Saving up since forever for that dream getaway? If your answer is yes then read on for some tips and tricks on how you could finally achieve your travel goals. Whether you have been postponing that trip because of insufficient funds or you simply have been dipping into your travel jar (naughty!), I am sure these ways of growing your savings will definitely be very useful. Most of them are based from personal experience and are tried and tested by yours truly. It’s time to evaluate yourself and save up big time for that dream destination!
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Open a savings account
This is very basic but as simple as it is, there are advantages into creating a separate account for the sole purpose of saving. This promotes motivation and a positive financial mindset. Then there are the interest rates, which no matter how low, is still free money. The goal is to build a habit of stowing away a specific amount that you will not use for anything else. When I get my salary from my full time job, the first thing I do is allocate to my savings account, then I pay all my bills then I live with what is left of my hard-earned money. Keep in mind: Live within your means.
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Get organized with money saving apps
There are helpful applications out there for free that can help you keep track of spending or even manage bank accounts from your smart phone. Make the most of this technology to keep an eye on your monthly expenses – watch out for overlooked minor things that accumulate overtime. Usually these are unused memberships or subscriptions that you most likely do not even remember. Download a mobile bank app if possible and check your available balance regularly to make sure you only spend within budget.
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Watch your daily coffee habit
I am guilty of this one, after all who can resist a good cuppa? However this proves to be an expensive habit overtime, not to mention the calories packed in a single venti. In London a coffee shop charges an average of £2.50 per cup. Even if I reduce it to four times a week that still translates to £40 a month. SOLUTION: I decided to invest in a coffee machine and it is still paying for itself tenfold.
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Buy in bulk.
There are non-perishable goods that when bought in bulk can really give you a run for your money. Among these things are tissue paper, office supplies, beverages, batteries or even toothbrushes. The good thing is, you can order most of them online too. Saves you the money and effort.
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Keep track of your transport expenses
We have a variety of options when it comes to going around these days and transport expenditures are easy to overlook simply because we deem them a necessity. Make sure you make use of travel cards if it is cheaper in the long run. Avoid taxi fares by getting up early to catch your train on time. Always ask yourself: Is this cost efficient or simply convenient?
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Consider takeaways a treat every fortnight.
Face it: eating takeaway regularly is a major cause of the depletion of your savings. Which is why you should consider it a treat every two weeks if you cannot just do away with it completely. Who knows what culinary skills you have hidden inside you? Cooking and meal prepping is one sure way of gaining control over your spending on food.
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Never watch movies for full price
I am not a movie person but in case you are, then get this. You can cut off your cinema expenses by half and see the exact same movie. For example in London, Vue Cinemas partners with Y Plan from time to time and you can buy tickets for £7 instead of £14. Also, I acquired a Tastecard membership which allows me to get 40% discount on certain cinemas nationwide. Or you can just stream online for free. And cut off your cable – Netflix is waaay cheaper.
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Explore options for passive income
Earn extra bucks on the side even if it is only until you reach your goal. This may be hardwork for some but nothing is too difficult if you badly want this trip to happen. A few ideas are babysitting, dog walking or even hosting on Airbnb.
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Scrap off your credit card debt
It is hard to save up for something when credit card debt takes a massive chunk of your income. And don’t you even think of booking that flight with your remaining credit balance. The last thing you want is paying off lots of interest over a debt you can easily take care of. You HAVE to prioritize scratching it off so you can focus on your financial plan.
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Sell those pre-loved items
Have a good look around your room. Chances are you own stuff you haven’t even touched in a year. Rethink your need for these items and explore how comfortable you are with selling them. It could be an old bike, an unwanted gift or a camera you aren’t using anymore. Hold a small garage sale or get put it up on ebay.
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Resist the upgrade.
Two months ago I resisted the temptation of upgrading my phone contract although I really wanted the latest handset model. In the end I talked myself out of it because my phone was in good condition that you would think it’s brand new. I downgraded my contract instead and this alone will save me £360 a year. If you have a smartphone that is working just fine, I recommend doing this immediately.
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Get rid of some bad (and expensive) habits
Going out for a few drinks every now and then is harmless right? Wrong. With the costs of basic commodities on the rise, so is the price tag on alcohol and cigarettes. These items are usually taxed because of their nature, making them even more pricey. Smoking is a luxurious habit to keep and in London alone a smoker who consumes 1 pack a day will spend approximately £300 a month. Your body will thank you for it!
