22 Expenses In Your Budget To Cut To Travel More: Have More Money For Travel

There are expenses in your budget you can cut to travel more.

Most people would travel more if they had more money.

Many people spend a lot of money on small things that add up though.

If you could save some of that money, you would have enough money for your next trip or two.

For instance, I watched a family member’s co-workers spend $20 a day eating lunch out.

That is a lot of money.

That is a $100 a week or $400 a month.

I live in a smaller city, so tickets to other places are more expensive than bigger cities like New York City.

Still, the average round trip ticket from my city to most places still only costs $200-$300.

In places like New York City, you can easily get a round trip ticket to major cities for around $100-$150.

So my family member’s co-workers lunch spending for about 2 months could easily be someone’s next trip with flight and hotel.

In case you are saying, “I don’t spend that much eating lunch,” there are still many small expenses that add up that are similar.

I think if you love something like eating lunch out at restaurants, you can at least cut it in half.

In fact, there are many things you can cut.

Here are common expenses that most people can cut if you want to travel more.

Some of them may not work for you, but I bet a lot will.

Of course, better than a discount trip is a free trip with points and miles; so check out our Get Started Travel Hacking page.

Expenses In Your Budget To Can Cut To Travel More

1. Eating lunch out

As we said earlier, lunch is a big one to cut.

Even if you go from five days to two days, you could have substantial savings.

It is probably healthier too.

Most people eat lunch out because of time issues or cooking challenges.

Do some meal planning on the weekend, and check out a good recipe blog.

I use the Eating Well Magazine blog for recipes.

2. Eating out in general

You can learn to cook more by watching YouTube videos for free.

Even if you are brown bagging lunch, you could be still spending a lot on dining out.

If you like restaurants (am a Foodie myself), go for the lunch special or find ways to save money.

In terms of fast food, get rid of it.

No only does it take your money, but it also affects your health.

You can definitely make a better meal at home.

3. Expense to cut: Buying coffee

I know this is hard for coffee lovers.

Some people can’t do without a Starbucks coffee each day.

If you are one of those people, at least cut it to three days instead of five days a week.

4. Spending money on cable

Cable is a competitive industry.

Many people will give you a better deal for switching.

If you can do without cable, cut the cord.

5. Smoking

Smoking is bad for your health.

It is a habit you need to cut.

I have relatives who died of lung cancer.

I know it is not easy, but you must quit for your health too.

6. Eating junk food

Junk food is garbage that will harm your health.

One of my other businesses is a health and wellness business.

Once you train yourself to eat real whole foods, you won’t want junk food anyway.

Real food consists of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, etc.

That is anything that belongs in a food group.

Use MyPlate, and start getting used to real food.

It will save your health and maybe pay for your next trip.

Junk food includes candy, cookies, soda, etc.

A long time ago I was a soda person.

I even switched to healthy soda made with Stevia.

This was a $50 a month habit.

That is $600 a year.

I saw how much this was costing me and became a water person.

I have never looked back.

7. Drinking alcohol

Alcohol is not cheap.

Try to limit it.

8. Buying groceries

There are many ways to save on groceries.

Check out apps like Ibotta.

Use coupons.

Pay attention to the sale’s paper each week and stock up.

9. Entertainment

Entertainment is expensive.

A movie can cost $10-$15.

There are so many free things to do in every town or city.

I live in a small city.

There is always something free to do.

When I am on the road, I do a lot of free stuff in major cities like Nashville and Chicago.

I like to be on the road a lot.

I had three years off flying.

Even my road trips were not as often.

I plan to be in a different city each week in the future.

As I mentioned in other posts, I love traveling frequently.

I don’t believe in spending money on travel, and think you shouldn’t either.

Maybe you will like frequent travel too.

With money out of the equation, the sky is the limit.

There is no reason to spend a lot on entertainment.

10. Landline phones

Most people no longer have a landline.

If you are one of those people who do, it is time to drop it.

At an average of $30 per month, that is $360 you could have at the end of the year.

A cell phone usually all that is needed.

11. Cell phone bills

The cell phones industry is a competitive sector too.

You can have prepaid plans with the big carriers now.

You can choose budget carriers too.

Read about ways to save on your cell phone, and make changes.

12. Gym membership

It is free to exercise outside.

It is also a lot of fun.

Parks have a lot to offer.

You can even watch free exercise videos on YouTube.

13. Car usage

If you can, take public transportation.

I live in a place where a car is a must, but you can do other things to save on transportation.

There are carpools at workplaces.

You can also be strategic about your usuage of gas.

There are even gas reward’s programs.

14. Utility bill

Save on your utility bill.

Look into ways to cut this big expense.

In the winter, you can turn the heat on less.

15. Haircare

Men can get hair cuts less.

Women can do their own hair.

Other things that save you money besides expenses in your budget to cut to travel more

The following ways are not expenses to cut.

They are things that help you have more money to travel, so I added these.

16. Use the library more

The library is free.

Instead of buying books or magazines, read them at the library.

You can even check out ebooks.

17. Sell your stuff

I once sold some old designer purses.

I had some Michael Kors designer handbags that I had gotten with a Black Friday deal that I had never used for years.

I was not always as frugal.

I still like designer purses but spend very little on them.

Most people have a ton of stuff in their closet to sell.

Go through your closet and sell things.

I used a consignment store because I did not know a lot about selling on Ebay in the past.

You will probably get more if you use Ebay though.

18. Earn extra money on the side

Get a side hustle like Uber or Doordash.

This is not for everyone.

Like I said, I will resell later to make my travel completely free.

Reselling is still a side business though popular in the world of points and miles.

Most people won’t need this, but it is a good idea in case you are interested.

19. Get travel newsletters

Travel newsletters from Delta and Orbitz will let you know of good deals that might not be advertised elsewhere.

Sign up for sites like the Points Guy.

This is the biggest blog on points and miles, and they show a lot of deals.

Sign up for other newsletters.

20. Open an online savings account

If you use a regular savings account, sign up for an online account.

These accounts pay much higher interest than regular accounts.

21. Get a travel credit card

Travel credit cards are your #1 ticket to free travel if you can pay your balance in full each month.

If you put your regular spending on a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you could have around 25 k points (enough for a domestic round trip ticket each year).

Remember that international flights using points and miles usually get you more bang for your buck.

22. Track your spending

There are many leaks in most people’s budget.

The only way to find where money is going is to track your spending for a month.

Most people easily identify areas to cut.

Summary

Most people cite money as a reason they don’t travel more.

Travel Points 101 is about helping you to travel more for less.

Most people think travel is expensive.

This does not have to be true.

When you are not spending money on travel, you could be using it for other goals like building a better retirement, children’s college, etc.

I don’t believe in spending a lot on travel and think you shouldn’t either.

Try cutting some of these expenses.

Not all will work for everyone, but again I bet a lot will work.

Your next trip that looked impossible could be soon.

I see a lot of deals to Europe for $200-300 round trip.

Again, as nice as getting a discount trip is, a free trip is even better.

Check out our Get Started Travel Hacking page.

Have you cut any of these expenses?

If not, which would you like to try to cut?