How I Save for Travel (Without Giving Up Everything I Enjoy)

September 2, 2026 · Heather Crozier

People ask how I afford to travel so much. The honest answer: I don’t travel nearly as much as I’d like yet — but I make it a priority without giving up everything I enjoy.

People ask how I afford to travel so much. The honest answer: I don’t travel nearly as much as I’d like yet — but I make it a priority without giving up everything I enjoy.

How do you afford to travel so much?

I've had people ask me this before, and I always find it a little funny because, unfortunately, I don't travel nearly as much as I'd like to—yet.

Most years, I get to take a couple of bigger trips, with some smaller adventures mixed in when I can. Travel is something I genuinely love, though, so it's also something I'm willing to prioritize.

And I think that's the part we don't talk about enough.

For most of us, travel money doesn't magically appear. We save for it, use points, make choices throughout the year, cut back in some areas, and occasionally decide that yes, the experience is absolutely worth the splurge.

There also isn't one “right” way to pay for a trip.

Some people save until they can pay for the entire thing upfront. Some put their trip on a credit card and pay it off over time. Some save part of it and pay for the rest as they go. And yes, there are people whose travel budget might as well be pocket change.

Lucky them. 😂

For the rest of us, here are some of the ways I make travel a priority.

Decide What You Actually Want to Spend Your Money On

Everyone has something.

For some people, it's snowmobiles, sea-doos, boats, cars, concerts, golfing, designer clothes or expensive hobbies.

For me, one of those things is travel.

That doesn't mean I save every penny I earn or never buy myself anything because I'm hoarding money for my next flight. I still go out. I shop. I enjoy my life at home.

But when I have a choice between spending money on something I don't really care about and putting that money toward a trip I'll remember for years, travel usually wins.

Sometimes saving for travel isn't about making more money. It's deciding where you want the money you already have to go.

Look at the Little Things That Add Up

You've probably heard the classic advice: stop buying coffee, and you'll be able to travel.

I don't think your occasional latte is standing between you and Paris.

But the overall idea isn't completely wrong.

Coffee out every morning, frequent takeout, delivery fees, subscriptions you forgot you had, lunches at work, drinks on the weekend—none of these things are terrible on their own. But they can add up surprisingly quickly.

Making coffee at home more often or cooking a few extra meals instead of ordering takeout could easily become part of your travel fund.

It doesn't have to be all or nothing, either.

You don't have to stop doing everything you enjoy just so you can afford one week away. Find the things you don't mind cutting back on and keep the things that actually make you happy.

Some Lifestyle Changes Save More Than You Think

I quit smoking years ago, and besides the obvious reasons I'm glad I did, I can't imagine what it would cost now.

That alone is a huge savings.

I enjoy having a drink here and there, especially when I'm travelling and there's something local I want to try, but I rarely drink at home. That's another expense that can add up quickly without you really noticing.

I also buy quite a few of my clothes and even some of my furniture second-hand. I've found some amazing things that way, spent far less than I would have buying everything new, and honestly, I enjoy it.

And don't overlook thrift stores when you're travelling!

They're fun to explore, especially somewhere completely different from home, and you never know what you're going to find. It's a souvenir hunt without the souvenir-shop prices.

I'd Rather Spend the Money When I Get There

Would I love to experience first class?

Absolutely.

Would I rather keep the extra thousands of dollars and use that money toward another trip, a beautiful hotel, an amazing meal, or something unforgettable once I arrive?

Also absolutely.

Most of the time, economy gets me to the exact same destination.

For me, the flight is transportation. The destination is what I'm excited about.

That's one of my biggest travel priorities: figure out what matters to you.

Maybe a direct flight is worth paying more for, but you don't care about having a luxury hotel.

Maybe you love beautiful hotels but are perfectly happy flying economy.

Maybe food is a huge part of travelling for you, so you'd rather stay somewhere simple and spend your money trying restaurants.

Your travel budget doesn't need to look like anyone else's.

Save on Some Meals So You Can Splurge on Others

Food is a huge part of travel for me. I'm absolutely going to try the local food wherever I go.

