How to see the world while making minimum wage
Allow me to take a little side-step from my usual content. While I usually focus on an accessible world, the world isn’t accessible to anyone who can’t afford to get out and experience it. We get a lot of astonished remarks from people who make a lot more money than us and are able to do a lot less. I don’t have an awesome masterclass to rope you into buying a course to show you how to do this, but I’m happy to share what I know… for free… because free is a good start to budget travel, anyway.
Everything you need to know can be split into two categories: budgeting and credit-carding. Yep. I made that a word.
Budgeting
1. Make a plan
Budget travel starts long before your first trip. Figure out what it is that you want, and go for it. I don’t care if you have a vision board. Some people really benefit from the daily, visual reminder of what they want. This sounds silly, like you might forget, but you do forget all the time. When you go out for pizza after soccer because it’s late and you’re tired and you don’t feel like making that meal you planned: that’s forgetting what you really want. In any moment, something else will be easier, tastier, more convenient, or a plethora of other good things. If it’s not the number one thing you’re striving for, skip it. Here’s what this looks like:
2. Create a detailed budget and stick to it
Include everything. Starbucks runs, EZ Pass tolls, dog food, shampoo, gifts. As you spend, keep track of where every dollar goes (this will likely surprise you). If it’s not in the budget, don’t spend it. Let me explain what this looks like when you’re striving for a goal. When we were saving to go to Disney, Wesley asked to go to McDonald’s (more than once). I asked if he would rather go to McDonald’s for chicken nuggets that would be gone in five minutes, or go to Disney for a week. Like any five year old, he said he wanted both. As silly as that sounds, we adults do the same thing. Yes, I’d like to travel more, but the kids kept me up last night and I didn’t have time to make coffee, so I deserve a Starbucks run on the way to work. No. What you deserve is that dream you’re working so hard for.
We allow our dreams to fall prey to convenience on a daily basis.
Wonders Within Reach
3. Adjust your thinking
This takes a shift in mindset. You’re not “sacrificing” your daily vending machine pick-me-up: you’re choosing not to sacrifice your dream. You think this doesn’t apply to you, but I bet if you ask your spouse he/she can point out an area of spending that doesn’t fit into your budget. Don’t jip yourself out of the big things because of the little comforts.
For example, one of the areas this plays out for me is birthday parties. Did you include those into your detailed budget? These can be expensive. Naturally, you want only the best for your child… that doesn’t actually have to mean pricey. Our most expensive party cost us under $150… and I think I overpaid for cupcakes. Make your own cake, or, if you’re like me and you stink at it, have a friend make your cake. Have your party at home. My seven year old has planned and thrown his own parties for the past three years. He knows what he likes, he knows what his friends like, he makes everything, they all have a blast, and I just provide food and favors. WIN. Stop thinking about all the little things that you want, and think about the big thing that you most want.
Which do you want more – those cute new sneakers, or a breathtaking mountain to climb in the old ones?
Wonders Within Reach
4. Plan ahead
This thinking carries over to your travels, too. Just because you’ve made it to Italy doesn’t mean you go crazy. Plan ahead for what foods, restaurants, or attractions you know you want to experience… so you don’t just throw your money at everything you walk by… and then feel stressed about paying for the things you wanted! We pack peanut butter and jelly for lunches on the go (you can buy bread just about anywhere). I know there’s nothing romantic about PB&J on the Rhine River, but it can make dinner that much nicer! Don’t squander on the conveniences and miss the dream. Check for discounts (AAA, military, disability) or seasonal specials. Don’t check a bag. Rent a car through Priceline – it’ll be cheaper than through any travel agent.
Credit-Carding
I realize this goes against everything Dave Ramsey taught me; but, when used with intention and responsibility, credit cards can be really useful. If this is a danger zone for you, please skip it! Credit cards are only beneficial if you can use them like cash: meaning you can pay it off immediately. If you can’t pay it off each month, the interest is NEVER worth it. That being said, I have a Marriott card that came with a sign-on bonus of eight free nights if we charged $3,000 in the first month – that covered our hotel for the bulk of our stay in China. Hilton runs a similar offer and that’s how I’m booking our hotels for our trip to the southwest. If you stay in hotels often, these are worth it.
When we went to Disney, we signed up for a Disney credit card. In addition to discounts throughout the park, it had a sign on bonus of $250 in Disney gift cards after spending $500 in the first three months. We used the card on groceries for three months (something we would have been paying for, anyway) and it got us our Ohana breakfast and candlelight processional meal – two things that wouldn’t have fit into our travel budget, otherwise. I imagine that if you open and close accounts all the time it could destroy your credit. We do this every year and we both have credit scores in the very high 700’s.
What this looks like
Most credit cards offer some sort of insane sign-on bonus in order to attract new customers. If you’re looking for free hotels, I suggest you start with the Bonvoy Boundless. Not sure what you’re going to need first? I suggest the Chase Sapphire Preferred – these points can be redeemed for just about anything, but are worth most when used for travel. If you want to compare more options, The Points Guy always has up to date information on a variety of cards.
- 1. Choose a card (Read the fine print – some have annual fees and all have a spending requirement to earn the bonus).
- 2. Apply (Just google the card you want. You can apply online or over the phone pretty quickly).
- 3. Use ONLY the card you’ve just received to pay for everything (this includes groceries, fuel, and anything you already had on auto-pay) over the next three months. This will ensure you hit your bonus (Typically $1,000-$3,000). Do not sign-up to use your credit card as a bank card to cover your mortgage – it’s not worth the fees.
- 4. Pay your credit card in full, on time. If you rack up debt, it defeats the purpose.
- 5. Book your travel for free through the points you’ve just earned. You’re welcome.
- 6. Repeat as needed.
That’s it!
Don’t miss the added bonus for adding an authorized user. An authorized user is not an owner, which means that both you and your spouse can apply for the same card and double up on points! Just make sure you space it out so that your spending matches the bonus requirement without causing stress (i.e. we wouldn’t apply for two simultaneously because we don’t normally spend $6,000 in three months).
When you really put these tips into action, you’ll have fewer bills and you will literally turn the bills that you have into dreams achieved. Please let me know if you have any questions or need any help getting started!
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