Tips on Saving for a Trip

Last Updated: Nov. 16, 2009

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1. I have put pictures of places I want to go on my phone wallpaper and also my computer wallpaper! I also have lots of pics all up around my room. Im planning European Vista leaving 20/12/10 so Im saving up for it! I have a piggy bank which works well to!

   Hellokimmie posted 10 days ago Flag as Inappropriate

2. I started saving a little over a year before my trip. I’m in school so I can only have one job so every paycheck I’ve been putting away roughly $200 (sometimes more). I’m nearly at the cost of the tour with six months left to spare. My parents agreed to pay for the flight and I’m borrowing $3000 for them. We already have a payment plan set up: if I give them roughly $300 a month I should have it paid off in around a year.

   movie@girl.mp3 posted 13 days ago Flag as Inappropriate

3. I’ve been doing all these things for as long as I can remember! I think I’m going to need to get a 4th job just to pay for my travel obsession! :)

   TravelinStacey posted on Oct. 09, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

4. I want to know how much people usually take over with themon the tour. I have never done this before and have no idea how much i should save!

   Explorer1153225 posted on Oct. 08, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

5. I think I need my own financial manager to save for my trip!! Thanks for the help though!

   AlyceBrookeHolly posted on Oct. 06, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

6. Who wrote this? It looks like a 12 year old put this together…

   Come on, Contiki! Geeezz….

   Call me a nerd, but I find it hard to take advice from someone who can’t spell or use punctuation correctly.

   Explorer1152484 posted on Sep. 30, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

7. The information here is extreamly useful. However i already use most of these to pay of my morgage quicker. I work two jobs and still find it hard to save enought with a morgage. Anyone got any other sugguestions that don’t included taking a second out on my home??? Planning to go to europe in June for about a month.
   My advice for flights is to shop around and look for bargains. Got my from KL to UK for $500 return. And me and my mates plan to take a cruise from singapore to KL (its cheaper then paying for food and accom in singapore.) Just got to wait for Jetstar to have another bday sale to get our flights there.

   Explorer1151967 posted on Sep. 25, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

8. sweet sweet article :):)

   sammy_bee posted on Sep. 15, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

9. Hey Courtney, awesome, ive looked at that tour as well…Apparently the new Brochures are coming out in November, soon as they are out you can book…Would be great to meet a few fellow travellers before heading over there.. Yeah the saving is a hard part but a few cheap nights and being a tightass for the next 10 months will be well worth it…

   Langton_87 posted on Sep. 09, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

10. The tips provided are exactly as I am doing. I have opened a high interest bank account with Bank-west (4.75%), have organized a money tin that I cant break into to put all my coins in (if I have coin, I avoid using it so I can put it away), and am thinking very hard about what I can and cant spend. I put a set amount away a week and aim to put more away in another separate account, and am putting more than need be on my credit card in case I need to use it :)
    Thanks for the help!

    Jerago posted on Sep. 03, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

11. Hi Kylie01 & Langton87. A friend and I are also planning on going to Europe 2010. We are looking at doing the European Vista in mid june but waiting for the dates to come out. We are both working extra hours to save up for our trip. will be worth it in the end though!!

    Courtney posted on Sep. 03, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

12. Thanks for the info. I truly learned a lot and will take your advise.

    healthisme posted on Sep. 01, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

13. Very useful article!!! Little tip to smashley922.. Im too planning for a trip with a mate in 2011 and it is difficult to plan exactly.. but we had a look at what the tour costs now including the optional extras etc… and we over estimated the costs and rounded up.. this has given me a goal of what i should save each week (pay week) approximately and as it gets closer and the new contiki issue mag comes out in october, you’ll get a better idea…

    Kristy-May posted on Aug. 23, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

14. this artible was so helpful! me and my sister are planning a trip to Europe in 2011 when she graduates high school. since the rates for 2011 won’t be released for a while I’m feeling a little lost and stressed that we aren’t going to be able to save in time. if anybody has anymore suggestions I would love to hear them. we need all the help we can get! thanks in advance!

    smashley922 posted on Aug. 18, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

15. Very helpful article. I’m looking to book a summer 2010 Europe trip but not sure when to go. I’m thinking April-May time. I’m waiting for the dates to be released in October.

