick flights with open business class seats. These tickets can easily cost $10,000 for a round-trip flight to Europe. So fancy!

If I had to actually buy tickets, I’d get the cheap seats to make my travel money stretch as far as possible. You know, those horrific seats in the last row, next to the bathroom.

My Child is Furry, Not Human

I don’t have kids. I do have a very spoiled dog. Human kids are more expensive, eventually they’ll leave. Haha.

Is Your Dream Vacation Your Priority?

How do I afford to travel? It boils down to priorities, and seeing the world is at the top of my list. 

I met Alex well into my flight attendant career and it helps that we’re on the same financial page. We choose to live in a normal-sized house, we drive two not-very-exciting cars (currently a Jeep and a Mazda). We don’t have 4-wheelers, ATVs, a 5th-wheel trailer, a motorhome or a boat.

All of our extra income is spent creating memories around the world. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Your Dream Vacation Isn’t Worth Going Into Debt

At our house, we don’t believe in going into debt for travel. Preplan and prepay is our motto. The absolute last thing I’d want to do is worry about how I’m going to pay for my vacation while I’m enjoying my vacation. 

I’ve successfully pre-funded all of my travels since 2006. If I don’t have the money available, I won’t go. I refuse to go into debt for a trip . . . and with my travel saving account, I’ve never had to say no. 

Dream Vacation Savings Account

I’ve made this work by having 10% of my income automatically taken from my paycheck and deposited into a savings account specifically for travel. To that special savings account, I add any extra money I receive during the year. Money comes in unexpected ways . . . tax return refunds, company bonuses or odd surprise checks.

Through trial and error, I’ve learned to manage my money. I fully admit having a furry kid instead of real kids makes our situation easier.

Take Heart . . . Your Kids Will Leave One Day

If the expense of kids is crushing your travel dreams, take heart. One day your kids will be out of the house and all that extra money will be yours to spend as you wish. Start making your travel plans now for when that glorious day occurs! 

Do Your Dream Vacation Research

As we’ve traveled the world we stay at safe, clean, comfortable places (think Holiday Inn type hotels or highly-rated cute mom-and-pop places). We travel mostly during the Shoulder Season (April and May, September and October) which tends to be a bit cheaper and helps our travel money stretch.

Food expenses could add up but fortunately, neither of us are foodies. I have zero tolerance for lengthy, multi-course meals. We don’t drink alcohol, but I do suffer from a no-joke Coke Zero addiction.

Expensive Places Will ALWAYS Be Expensive

Because I do my research, I know when Expensive Season is and we try to avoid traveling during that time. That being said, there are places that are ALWAYS expensive . . . London, Rome, Russia, anywhere in Northern Europe, any kind of river cruise, Australia and Singapore to name a few.

I’ve also learned that just because a place is expensive doesn’t mean it should be avoided. High-priced locations are expensive for a reason and they shouldn’t be skipped. If you’re aware of the cost before you go, it won’t be so shocking to your wallet.

If we take a really expensive trip we try to balance it out later in the year with something more affordable like Spain, Greece, Prague, Thailand or Mexico. 

Sweden Was Shockingly Expensive

Sweden is amazing, but you definitely need to bring all of your money with you. Literally all of it.

It’s okay, you can make more.

Create a Dream Vacation Budget

I always make a simple budget before we leave on our trip so we have a good idea of what our overall trip expenses will be. Keep in mind things can always cost a little less or a whole lot more. You’ll have the best experience if you stay flexible with your budget. The internet is your friend and with a little research, it’s easy to find the price of almost anything.

If I had to guess, between 2006-2020 I’ve spent close to $75,000 traveling the world. I don’t regret a penny I’ve spent, except for those five very expensive red rooster suckers I bought in Budapest at a Farmers Market.

Guess I’m the sucker for overpaying. Haha.

Honestly Answer These Hard Questions

If finding money for travel sounds impossible, is it possible to reassess your priorities? Ask yourself some hard questions:

• What are you overpaying for?
• How much interest are you paying on credit cards?
• Do you have to eat out for lunch every day?
• Are you really using that subscription box?
• Are you really watching Netflix, Hulu and Amazon?
• How often do you really need $6 coffee?
• Is it possible that $6 coffee might taste better at a Paris cafe and paired with a buttery croissant? 

Only you can examine your finances and see what can be cut and trimmed.

If you find cutting and trimming is impossible, don’t give up yet. Figure out a way to earn more money!

Consider a Second Job to Fund Your Dream Vacation

If there’s truly nothing that you can cut out or sacrifice and you really want to travel, it’s time to figure out how you can bring in more money. If your solution is a second job, make it worth your time and search for an opportunity that gives you some kind of travel benefit. 

Find a Part Time Job in the Travel Industry

• Is there an airline hiring very part-time near you where you could work a few hours a week? Your airfare could be paid for. 

• Is there a local hotel hiring for a van driver or some other simple job a few hours a month? You’d have access to discounted hotels.

Lots of flight attendants look for additional streams of income during their first couple of years. Here are some of the things I’ve heard them recommend. Who knows what odd job they’ve suggested you might find long term success with:

• Do you have a talent or big idea you could turn into some extra cash?

• Can you open a savings account and put any extra funds you have that would add up over time? $5 a week is $260 a year. That’s almost $3,000 in ten years. 

• Do you have anything you aren’t using that you could sell?

• Are you signed up for travel deal websites? Do you peruse them weekly? There are amazing travel deals out there.

• Do you have a travel points credit card that you pay off every month? Put those points to use.

• There are all sorts of part-time gigs. Have you considered working part-time for Uber, Lyft or food delivery?

• How about blood or plasma donation?

• Do you have a room you can rent out? This would double as a good opportunity to learn about Airbnb.

Warning: Don’t Pay For Your Friends

This suggestion pains me, but it must be mentioned.

If you choose to travel with friends, please don’t pay for their trip. It’s my (unfortunate) experience that people do not appreciate (and often complain about) what is given freely to them, especially when it comes to travel.

There’s nothing more disheartening than footing the travel bill for a friend, only to have them complain (to your face and behind your back) about the experience.

I’m a giving person. I still won’t make the mistake of paying for any “friend” travel expenses again. 

Change Your Mindset

If you still want to travel but can’t wrap your mind around how to make it work financially, it might require a change in mindset or a change in lifestyle. I know lots of people who downsized and sold their big houses, big SUVs and big motorhomes. Their lives changed for the better because they no longer had the stress of those big bills.  

I’m here to tell you, you never know what’s possible until you give it your best shot. If you’d told me when I was a kid that I’d one day effortlessly bop around the world, I would have thought you were a crazy person. 

Most of the time we’re limited by our own unrealistic negative beliefs. If you believe you can do something, I’d bet money on you that you’ll succeed.

Likewise, if you believe you CAN’T do something, you’re probably right.

If you have the burning in your soul to travel, I encourage you to find the cash, get out in the world and change your life.

For whatever reason, travel might not be possible for you today, and that’s okay. Put the wheels in motion so you’re ready to go when your personal situation changes. 

I’m cheering you on and can’t wait to see your photos.

Thanks So Much for Popping By!

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If you’re wondering what prompted me to share my travel knowledge, check out the About Me section.

I’d love to hear about your travel experiences, good and bad. We’ll all be better travelers if we learn from one another. 

The Art of Travel (TAOT) ~ Written by Kylie, these awesome photos came from Unsplash.