How I Saved £12,000 for Travel in One Year (In Low Paid Work)
Want to turn your travel dreams into reality? I saved £12,000/$15,000 in just one year while earning £12-14/$15-18 per hour. Here’s my complete guide to building your travel fund, step by step.
The Real Talk About Saving for Travel
Let’s be honest: anyone who tells you that saving for travel won’t affect your lifestyle is straight-up lying to you. But here’s the thing – changing your lifestyle isn’t necessarily bad. Change brings fresh perspectives. It sparks growth. And most importantly? That change is your ticket to making your travel dream your reality.
Whether you’re planning a three-month backpacking adventure or a year-long world tour, these proven strategies helped me bank serious cash for my travels. Ready to transform your savings game? Let’s dive in!
10 Power Moves to Fund Your Freedom
Table of Contents
1. Book Your Trip First (Yes, Really!)
Nothing – and I mean nothing – will supercharge your saving motivation like having actual travel dates locked in. While last-minute deals exist, booking ahead gives you:
- A concrete goal to work toward
- Better flight prices (usually)
- That necessary stepping off the airplane vision to get your saving butt in gear!
*Pro Tip: If your going for a few months or longer, consider leaving half way through the tax year so you will receive tax back for overpayment. Yee ha!
👉 Check out my post on booking your flights here – Booking Flights Wisely and Cheaply
2. Automate Your Savings (And Make Them Disappear)
Set up an automatic transfer to your savings account on payday. Why? Because money you don’t see is money you won’t spend. Some tips:
- Create a separate “Travel Fund” account
- Transfer a fixed amount immediately after payday
- Consider having a trusted friend or family member hold your savings if willpower isn’t your strong suit
- Sweep any leftover money at month-end into your savings
3. Face Your Financial Reality
Time to get cozy with your bank statements! Modern banking apps like Revolut (my choice) make this easier by categorizing your spending. Here’s what to do:
- Review every single transaction
- Look for charges to your account that you don’t understand – contact your bank for clarity
- Track how much you’re spending on nights out (spoiler: it’s probably enough for a week of travel!)
- Use cash for a week to really feel your spending
- Download money monitoring apps like Snoop (UK) or Rocket Money (USA)
TRUTH: I once had a boyfriend who got charged £20 for buying gum monthly (going over his overdraft) because he didn’t check his balance. That’s one expensive fresh breath! Don’t be that guy! Knowledge is Power.
4. Get Creative with Housing
Your rent is likely your biggest expense, so let’s tackle it head-on:
- Consider moving back with family (trust me, you’ll miss them when you’re traveling!)
- Look for local house-sitting opportunities through Facebook or TrustedHousesitters (BONUS: building references now will make it easier to find free accommodation while traveling!)
- Find a cheaper apartment or consider shared housing
5. Maximize Your Income
Time to hustle (temporarily):
- Ask for overtime at your current job
- Pick up a side gig or weekend work
- REMEMBER: Every extra shift equals more adventure money and if you’re working, you’re not spending! One day’s wages at home could fund a week of travel in some countries! Your future self will thank you!
6. Smart Money Management: Bills, Utilities, and Monthly Expenses
For UK Readers:
- Check Money Saving Expert regularly for the best deals
- Use their energy comparison tools
For US Readers:
- For comparing Utility providers in deregulated states, try Electricity Rates
Phone Bills:
My cautionary tale: Back in 2008, I signed up for a mobile contract that promised ‘free roaming’ in Australia. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t free at all, and I was stuck with a useless 18-month contract! 😱 Here’s what I learned:
- Stick to SIM-only/Pre-paid plans
- Cancel contracts in advance, there is always waiting periods
- Consider budget providers (I use Lebara in the UK – £5/month with 5GB data and free roaming in the EU. Less GB = less screen time = better mental health)
- Use WiFi whenever possible (it’s everywhere nowadays)
- Download content for offline use (great practice for travel)
7. Cancel Those Subscriptions
Take a second right now to count the subscription services silently draining your travel fund.
- £15 monthly streaming service? That’s 15 street meals in Bangkok or Mexico!
- Cancel gym memberships (YouTube workouts and park runs are free!)
- Use your local library 📚
- Share accounts with family (legally, of course!) 😉
8. Break Free from the Shopping Cycle (Stop Buying Stuff!)
With rising prices and our increasingly materialistic society, saving feels harder than ever. And it’s true—everything around us is designed to make us spend. But here’s how to fight back 💪:
Shop Your Own Wardrobe First
I’ve been “shopping” in my old clothes for about 15 years now. It’s amazing how stuff I never liked suddenly seems perfect when I’m in saving mode!
Try these spending-free strategies:
- Do a full wardrobe audit – you’ll be shocked at what you rediscover
- Host clothes-swapping events with friends (bonus: it’s hilarious trying on each other’s fashion choices!)
- If you must buy, make it second-hand: Vinted, Facebook Marketplace, or charity shops
- Make a deal with yourself: you can only buy new stuff with money made from selling old stuff
The Golden Rule
Once your flight is booked, apply this simple test: if it’s not going in your rucksack, it’s not getting bought!
You will get so good at this that it becomes difficult to spend money eventually. (A problem in itself!) But there is much to be said for buying what you need and not what you want (most of the time).
9. Reinvent Your Social Life
Who says saving means becoming a hermit? Try these money-saving hangouts:
- Host “Come Dine With Me” style dinner parties
- Organize game nights (Charades champion right here! 🏆)
- Plan hiking days or evening urban exploration walks AKA People watching on a Saturday night – just the motivation you’re looking for to cut down on the booze!
- Book cheap sports court sessions with friends
- Host movie nights (using your friend’s streaming login – they owe you!)
10. Master Budget-Friendly Eating
Your food budget can make or break your savings goals:
- Pack those lunches (shop visits = temptation!)
- Weekly shop and Bulk cook everything (3+ portions minimum)
- Shop at budget supermarkets
- Master the art of reduced aisle shopping
- Skip restaurants (think: one dinner out = three days in Thailand!)
BONUS: This will also enable you to eat healthier and know what’s in your food!
Basically, rolled all into one: Be Frugal!
I Repeat: Your Future Self Will Thank You 🙏
Remember this:
“Money spent on travel returns as wisdom, perspective, and a life well-lived.”
Yes, saving requires lifestyle changes. Yes, it takes effort. But trust me – when you’re sipping coconuts 🥥🌴🏖️ on a beach in Thailand or watching the sunset from a mountain in Peru, you’ll know it was worth every sacrifice. Future you will adore past you when you get to extend your trip by 3 months because you scrimped and saved like a bad ass!
The beauty of this journey? The money-saving habits you develop now will serve you for your travels too! You’ll be amazed at how far your hard-earned cash can stretch in many travel destinations!
👉Tips for Booking that flight here!
May the journey be ever in your favour,
✌️ Missy
P.S. Just keep in mind: Every time you are leaning towards a ‘WANT purchase’, THINK – what could I buy in (insert dream destination) with this money? This is my saving grace.
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To find out more about me and my vision for ‘FUNCTIONAL HIPPIES’ visit the about page or get in touch!
Happy trails!
