Friday 9 August 2013

How to save cash for travel - part 2

Oh hi!

You might not have realised, but travel is VERY important to me. It's become a part of me and something to enhance the tiring world of full time employment.

In part one of this mini-series, I talked about saving money for travel by not buying crap. Very effective, I haven't bought any crap this week,

So, here's the next tip.

2. Stop paying for things you're not using

Do you go to the gym? I switched gyms to one closer to my work so I'm effectively guilt tripped into going after work. "Oh hey, I can see you skulking past, aren't you gonna come in and flail around on the treadmill today?" it exclaims, as I try to creep past the Building of Doom.

Thanks to a deal through my work, I'm now saving £20 per month.

£20 x 12 = ........................................ £240 = A return flight somewhere at least.

How much do you spend on your food shop? Have you thought about switching the trolley for a basket in the supermarket? You can only buy what you can carry, so you'll easily spend less and you'll think about what you need instead of piling it all in without a thought.

Or you could shop online? That way you can check the cupboards before hitting the online checkout - Hey! I already HAVE baked beans! I don't need any more! Wooooooooo!

Baked bean surplus stock = £2 (I like beans) = £96 I think = More money to spend on travel

A perfect example of things I don't need in a Kenyan supermarket
Here's a few other things you might be paying too much for:

* Utility bills
* Mobile phone contract
* Direct debits
* Tax rebates - are you on the right tax code at work?

It's pretty dull but you'd be surprised how much cash you can save just by being aware of what goes in and out of your bank account! It'll all be worth it when you're sitting on that beach with a cold beer in your hand watching the sun go down...