The Wise Woman’s Guide to Saving for Travel: Apps, Hacks, and Mindset Shifts.

For many women, the dream of traveling the world can seem out of reach—too expensive, too complicated, or simply too far-fetched. But what if there was a way to make it happen? The truth is, travel can be affordable, enjoyable, and possible for women at every stage of life. All it takes is a little planning, smart budgeting, and—perhaps most importantly—a mindset shift.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to start saving for your next big adventure. Whether you’re dreaming of backpacking through Europe, exploring the jungles of Costa Rica, or relaxing on a beach in Bali, this is your road map to making it happen.

1. Find Your Travel Why: Make It Personal

Before you start saving, it’s essential to connect with your travel dreams. Ask yourself why travel is important to you. Is it about experiencing new cultures? Unplugging from daily life? Finding adventure and personal growth?

By clarifying your “why,” you can make travel feel more urgent and achievable. When you know what drives you, it’s easier to make sacrifices and stay focused on your goal. So, think about what your dream destination means to you, and let that vision fuel your efforts.

2. Set a Realistic Goal: Budgeting for Travel

Once you have a clear travel goal in mind, it’s time to determine how much you need. Research your desired destination, including flights, accommodation, food, and activities. Websites like Going, Google Flights and Skyscanner can help you find less expensive flights and estimate flight costs, while accommodation options can be found on sites like Airbnb, Booking, or Booking.com. Don’t forget to include travel insurance, visa fees, and unexpected expenses.

Break down your total travel costs into monthly or weekly savings goals. This makes it easier to see what you need to do in the short term to reach your dream. Whether it’s $200 a month or $500, small, consistent contributions will add up over time.

3. Smart Budgeting Hacks to Save Faster

Once you know your goal, it’s time to explore some budgeting hacks that can help you save faster. Here are some tips that will help you reach your travel savings goal more quickly:

• Automate Savings: Use apps like Acorns to automatically round up your purchases to the nearest dollar and put that extra change into a savings account. You won’t miss the change, but it adds up over time.
• Cut Back on Non-Essential Spending: Identify areas in your budget where you can cut back—like eating out, subscriptions, or impulse shopping. Set a challenge for yourself to cut out one non-essential purchase per week and put the savings toward your travel fund.
• Track Your Spending: Use budgeting apps like Mint or YNAB (You Need A Budget) to track your daily spending. These apps help you understand where your money goes and give you insights into how to cut back.

4. Building New Income Streams: Side Hustles for Travel

Sometimes, saving money isn’t just about cutting costs—it’s also about bringing in more income. If you’re serious about saving for travel, it might be worth looking for ways to increase your income temporarily. Here are some ideas for side hustles:

• Freelancing: Use platforms like Upwork or Fiverr to offer your skills in writing, graphic design, web development, or virtual assistance.
• Teaching or Tutoring: If you’re an expert in a subject, you can offer tutoring services locally or online through platforms like VIPKid or Chegg Tutors.
• Selling Items You No Longer Use: Declutter your home and sell items you no longer need on platforms like eBay, Poshmark, or Facebook Marketplace.

5. Master Your Money Mindset: The Power of Abundance

When it comes to saving for travel, one of the most important factors isn’t just the money—it’s your mindset. If you believe that money is scarce or that you’ll never be able to afford your trip, you might subconsciously block opportunities for saving and earning more.

Shift from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset. This means recognizing that money is a tool and that there are endless opportunities to earn, save, and spend wisely. Amanda Frances’ book Rich as F#ck emphasizes that our relationship with money affects everything. If you treat money with respect, gratitude, and a sense of abundance, it will flow toward you more easily.

6. Apps and Tools to Make Saving Easier

The good news is that there are tools designed to help you reach your savings goal faster. Here are a few apps that make it simple to save for travel:

• Acorns: This app automatically rounds up your purchases and invests the difference in low-cost ETFs. It’s a passive way to build savings without thinking about it.
• Digit: Digit analyzes your spending habits and automatically transfers small amounts of money from your checking account into a savings account. You won’t notice the small withdrawals, but they’ll add up over time.
• Travel-Specific Savings Accounts: Use tools like Qapital to create specific savings goals for travel. You can set up an account just for your travel fund, making it easier to stay focused on your goal.

7. Psychology of Saving: Overcoming Blocks

Many women find it difficult to save because of mental blocks related to money. If you grew up with limiting beliefs about wealth or have experienced financial struggles in the past, it can be hard to feel worthy of saving for something as exciting as a trip abroad.

Overcoming these blocks involves rewiring your brain to see money as a tool for joy and freedom, not as something to hoard or fear. Start by acknowledging your limiting beliefs and replacing them with more empowering thoughts, like:

• “Money is a tool for creating the life I want.”
• “I am worthy of the experiences I desire.”
• “Travel is an investment in my growth and happiness.”

