Well hello to you my reader chums! Backpacking is a dream come true and has to be my favourite experience to date. I love the freedom of travelling around new countries, meeting new people and trying new food. Experiences and memories are what life is all about and I would love to go backpacking again and embrace life once more.

If you're new to backpacking or looking for some money-saving tips, here is how to stay on a budget whilst backpacking. 

Set an overall budget

Travelling can be pricey, depending on where you go, whether that's Asia, Europe, America or elsewhere. Due to the price difference of each place, you'll need to do your research about how much roughly it'll cost and create an overall budget for your backpacking. For example, I went backpacking in south and southeast Asia, across seven different countries for three months and spent £6k. A large chunk of that was the flights as I didn't go to landlock countries and had to therefore fly to each country. Although, if you can travel to places by public transport, it'll reduce your costs.

Have an everyday budget

It's easier to stick to a budget when you have one in place. Alongside an overall budget for the trip, it's useful to have an everyday budget. With that, you'll want to consider your location, average food prices, transportation and whatever activities you're planning. It's also important to know, your everyday budget may fluctuate. For example, if you're planning to spend one day on the beach and another sightseeing, the daily budget will differ. With that in mind, set a base average and increase depending on your plans.

Book pricey experiences in advance 

The most touristy activities will cost the most and with this in mind, book these in advance. This can go two ways depending on what the activity is and where you're travelling. For example, certain experiences may offer deals online, directly through tour providers such as Klook. Whilst other activities, you can book through locals and they'll give you a cheaper deal.

Eat locally 

Food is the heart of travelling and one of my favourite things to do when seeing a new location. To save money, avoid tourist trap restaurants and fancy places to eat, and instead eat locally. I often find the more local places to eat, the better. They know how to cook traditional food and don't change it to please tourists' tastes. The best thing to do is buy street food or ask locals about the best places to eat. If a restaurant is packed with locals, then you know it'll be cheaper and taste fab.

Avoid alcohol

Alcohol will be the biggest regular expense when you're backpacking if you choose to drink or go partying. Although, if you're travelling on a budget, try and avoid it as best you can as it can rack up your bills and cause you to spend more than needed.

Walk or use public transport

Part of travelling is getting around on an everyday basis and you want to consider this as part of your daily budget. To save money, walk as much as you can, especially if all the things you want to see and do are close together. For further out activities, utilise the public transportation system, including buses, trains and trams. In some cities and countries, public transport is cheap as chips.

Utilise cheaper accommodation

Just because you're having the time of your life backpacking, doesn't mean you need an expensive accommodation to match the mood of the trip. There are plenty of cheaper travel options from hostels, couch surfing, and camping to private rooms with shared bathrooms. Shop around for the best deals and find yourself a bargain. When I was travelling southeast Asia, I stayed in decent rooms as cheap as £7 a night.

Allow for a safety fund 

Not everything will go to plan and that means, activities can cost more, food can cost more or a day can go wrong and you may have to pay out a lump sum. Due to this, have a safety fund for each location, allowing the budget to spend more just in case. For example, for Sri Lanka, we put an extra £50 each aside in case on the trip with my partner.

Haggle the best you can 

Haggling is key for markets and if in Asia, tuk tuk rides. To save money, haggle down on every instance because often prices are increased for tourists and you pay a lot more than needed.

I hope you've enjoyed this post. Have you got any other tips?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! It's no secret that I'm a bit of a travel addict and prior to the pandemic, all I would be doing in my spare time is either planning my next adventure or jetting off on my next one. Travel thrills my soul, it makes me happy and opens my mind to the wonders of the world.

A misconception about travel is that it's expensive or not everyone can afford it. And, although parts of travelling can be expensive and you do need some money to do it, a lot of travelling can be done on a budget. The majority of my trips are done on a budget as that way, I have more money to stretch across to more trips and I can travel more often.

Whether you're money conscious or looking to travel more with a budget when things are back to normal, here are my tips on how to save money whilst travelling.

