So you’ve booked and paid for your flights and accommodation, but what about spending money?
Our top two oh so simple tips for getting that extra money together.
The Small Change
It’s the smallest change that can make the biggest difference, coins!
If you don’t already have one buy yourself the cheapest money box you can find. You can pick one up from The Reject Shop or Red Dot for about $2, don’t spend too much, it’s not an investment. You could even use an old Milo tin or coffee jar, cut a slot in the lid and super glue it back on.
It’s important you can’t get into it, you don’t need the temptation, too many “Oh I’ll just take $4 out for my train ticket” and “I’ll just pop some change back in my purse just in case” and you’ll be completely wasting your time.
Every single coin we get goes in the jar, no exceptions. I must admit, when your on a budget putting $8 worth of $2 coins in does make your tummy do a little back flip sometimes (that’s a weeks worth of Mei Goreng and beans on toast there!), but no exceptions, it goes in!
We always have a jar running, whether it’s a “just for a rainy day” or for an upcoming holiday. Each time depending on the size of the jar we have between $100 and $500 when we crack it open.
Top tip: If you don’t like parting with ALL your change and not seeing it again till your holiday why not rinse out a 600ml soft drink or water bottle and fill only with $2 coins. By the time its full you’ll have approximately $900!
Clean Out Your Wardrobe
Want to make a few extra dollars? Clean out your wardrobe, the garage, the spare room, you’ll find a load of junk that might actually be hidden treasure in disguise.
Each time we’re on the move we clean our house out! Clothes and shoes I’ve had in my wardrobe that still have tags on that I clearly shouldn’t have bought and pieces that are still in great condition but I juts don’t wear anymore.
That BBQ we bought with great intentions but never use, the box of encyclopaedias collecting dust, the gaming console we didn’t even know we had, ornamental bowls, old exercise equipment, you name it you can probably sell it. Not only does it keep your life clutter free but it puts a few dollars in your pocket too!
In our digital day and age there are so many ways to sell without putting a sign on the corner, opening up your garage and sitting in an old camping chair for five hours.
eBay is great for items that are easy to post, clothes, jewellery, shoes, left over party supplies, kids toys, collectables etc. It’s free to set up an account and very easy to use.
Gumtree is great for bigger bulkier items that are easier for locals to pick up. Desks, washing machines, fridges, couches, ball dresses, speakers, car parts, BBQ’s, kids outdoor toys, bikes, cars, the sky’s the limit really with what you can advertise on Gumtree.
When we received our refusal letter from our first visa application we had to sell up everything so we could move to the UK for a few months and apply for our second one, we sold EVERYTHING on Gumtree. We did so well we were upset when we ran out of things to sell.
There are also countless Facebook pages dedicated to local selling, as well as advertising on your own page and sharing with your friends.
Just remember when your selling your secondhand items if you want them to sell you can’t expect to get what you paid for them. We have on occasion been lucky enough that we have got exactly what we originally paid for something (or more), but you shouldn’t expect it.
If it’s something you don’t use or need would you rather it sit there cluttering up your house collecting dust or have an extra $20 in your pocket?
Once you’ve sold on your hidden treasures make sure you put your money somewhere you can’t touch it, in a savings account with no card attached or in the jar with all your coins!
Top tip: Turn ALL your coat hangers around the wrong way, as you use them just pop them back in the normal way. Then in a few weeks time when you’re ready to sort through your wardrobe you’ll see exactly what you’ve been wearing and what you haven’t.
Just by utilising these two tips you’ll start to see your savings grow. It’s amazing how quickly the small things add up. You’ll feel lighter without extra clutter lying around and happy to feel your savings jar getting heavier.
When you look back, it won’t be the things that you bought that make you smile and you won’t have photos of your wide screen TV, designer handbag or expensive car pasted into a scrapbook. Collect moments not things. Create memories. Live.
Good luck with your savings wanderers.
Coming soon: Reducing your everyday spending and how to live on a backpacker budget and the must see shopping center in England.
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