    LoveToExplore posted on Aug. 18, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

16. Hey Kylie101, I am also planning on Summer 2010, travelling with a mate, both from Aus. I am not sure on how far in advance, I think its about 6 – 9 months, I have been trying to figure out the same. What tour are you looking at doing? and yes I agree, although slightly better for us, exchange rates are shocking!...haha

    Langton_87 posted on Aug. 09, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

17. Now I’m very motivated so save up for a trip next spring…I’m focused on the Egypt tour. The hardest part is not buying new clothes…I love to shop but a few new tops and shoes does not even compare to the idea of seeing the pyramind of giza!

    Kristina posted on Aug. 07, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

18. Hey! I’m Kylie, a friend and me have finally make the decision to take Europe by storm haha. But we didn’t realise NZD versus Euros was SO bad! Do we really need to budget 200Euro per day? That’s $400NZD a day… seems a bit steep. Who’s planning anything for Summer 2010? How far in advance can we book?

    Ciao!

    kylie101 posted on Jul. 27, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

19. Hi I want to do a Euro trip in May 2010, but I can’t find anywhere to book yet – does anyone know how far in advance date/price details are available?

    Kellie83 posted on Jul. 24, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

20. Im busy saving for 2010’s London to Rome, these messages have really motivated me! I’M GOING TO MAKE IT HAPPEN!! :-D

    jax posted on Jun. 30, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

21. This is a very motivating article.

    I only decided in the last few days that I finally wanna make my travel dreams come true next year. I’ve just started a new job and was already going to save $500 out of each pay cheque towards either travel or a house deposit.

    Now that I have decided to travel and thought about it and checked out the prices I have a rough aim of what I need to save up.

    To help me out I’ve got a picture of a camp ground in the Swiss Alps on the shelf in my pantry -a reminder to cut down on spending money on food. I eat at work most days and half the food I buy at home ends up in the bin…

    I also have a beautiful picture of Greece on a little money tin I’d started saving coins in. I’ve saved over $50 in 3 weeks.

    and in my wallet on one side is a picture from Barcelona. and the other side a lovely picture from Dublin -which is not on the tour I intend to take, but if I save extra hard I may just go there a few days at the conclusion of my tour.

    brydz05 posted on Jun. 17, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

22. I found a great way on saving on expenses was really researching airfares. So for me, I was able to get return flights to KL, where we’ll be staying for a week for $300 and then from KL to London return for $571. Massive saving on a direct flight to London from Oz, plus we get to see another country!

    MilkBottle posted on Jun. 15, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

23. I got a second job and opened an account just for the trip. so my money from my second job goes straight into that account. i also gave my parents the debit card from that account so i can’t take money out. also spare change seriously put it in a jar i have saved literally HUNDREDS of dollars from my spare change =)

    kate_vdm posted on Jun. 11, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

24. We are saving for the European Discovery contiki tour for May 2010 and are starting to save now. Just by cutting back on the simple small things such as a coffee and bringing own lunch to work will add up! Also, every pay cheque, I automatically transfer a certain amount to my savings so I won’t be able to touch the money.

    I have a savings account with ING, and you can name your accounts. I named mine EUROPE 2010! It is very motivating to see the balance grow every month with interest :)

    KayCee2117 posted on May. 05, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

25. I’m saving for my trip in May 2010. I worked out what the approximate cost for my trips, accommodation, flights, insurance etc. and then $200AU spending money per day and then divided it by the amount of weeks I have until I leave. This meant that I could see how much I needed to save per week. I then started keeping a budget, and took monthly things into account and divided them into weeks (e.g. phone bill is $40 a month therefore $10 a week). In my budget I account for all the weekly expenses and then add in what I spend. Knowing that I’m keeping track of what I’m spending my cash on means taht I think twice about spending money on unnecessary items such as more clothes!!

    The budget also allows me to see that I am saving the amount that I need to save per week.

