I haven't earned a single cent from my blog. I haven't got any familiarization and juncket trips (I wish I have... Hehehe!) or traveled for free. All expenses on my trips come from my own pocket. With that, I still managed to travel as frequent as I can - usually once or twice a month. Are you wondering "where do I get the money to spend on all of those travels?"
I have a regular job. I spend 9 hours a day, 5 times a week inside the office (well, except when I'm on leave). Everything I spend in my travels come from my monthly salary as a computer programmer.
Modesty aside, a career in I.T. really pays well. For the past 3 years, I was able to sustain my wanderlust travels by effectively managing my finances.
Here are my 3 simple ways on how I am able to fund my wanderlust travels:
1. Cutting down on expenses and living within my means
I live a lifestyle that I can sustain. I refrain from spending on gadgets, gimiks, over-priced coffee, shopping, etc., etc., etc. The only luxury that I have are my travels. I'd rather save my money for my next adventure than to spend it on "unnecessary" things.
2. Saving a part of my salary for my travels
I set aside a certain portion of my monthly salary and I put it on a "travel fund" where I get the budget I use on my travels. This way, I know that whenever I want to travel, there would be a fund that I can use anytime.
3. Planning, researching and adjusting my travels
I travel based on budget. My travel adjusts on the budget that I set. I take advantage of airlines' seat sale promos. I don't spend too much on airfares as I buy my tickets way ahead of time. Researching well before a travel is also very important. That way, I get to search for cheap accommodations, low-cost way to get there and on affordable food. I do not book on hotels, I go for hostels and pension houses. Don't overspend, you still have more travels and adventures to come.
I'm saving up for Batanes...
I've been wanting to go to Batanes, but I need at least 12,000 to get there and another 5,000 for the expenses in exploring the place. On my birthday this year, I promised myself that I will go there on my next birthday, it will be my gift for myself on my 33rd birthday.
So, I started to save at least 50 pesos a day specifically for my "Batanes Travel Fund". By April 2013, I will have around 18,250 pesos (PHP 50 x 365 days) that I can use to get to Batanes. Woohoo!
So that's it. My strategy is very simple. Work hard to cut down on expenses, save and plan ahead. Hope you learned from how I fund my wanderlust travels.
I believe that travelling is an investment, the returns are the experiences that you gain which is something that you'll cherish for a lifetime. So, travel now and enjoy!
"Sabi nila ang yaman ko daw, pa-travel travel lang ako... Sabi ko naman, hindi ako mayaman, masipag lang ako magtrabaho" -Pinoy Adventurista
This is my entry to the Pinoy Travel Bloggers’ Blog Carnival for June 2012 with the theme "How to Fund your Wanderlust" hosted by James of Journeying James.How about you? How do you fund your wanderlust travels?
Please share your strategies on how you fund your wanderlust travels... :)
ReplyDeleteSama ako sa Batanes! Hehehe.
Deleteyou are SO SO SO right... most of the time, people who earns a lot spends a lot as well (all their wants but not their needs). in simple terms, you are able to fund your wanderlust because of DISCIPLINE (the art of saving to afford your passion to travel).
ReplyDeleteGood job Pinoy Adventurista :)
i like this --> "i believe that traveling is an investment, the returns are the experiences.."
ReplyDeletegive ourselves the luxury of travel, not the pompous, luxurious ways but the luxury of time to travel while we can..
true. galing mo mervs =)
ReplyDeletePag mejo malapit lang sa amin, nakikisabay lang ako at nakikisakay sa mga papunta rin dun. Pag medyo malayo na, nagtatabi na ako ng pera para dun.
ReplyDeleteagree definitely on this: "I believe that travelling is an investment, the returns are the experiences that you gain which is something that you'll cherish for a lifetime. So, travel now and enjoy!"
ReplyDeleteI've mentioned it too in my blog that I invest on experience :)
Way to go for your travel fund for Batanes. Hope we'll have a joining tour again for next year. this year kasi June. hehe
We're on the same page Mervz. I am also an employee and my travel funds came from saving my bonuses for my adventures instead of spending it on gadgets, branded clothes and other material things, : )
ReplyDeletereally inspiring nman ng travel fund mo..
ReplyDeletehandsalute tlga...
wish could do this....
This simple post has a very powerful message. A lot of people think that travel bloggers are living the life but really just as everyone else we have bills to pay and commitments that require financial support. But really the joy of getting acquianted and reconnected to your heritage, the happiness you get from learning that you made someone proud of their heritage after reading a post from your blog, making new friends and developing relationships are all PRICELESS for travel bloggers.