Set a daily budget

I've never gone travelling or on a holiday without having a daily budget. It has always helped me travel within my means and have the assurance of knowing what I have to spend each day - and over the course of the week. It also helps prevent me from overspending or dipping into the next day budget as I know, I'll be limiting myself for the rest of the trip.

A daily budget is there to help you figure out how much money you can then put towards food, transportation and activities for instance - and is a method I've found to be the most effective. When setting a daily budget, you'll want to take into consideration your budget for the entire trip, how costly the place you're travelling through is and how you're looking to spend your trip. All of these factors would weigh into how much the daily budget should be. For instance, on city breaks in Europe, my daily budget is generally around the £50 mark, whereas in Asia, that budget will probably be less (not including accommodation as I usually book that in advance.)

Opt for street food options 

I love street food; it's one of the best ways to get a true taste of a country without spending a shed load of money. Street food is available wherever you travel, however, is more prominently cheap in places such as South East Asia where you can get a meal for about £1. Saying that I've been to cities in Italy and all over where the street food was a hell of a lot cheaper than any restaurant I've been to.

It won't only save you money, but it can also help you immerse in the culture, talk to local vendors and have a different eating experience.

Walk as much as you can

I can understand that not all destinations are accessible by foot and some people may struggle with a lot of exercise due to health conditions, however, when you're able to, walk as much as you can. Many locations are pedestrian-friendly and a lot of tourist sights can sometimes only be in walking distance to each other that you don't need to splash out on transport to get from one place to the other.

Also, walking around can give you the opportunity to explore different parts of the area, you probably wouldn't have seen if you hopped in a taxi from off-the-beaten-track streets to restaurants.

Or, utilise public transport rather than private

If you're not a fan of walking or aren't able to, public transport is your best friend. Although it can be hard to navigate in a new place initially, once you get the hang of it, it can be a blessing - and another way to see the destination in a different light.

Public transport varies in prices depending on where you're travelling to, however, in general, it's significantly cheaper than taxi hopping - and a budget-friendly option.

Rent your own vehicle

Another transport option is renting your own vehicle. This all depends on where you're going and who you're travelling with. For example, if you're travelling with a family, it may be more cost-effective to rent a car, rather than paying for public transport for you all. Or, if you're solo tripping in Asia and you're looking to explore further afield, then hiring a motorbike maybe your cheapest bet (as they're very cheap to hire.)

Shop around for tours/excursions

Similar to how you try and save money prior to booking the trip by searching for flights and accommodation, you want to do the same with tours or excursions. You can book tours prior to your trip, however, if you're travelling and looking to book whilst there then this point is for you.

A lot of tourist centres will be available around your destination (depending on where you are of course) and the beauty of booking things when away is you have the advantage of people. Whether you meet them in hostels or on the go, they can recommend the cheaper tours they went through and who to book with. Recommendations and research are key when shopping around.

Haggle at markets

You can't beat a haggle when shopping in a market, whether it's for clothes or trinkets. I'm pretty sure haggling happens in a lot of locations, but it is something you should ask about before attempting to haggle.

Trying to lower the price of the asking price may not save you hundreds, but it's a couple of pounds you can put towards something else and still buy what you're after.

Self-catered accommodation

There are many benefits to self-catered accommodation. Firstly, it's usually the cheapest accommodation type as you aren't paying for additional food charges. But, in the spirit of saving money whilst travelling, self-catered options, give you the opportunity to buy in foods and store them, which can save you money in the long run. For example, you can purchase a box of cereal for breakfast that'll last a few days instead of having to buy breakfast every day and that'll only be a few pounds.

It also gives you the chance to make lunch or dinner or buy lots of snacks which you can store and then pack with you as you roam around.

Take advantage of free things to do

Wherever you go in the world, there will always be free sights and things to do available. Before you head off on your trip, do a bit of research and make a list of the free activities that you're able to do - and put them in place on the days money is running low or your budget is smaller.

