Traveling responsibly on a budget can be an incredibly challenge. Not only do you want to save money, but you want to do so in a way that respects the local country.
Here are a few tips to help you do this.
==> Start with Setting a Weekly Budget
Setting daily budgets while traveling is rather unrealistic. That’s because your expenses can fluctuate drastically.
Crossing the border from Laos to Cambodia might cost you $50, plus $40 for the visa. If that went into your daily expense, that’d mean you couldn’t eat or sleep that day.
Instead of using daily expenses, use weekly expenses. If you have high expenses one day, compensate by lowering your expenses on a different day.
Make sure you’re tracking your expenses while you travel. It can be very tough to keep track of everything, but do your best to write down everything you spend when you spend it.
==> Eat at Small, Local Shops
Eating at small local shops is a great way to save money and support the local economy.
In most major tourist destinations today you’ll find KFCs, McDonalds and other major chains. You’ll also find many upper class restaurants and many restaurants that sell Western food.
By and large, however, these restaurants are much more expensive than just eating local foods. They’re also often owned by foreigners or global corporations.
==> Beware of Waste
You can save money and travel responsibly by reducing the amount of waste you produce.
Try to buy as few water bottles as possible. Refill wherever you can find clean water.
Trade books with other travelers rather than buy books. Most hostels and guesthouses have book trade shelves set up, which makes it easy to find interesting reads along the way.
Try not to print anything unless it’s absolutely necessary. Get maps from hostels or hotels instead of printing them yourself.
==> Get to Know Locals
Getting to know locals is not only fun – it can also save you a lot of money.
Locals don’t eat at the same places that tourists do. They eat at little-known places that taste great and cost half the price.
It’s very difficult to find great places to eat and shop when you’re in a different country. Anything that’s written about in guide books is likely to be overpriced and will surely attract people just trying to sell to tourists.
Instead, have a local show you all the most amazing places that nobody else has discovered. You’ll get the real scoop on what it’s like to live in that city.
These are a few different ways you can stick to a reasonable budget while interacting responsibly with the culture and people.
Adryenn Ashley is a globetrotting social influencer out to change the world for the better. She loves Jozu’s mission to make travel safer for women and longs to visit Mecca, the Pyramids, and the Rain Forrest.