And there you have it, twelve ways you can save more money for that well – deserved holiday! Remember, every little bit counts and it all boils down to how it all sums up. Don’t be that person who thinks saving small amounts of money counts for nothing – spare as much as you can. Ultimately, every bit is an inch closer to your goal and before you know it, you’d be booking that plane ticket with a wide smile on your face. Happy travels!
If you love your meat like me, then a trip to Prague is best accomplished with a gastronomic adventure. A word of warning: traditional Bohemian plates may dawn as a nightmare of sorts to your average vegan, as Czechia cuisine is a carnivore’s dream.
To say that Medovnik falls under the most unique cakes I have devoured is an understatement. I think by far it is the most creative in terms of preparation and its element of deception makes me love it just a little bit more. Upon inspection I actually thought it was going to feel dry and crumbly in my mouth but I could not have been more wrong. However, this is not exactly a moist cake and is rather best described as somewhere in between. It is very light and has a characteristic sweetness that of course, comes from honey. Cafe Lippert’s rendition came with a dollop of cream but it was scrumptious enough on its own. You have to try this for yourself in order to understand why despite the simple exterior, Medovnik proves to be one of Prague’s most famous cakes.
It may be the Czechia people’s love for anything being roasted over an open fire that inspired the creation of Trdelnik. I don’t really know, this is merely an honest observation. But I must admit, it’s a stroke of genius and the Trdelnik – making process is mesmerizing as it is. Imagine cake on a stick, but instead of baking in an oven they have a rotisserie of golden brown pastries; twirling around until it is ready for your mouth. The real challenge though, is eating it without getting chocolate or crumbs all over your face.
Standing out from the things I have tried out in Prague were their Grilled Sausages. These lovely bolsters of tubed ground meat may be familiar to most but the Czechs have somehow made it their own. It has that distinct smokey flavour but not so much as to ruin the dish, with grill marks sealing in the juicy goodness. As a main course, it can be ordered with sides, of which the local waiter suggested I go for the Frites. All in all a very good meal!
A classic offering among Prague restaurants is Beef Goulash, although the books might tell you that the dish is more of Hungarian in origin. It comprises of tender chunks of beef braised in a mildly spicy sauce, served with a few dumplings of bread. Villa Richter’s version is traditional and appealing with portions that leave just enough room for cake and coffee.
Viajera Travel Tip: We stumbled upon Restaurant U Malvaze along Karlova Street, a place that surprises its customers with spacious rustic interiors that come unexpected from its seemingly meek facade. The food items are priced reasonably and I found the staff to be very friendly. I ordered their version of Roasted Pork Knuckle and it sent me straight to pig heaven. Some things are not worthy of words – unutterable pleasures in life are simply too hard to describe.
Horacio Cruz would be beaming with pride if he were here to see all of this. His daughter – once but a small – time overachieving girl in a third world public school, now an independent woman discovering the splendors of Europe. I bet even those rich, corpulent sponsors I had at Lions Club couldn’t have come up with this. Me and my friends are heading off to Cap d’Ail to complete our gallivanting across the French Riviera. The weather is perfect as expected, with the sun glimmering over cyan waters and the Riviera’s trademark coastline necklaced by stunning beaches.
From Nice, Cap d’Ail is approximately a 30 minute journey if you aboard Bus 100. Its surrounding large glass windows provide a great yet brief view of the fantastic scenery. Like that binocular toy I had as a child, only every slide in the reel was nice and I didn’t have to aim it towards anything bright. I personally enjoyed the short ride while of course taking occasional pictures of cliffside ocean views whenever the bus stopped on a red light. The sun kept flooding over me on and off as we veered through ribbons of concrete – and it felt good beyond words. Needless to say, staying in Europe has given me a newfound love and appreciation for direct exposure to sunlight. This 25 degree weather is a warm welcome compared to London’s gloomy skies and cold drafts.
Armed with a white and pink striped beach towel and a lotion that promised ultimate sun protection, I embraced the ambiance and scouted for a square foot of sand nobody wanted. The sun was still baking everything it can reach and I felt its vengeance as I sat on the sand. The cool ocean breeze was a welcome relief and it was so soothing I had to close my eyes for a moment. When I did open them I noticed I was facing towards the rocky slopes that looked very much like the limestone formations in Palawan. Not as beautiful but just as good to the eyes.
