Follow Through on Your New Year's Resolution to Travel

It's a new year! And that means it's time for New Year's Resolutions. Unfortunately, according to the Huffington Post,  only 8 percent of people will actually follow through with those resolutions. Most people go too big and expect their whole life to change on Jan.1. The truth is, change takes time. With some careful planning and baby steps, you can make your travel dreams a reality.

Start Planning Now

Big plans take big planning. While spontaneous trips are absolutely fun and worthwhile, it's going to be easier for you to make things happen if you have a definitive plan. Talk with your friends, buy the plane ticket and write it down. Don't wait to start your planning! Now is the time to be researching and figuring out the details of your trip. By taking concrete steps, you'll bring your trip into reality.


Don't Be Afraid to Start Small

Like any resolution, the way to succeed is to start small! If you've never traveled by yourself, maybe don't start with a huge international trip across the globe. You can even start with a simple road trip! Finding a hotel, booking activities and coordinating an itinerary on a smaller scale is the perfect way to practice. Each little trip will help you learn about traveling and build your confidence.


Save a Little at a Time
Travel is often a long-term kind of goal. It takes time and money. That means you may need to save up a bit for that trip of a lifetime. By setting aside a portion of each paycheck specifically for travel, you'll have the funds you need in no time. Many people are intimidated by the cost of travel, but the key is in the preparation! You don't need to pay for it all at once. Like any goal worth accomplishing, it's going to take some time, patience and diligence, but it will absolutely be worth it in the end!

Travel is one of the best things you can do with your time and money (in my opinion). It is absolutely worth the work! Traveling has made me who I am today, and I would absolutely love to help you reach your goals this year! Visit MilesIntoMemoriesTravel.com and get started today!

How to Save Up for the Trip of a Lifetime

Love to travel? Have no money? I feel you. Luckily, over the years I've found ways to work around that problem and I'm here to help you out.

Step 1: Set a goal amount. This amount is calculated based off of flight, cost per day in the city you want to travel to, and any major attractions you want to visit. It's also a good idea to consider how to travel cheaply - look at hostels rather than hotels, trains over planes and remember to pack your lunch!

Step 2: Set a realistic monthly savings goal (and set up a budget!) Set aside a little bit each month. I know that seems obvious, but it can be very difficult to maintain! By building travel into your monthly savings goals, you are making it a real priority. Each month you'll be able to see that number grow and get one step closer to your goal.

Step 3: Stay motivated! Pick a target date and make a count down. I personally like to write a literal count down along the bottom of my agenda. Seeing that trip inch closer each day keeps it in the forefront of my mind. I also stay motivated by planning! Picking out which attractions you'll get to see and what you'll be doing on your trip is always so exciting and sure to keep you motivated.

Step 4: Buckle down and do it! Take a look at your life and see where you can cut back. Saving for big things like retirement, a house or a car are obviously important, but it can definitely help you save faster by cutting down on things like movies, shopping and fast food. At the end of each month, see where you have spent the most money and brainstorm ways to "beat" that number the next month. Turn it into a game or challenge amongst your friends. You'll be sure to save money in the future.

You'll be on the adventure of a lifetime before you know it!

My sister and I having a BLAST in Cape Town, South Africa!

If you need some help planning it, we can help you out at Miles Into Memories Travel.