"Balancing Work and Travel: My Experience of Jet-Setting Every Three Months While Keeping My Job in Singapore"
It's not uncommon for people to ask me, "How were you able to travel every three months while keeping your job in Singapore?" As we all know, traveling can be a valuable way to expand our horizons, learn about new cultures, and gain fresh perspectives. But it can be tough to balance a full-time job and a passion for travel. This is especially true in Singapore, where work is often highly prioritized. However, with the right strategies, it's possible to manage both. Let's go!
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Travel Tips
- For flights, Skyscanner is excellent for comparing the best airline deals.
- For accommodations, our family trusts Booking.com for reasonable prices.
- Organize your trips easily with a Travel Planner.
- For tried-and-true travel and hiking gear, check out our Amazon Storefront.
1. Take Advantage of Promo Fares
Book your tickets in advance, especially if there is a promotional fare available. Consider booking 6-10 months in advance to take advantage of cheaper fares and plan your adventure accordingly. This also allows you to submit your annual leave plans early, so none of your colleagues can take your travel dates.
Don't forget to use a reliable platform like Skyscanner to check for flight tickets on your next trip.
2. Conduct Research and Price Comparisons
To ensure a seamless and memorable vacation, it's important to plan ahead and determine what kind of activities you want to engage in. Decide if you prefer a laid-back trip or one that's packed with adventure and exploration. Perhaps you'd like to tantalize your taste buds with a gastronomical adventure. Personally, I want to do it all! For a five-day or one-week trip, my itinerary would consist of kayaking, river trekking, and mountain hiking for half of the week, and then the remaining days are spent on finding great food and enjoying a relaxing massage.
To budget for the trip, it's essential to have baseline data on the costs associated with each activity. This also allows for ample time to compare prices and choose which activities to pursue. Utilizing a Travel Planner is another helpful tool to keep your trip organized and within budget.
- Skyscanner for booking flights.
- Booking.com for booking hotels.
- Enterprise for car rentals.
- Groupon for tours and activities.
- Tripadvisor for travel reviews.
3. Opt for Backpackers Hostel
Here's a handy tip for budget-conscious travelers: search for inexpensive accommodation so you can allocate more funds for activities and dining. Once you've booked your flight and have a general idea of your itinerary, check out TripAdvisor for cost-effective hotels or backpackers hostels that are conveniently located near your desired destinations. You can even ask your hostel staff for recommendations on activities and their prices.
Booking.com is another great website to explore affordable accommodations. Personally, I prefer staying in backpacker hostels because they are affordable, clean and the staff is incredibly helpful. If you're like me, you'll enjoy interacting with the locals and fellow travelers, and sampling the local cuisine.
4. Steer Clear of Convenience Stores
It's important to be mindful of every dollar spent. Convenience stores can be tempting places to buy unnecessary items, such as candy, chocolate, chips, and soda. To avoid overspending, create a grocery list and purchase only the necessary items. This way, you can avoid visiting convenience stores for insufficient supplies in your refrigerator, and save money for more worthwhile experiences.
Another way to save money is by meal prepping on your off days. Even with a busy schedule, it's worth taking the time to spend hours in the kitchen and prepare enough food for the week. Freeze the meals so you never have to worry about what to cook for dinner. Use a Weekly Meal Planner to keep track of your meals and avoid eating the same thing repeatedly. You'd be surprised by how much money you can save by meal prepping.
5. Follow a Budget Regimen
It's important to work hard and provide for your family, but it's also crucial to maintain a balanced budget. Set aside money intended for your family, including insurance and mutual fund deposits, rent, transportation, food, personal items, and a few dollars for weekend activities. The remaining money should go towards your travel fund, but don't forget to allocate some funds for personal expenses, transportation, and weekend activities. You might need to walk a little further or skip some events to save a few dollars.
To keep track of your monthly bills with ease, try using a Monthly Bill Payments Tracker Log Book. This bill tracker is perfect for students, young professionals, or retirees who want to stay on top of their finances. Simplify your financial planning and budgeting, and gain confidence in your ability to manage your finances better.
6. Do Overtime: Work Hard, Play Harder
For me, it's all about hard work and dedication. I find that pushing myself to work overtime doesn't feel like a burden when I'm motivated by my desire to save for my travel fund. In fact, about 90% of my travels have been funded by the extra pay I earn from working overtime. It's a great way to reward myself for putting in extra effort at work. Plus, it's a perfect excuse to travel more!
