Monday, June 17, 2013

3 Money Saving Ideas While Travelling



Everyone knows how hard it can be for a college student trying to balance work, academics and fun. Challenging curriculum and tight budgets can make it seemingly impossible for the average student to survive. The secret for this dilemma resides in creating free time to relax and unwind. For the students that make an effective savings plan, it can be relatively easy to travel and afford daily expenses while attending college. Many students are able to save hundreds of dollars by taking a more proactive approach towards managing their travel budget.


1. The Finances

Managing finances is one of the most important things to focus on when travelling around overseas. Proper financing is usually the difference between a having a positive vacation and struggling to make ends meet while out on the road. Borrowing money is one of the easiest ways for college students to afford overseas trips. Now, I understand it might seem crazy to borrow more money while in college but it works, trust me. When I left on my first trip I did some research and according to Credit Card Insider, I was able to pick up a rewards credit card that would help me manage my accounts while I was travelling.

There are many options online that provide students with credit cards that can help them pay for their trip, but I chose a travelers card that gave me rewards for the money I spent. This was great because I was able to get out there and see the world without having tons of cash saved up beforehand. I was able to pay it back once I returned home. These types of credit cards can be useful for just about anything, excluding drinks at the local bar or fruit from the local market – for those purchases, you’ll need some cash.


2. Working On-the-Go 

Bartending is one of the best ways for students to make quick money while travelling abroad. In contrast to America where tips are standard issue, in Europe, tips are often considered an insult because bartenders in the region earn higher salaries. American students with experience can find bartending jobs in Europe that provide extra funds in a weekend’s time. One of the additional perks for struggling students is that many of these establishments will provide bartenders with free food while they work as well. These types of jobs can be found in just about any major city throughout Europe. There are many websites online that can help amateur bartenders get comfortable when first starting out.


3. Affording Overnights

Couch surfing can be a very effective way to save money and network with like-minded people when travelling through a new place. Couch surfing can be beneficial for people that are somewhat unfamiliar with their new surroundings, and may need help from a local resident to navigate the new area. Of course it is always very important to conduct the appropriate amount of due diligence before committing to any plan or anyone.

Couchsurfing can help students save a lot of money, but it is not necessarily the safest way to get around. Fortunately, there are many websites that can help make couch surfing easy and convenient for just about any student. Students just need to remember to stay in constant contact with their new host in order to avoid any unwelcome surprises upon arrival.

KC Owens has written and submitted this article. KC is a college student who loves travelling  college life, fitness and a good survival kit. He enjoys studying different cultures, meeting new people and leaving his footprint somewhere most people only read about. 
*If you would like to submit an article, please contact Calan at DiscoveringYourTruth@gmail.com 

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