ReplyDeletegoodluck on your batanes! magiipon ako ng Php 50 everyday pwede na sumama? hehehe! I love how you simply manage your expenses. It is true, mas masarap gumasta sa travel :)
ReplyDeleteginagawa din namin yung $$x365days pero may time N years pa! haha! para sa "europe backpacking" dream namin :)
ReplyDeletegoodluck satin, mervs! :)
looking forward ako sa batanes trip mo! and as always, sa mga detailed itineraries and expenses mo :)
tama yan! wag na yang kape kape na yan!
2 grandes = overnight accommodation somewhere. san ka pa!
I think I need to follow this one. I need to save money for travels and cut down expenses for shopping, gadgets and gimiks. Congrats bro.. and I know you can do it to Batanes before your birthday.,
ReplyDeleteWow!... so do you have plans of ever getting married? lol
ReplyDeletedagdagan mo ng 25 pesos ang batanes fund mo. baka tumaas na presyo ng airfare and lodging...save for inflation din. hehehe. But cool post! I admire you for your discipline!
ReplyDeleteExcited na ako sa Batanes trip mo kahit next year pa hehe :D I'll share this to my friends na may day jobs pero andaming excuse na hindi makatravel lol. Keep it up, Mervs! Sana makasama din kitang magtravel :D
ReplyDeleteNice idea! Parang hindi ko kaya mag-cut down sa unnecessary na gastos, haha! Pero mag-start na ko mag-allot ng travel fund! Gaya gaya, haha! Go go go sa iyong batanes trip!
ReplyDeleteMy motto: I work to be able to travel ;)
ReplyDeletePlease go to "Shoot First, Eat Later" blog. She went to Batanes and has great tips (June 28, 2011 post + 8 more posts). Her friend stayed
ReplyDeleteat Babat's Residence for 250
pesos/night (home stay). Good Luck, Thel from Florida
Yun pareho pala tayo computer programmer.:) Goodluck sa Batanes trip mo.
ReplyDeleteYou have mastered patience, kudos to that! Batanes is my ultimate plan also next year.
ReplyDeleteAng sakit sa panga mag save ng pera, LOL!
over-priced coffee?? (I) may want to cut on these, too!
ReplyDeletethanks for the travel tips PA. galeng!
nice one! i have the same strategy and lifestyle as yours. problem is, i dont have a career in I.T. haha! kidding! more travels to come! :)
ReplyDeletetama! nasa sipag mag ipon lang yan. ^___^
ReplyDeletewow...simple lang ang post pero makahulugan...cheers mervs....
ReplyDeletetama yan...pareho tayo...since nun single pa ko mahilig na magbackpack although nagstart ako as mountaineer...
nun maging tatay na ko natuto ko magtrip kung san san at hanggang ngayon magiging 4 na anak ko at minsan kasama ko pa mga anak ko sa gala...hindi matitigil ang pagiging lakwatserong tatay ko.....hehehe
pero eto ang mga pinakagusto ko sa lahat..
I believe that travelling is an investment, the returns are the experiences that you gain which is something that you'll cherish for a lifetime. So, travel now and enjoy!
--tama, at siyempre masarap din pala ishare sa ibang tao ang mga naging travels ko...and its been 2 years since nagshashare ako ng mga travels ko...masarap pala....hehehehe
"Sabi nila ang yaman ko daw, pa-travel travel lang ako... Sabi ko naman, hindi ako mayaman, masipag lang ako magtrabaho" -Pinoy Adventurista
--Pareho tayo dito...sabi ng biyenan ko...mga kaofficemates ko...ang yaman ko daw pano ko nagagawa gumala kahit may 3 kids nako....sabi ko hindi ako mayaman...marunong lang ako magtabi para sa mga lakad ko..."Lakwatserong Tatay"
same here. pero ang advantage ko ay isa lang anak ko kaya i have to budget for 3 people lang. i believe that a family who travels together, stays together, ha ha ha.
Deleteung SG/KL trip namin this December was conceived last year pa. we waited for promo fares and planned on a one-way route: Clark-SG-Melaka-KL-Manila to save on transporation expenses. and fortunately, we got a complimentary stay for 2 nights sa SG.
our only daughter has learned a lot through travels which she used to read only in her HEKASI subject.
tumpak! we should live within our means and kung may gusto ka talaga you also have to make sacrifices,ako din i'm not into gadgets and "over priced coffe"hahaha.ang gadget masisira but memories of our trips last a lifetime hahaha parang farewell message lang ng miss universe.by the way saka ko lang nabasa sa blog mo na may zip line na pala sa butuan at ang haba.taga butuan kaya ako at di ko alam yun sayang last day ko na nalaman,pabalik na ako ng manila.mukhang safe ba yun zip line nila kasi balak namin balikan sa december.
ReplyDeleteWow. very inspiring tips.Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteKEEP IT UP Mervs... Just like you, I am working full time but i find time to travel... Kaya motto ko : WORK HARD, TRAVEL HARDER!
