By: @WorldsOkayestTraveler Elizabeth Pruett
When I first thought about travel nursing on a budget my stomach was churning, perhaps from nervousness, perhaps from excitement, most likely a combination of the two. In one breathless moment, as the wheels lifted off the ground, my life was forever changed. The memory of taking off on my first flight will forever be etched in my mind. I returned home from this group medical trip 10 days later, but I left a part of my heart in Peru, and Peru left a hole in my heart. This hole is a feeling you may be familiar with, a restlessness to see the world. But my biggest take away from Peru was how resourceful they were. I want to go everywhere, but this trip made me realize how much I need to master travel nursing on a budget. While everybody is always thinking about the travel, my experience with Peruvians taught me the necessity of being resourceful. My biggest takeaway was that none of it would every be possible without travel nursing on a budget.
That is what draws most of us to this travel nurse industry right? Sure we like traveling to cool assignments, but we also like to venture and explore in-between contracts and on our days off. And anyone who travels knows you need only two things. The desire …and the restraint necessary to master travel nursing on a budget.
I still remember the first trip I ever planned. I planned a trip to NYC. I spent so much time researching. I had a lot of questions and a lot to learn about traveling. What most of it came down to, was what experience was I looking for while I was there, and how much would that cost me?
Money is one of the largest factors that hold people back from traveling. They save traveling for a day when they are retired and “can afford it.”
As an ER nurse, I have seen first hand how short and unexpected life can be. Because of that, I have been determined to not save my travels for a day in the future that I have not been promised. The only problem? I’m not rich. I do not have the financial wealth to be a luxurious traveler, but I have been learning how to travel on a budget. And these have been some of the best days of my life.
Budgeting often carries a bad reputation of being a limitation. In reality, it is a gateway to freedom. I have traveled to dozens of cities and countries over the past few years, all debt free. The first part of the budget starts at home. Save whatever you can, wherever you can. I choose not to have cable TV and keep my shopping budget to a minimum. Those things add up, and that $200 you just saved means a flight to a place you’ve never been before. Your money follows your priority. If you really want to go somewhere, it needs to be your priority. Every “no” to something you don’t need, is a “yes” to your future travels. Pick a place you’d like to travel, research typical costs, and then start saving.
Flights tend to be a big part of travel expense. Credit cards with airline rewards are one way to save money on flights. I have a Southwest airline card and put all my expenses on it and then pay it off as if it were a debit card. This has earned me many nearly free flights around the U.S. There are other cards that have more international flights. If this intrigues you, there are many blogs of other travelers who have mastered the art of credit card travel. Researching cheaper times of year to visit is another money saver. Visiting a place during it’s “off-season” is usually cheaper. Looking on travel apps is another way to help cut cost, by getting an estimate of when flight prices will drop. It’s often cheaper to purchase a flight well in advance. Once you purchase your flight, it’s time to decide on lodging.
To travel for cheap you have to get outside of the hotel box. A budget-friendly traveler is willing to forgo the luxury and knows that a place to sleep is all you need for lodging. For almost all international travel, hostels are a prime option to save money. I have stayed in hostels around the world and found most of them safe and clean. They are a great way to meet other travelers and explore a new city. Some need to be booked ahead of time, others have availability booking last minute. It’s a great option for flexible travel. Couch surfing, staying with friends, or using travel lodging apps are more great ways to save. For those of you a little more rugged and like to get out of the city, camping is a great option. Camping is available across the U.S. and even internationally. When choosing lodging, keep it cheap. Keep in mind, the best part of traveling and experiencing a new culture lies outside of the hotel walls.
Food. We love it. So does every culture around the world. It creates character, flavor, hospitality, and memories every place you go. Food can be an area of big spending. There are some travel hacks that can keep you on budget, while also allowing you to adventure with your taste buds. Finding a local market or grocery store is key. I try to eat cheap meals throughout the trip. I’m talking sandwiches, cup ’o’ noodles and ramen kind of cheap. Most hostels have a kitchen and a place to keep your food. Some of the markets have local meals and treats at cheaper prices. I like to research what cuisine is a must try while in the city, and if it’s a pricy, saving that for one meal that day. Set a specific amount of how much you will spend on food during the trip, and then stick to that. Experiencing the food is an important part of traveling, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. Getting out of the typical tourist areas and shopping and eating where the locals eat is one of the best ways to save.
The ultimate way to explore a new place is to just get out there. Walking around the city, or going for a run is the best thing to do when you first arrive. Stay smart,don’t roam anywhere that doesn’t feel safe. Taking in sights and smells and observing a culture as you stroll through is unique to each place and costs you absolutely nothing. Be friendly, open to meeting other travelers and locals. Be respectful but try to learn some of the languages of the places you’re visiting. A please, or thank you or simple question in the native tongue can be rewarding for both you and the other person. Take time to ask the locals who speak your language questions about themselves. What to they like to do for fun? Where do they like to eat? What is a typical day like for them?
Making unique memories outside of waiting in lines and taking tourist pictures is sure to fill up your travel heart.
What shouldn’t be overly full is your suitcase. I admit, I am trying to get better at this with each trip. Take only as much as you need. And you need less than you think. Research the weather and culture of clothing worn at your destination. Try to pack in layers and things that can be worn multiple times. It’s always possible to wash clothes along the way. Keeping belongings down to a carry-on size is saves time, space and money. Most airlines charge for checked luggage. Somehow, no matter how light I pack, it’s always more full on the way home. Make sure to leave some space for items you may collect along the way.
Of course, purchasing desired items as you travel is like collecting treasure. However, sometimes they can be expensive or take up too much space. As a budgeted traveler, I fell in love with a space saving, money saving souvenir tip that has become one of my favorite things and now I’ll share with you…postcards. Wherever I am able, I pick a postcard that reminds me the most of that place. I take time to sit at a local cafe and take a few quiet moments to reflect on my trip. I list my favorite foods, my favorite places, people I met and the lessons I learned along the way. I go to the local post office and mail it back home to myself. When I get home, my souvenir soon shows up too with a reminder of the amazing trip I just completed. It’s stamped with language and markings from the place I visited and finds a new home in my postcard book.
A little planning ahead can save you big money and make a travel dreams become a reality. I have found it best to schedule the things that are necessary but leave some room for spontaneity. Allow some time for the trip to plan itself. And when things don’t go according to plan, take a deep breath. As most of us in this travel nurse world know, we may not know where we are headed next, but we always end up right where we are supposed to be. I hope you’re already starting to plan your next trip. And I’ll do the same. I’m not the best traveler in the world, but I am getting to be pretty okay at travel nursing on a budget. You can too
@worldsokayesttravler
- Didn’t want to read the whole article? Here’s a recap:
- Save Money (eliminate unnecessary everyday expenses )
- Catch Cheap Flights (compare multiple airlines and dates to fly)
- Sleep Cheap ( you ain’t royal, you need no palace)
- Eat Good Food (but don’t spend a lot on every meal, every day)
- Pack Light ( you need less than you think)
- Find a Meaningful Souvenir ( create your own travel tradition)
- Never Stop Exploring
Flight Hacks:
– Hopper(App)
– Skyscanner(App)
– https://scottscheapflights.com
– https://www.google.com/flights
Sleep Hacks:
– Furnished Finder– (furnished short-term housing and hotel deals)
– Web search engine for campsites is the key to travel nursing on a budget!