    Explorer1117720 posted on Apr. 28, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

26. I have booked to go on a couple of tours at the end of this year and I wanted to think of a quick and easy way of saving money. I have already set up a direct debit into an online saver account and also plan on using my tax return, which I’m paying extra towards. If you’re good with children, why not start up as a part time babysitter (it’s cash in hand). I have done this, it may mean giving up a few weekends but it’ll be worth it. I’ve saved up enough money to cover my flights and tours already and I still have another 4 months until I leave.

    Lisa posted on Apr. 18, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

27. Also, I found that even though I had enough in my savings account to pay it all off at once, I paid off the airfares first, then all the extra little thing like the pre-tour and post-tour accom, airport shuttle transfers and the insurance one at a time so that I would still earn the highest amount of credit interest in my account as I could. And in addition to that, I also made sure I could deposit at least $50 still to my “holiday” money so that it didn’t seem like it was just disappearing. My trip is fully paid off, and in the remaining weeks before I go away I can still keep adding my minimum deposit to my money to keep it growing and still have money when I get back.

    Lenny1987 posted on Apr. 12, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

28. yeah it has been difficult, but I have managed to cut back on a lot of menial things – $10 doesn’t sound like alot, but it adds up if you spend it here and there on things you necessarily don’t need right away. I have found myself unemployed as well, so it is possible to put money in your savings, but also pay for a trip at the same time. Movie nights are an awesome idea especially if people bring movies from their own collection that way you don’t even need to rent :) sounds like I’m cheap, I know, but it all works lol.

    Lenny1987 posted on Apr. 12, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

29. The idea about opening a high interest savings account has really helped me save for my holiday so far. I get a fair amount just in interest with only a few grand saved in my account with ING. Another tip that i have been using alot is drawing out my whole pay for the week (well its not that much really, i only work casually and study full time) and putting post-it notes on the money i have allocated for specific things eg-petrol, lunches. This way when i open my wallet i can see what my money is supposed to be for, and i think twice about spending my petrol money on clothes etc. I keep most of my coins in a jar tho, it helps to be able to dip into it when i havent got money for the bus etc without having to take money out of my savings.

    Explorer1116564 posted on Apr. 02, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

30. Two words….. TAX RETURN!!! I pay my trips off with my tax refund, flights and all. I did the Southern Ireland Tour last June anad this coming June I’m doing the European Discovery. I pay the trips off, bank the remaining money, and put a lot in savings throughout the year.

    Lauren S. posted on Feb. 13, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

31. Two words….. TAX RETURN!!! I pay my trips off with my tax refund, flights and all. I did the Southern Ireland Tour last June anad this coming June I’m doing the European Discovery. I pay the trips off, bank the remaining money, and put a lot in savings throughout the year.

    Lauren S. posted on Feb. 13, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

32. Hey me and my partner are doing the european explorer tour in August 09 – does anyone know if we are allowed to take normal rolling suitcases or do we have to take backpacks? we are doing the hotel one. :)

    David and Brooke posted on Jan. 30, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

33. My boyfriend and I are doing the Grand Southern in February 2010 and I have been saving since the start of this month. I would rather go without a few things throughout the year than get a $10,000.00 plus loan and be repaying it back to a bank plus interest. One thing you don’t want is constant debt when you come back from your trip away…

    Another good tip is buying a money jar and putting any change you get into it, and when you transfer money into a savings account (whether you put money away weekly, fortnightly, monthly etc), open your money jar and pop it into the savings account, even if it’s not much, you can be earning interest of it!

    LeighandEmily posted on Jan. 19, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

34. spare change, throw it in.
    plan the trip with someone you love.
    you look forward to it more – and your in this together.
    falling in love in europe. ...ahhhhhhhh

    Explorer1121353 posted on Jan. 10, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

35. I am doing the 21 Europe camping on either the 3rd or 10th of june.. is there anyone else going on that one? I’m an aussie chick :)

    caitlin.the.aussie posted on Dec. 09, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

36. i like the tip on the photo in the wallet or phone it was good.
    Ive got myself a big money box and any spare change ive been puttin it in there so by july 09 comes i wil hav more spending money. And for xmas and bdays comin up and u dont want 2 spend much i wait 4 sales that hav 20% or sumthing then i buy the present u savin a bit of money then.