ReplyDeletenice read mervz. this got me interesting since i know ang dami mong gala and i thought wala kang work. ehehehe. but spot on ang tip mo. gusto ko rin magbatanes someday and i guess i should start saving up now too! =)
ReplyDeletethat makes a lot of sense tama tupak thumbs up haha
ReplyDeletei learned a lot about you Mervs and your great tips!! go for that Batanes birthday treat! You deserve it. Now, it gave me an idea to goal Batanes too. When is your birthday?hehe para puede sumabay haha
ReplyDeleteBatanes is also a dream destination but I always get sidetracked and spend on some other destination when some people invited me.I should also make a piggy bank solely for this batanes trip, thanks for the tip ;)
ReplyDeleteSapul na sapul oh! Karelate ako ng todo, :)
ReplyDeleteGreat thing your work pays you well... cheers to more travels! c",)
ReplyDeleteIt hits the spot! Makes me want to return my milk tea (I'm drinking it now, haha!) so that 85php will be invested in a future trip =)
ReplyDeleteGreat job! Keep it up!
http://thisislovelee.blogspot.com/
I love reading all your wanderlust travels.. Would love to travel to Batanes too.. :)
ReplyDeletegaling salamat sa pag share
ReplyDeleteIt takes a lot of self-discipline and determination to save up for a big trip. I don't have that patience, and I often get tempted to "reward" myself with things I don't usually need. Hats off to you, Merv.
ReplyDeleteyour travel tips works for me too! :)
ReplyDeleteI also do the same - I highly cut down my expenses and don't spend much on gadgets, clothes, shoes, etc. I also really make sure the I do get a portion of my salary for my travel fund. I really don't spend much on other things like gadgets, etc but when it comes to travel I really splurge as in I gave everything to spend it all in a trip as I believe "Travel is an experience of a lifetime".
ReplyDeleteAgree with your thoughts on travel.
I was curios of what you do for living Mervs!
ReplyDeletehiya lang ako mg tanong, now we know!
Way to go!
You got me on planning ahead and saving! Im slowly reaching my dream travel destinations. and by slowly I meant one destination a month lang since I quit my job and only earns extra cash from the parents. lol
ReplyDelete50 pesos a day? Galing a. Hirap ako ng ganyan kasi freelancer ako, di sure magkano matatanggap every month hehe. Nice contribution to the carnival, Mervz!
ReplyDeleteayus eto pala ang secret, good luck sa batanes project at mukhang malapit na syang maging realidad! saludo ako sa yo sa pagiging masinop sa iyong pinaghirapang sweldo :D
ReplyDeleteWOW!! I am currently saving up for my trip outside the country, and this is exactly what I am doing. I too have an 8-5 entry level job..and renting my own place. but it is certainly doable!! You are right when you say that in IT you can really save up for travel. I am now more inspired to take on traveling because of this! :D
ReplyDeleteGanon pala yon! Salamat sa tips! Sana magawa ko rin yan ganyan!
ReplyDeletenice tips for great trips.. thanks for sharing this, such an inspiration.. :P
ReplyDeletedo you really often travel all by yourself! why can't i do that? i really envy your trips. i really love to travel but haven't done alot yet. And traveling is a means of rewarding myself with exact satisfaction. By reading your posts i get challenge, and hope i could someday travel ALOT! Thanks and Godbless!
ReplyDeletehonggoling sir. magbabudget na talaga ako promise. ayan na-inspire ako ha. =)
ReplyDeletegood read. these are tips which some people don't understand and misjudge you by saying you have lot of money for travel. Its just priority like what you said. Choose between gadgets and travel experience. sharing this... :)
ReplyDeletegusto ko ang mga tips mo dito. na-realize ko na rin ito lately dahil na rin sa pagbabasa ng mga blog na gaya nitong sa iyo.
ReplyDeletepwede naman pala talagang mag-travel ng hindi ganun kalaki ang gastus. so from now on, kailangan ko na magkaroon ng travel fund. saka mas gusto ko talaga, yung medyo commute type.
mabuhay at more tips to come!
ang daming comment, eto kase talaga yung pinaka aabangan ng lahat, pano ka nag ba byahe,? work mo ba to? etc. at nasagot na! nagulat ako programmer kapala!! galing!!
ReplyDeleteat salamat sa mga simpleng realization ng pagtitipid!!
Mervs, without previously seeing your shot sa San Juanico dito sa post mo, i had the same shot on my post about it..;-P
ReplyDeletehi, after reading this, i got inspired to make ipon for my Batanes trip. pangarap ko rin kasing makapunta dun e. this is nice and inspiring post.
ReplyDeleteI want to go for a wanderlust travel like you, it is good for the health I guess.
ReplyDelete