Traveling full-time seems like an attractive lifestyle. There are certainly advantages, but I find that being financially strong is the only way to be successful in the long run. I’ve been a full-time digital nomad for about three years, and I’ve learned the hard way that making traveling a sustainable lifestyle is, financially speaking, a lot different than taking long-term vacations.
The following budgeting tips are what I personally use to accomplish my regular travel tasks. For reference, my budget is reasonable. I picked these tips and tricks up while traveling as a digital nomad, but they can easily be translated into making any trip a little more affordable.
Avoid airport cash exchange booths
The first thing you should avoid after getting off the plane is exchanging money at the airport. When I travel, I tend to mainly use credit and debit cards. However, if you’re going somewhere that has a lot of cash-only places, I’d always wait until I get to the city center before exchanging cash. This way you can compare exchange rates and avoid being taken advantage of for your convenience.
Select E-Sim on your home phone
Depending on your cell phone plan at home, roaming charges abroad can range from $5 to $20+ per day. I’m not suggesting you stop using data while traveling. I couldn’t imagine being on the go without Google Maps and WhatsApp.
Instead I always choose an e-sim instead of using my home data. I use the Airalo brand and although prices vary depending on the country I live in, I have never spent more than $10 for my entire trip. The best part is that the SIM is automatically added to your smartphone, so you don’t have to worry about tracking your physical SIM card while you’re abroad.
Find out what the locals eat and drink
Hotel food and drinks are tempting. The rooftop bar, colorful brunch menu, and room service are always a pleasant experience. But in general, hotel food and tourist restaurants are always much more expensive than going to local attractions or eating the way the locals eat.
For example, living in Istanbul, I always bought simit (Turkish bagels) for breakfast from a street vendor, like my local friends. An authentic Turkish breakfast can cost less than $1, while a Turkish breakfast restaurant in a tourist area can cost more than $50.
Utilize credit card points
We’re not suggesting you go over your budget just to earn credit card points. However, I find that putting everything on a credit card and paying it off in full at the end of the month is a great way to build up points that can be used for free flights.
To make the most of it, we recommend choosing a co-branded airline credit card and shopping around before opening anything. That’s because many credit cards offer great welcome bonuses (e.g. enough bonus points for several free flights).
Book accommodation with a kitchen
It doesn’t matter whether it’s a long trip or a short trip. I always try to book accommodation with a kitchen. This doesn’t mean you’ll always be cooking while traveling, but having space to store coffee, wine, beer, fresh fruit and even breakfast pastries means you won’t be tempted to spend money on unnecessary food while traveling.
The post 5 Easy Ways to Increase Your International Travel Budget first appeared on The Real Deal on RetailMeNot.