    And selling things on ebay is gr8t coz wat money u get from the sale ,if u need sumthing like a camera bag u buy it wit the money u just made on ebay.

    hef posted on Nov. 23, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

37. My big spend is my mobile phone, so I have made my wallpaper a picture of my contiki brochure! Now I think twice about those 500 texts and phone calls I make!! It’s a bit like the pic in your wallet idea, but it does wonders. Happy saving :)

    Afton posted on Nov. 06, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

38. I have been saving since about march this year from my pay. I have a budget for each month because i get paid monthly.. so i have cutting out some of the other expenses that i don’t really need.. by doing this i have saved lots to put in my savings account with great interest.. and i am going to the US in may next year.. so i think saving is the best thing you can do and plus you don’t owe anything at the end of your trip (except maybe if you used credit cards on your trip).. So i think it is worth saving..

    kate1987 posted on Nov. 02, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

39. I have to admit I waste a lot of money at Gloria Jeans/Starbucks/McCafe. I go about twice, sometimes four times a week! I’m going to stop doing that now and see how much money I actually save. Only 8 months to go!

    lucy_goosey posted on Nov. 01, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

40. Great tips! Wish I read this before my upcoming holiday!

    Rebecca posted on Oct. 20, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

41. These are good tips. I always wait until the last minute to try and save and tell myself I can afford it all. This time I’m doing it right. I’m planning on going to Europe in the summer of 2009, still 9 months away, but I’m going to start the saving mindset NOW!

    tjgrz11 posted on Oct. 16, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

42. WOW I LURVE the idea about putting a photo in your wallet. I’m going to do that now. I’m starting to get into the right mind-frame with WANTS VS NEEDS - I’ve also changed my views on eating and am learning to be more healthy and making eating more for nutrition rather than a “fun activity” so I’m getting in great shape AND saving!

    Tazzy posted on Oct. 08, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

43. A great way to save is to get the best deal on your airfares… so be prepared early and keep a watch of prices.
    I went to a couple of travel fairs and expos – and got an airfare about $500 cheaper than I’d budgetted for – awesome bonus! 500 more dollars to spend on pasta, wine, designer knock-offs and a nice hotel room occasionally.

    Explorer1097999 posted on Sep. 28, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

44. Take advantage of direct debits – set up your payroll or your banking so that when your pay goes in, it is distributed to where it needs to go. I’ve got a few linked accounts – some money goes to savings, some goes direct to rent, some goes to my bills (phone, car insurance, health fund etc), and the balance is there for me to spend. I don’t ever see the money, so I can’t spend it! It’s also less things to worry about – all my bills are getting paid without me having to think about it.

    Explorer1097999 posted on Sep. 28, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

45. My personal favourite: On pay day put about 80 percent of your paycheck into your savings account. Leave yourself however much you think you need for the week e.g fifty for petrol. If you have a savings account like mine, it’ll cost you to take money out of it, so it’s a good incentive. When shopping, think about something for an hour before buying it, by that time you’ll find you probably won’t want it anymore.

    Explorer1085990 posted on Sep. 21, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

46. Hey! great advice! i have 2mths to go untill i head over and have been cutting down on everything! I am lucky however and have saved up all of my holidays from work and so get 3mths paid leave!

    shan28 posted on Aug. 21, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

47. these tips are great, i’m planning on moving to london next year and i thought why on earth am i moving straight into the workforce again, so i decided on doing a contiki (European Contrast), its gunna be so worth the scrimping and saving even though i might not see it at the time.
    i’m glad i have my savings account so that if i want to access the money i have to go into the bank or go to a computer to transfer funds.

    Good Luck to everyone is who’s saving for a experience of a lifetime :)

    Sophh Bee posted on Aug. 18, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

48. we’re here for a good time not a long time. If that means saving a little each pay day to have a once in a lifetime experince overseas it is so worth it. 20 years down the track we wont remember all the money we spent on coffee’s n lunchs but we will remember the great times we had on our contiki tours!!

