How I “find” time and money to travel

Bottom line up front:  Put it first and take it off the top!

For most of us, we have the time and money to travel. We just have to make it a priority. 

I realize this is not universally true and am I definitely blessed. But I think it is true for more of us than generally thought.

One of my favorite stories is about the jar with rocks and sand.  Basically, if you fill a jar with sand (the less important things in life) then you have no room for the rocks.  If you start with the rocks, you still have room for most of the sand.  I think this is true for prioritizing time with loved ones and for travel.  Make travel a rock. (You can read a version of the full story here).

Every December I work out a budget for the coming year. 

I start with my take home salary.  This is what I make after taxes, retirement, and health insurance. 

I first account for 10% tithe. 

I then deduct my recurring bills like rent, water, electricity, trash and internet. We don’t have a car payment, but if we did, that would be included.  

I calculate what we spent the previous year on medical, car maintenance and other non-routine big-ticket expenses. 

I then budget for my planned trips in the coming year. Notice this came before groceries, nights out with friends, clothes, other shopping….  It is a big rock!! 

With what is left over, I have an “allowance” for groceries, activities and other purchases.

Now I will admit, that sometimes with the last two steps I have to go back and forth.  I thought about going to Antarctica in 2025 but can’t make it work.   Instead, I focused on El Salvador which is a significantly cheaper destination.   I didn’t actually make it to El Salvador, but that was the budget. 

How much you have will vary based on your salary.  But regardless of my salary, I have always made travel a priority.  In 2024 dollars, my first job out of college paid $40,082. Definitely above the poverty line but also definitely on a budget. I’ll also note that I was living in Alaska which is one of the most expensive places in the United States (if not the world). In those first years, my trips were entirely local and I was able to see a lot of the state. I have stayed with the same organization and worked hard, so today my salary has increased but my process has stayed the same.  No matter how much money you make, there is never enough for what you don’t prioritize. 

A few years after I started working, someone commented on how much money I spent on travel.  I replied that it was a priority. And compared to them, I didn’t own a snow mobile or a camper, I lived in a small one-bedroom apartment, took my lunch to work etc… etc…

And even today, my life style does not reflect my salary.  We rent a very small place, I don’t own a car, I take my lunch to work, and I am a frugal minimalist.  In fact, one of my 2024 new year’s resolutions was a no spend year (food and consumables were allowed — but no stuff).  Amazon savings alone cover the cost of an international plane ticket from DC.   

It is the same for finding time to travel. Put it on the calendar before it fills up!  Early in the year, I make a plan for my paid days off.  I maximize them by combining them with weekends and holidays.  Sometimes I know exactly where and when I want to go.  Other times I just block the time – first week in September somewhere with my mom (and based on past trips, the number of days and our travel style I can do a general cost estimate for the budget).

Additionally, travel does not have to be expensive.  Here are some thoughts for how to keep the costs down:

1. Use points for your airline tickets.  I am not a serious travel hacker but I do usually apply for at least one card a year in order to get the bonus miles. (In the last year I have increased this to twice a year). I also use my Chase card for most of my daily purchases and pay it off at the end of the month.  This means that at least once a year, but usually more, I can pay for my flights with miles. 
2. For those in the United States or Canada, international travel is almost always cheaper than domestic.  In 2023, I spent two days in North Carolina that cost more than five days in Guatemala.  For overseas travel, the big expense will be your airline ticket, but once there, lodging, food and transportation will be much more affordable. 
3. You can keep costs lower by planning yourself.  Tours and third parties have to make a profit and the farther you get from the “source” the more you will pay.  Look at tours and blogs to see what you want to do and see but then plan it yourself. 
4. Go local.  Hotel chains and tourist restaurants will cost more (and have less character).  Some of my favorite places to stay (and almost all of my favorite places to eat) are small establishments.  And for hotels, it is really only a place to sleep.  As long as it is clean, safe and centrally located, I don’t need much. 

You will never have unlimited time and money.  Make travel a priority now with what you have.