No Money for Travel? Break Out the Rabbit Ears

By Christine Garvin On July 9, 2009 · 21 Comments

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Is being able to travel important enough to give up that new iPhone or a Radiohead concert?

Photo: A.K. Photography / Feature: Torley

Would you give up getting your hair cut, walk or take the bus to work, or limit yourself to one happy-hour beer per week to save for vacation?

In this economy, travel has taken a beating. It is often the first thing to go when budgets must be tightened.

But a family in Charlotte thinks that getting away is priority-numero-uno. So they grow their own vegetables, use old-school rabbit ears and a digital converter box on their TV, and drop off their trash instead of paying for pick-up.

They also search out free community events, and when they travel, stay in condos instead of hotels. Condos tend to be both cheaper and allow for cooking meals on the home-away-from-home front.

Plus, once on the road, you can always go the timeshare route for a freebie, if you can handle a nice big sales pitch. And BootsnAll Travel recommends the time-honored tradition of hanging out at your local port (no, not for prostitution purposes). Apparently, boat crews are often looking for a helping hand, and you can build up those muscles in the process (hey, a two-for!).

Personally, I plan to spend a lot less while traveling than I would living in Fairfax. At $1,000 in rent a month, plus general high cost-of-living, Marin, CA certainly ain’t a cheap place to settle.

Moving out of my pad also produced quite a few articles of clothing and shoes that went for sale in the front yard, along with finding their way into consignment stores. Oh, and I can’t forget the many books I bought for school that hadn’t been touched in a year – yep, you guessed it, now on the shelves of used bookstores and Amazon.

What are some things you have cut back on so that you could continue to travel? Share your thoughts below.

Community Connection

Check out Tim Patterson’s diatribe on how to travel the world for free and Ernesto Machado’s musings on how to figure out when budget travel becomes exploitation.

About The Author

Christine Garvin

Christine Garvin is a certified Nutrition Educator and holds a MA in Holistic Health Education. She is the founder/editor of Living Holistically...with a sense of humor and co-founder of Confronting Love. When she is not out traveling the world, she is busy writing, doing yoga, and performing hip-hop and bhangra. She also likes to pretend living in her hippie town of Fairfax, CA is like being on vacation.

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http://www.keepingpaceinjapan.com Turner Wright

I always have problems spending money on food when I’m home… I can’t give it up.
Sarah

Always good to keep your priorities in check. I make my own coffee, haven’t had a proper haircut in over a year and cook my own meals…. But there is nothing anybody could say to make me get rid of my iPhone. Nothing.
Inês

This year I gave up a Prodigy and Metallica concert and a lot more for a Interrail pass x)
I hope it worth the effort
http://www.collazoprojects.com Julie

Great article, Christine! Like Sarah, I make my own coffee and cook my own meals– though, like Turner, I spend a lot of my money on food. Farmers’ markets are a major weakness.
I find lots of ways to save: library instead of buying books, I don’t buy music much anymore, but instead listen to it online. Same with newspapers (except on Sunday; that’s a habit I can’t kick).
http://thelonglayover.blogspot.com Carlo

I haven’t gone to the barber’s in years. Yvonne cuts my hair. Bike to work – almost zero transportation costs. Don’t buy lunches at work, bring leftovers. Don’t go out very much for drinks, do more entertaining at home and friends’ places. Don’t buy unnecessary stuff. Wear warmer clothes inside instead of using electric heaters.

The thing is, these aren’t even sacrifices. A lot of the money people spend is for convenience, so when you start putting in a bit more effort you can save a LOT of money. You really don’t have to earn very much to sustain a comfortable lifestyle, and save up for some traveling.
http://www.holisticwithhumor.com/ Christine Garvin

@Turner–yeah, me too. I spend entirely too much on food. But I use keeping up my health as an excuse.
Except when I’m eating unhealthy food…doesn’t work as well then.

