Many people often think that traveling abroad or taking a big trip requires saving lakhs of rupees all at once. But in reality, small changes are what turn your big dreams into reality. If you make these 10 changes in your daily lifestyle, the expenses for your next trip can be covered by these savings alone.
1. The Home-Brewed Tea & Coffee Rule
Drinking expensive coffee at a cafe every day puts a heavy burden on your pocket. If you save even ₹100 daily, you will have savings of Rs.3,000 at the end of the month. In a year, this amounts to Rs. 36,000—which can easily cover your flight ticket to Goa or Thailand.
2. Automatic Travel Savings
Make it a rule to transfer a fixed amount (like Rs. 1,000 or Rs. 2,000) to a separate savings account as soon as you receive your salary. When the money is out of your sight, you won’t spend it on unnecessary things.
3. The ‘No-Spend’ Weekend Challenge
Keep at least one weekend a month where you don’t spend a single rupee. Instead of going out or watching a movie in a theater, watch old movies at home or read a book. The savings from just one such weekend can fund a grand dinner during your trip.
4. Home-Cooked Food for Office (The Tiffin Habit)
Ordering lunch from outside every day is not only bad for your health but also ruins your budget. By carrying lunch from home, you can save at least Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 5,000 every month.
5. Cancel Unnecessary Subscriptions
Check your phone and cancel subscriptions to all those apps or OTT platforms that you don’t use. These small-looking monthly expenses eat up thousands of rupees over a year.
6. Walking for Short Distances
If you need to go to a nearby shop or the station, walk instead of taking a rickshaw or a cab. This will not only increase your stamina (which is essential for long trips) but also result in small daily savings.
7. The 48-Hour Rule Before Shopping
Whenever you like something online, don’t buy it immediately. Leave it in the ‘cart’ for 48 hours. Often, after two days, you will realize that you didn’t really need that item. This is the best way to stop ‘impulse buying.’
8. Use Cashback and Reward Points Wisely
Don’t spend the cashback and credit card points you earn through digital payments immediately. Let them accumulate and use them specifically to book hotel stays or flight tickets for your trip.
9. Wait for Sales and Discounts
Buy essential items (like clothes or shoes) only when there is a good sale. Avoid buying more than what is necessary. Remember, fewer items mean less expense and a lighter bag while traveling.
10. Create a 'Travel Jar'
Keep a glass jar in a corner of your house. Put whatever loose change or ₹10-20 notes you have left at the end of the day into it. When you open it at the end of the year, you will have at least ₹8,000-₹10,000, which will be useful for shopping or local transport during your trip.
Conclusion: Saving money is not a difficult task; it just requires discipline. Start adopting these habits from today and turn your dream of visiting your favorite destination into a reality.