Imagine a world where you could grab your passport, pack your bags, and venture to a far away land without a care or reservation. This concept is not just the material for a great dream; it's actually quite achievable with the right mindset and motivation:
1. Plan ahead... like, way ahead.
If you know that you want to do some traveling in your lifetime, start saving up money as soon as you can. Create a bank account (or find a piggy bank) dedicated as a travel fund. Set aside money to contribute to it. Don't touch it.
The last part of that is really important. This is your travel fund. It should only be tapped into at the essential moment. Even if you can't contribute much to it at certain times, every penny counts. Whether it's $20 or $200, the money will grow and planning your adventure will be much less stressful when the time comes.
2. Set realistic goals.
3. Do some math.
Calculating affordability is a necessary evil when it comes to travel. When planning the trip, write down everything that you will have to pay for in preparation for and while on the trip. Luggage, supplies, tickets, room and board, food... the list goes on. Once you see exactly how much you need to save, it may be a little daunting. However, have no fear and don't lose your dream. If you make this trip a priority in your life, you will find the means to afford it. You just may need to sacrifice every day luxuries.
To put it in perspective, let's say that you've been planning a trip and every day you dream more about it as you buy your coffee and head to class or work. But hold the phone, because you just spent $5 on a cup of coffee and you buy coffee every day. That's $35 a week, $140 a month, and $1,680 a year.
The money that you're spending every day on coffee can be the cost of a plane ticket to the place you've always wanted to go to. Start filtering out your every day "wants" and "needs" and simplify your life to only the things you need. Not only will this help you save money, but you'll find yourself discovering an entirely new level of happiness and self-sufficiency.
4. Create a budget.
Once you do the math, you need to build a budget to plan how much you should save each week or month in order to afford leaving for your destination at your desired date. Budgeting is incredibly effective and very helpful, especially when you see numbers crunch and build and begin to materialize into an adventure.
5. Avoid over-scheduling.
No one wants to see all the best parts of an entire country in two days. Don't overload yourself with planned activities that you pulled from your Pinterest board. A very seasoned backpacker told me that he tries not to plan too many activities for his trips and he leaves ample time for spontaneity and the call of a greater adventure. To put it simply, don't plan something for every hour of every day. Set basic groundwork and let the culture of the country envelop you into a raw, unforgettable experience.
6. Seize the opportunity.
Last but not least, stop worrying about your trip being being too far out of reach and start getting exciting about turning a wild dream into a reality. Anything is possible with the right mindset, determination, and drive, so prioritize, build your savings, make a budget, and enjoy the beauty that our amazing world has to offer. You won't regret it.
