It’s no secret that travelling the world is at the top of a lot of people’s bucket lists and 2019 is the perfect time to start planning. Whether it’s exploring a brand-new city for a weekend break or organising a 6 month round trip of Asia, the costs can be high.
Forgetting the initial flights and accommodation, you’ll need to locate the perfect backpack or suitcase, shoes that compliment both long walks and tough hikes as well as a range for all-weather clothing. It goes without saying that you’ll need to spend a vast amount of time saving before you set off. Organising a separate bank account where you can keep your savings clear without confusing yourself is a great starting point.
We sat down to speak with Charlie Stopford Sackville, the co-founder of price-drop alert tool PIWoP, over coffee and he was kind enough to share with us his top tips for saving money on your travel essentials.
1. Buy second hand camping gear
We all like the luxury of buying new items and if it’s your first time travelling, you want to buy the best gear that’ll endure the whole trip. However, buying second hand from like-minded people who have already travelled, is easily the best way to save money. Think of travelling like a community. Others are able to not only give you tips and advice but share their equipment with you.
Most will be looking to sell at a cut price which can hugely benefit you. Search around on apps and Facebook ‘buy and sell’ pages that are dedicated to those looking to travel and you’ll be sure to pick up a bargain!
2. Use saving tools
Organising your travelling trip takes time and patience. We understand that the early hype can get you searching on the internet 24 hours a day, finding the best shoes, backpacks and clothes. However, it’s important to play this down a little. You have time to plan ahead so take the time to be strategic about your shopping. Money saving alert tools like PIWoP, are designed to help you cut down your costs. Create lists of the items you like the most, set a budget you’re willing to pay and let the tool do the rest by notifying you when the item has hit your desired price.
3. Visit thrift shops
It’s probably not the best idea to take your fanciest, best clothes with you as you travel through the mountains. Utilise thrift shops to find comfortable and relaxed clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty. You can always find a hidden gem in these stores and more importantly, they’re crazy cheap.
Tops and bottoms can set you back only a few pounds and it’s a great way to double up on items that you feel you’ll be wearing often. What’s even better is that thrift shops are constantly updating their stock as people are donating their re-loved items. This means you can visit it several times in the lead up to your trip to help make up your travel wardrobe.
For more information on the price drop tool PIWoP, please visit www.piwop.com