Let's be real, If you're like me and want to travel every three months, overtime is unavoidable. I chose this lifestyle, even though it can be challenging at times. However, the amount of overtime you'll need to put in depends on how much traveling you have planned.
However, it's essential to maintain a balance between work and leisure. Using a Weekly Planner can help you manage your time effectively and plan your days accordingly. I make sure to schedule some self-care activities like workouts, socializing with friends, or treating myself to a bubble milk tea. This planner even includes a self-care bingo to remind me to relax after a hard day's work. Remember, prioritizing self-care is just as important as working hard.
7. Managing Your Cravings
As someone with a sweet tooth, I know how tough it can be to resist your favorite treats. However, I've discovered that limiting myself has actually been beneficial for my health. To satisfy my cravings, I've made a few adjustments. For example, I've switched from indulgent and fancy ice cream treats to plain vanilla ice cream options at fast food restaurants. I've also cut back on my milk tea weekends to once or twice a month. At first, it was difficult, but over time I got used to it.
If you struggle with cravings, a Meal Planner can be a great tool to help you stay on track. Allow yourself to indulge every once in a while, but make sure to stick to your budget and keep your overall health goals in mind.
8. Avoid Shopping Malls. Chill or Get Active
It's time to break free from the grasp of consumerism. Instead, focus on your health by getting fit and active. Exploring new sights and hitting the trail is a great way to stay active and avoid the temptations of shopping malls. By staying active, you can achieve two goals simultaneously: remaining healthy and avoiding the urge to shop. A Workout Logbook is an excellent tool to keep you motivated and on track. So, skip the mall and opt for these fun activities instead.
Other Fun Ideas for a Day Out with Yourself or with Friends:
Stay at home and have a movie marathon
Go on a hike in the nearest reservoir or city park
Rent a bike, rollerblade, or scooter and head down to the coast
Dust off those rubber shoes that have been sitting on your shoe rack and go for a walk or run
9. Self Discipline: Find an Alternative
You don't have to deprive yourself of food, but rather think of it as saving up for your next adventure. This is what I do whenever I feel the urge to spend, my mind starts racing with all the amazing culinary experiences I could have if I skipped this meal. I imagine savoring an authentic pad thai on the streets of Thailand or indulging in a food tour of Vietnam. I picture myself hiking through the lush mountains of Sri Lanka, stopping to refuel with a delicious local dish. And then there's the thought of enjoying a refreshing ice cream treat in South Korea or fueling up after a day of diving in Indonesia. These possibilities, and so many more, always leave me hesitant to spend money on a meal that doesn't quite measure up. So I often find myself opting to save my money for the chance to experience something truly special.
Reconsider Your Eating Habits to Save for Future Travels
Here are some simple ways to save money:
- Instead of fancy meals four times a week, treat yourself once or twice a week and gradually reduce it to once a month. Think about all the exciting food experiences you can have while traveling!
- Wake up early to avoid being late for work and save money on cab fares.
- Brew your own coffee instead of buying it at a café.
- Bring a reusable water bottle with you to stay hydrated throughout the day.
- Pack your lunch for work instead of eating out.
10. It's all in the mind: Believing is Achieving
It may sound like a cliché, but it’s true- if you believe you can do it, you can! If you’re looking to save more money for your travel fund, there’s always a way to make it happen. Despite not having a large salary, I stick to my budget plan with unwavering discipline. Sure, there are cheat days- more than a few, actually- but I always manage to find a way. When you have a specific goal, such as a booked plane ticket, it becomes easier to sacrifice some of your indulgences in food, drinks, and shopping. Remember, where there’s a will, there’s a way!
Gratitude Journaling: A Powerful Tool for Mental and Spiritual Well-being
Maintaining a positive outlook on life is key to staying grounded, and can inspire us to seek out new experiences. One way to cultivate this perspective is by keeping a Gratitude Journal. It helps to maintain a positive perspective on life and keeps us grounded, all while inspiring us to explore more of the world. By counting our blessings, we become more appreciative of life's little wonders, which in turn motivates us to travel more and broaden our horizons. So, feed your mind and soul, and travel more!
Have fun and be safe ^__^
Have you ever thought of traveling solo for your upcoming trip?
Read more: Tips for Safe Solo Travel
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