@Carlo–super good points. I totally agree. We spend so much money on stuff that is simply excess, and doesn’t really make our lives any better. I think that is a positive of this economic downturn – people actually have to think about ways to cut back, and have found they actually get to spend more time with family/friends and at home in the process.
http://Travel-Writers-Exchange.com Travel-Writers-Exchange.com

I haven’t given up anything because I haven’t traveled this year. There are many things you can do to save for travel like save your spare change, save dollar bills, trim the entertainment, and cut back on dining out. It’s up to you!
http://megarama.blogspot.com Megan

I’m a big library addict–it’s more fun and cheaper to hang out at than starbucks. And libraries aren’t just for books–check out DVDs and CDs too. In Boston, you can even reserve free museum tickets. (That’s means saving $19 to go to the Science Museum!)
http://www.theplanetd.com Dave and Deb

We cut back on a lot, but never seem to miss it. I cut Dave’s hair, and most of the time he trims mine (I have long hair, who needs to pay $75 bucks for a trim) We eat at home, I think it is easier as a couple, we can make cooking fun. We don’t pay for Cable,or have a gym membership or a new car. Same car for 6 years means no car payments.
http://www.gettucsononline.com/ Samuel Peterson

Yes this is the actual problem now a days, so what we can do? There is some cheap travel plans to every one.
http://matadorabroad.com Tim Patterson

It’s amazing how often expensive things and activities don’t make us happy and only add stress to our lives. Saving for travel by cutting back on other expenses can help us simplify and make us more content. 2 birds one stone!

http://thelonglayover.blogspot.com Carlo Alcos

Exactly Tim! Buying a brand new car or whatever, then constantly being paranoid and worried that it will get scratched, or damaged, stolen…

Christy

Me and my boyfriend have become so tight since we have decided to travel! Hardly ever go out unless its a special occasion, always make our own food, never eat out or buy lunch! I haven’t bought a new item of clothing for ages Also going to sell lots when I get round to having a clear out… My car is on its last legs but refusing to get a new one!
Melí

For the longest time I thought I could not live without cable, but then times got hard and it was the first to go. I’ve since invested in a digital converter box and Netflix….and I can’t be happier! With the DTV box, the pictures are as clear as cable, and you get some extra channels that you probably wouldn’t have been able to get without the digital conversion. Netflix is just a GODSEND. Three movies unlimited, no late fees , and you can watch some movies instantly online for 20 bucks a month…C’MON! If I want to catch shows, on HBO or Showtime, Netflix may have then as well. As for music videos, I watch them on Youtube.

I have natural dreadlocks so I do my own dreads, that saves me at least $75 at the hair dresser. My clothes I get from outlets so that saves a bundle. I do splurge here and there…but very infrequently.

My next trip is Thailand…hopefully this saving will cover it!
Marissa

I found that it was difficult to get into the habit of saving but once you get used to it, it’s pretty easy! I’ll still treat myself to a night out with friends now and then but I never go clothes shopping anyone. I just think to myself “Do I REALLY need a new skirt when I travel?”
Ryan

You know it’s funny, I am coming up on the end of my year in Thailand and am more worried about saving money here so I don’t go home broke! It’s a lot more difficult to justyfy saving while you’re on the road–and I guess this is what I save money for in the first place. Luckily, I’ve learned a lot about what I do and don’t need to spend money on at home. My life here is very simple while still plenty comfortable. What I’m really dreading is adjusting to the prices back in the States when I’m used to having a nice dinner for $1 or taking the bus across country for the same price as a train ticket into the city in America. $4 for a pint of beer!? I’m in trouble…

http://thelonglayover.blogspot.com Carlo

$4? Bargain! A pint here in Oz is $8 or $9

http://www.maltabulb.com Malta Bulb

Haven’t done any traveling this year and yes, I am going crazy! lol

So I think I have given up my brains, if that counts. Only I still haven’t been able to travel.
Maria

Hi, I always love to read this site and dreaming of travel to West Europe. But the question is that: How I can manage it since the currency in my country is going to be nothing in Europe. I’m Indonesian, and Rupiah is a total loser when I travel. I once backpack to Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, and I had to save for about 8 months of my salary to make it happen. Do you have any ideas? because any sources I found on internet, most of them only suitable for Americans or European. How to make it happen for Indonesian like me, who only earn 6 thousand dollar per year? For Indonesians that salary 500 dollar per month consider quite good, since a meal here only around 1 dollar. I will be very happy if any of you give ideas to make that dream come true
Gallegosroberto777

I think traveling is an investment. People tend to think traveling is only going to a hotel and spend the day at the pool. In fact I really don’t think you need to go far to say you traveled. A small magical town is waiting to be discovered near your house, just grab the bike, make some sandwiches, bottle of water and prepared to be surprised.
Gallegosroberto777

I think traveling is an investment. People tend to think traveling is only going to a hotel and spend the day at the pool. In fact I really don’t think you need to go far to say you traveled. A small magical town is waiting to be discovered near your house, just grab the bike, make some sandwiches, bottle of water and prepared to be surprised.

No Money for Travel? Break Out the Rabbit Ears

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