So many websites and blogs offer articles on how to make your dream trip affordable, but they all seem to say, save up your money, shop savvily, and buy budget packages. That’s really not helpful, says food and travel blogger Claudette Spinelli Schwartz. Schwartz offers actionable advice that can help a person make their dream vacation a reality.
Start House Sitting
House sitting consists of one person traveling to another person’s home to stay there and care for it while the other person travels. This ideal situation can be trading with one another or the house sitter enjoying a mini-vacation while the other individual goes away on business or vacation. To get started, register with an established web platform, such as:
- Trusted House Sitters
- House Sitters America
- Mind My House.
It takes a while to build up a good reputation and reviews, so expect to house sit for a few localish homeowners before applying for assignments in your dream location. You’ll only need to pay for transportation to and fro.
Volunteerism Can Take You Abroad
You don’t have to register for a one-year commitment with the Peace Corps to do good and travel overseas. If you want to live abroad for a year, though, the Peace Corps can get you to the continent you love, and after you complete your assignment, you can travel on your own. Consider shorter volunteerism trips, too. Many churches and charities plan week-long jaunts during spring break or summer. While there, you might help build a church, hospital, or library. Some mission trips to Africa help dig wells so a village can have potable water. Phone your local churches to learn about their projects and check the websites of these websites that mount mission trips abroad:
- Global Volunteers
- Group Mission Trips
- Praying Pelicans Missions.
These trips provide housing and transportation, but each participant does have a fee to pay. It’s usually much less than paying for solo travel.
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Take Advantage of Year Abroad Programs
Many high schools, colleges, and universities offer exchange programs or participate in international exchange programs. If your school doesn’t offer one, or you participate in homeschooling, many organizations offer options. Explore the study abroad and internship opportunities at these established exchange programs:
- International Studies
- Abroad Intern Abroad HQ
- EF Gap Year.
Some programs offer a semester abroad, while others offer a year.
Enjoy Your Dream Trip
While planning for your dream trip, make a few short-term jaunts around your state and your home country, too. Save money for your big trip and get to know your local area with a staycation. Use a travel app like Priceline to nab great deals on hotel rooms at luxury hotels. Book a weekend at one and enjoy a low-cost but luxurious stay.
Explore the surrounding area and save money on meals by strategically dining. Take advantage of the hotel breakfast, typically included in your room stay, then dine out for lunch, which costs less than dinner at nice restaurants. Pick up a few of your favorite foods at a local grocery store and stash them in the hotel room refrigerator to enjoy dinner in your room at a reasonable cost. Happy travels.
