She Strengthens

Traveling on a Budget: How I Explored the World While Saving for My Future

As a young adult, I’m passionate about exploring new destinations while maintaining a frugal lifestyle. Balancing my love for travel with my savings goals can be challenging, but I’ve learned to make it work. Over the past two years, I’ve traveled to six countries, and I’m often asked how I afford these adventures. Here’s a breakdown of how I funded each trip.

Scholarship and Savings: The Foundation of My Travel Fund

Before diving into my travel history, it’s essential to mention that I had a significant scholarship to attend graduate school, a part-time paid research assistant position, and a year’s worth of living expenses saved up before starting my master’s program. I also didn’t have any undergraduate loans, car loans, or credit card debt, which gave me a solid financial foundation.

Peru: The Inca Trail and Beyond

In July 2015, I embarked on a two-week adventure to Peru, where I hiked the Inca Trail and explored the Peruvian Amazon. Thanks to my accumulated United miles, my flight to Cusco cost only $62.50. I spent an additional $1,500 on accommodations, food, and activities. This trip was funded by my airline miles and a bonus from my previous full-time job.

China and North Korea: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity

In March 2016, I joined a student-led international trip to China and North Korea, which was organized by a Canadian NGO. This unique opportunity allowed me to explore these countries with classmates who shared my professional interests in international affairs. My round-trip airfare from Boston to Beijing cost $850, and the trip itself cost $2,500, including hotels, meals, and an in-country charter flight. I funded this trip using my 2016 tax return, which provided an additional tax break as a student.

Vancouver: A Quick Getaway

During a three-week break between classes and my summer internship, I visited my boyfriend in Seattle and spent a long weekend in Vancouver. Although this trip was more expensive than expected, I still managed to keep costs relatively low by cooking some meals and finding affordable accommodations. I spent around $400, which came from my savings account.

Malawi: Research and Exploration

In January 2017, I traveled to Malawi for my master’s thesis research, which focused on the impact of secondary education on HIV rates in low-income countries. The trip cost around $2,000, including flights, hostels, food, and transportation, but was fully funded by my master’s program.

US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico: Island Hopping

In March 2017, I joined a friend’s bachelorette party in the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. I split a $75/night Airbnb and participated in budget-friendly activities like biking, hiking, and snorkeling. I paid $40 for my flight to San Juan and spent around $800 for the entire week, which was covered by my part-time job income.

Indonesia: A Celebratory Vacation

After graduating in May 2017, I treated myself to a two-week vacation in Indonesia, a budget-friendly travel destination. I used my United credit card rewards points to purchase a round-trip ticket from the US to Indonesia for $100 and spent another $850 on accommodations, food, and activities. This trip was funded by my airline credit card rewards points and the remainder of my graduate school savings.

By being mindful of my expenses, taking advantage of scholarships and savings, and funding my trips strategically, I’ve been able to explore the world while maintaining a responsible financial approach.