Dreaming of seeing the world but feel like your bank account is holding you back?
Whether you’re on a tight budget, juggling debt, or supporting a family — I’ve been there. And I want you to know: saving for travel is possible, no matter your income.
Over the years, I’ve saved for adventures as a broke backpacker, a flush with cash DINK, and now as part of a single-income family with two kids.
With the right systems, a bit of sacrifice, and some clever tricks, you can absolutely turn your travel dream into a real-life departure date.
For me, travel is worth almost every sacrifice, so I am ruthless with flippant spending and prioritising travel expenses.
Here’s how you can save money for travelling, plus some other expenses and things to watch out for.
1. How much money do you need?
The first thing you need to work out is how much money you need to travel.
There are two major components to a travel budget: your trip expenses and the funds you require to maintain your responsibilities at home (including debt repayment, rent, mortgage etc).
To figure out how to work out your travel budget, have a read of how we budget for long-term family travel here.
For example, if you’re aiming to save $5,000 over two years, that breaks down to just $48 a week, or about $6.80 a day. That’s the cost of a couple of coffees or skipping Uber Eats once a week.
You could get there by setting up an automatic transfer on payday, selling a few unused items each month, or cutting back on non-essentials like takeaway meals or subscription services.
The key is consistency. Even if some weeks you can only save $20, it still adds up — and seeing your travel fund grow is incredibly motivating.
Now, let’s say your goal is bigger — maybe you’re planning a once-in-a-lifetime $20,000 adventure (like a round-the-world trip or extended family travel).
Over two years, that’s $833 a month, or about $192 a week.
Yes, it’s a stretch — but it’s not impossible.
Here’s how you might break that down:
- $300/month from regular savings
- $200/month from a weekend side hustle (like babysitting, cleaning, or freelance work)
- $150/month from selling stuff or cashback rewards
- $183/month by trimming your current spending (cutting subscriptions, meal planning, switching providers)
This isn’t about making huge sacrifices all at once — it’s about building smart habits, sticking to your plan, and staying connected to why you’re saving.
Note – I haven’t included any interest earned in these calculations. I personally like to let the interest compound and have it as a nice little cherry on top.
2. Get your budget sorted
A budget is the first step to getting your money on track.
Lots of people hate the idea of budgeting, but it’s a very powerful (and simple) way to plan where your money goes. It doesn’t have to be complicated.
I use a simple spreadsheet now, but for years I had a post-it with my budget inside my weekly planner.
Whatever works for you is the best way. To start a budget have a read of how I budget backwards here.
3. Open a separate savings account and give it a name
When you’ve got extra money to save, it’s important to put it somewhere safe — and out of easy reach.
If you’re super disciplined, you might be fine with a separate savings or cheque account at your regular bank. But I recommend choosing an account with the best interest rate or features that support your goals.
When we first started saving, I liked to think of our travel fund as completely untouchable, so we used a high-interest online saver.
These days, we use a savings account that offsets our home loan to reduce interest — which works well for us right now.
One of the best things I’ve done to stay motivated is giving each savings account a clear name — and even a photo.
My current account is called “2027 Travel Fund” and has a beach photo I snapped on our last trip.
It might sound silly, but this little visual cue makes it feel so much more real — like I’m already on the way.
Some banks even let you add emojis or images — definitely use that feature if it’s available.
Anything that helps you clearly see what you’re saving for will keep you motivated over time.
For more tips on how to start saving money have a read of this post.
4. Kill your consumer debt
Travelling when you’re in debt is not something I’d recommend.
Why? Well, you have to continue to make repayments while you’re away, which takes money away from your travel funds!
If you’re not earning money while you’re travelling, getting rid of your debt before you depart is a smart move.
To make a plan for getting out of debt, have a read of this post.
5. Get extra work
If you already work full time, it can be hard to increase your income.
BUT that’s why saving for travel is so motivating – you have an end goal in mind – a departure date (just set one in your head even if you don’t have the tickets booked) so giving up weekends and evenings is doable.
It’s not forever, and it’s very much worthwhile.
Some ideas include bar work, waiting tables, cinema attendant, cleaning offices, restocking shelves at the supermarket.
6. Build a portable income source
Since you’ve got some time on your side before you depart, it’d be a really smart idea to create an online income source so you can earn money while you travel.
I make extra money from blogging, some virtual assistant work and also via Upwork.
There are so many ways to make money online these days, have a read here and see if anything appeals: 32 Genuine Ways to Make Money Online in New Zealand
7. Get cash back on gear purchases and accommodation bookings
When you’re trying to save money for travel, it can be hard to spend money!
But you will need some gear for your adventure. Depending on your travel style, you might need a lot or very little.
At the very least, you’ll need a decent backpack or suitcase. Make sure you shop around before committing to purchasing.
Often the gear you need can be bought used, or discounted heavily in sales.
If you end up buying new, check cashback sites like ShopBack and Cashrewards first to see if you qualify for cashback on your purchase.
8. Stash other forms of currency
Do you have access to rewards or frequent flyer points? Can you complete online surveys for money to earn gift cards?
Every little extra helps when it comes to saving up money for travelling, so take a look at every expense in your budget and see if you can align it to net a gain.
For example, I only fill my tank from one brand of petrol station as I’m able to accumulate serious cash discounts in doing so.
I also pay every possible bill (all insurances, groceries and incremental expenses) with my cash back credit card, so I earn money back from those purchases.
The amounts aren’t large, but they all help.
Pro tip: Make sure you sign up to airline rewards programs so you earn points and rewards on your future travel.
9. Request all gifts are cash or vouchers
Do you have a birthday or special occasion coming up? Very politely request cash or gift cards for the products you require.
People love to give presents that will be used, so make your wishes heard.
And a nice way to thank them is to send a postcard when you’re away, so they see their gift is being enjoyed.
10. Plan systems for expenses when away
Will you have bills to pay while you’re away? If so, make sure you set up direct debits and automatic payments to ensure your obligations are met.
Let your bank know exactly where you’ll be so they allow you to use your cards.
Plan to check in with online banking at least weekly, so you know what’s going on with your bank accounts and payments.
Forward your mail to a trusted friend or family member so you can be kept in the loop in case of an emergency.
11. Get house sitting gigs close to home before you depart
House sitting can be a great way to save on accommodation costs (and a top travel hack to save money for lots of travellers).
If you are planning to house sit, register with house sitting agencies in your local area before you depart so you can build up a profile and references.
Taking local sits will help you see if you like house sitting, and also how things work so you know what to look out for when you take longer sits while travelling.
It’s also a form of insurance if you hit a financial snag and need somewhere to stay while you’re on the road. If you have good references with one of the leading housesitting platforms like Trusted Housesitters or Kiwi Housesitters, you will be able to find a sit more easily, than if you were starting out whilst travelling.
Saving for travel isn’t about being rich. It’s about being intentional.
Whether you’re putting away $5 or $50 a week, what matters most is that you start.
Your dream trip won’t come to you — but with the right plan, you can go to it.
Liked this? Read more on saving money for travel here How We Saved $35,000 to Travel the World for Over a Year (Whilst Pregnant)