But that doesn't mean every meal has to be at a restaurant.

On some trips, I've stopped at a local grocery store and picked up fruit, yogurt, and a few things for breakfast. Other times, I'll choose a hotel that includes breakfast.

That can save quite a bit over a week.

But I'm still going out for breakfast at least once.

You can't send me somewhere new and expect me not to see what they're serving for breakfast.

The same goes for lunch. Grab something quick one day and have an amazing dinner that night. Pick up snacks from a grocery store instead of buying them every time you're hungry. Carry a refillable water bottle when you can.

Saving while travelling doesn't have to mean missing out. Sometimes you're simply spending less on the things you don't care about so you can spend more on the things you do.

And Please, Don't Forget About Points

This is something I wish I'd started doing years ago.

We finally got a credit card that earns Aeroplan points, and now we try to put as much of our regular spending as possible on it—money we would spend anyway—so we can earn points.

And we've already booked a flight using them.

A free flight isn't technically completely free once you factor in certain taxes and fees, but having the airfare covered by points saved us a lot of money.

My only regret is not doing it sooner.

If you're going to use a travel rewards card, though, make sure it actually works for the way you spend and travel. Points aren't much of a deal if you're paying unnecessary interest or fees just to collect them.

Start a Travel Fund—Even If It's Small

You don't need to suddenly find $5,000 to start planning a trip.

Put aside $20 here. $50 there. Set up an automatic transfer every payday if that works for you. Throw unexpected money into your travel account. Sell a few things you no longer use. Put part of a bonus or tax refund toward your next adventure.

You'd be surprised how quickly a travel fund can grow when you stop waiting for there to be “extra money” and actually make travel one of the things you're saving for.

Even better, give the account a name.

Italy. Belize. Scotland. Japan.

Whatever place you're dreaming about.

It's a lot harder to steal $100 from your Italy Fund for something you don't need. 😉

Book Early—But Know What You're Booking

Another way I manage travel costs is simply planning ahead.

When I have a destination in mind, I watch the airfare on Google Flights. If the dates are flexible, comparing prices on Skyscanner can make a real difference.

You don't necessarily need the entire cost of your trip sitting in your bank account before you start planning it. Depending on the trip, you may be able to secure parts of it with deposits and pay the balance later.

That gives you time to budget for the rest instead of paying for everything at once.

Just make sure you understand cancellation policies, payment deadlines, and what is refundable before putting money down.

This is also one reason why working with a travel advisor can be helpful — and what personalized travel planning is actually for. It's not only about finding somewhere to go—it's about figuring out what works for your budget and what makes sense to book now versus later.

Travel Doesn't Have to Look Luxurious to Be Amazing

Social media can make travel look like everyone is flying business class, drinking champagne in an airport lounge and checking into a five-star resort with a private infinity pool.

That's one way to travel.

It's definitely not the only way.

Some of my favourite travel memories have nothing to do with luxury.

Walking through a city I've never seen before. Finding a tiny restaurant. Sitting on a beach. Wandering through a local market. Trying something I can't pronounce. Taking a train somewhere new. Getting completely distracted by a side street and seeing where it goes.

Those are the things I remember.

And that's really what I'm saving for.

So, How Do You Save for Travel?

Maybe you put every penny away until the entire trip is paid for.

Maybe you're a points person.

Maybe you give up takeout for a few months, buy second-hand, travel during shoulder season, or choose economy because you'd rather splurge when you arrive.

Maybe you do a little bit of everything.

There isn't one perfect formula.

Travelling doesn't have to break the bank, and you don't have to give up everything you enjoy to make it happen.

Sometimes it's simply about deciding that travel matters to you, figuring out what you're willing to spend less on, and slowly turning those savings into plane tickets, hotel rooms, great meals, and stories you'll probably tell for the rest of your life.

For me, those memories are worth every penny.

What about you? What do you cut back on—or do differently—so you can travel more?

And if you've been saving for a trip but aren't quite sure how to turn that budget into an actual getaway, that's where I can help. Tell me where you're dreaming of going, how much you want to spend, and what matters most to you, and let's see where Celovia can take you.

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