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Social media and travel influencers make exploring the world look luxurious — and expensive. Those who don’t feel comfortable with their current budgets can easily feel, from the flashy posts and pricey-looking resorts, that traveling beyond their hometown isn’t feasible.
But one doesn’t have to be rich to travel, stated Evita Robinson, the founder of the Nomadness Travel Tribe and Nomadness TV.
“It’s the psychology,” Robinson told Money Glow Up host Tiffany Aliche (video above; listen below). “People were fed this story that [travel] was only for the elite, that it was only in a luxury basis that people were able to go out into the world. … You can do anything, you just have to be realistic with what your boundaries are.”
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Even Aliche admitted that she didn’t feel like she could travel until she was in her 30s.
“In my 20s, I just felt like I really couldn’t afford it,” Aliche recalled. “I was a preschool teacher, and I was like where am I going to get the money? Once I started to plan for it in my 30s I realized it wasn’t as expensive as I thought.”
It’s easy to dismiss something like travel as though it’s not a necessity, and though it may not be as vital in a budget as one’s rent or grocery bill, Robinson said. However, “the character development is something you take with you your whole life.”
Robinson’s tips for traveling on a budget
Robinson noted that group travel options can help take away some of the planning hassle while providing a dedicated community. But this route may not be for everyone — whether that be due to personality differences or budget constraints.
“Every time you incorporate someone else who’s helping you with [planning], you have to pay that person,” Robinson explained. “Everything [gets] more expensive.”
Conversely, travelers can reduce costs by planning their own travel. According to Robinson, there are plenty of resources readily available for those looking for more budget-friendly options.
Certain websites, like Skyscanner.com, can make international travel more affordable by allowing users to leave their final destination open and sort possible flights by price, highlighting some of the cheapest options available.
Setting up a separate bank account that’s not easily accessible is another option for those who find themselves going over budget often, as adding extra steps to withdraw your money can make it easier to leave savings alone.
Read more: Best travel credit cards for October 2024
“You can do it in a way that doesn’t break your bank,” Robinson explained. “Just bridge your travel budget with your travel style where you are in this phase of life.”
Paying in installments is another hack that can make it easier to financially plan for a trip, Robinson noted.
“It’s like, don’t look at the big ticket item — the big price — all at once,” Robinson said. “Work with people, organizations, travel agents, or on your own, and get an installment plan done.”
And if all of the above options don’t seem to work, think smaller, Robinson said. For instance, she noted that the US has plenty of national parks and hidden gems that are likely much closer than one would think — it just takes some creativity and research.
“Bring it down to life,” Robinson said. “Don’t make it a big daunting or super intimidating project. … Travel can look like whatever you need it to look like within your provisions”
Every Thursday, Tiffany Aliche — aka The Budgetnista — shares inspiring money stories to help people achieve financial independence and live richer lives on Money Glow Up. You can find more episodes on our video hub or watch on your preferred streaming service.
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