    H posted on Jul. 27, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

49. I love the tip about putting a picture in your wallet! I’m a big impulse buyer but now whenever I go to spend money I’ve got a little reminder of what I could be spending it on instead! Thanks for that one

    Nikki posted on Jun. 26, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

50. Thanks for the great tips. I am going to use them all and save save save. It will be awhile before I go and I have already had a bit in savings but the more the better seeing as I want to do two tours!
    I am going to put a little pic of somethign american in my wallet with CONTIKI written on it so everytime I go to get the bank or credit card I can see it and think SPLURGE NOW or SPEND IN USA???

    TazzieDevil83 posted on Jun. 19, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

51. I can’t tell you how important it is to save early! My trip was a last minute thing and I’ve only had 6 months to save, which if I’d stuck to my budget would’ve been enough…now with 7 weeks to go I’m stressing about not having enough money to eat lol…it’ll work out but don’t rely on money promised by other people either – they can fall through

    Kitty Kat posted on Jun. 12, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

52. My Aunt always said, spend half save half. So i set up a seperate account from where pay gets deposited- then on pay day half my wages automatically get put into the other account to save. And if i cant see the money or cant use eftpos to get to it- i realy get to save. Some weeks i spend more than others- but im still saving half… And it feels great to get a bank statement each month and see how much i’ve saved without even trying.

    Jasmine posted on Apr. 30, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

53. I am off to UK and hopefully Europe depending how much I can save in December 08 and January 09. As it will be cold I am scrimping on heating and investing in some warm clothes as winter creeps into Australia. Hoping to use the winter to prepare to be chilled.

    Explorer1097933 posted on Apr. 26, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

54. I did my first contiki in 2001 when I didn’t even have a full time job! It took me 18 months of hard saving on a part time wage to get on the plane and it was worth every sat night I spent in to get there!I guess you have to work out what’s more important!Going out every Sat night or going on the holiday of your dreams!My advice is do whatever it takes to save as much $ as you can cuz this is a once in a lifetime experience!

    Princessvixen posted on Apr. 12, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

55. thanks for the article… i am going to take all your advice about budgeting before the trip.. i am thinking of going on a contiki trip in 2009 so i better start saving now… thanks again!

    kate1987 posted on Apr. 06, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

56. I’ve saved a lot on reducing the amount of times i eat out and spending money at the bars! good luck saving!!!

    Anita posted on Mar. 30, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

57. I’ve been saving up for quite a while now, but I’ve found a simple way of managing my weekly spending budget. I worked out how much money I needed each week to cover things like my train ticket to work and my must-have morning coffee and the occasional lunch out with work. So now at the start of every week I make sure I have that much cash in my wallet. It means I’m not pulling out my EFT card all the time and I can keep an eye on how much money I’m spending. Works a charm!

    SuzyQ posted on Mar. 22, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

58. I agree. I was one to always go to the Clubs/bars a few times a week. My 2008 resolution was to not go to a club until i could pay off my flight. Well i didn’t quite actually quit going, however i reduced my going out big time and i saved big $$ to pay off my trip 3 months before it even departs.. Now i am back to the clubs lol. ( its never fair to ask a parent for $$, be an adult an pay it off on your own)

    Brandon66 posted on Mar. 19, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

59. Wow… great advice and I actually feel proud of myself now, since I’m already doing a lot of the things mentioned in this article. Yay! I would also suggest an un-openable money tin (well only openable with drastic measures anyway lol), as even only months of saving small change can add up to a few hundred $!

    Sally posted on Mar. 19, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

60. I have only just started dreaming for my trip, and im broke as broke could be.I need all the help i can get with saving tips as i dont want to get into debit with my bank again.You gave me some great ideas on how to save even more.Thanks a bunch and i hope to book a tour soon.

    Explorer1091925 posted on Mar. 04, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

61. I work at an airport and eating at the restaurants there can cost $10-20 a day or more… so I know if I start bringing my lunch to work I’ll have money save in no time. I’m also use the money I’m getting back from my income tax return to help pay for my trip.

    Alouise posted on Mar. 04, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

62. Great tip!! I started a second job on the weekends, working in a restaurant. I don’t have as much free time anymore, but it has paid for my tour, and airfare. I’ll be on the European Whirl Tour September 2008!!!

    Binky1904 posted on Feb. 12, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

63. great article.
    suck it up and save save save!!

    Tara posted on Feb. 07, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate