“Are you still on holidays?”

After more than a year away from Europe some people were surprised I am still ‘on holidays’. So yes, I did win the lottery that is the reason ..it is not! Nor do my parents pay for everything for me. I did exactly what you are doing at home as well, I worked.

While in Australia (on the Work & Travel Visa) I worked most of my stay there and saved a lot of money. The minimum wage I earned was $20 per hour in a country pub, add extra for after hour work (after 8 pm) and weekends.

To be honest, I need to learn a lot about budgeting as sometimes I am in a mood where I just don’t give a fuck and buy whatever I want. Walking around for 9 months in the same wardrobe doesn’t help. So, how do I save money at home and while travelling?

• Usually, I would cook bigger amounts and store some in my freezer. Sometimes I end up eating 3 days in a row the same thing for lunch but that’s ok.
• Cooking Vegetarian / Vegan at home; better for your health & the environment, no animals get harmed & you save money
• Only buying what I really need and not wasting/throwing food away either
• Whenever I want to buy new clothes I ask myself if I really need them. When I decided against it I put the money I would have to spend on it in my piggy bank
• While we are at it, get rid of things you don’t need and try to sell them
• Instead of going out, have drinks at home or cook with your friends
• quit smoking
• stop drinking (impossible for me) or stop for a few months, only drink once a month etc.
• Use your bike as much as you can (saved me 90€ per month)
• Budget; give yourself a fixed amount for the week; food, toiletries etc

While travelling

• Travel during low season = hotels/hostels can be half the price
• Organize in advance, ie bigger events like Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro 2019
• Think about what you really need, pro you will also have less to carry
• Compare prices
• In some countries, its part of their culture to haggle, so do it but be careful! We don’t want to exploit the locals and save money on their cost right?
• Try to avoid touristy restaurants as it is going to be more expensive
• Don’t buy drinks, snacks etc at tourist attractions
• Get yourself a LifeStraw bottle, you can refill it on the normal tab EVERYWHERE and it filters your water = you don’t have to buy water and you reduce plastic waste
• If you want and that is your thing; work abroad (Australia, NZ, Canada, Japan, to name a few) perfect to get to know the country and earn money while doing it
• Work in another European country (when you are European)
• Volunteering; work a few hours a day for accommodation (check if you need a visa)

By all means, I am not saying you shouldn’t buy anything nor eat out, just that you should think a bit more about it. Some people say “they don’t have the money to travel” but at the same time they throw away food = that’s like throwing away money. I am pretty sure that there are loads of other options to save money for a trip or while travelling and working abroad.

So yes, I am still on “holidays” or maybe just searching for a home.