Beyond a bag lunch: how to save money for travel

Travel can be expensive. Even those planning to work their way around the world have to start with some money for the first leg of a trip.

The Saving for Travel website is an excellent place to start strategizing a savings plan. First, use the round the world budget calculator to get a rough idea of a savings goal.

Then, read through the money-saving tips on the site, including using coupon codes when shopping on-line, (including travel-related coupon codes), and suggestions such as, “Don’t go shopping. Ever.”

Dropping out of the mass media induced consumer culture is slightly more difficult than searching the web for coupon codes, but it is an even more reliable way to save for a trip.

The Compact is a Bay Area movement against consumerism that is quickly spreading across the nation. Named for the 1620 Mayflower Compact, it a movement away from a disposable society.

Compact members vow not to buy new items (except food, personal hygiene items, underwear, and the like) for a period of time (typically six months to a year), instead relying on used items from local thrift stores, Craigslist, Freecycle, friends, family, and other Compact members.

However, living simply does not mean doing without. Members provide each other with support, thrift-store shopping companions, and assistance in finding difficult-to-find items through their Yahoo Compact Group, and the Compact blog.

Vagabonders, masters at the art of simplicity, are easy converts to the Compact. Living out of a pack for months at a time leads a traveler to carefully consider which items are worthy of acquisition, and which should quickly be passed on to others.

Saving money for travel is not always easy, but with the application of on-the-road skills such as resourcefulness and simplicity, it is just a bit easier.