8. Manifest Your Travel Goals

Finally, once you’ve adopted an abundance mindset and set your financial plan in motion, start visualizing your adventure. Visualization is a powerful technique used by successful people to manifest their goals.

Picture yourself on your dream vacation—whether it’s hiking in the Swiss Alps, exploring the beaches of Thailand, or attending a cooking class in Italy. The more you see yourself in these places, the more you will align your actions to make it happen. Manifestation is not just about wishful thinking; it’s about taking inspired action to make your vision a reality.

9. Treat Money Like a Best Friend

Money is a tool, not a source of stress. By treating money like you would a best friend—nurturing it, appreciating it, and trusting it—you open up the space for it to grow. Every small decision you make—whether it’s saving a few dollars or finding a new side hustle—adds up. Trust that the universe is supporting your travel dreams, and enjoy the process of saving.

10. Follow Ramit Sethi’s Principles: Build a Rich Life While Saving for Travel

When it comes to managing money in a way that supports your travel dreams and long-term wealth, Ramit Sethi’s advice from I Will Teach You to Be Rich is invaluable. Ramit’s philosophy emphasizes building a life you love now, while also being mindful of your future. This mindset is perfect for women who want to prioritize travel while also ensuring financial health in the long run.

Here are some key principles from Ramit Sethi’s book that can help you save for your travels without sacrificing the richness of your everyday life:

1. Prioritize What Matters to You

Ramit teaches the importance of conscious spending. He encourages you to think about what truly brings you joy—whether that’s travel, dining out, or spending time on hobbies—and direct your money towards those things. The goal isn’t to cut out all luxuries, but to stop spending on things that don’t align with your values. By consciously allocating funds towards the things that matter most (like your travel fund), you can make room for what you love without feeling deprived.

2. Automate Your Savings

One of Ramit’s most powerful suggestions is automating your savings. Setting up automatic transfers from your checking account to your savings account (or travel fund) ensures that you’re consistently building wealth without having to think about it. Apps like Acorns and Digit take this a step further by automatically saving and investing your spare change, which can grow into significant sums over time—perfect for funding your dream travel.

3. Invest in Your Future

Saving for travel is essential, but investing for your future is equally important. Ramit advocates for investing in low-cost index funds for long-term growth. By starting small, even with a modest amount each month, you can build wealth that will support your travel lifestyle for years to come. Set up an automatic transfer to an investment account, and let your money grow while you focus on saving for your next adventure.

4. Focus on Big Wins

Ramit encourages focusing on “big wins” rather than obsessing over every small expenditure. Instead of cutting out your daily coffee or skipping your monthly subscription, focus on the larger financial decisions that have the most impact—like negotiating your salary, paying off high-interest debt, or saving for your travel fund. When you make progress in these areas, smaller sacrifices will feel easier and more worthwhile.

5. Build a Rich Life Now

While saving for future trips is essential, Ramit reminds us that life isn’t just about delaying joy. He emphasizes enjoying the journey as you work toward your goals. So, while you may be planning for your next international adventure, don’t forget to take the time to enjoy local experiences, spontaneous weekend getaways, or exploring nearby destinations. By focusing on building a “rich life” now, you’ll stay motivated and energized on your path toward bigger travel goals.

6. Embrace the Power of “Investing in You”

Ramit is a huge advocate of investing in personal growth, education, and skills that will ultimately increase your earning potential. The more you grow professionally, the easier it will be to save and earn more. Take advantage of online courses, networking opportunities, and side hustles to increase your income. With extra money in your pocket, you’ll be able to accelerate your savings and fund more adventurous travel experiences.

By following Ramit Sethi’s advice, you’ll not only be able to save for travel but also build a rich and fulfilling life that includes the freedom to pursue your passions—whether that’s exploring the world, building wealth, or simply enjoying everyday experiences. Saving for your next adventure is just the beginning of a life where you can prioritize what matters to you, both today and in the future.

Reading Suggestions:

• I Will Teach you to be Rich by Ramit Sethi.
• Rich as F$ck by Amanda da Frances
• The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley
• The Simple Path to Wealth: Your road map to financial independence and a rich, free life by JL Collins

Key Takeaways:

• Clarify your travel goals and connect with your “why” to stay motivated.
• Set realistic, actionable savings goals and break them into smaller, manageable steps.
• Use budgeting hacks and apps like Acorns and Mint to automate your savings.
• Increase your income with side hustles or freelance work.
• Shift to an abundance mindset and treat money as a tool for creating freedom.
• Manifest your dream trip by visualizing and setting clear goals.
• Treat money like a friend: nurture it, appreciate it, and trust that it will flow.

By implementing these strategies, you’ll be well on your way to saving for your next adventure. The world is waiting for you—start saving today!