Traveling Cheap for the Young & Broke – Step II

“Oh the Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Seuss is a fun read and a great reminder to take time to explore the places and experiences around us. Whenever I travel there are always at least one or two books that come with me. There’s just something about the open road that fosters creativity, contemplation and reflection.

 In my first post, Traveling Cheap for the Young & Broke  , I wrote about time. It’s really important to know how long your trip will last, how much time you have to plan and to block it off as soon as you can.

Next, get organized. One of the smartest ways to save money on a trip is to have a clear intention about the purpose of this trip and keep all your notes in one place. Use the tools that work best for you.

As you keep in mind the purpose of your trip (rest, adventure, celebrate, family, etc) begin to gather pictures, images, websites, maps and notes. You can quickly create a Word Document on your computer, use Google Keep, Evernote, or start a new Pinterest board to collect everything in one place and get back to it quickly. Besides a digital tool, I always use a notebook or journal to write my plans, attach mementos along the way and reflections of my experiences.

Take time to search towns along your route, look for seasonal activities, make note of any construction zones, tolls, sports events or other things that might impact your plans. I love using Google Earth to see images taken around the area I’m visiting, to see what other travelers have shared and discover lesser known treasures.

Step 2: Organize your ideas, inspirations and intentions. Buy a notebook and a small road atlas to record your journey.

What other tools have you used to plan a trip? I’d love to hear about it! Stay tuned for more.