Ocean waves playfully crashed on the mountain side, making calm swishing sounds. Nearby, children were trying to make sand castles while some women were perfecting their tan by going topless. Freedom to all bosoms, budding and pendulous alike. It’s funny how the same thing considered a norm in this part of the world elicits condemnation where I come from. Everything is relative – even normal changes from place to place.
Floating over the waters of Cap d’Ail, I imagine my stress stir away with every stroke from my arms, wishing I could let go of my tragedies just as easily. The seawater was making trickling sounds against my ears and as I gaze upon the blue sky I was blessed with today, one thing was on my mind. If heaven is real I hope you are seeing this right now Pa, because at least I can find comfort in the fact that in a way, you are with me. Perfection has been out of my reach since you’ve left and all I know is that these damn pictures would look so much better if I had them with you.
It is almost unfair how Italy contains a great number of breathtaking cities to explore and discover. Indeed, it is a region of the world known for leading travelers back due to its extensive list of beautiful places unlike some travel destinations where only the big cities are worth raving about. From a traveler’s point of view, Italy has so much beauty to offer not only in its capital but even up to the smallest and most remote regions. In a sense this is what makes it such a pleasurable destination especially for those who really want to get a whiff of authentic local vibe.
Nestled in the province of Liguria between Genoa and the French border, this Italian Riviera offers more than casinos and manicured lawns. Whether Sanremo is your main destination, a day trip from your travel itinerary or you’re merely looking for your next Italian city to conquer, here are reasons to bump it on top of your list of places to see.
The most awaited season of the year has arrived – British Summer Time! Although not totally safe from the clutches of harsh English weather, at the very least we can now wear happy summer outfits on levels in which the weather allows and bare legs without worry. Admittedly it is a fantastic time to travel across Europe to get a year’s dose of that much needed sunlight.
Budapest is parted by the River Danube into Buda and Pest. The capital is connected by bridges, the most famous of which is the Szechenyi Chain Bridge. One of the city’s infamous landmarks, this was the first permanent bridge to cross the Danube and was an engineering wonder during the time of its construction. Call me a hopeless romantic, but it stirred emotions up in me and Budapest is just not the same without it. Tourists flock the area to capture the perfect moment and you might need to wait a while to get your own without a hoard of tourists behind you. But I assure you the waiting is all worth it. Made of cast iron and created with intricate detail, this is an important part of Budapest you should never miss.
The world’s third largest parliament building is stunning at day, however it truly is a magnificent display of architecture at night. Unfortunately, it was a cold winter evening when we decided to visit and I could not feel my toes and fingers. The freezing cold did not stop me from appreciating the view though. The guards were staring at us with puzzled faces as we shivered our way into selfies and GoPro moments. They must have thought we were losing our minds marveling at the Parliament as patches of icy snow fell upon us but hey – what’s life without a little adventure?! Go for it.
During our winter stay, a cup of coffee with cherry liqueur was not only welcome – it was necessary. Take a quick break from your tour and don’t forget to find a cozy coffee place to rewarm your toes.
Brace yourself for a time travel inducing experience by paying tribute to the fallen at Shoes on the Danube Bank. A stunning and truly unique memorial, the display showcases pairs of shoes left behind by victims of the Holocaust who were stripped naked and shot point blank while facing the river. Their shoes were the only reminder of what they were – a sad and painfully dark era in human history.
In every European city I visit, I always make it a point to see the nearest Basilica or Cathedral. St. Stephen’s Basilica (Szent Istvan Bazilika) is the largest church in Hungary and dedicated to their first king. The place was a massive and stunning place of worship. Having missed the summit of Gellert Hill, we couldn’t pass on climbing the Cupola for yet another outstanding view. And indeed that view from the Cupola is something you have to see for yourself.
Rome, Italy – I could hear the clacking of my heels against the cobbled streets as we walked along the via supposedly headed towards the Colosseum. At least I think this is where the Canadian stranger with the white tank top pointed to. We were running out of daylight and as we hurled ourselves down the avenue, all of a sudden there it was to my right – the Colosseum in all its grandeur! It came within sight without a warning and it left me with a gaping mouth and a face embezzled with admiration. It was… Marvelous. On one side, the sun was setting on the horizon and its rays dramatically loomed over the famous landmark. Fantastic.
VIAJERA 