School is almost over, and summer is around the corner. It is a perfect time to start thinking about travel, for many people traveling seems out of reach due to the expenses or the idea that it is unrealistic, but it does not have to be. With budgeting strategies and the right planning, exploring the world can be both affordable and very rewarding.
Travel costs can increase very quickly when budgeting is not in place. Without a budget, you are essentially planning in the moment which can lead to overspending on flights, hotels and activities, especially when the opportunity to compare prices or hunt for deals is missing. In a new place such as a foreign country, they may have different currency or payment methods. It is very easy to lose track of the money you are spending; budgeting is not about restricting spending but instead is more about making intentional choices.
Colombian, Sara Duque, is 21 years old and a junior here at GVU, is an experienced traveler with budgeting expertise.
“Right now, in the point I am in my life, I travel more for experiences and culture,” Duque said.
Duque gave her insight into how she budgets.
”I try to get the cheapest flight then I try to compare prices for hotels, if they include food or not and how much would a regular meal be in the place I am going so I could budget how much I would spend eating and then if I am doing any extra activities, I also have to budget that,” Duque said.
A specific app Duque uses is Google sheets which help her with expenses and what she would like to spend her money on. Duque shared her favorite trip that was memorable and low budget.
“I went on a cruise for spring break. Food, all the pools and the games/activities were included and it was so cheap. It was a week, I went to three different places; Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and the Bahamas,” Duque said.
A piece of advice from Duque for those who think they cannot afford to travel .
“You’re lying, you are literally lying. My thing here is that if you do your research and you look at the change in coin for every country, you will see you are actually multiplying your money, your U.S dollars. You are multiplying them in other places,” Duque said.
If you have never heard of the term, “backpacker” is someone who backpacks and spends months in a variety of countries. They carry their belongings in a backpack and are on a budget often staying in hostels, or homestays while exploring.
Michelle Aguilar is a backpacker who has been to countries such as Thailand, Colombia, Mexico, Egypt, Peru, Amsterdam, along with many more. She is 50 years old yet for her it is never too late to start traveling since she continues to accomplish her dreams while being able to save money.
“I travel to make my dreams come true, the dreams that I had since I was young but to make them true, I travel to learn more about traditions and culture,” Aguilar said.
She shares how she plans and researches for trips to other countries.
“First off, I look at what country I would like to visit, how much is the currency and the difference in dollars, I start to find out the expenses that a person makes such as food. Once I do my research, that is when I began to do my budgeting yet also look on the internet of people who have traveled to that country and see how much they spend in a day so I can get an idea,” Aguilar said.
Solo traveling can be intimidating due to uncertainty, independence, or simply fear. Yet for many people such as Aguilar, it Is a sense of freedom and her preferred way over group traveling.
“I prefer to travel alone because I have had the experience of traveling in a group and I did not like it. I had to learn how to travel alone since I realized that solo traveling you get to know more and enjoy more as well as spending less. You get to do whatever you want without the worry of others,” Aguilar said.
Aside from budgeting, there are mistakes many first-time travelers make.
“An error many travelers make from my perspective is not practice respect. If you are used to doing what you want without respect, you are going to do that in other places. When visiting other cultures, religions, traditions it is very important to have present respect because you cannot go to Egypt and wear a shirt that is revealing when they have different standards, but you go and be surprised when everyone stares which can cause you stress,” Aguilar said.
Overall, traveling is not out of reach or reserved for the wealthy or experienced. As Duque and Aguilar demonstrate, it is possible with the right preparation and mindset. It is accessible for those willing to plan, budget and step outside their comfort zone. Respect for other cultures can make what feels like an unrealistic dream into a meaningful reality, whether you prefer to travel alone or in a group. The experiences, memories, and knowledge gained are worth far more than the cost, and as summer approaches, it could be the right time to take a step towards exploring the world. It is not only about where you go. But how do you approach it.
