Ticket to Ride:

You’ve dreamed and littered your Pinterest boards with ideas for the trip of a lifetime. The next step is to convert that dream into a reality. Often it can seem financially out of reach, but here are six tips for affording that dream holiday without breaking the bank.

Take a Loan

Debt is never something you want to acquire, but if you’ve saved up most of the trip but come up a little short, small cash loans may be a good idea if you find a deal during the off-season. No, we are not talking about an overhanging debt that you feel decades later. A growing number of microfinance providers offer fast cash at low interest. This could be just the help you need to get the vacation booked, and if you’re disciplined, you might even be able to pay it off before you ever step on board the flight.

Travel During Off Season

By avoiding peak times, you can take advantage of lower prices and smaller crowds. You can use this knowledge and plan accordingly, potentially saving you hundreds of dollars. Sure, you may risk running into less than ideal weather, but bundling up to stay warm can be exponentially better than sweating among throbs of tourists in lines for hours on end. Trust me, places like Paris, Prague, Tokyo and Beijing are no less stunning in winter, and your bank balance will thank you.

Seek the Road Less Traveled

There are beautiful locations all over the world that you can visit without breaking the bank. Take a peek at the 33 Cheapest Places to Travel in 2018. Better yet, if you have friends or family living in exotic places, take a trip out to visit and reconnect with them. You can save on accommodation and meals, all while enjoying the new scenery and leave the worries of work back on your desk where they belong.

Find Cheaper Lodging

Staying night after night in fancy hotels can zap your budget quickly. Instead of skimping on meals and transportation due to high lodging prices, opt for cheaper alternatives. No, I’m not talking about those scary hostel stories about stalkers and bedbug infestations. With the rise of space sharing companies like Airbnb, you can preserve your money and enjoy unique spaces with a more authentic,  local feel. To save even more, you can split the costs with friends or family to make that holiday incredibly affordable.

Work-away

If you are seeking a wholesome and rewarding experience, consider volunteering at various locations across the world. If you have a skill set such as painting, babysitting, or landscaping, programs like Workaway can match you with families or organizations in areas you seek to explore. This will also create an opportunity to share cultures and help others all while living within your means. Traveling in this way might not deliver the same experience as relaxing at a luxurious resort, but the rewards and memories can endure a lifetime.

Travel with a group

As touched upon previously, the benefits of traveling with a group are enormous. Not only can you save with group rates, but journeying with even one other person can cut costs of lodging and meal sharing.  With the money you’ll save by not going solo, you can perhaps prolong your trip a few extra nights or splurge on another bottle of wine. Plus, these shared memories will fuel stories you can tell time and time again.

Don’t let your dream boards languish in your imagination. With these simple tips, you can make your fantasy holiday a reality.