Also, one of the best free things to do is simply explore: walk around your area and off the main tourist path to see what you can find and discover - you'll make many different stories that way. The best things in life are free as they say.

Eat away from the tourist traps

This is probably quite an obvious point, however, where the main sights are, restaurants and shops around that are usually the most expensive. When on a budget, sway away from the tourist trap path to the quieter and family-run restaurants - not only will they be cheaper, usually, the food is a lot more authentic.

Be money savvy in every sense

All of the above tips are great methods to save money but the main thing is to have a money-savvy mindset. Think about the areas you don't need to spend, where you can spend less and if you really need it and I can assure you, it'll do wonders.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What other money-saving tips do you have?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! I loved Singapore, to me it was a combination of London and Dubai with its modern skyscrapers, quirky cafes, clean streets and fancy restaurants. It's a gorgeous destination to spend a few days in luxury, especially during a long-term backpacking trip.

Singapore is also renowned for being ultra-expensive and before visiting I was worried, I would spend too much money or couldn't afford it. Although, I managed to travel as much on a budget as possible in a pricey city.

Book into a hostel

Accommodation in Singapore is very overpriced, especially hotels and Airbnbs and I thought, it was going to be impossible to stay on a budget. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't exactly cheap compared to the other destinations I was travelling to on my backpacker trip, but it was affordable overall. Hostels are significantly cheaper than any other type of accommodation and usually consist of pods. 

Eat in the Hawker centres 

The restaurants and cafes in Singapore can be very expensive, similar to London prices. To eat on a budget, the best option for food are the Hawker centres across Singapore. These Hawker centres are food markets of locals cooking up a variety of different cuisines. Every market differs from the next and they're scattered all over the city.

Create a day budget and stick to it

I always say the best habit to get into when travelling is having a daily budget, as it'll help you share your money accordingly and stay within your total budget. For every day in Singapore, pick a suitable budget to include food, transport and whatever activities you're planning to do.

Walk as much as possible

My favourite thing about being in a city is mooching around on food and discovering the hidden streets, quaint shops and hipster coffee shops. Although Singapore is pretty large, there are many areas in which you can easily walk around and find the main attractions on foot, saving you money along the way.

Take public transport

For the sights, you'd like to see further out or if your accommodation is away from the centre, public transport is your best bet. Despite the hefty price tag the city has, public transport is affordable, clean and simple to get around. Its tube system has to be one of my favourites I've been on as I love how easy it was to access and get around.

Explore the free attractions

Singapore is packed with plenty of free things to see and do, whether you love a mooch or evening activities. From the Marina Bay light show to wandering through Chinatown or Little India to exploring the street art scene, there are many free attractions you can do on your trip.

Book attractions on Klook

Klook has to be my new favourite travel app to book tickets and tours on as they always have brilliant deals to save you a few pounds here and there, and the tours are always epic. To save money on some of the most popular attractions in Singapore, test out Klook and I can assure you, you'll love it as much as me. It's one of those apps I'm relieved I found!

I hope you enjoyed this post. Is this the first time in Singapore?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! I am in love with Dubrovnik, it has to now be up there with one of my favourite cities I've visited with its charming old town and stunning beach scene. With its growing popularity and significance, I expected Dubrovnik to be a little pricier than other parts of Croatia, however, I was vastly surprised, that I could do it within a budget.

Whether you're on a budget or looking to save money in Dubrovnik, here is how to travel on a budget in the city.

Shop around for places to eat

One of the things I was impressed most by in Dubrovnik was its epic food scene. I'm a massive foodie and that's why eating out, wherever I am in the world is so important because I love to ensure I eat authentically and with good quality grub. Dubrovnik is packed with various restaurants from traditional Croatian to Mediterranean options too, especially in the old town. There are places with a combination of prices, mainly in the old town when prices can rack up because of tourists - this is why I would suggest looking around and converting prices before you choose a restaurant.

Set a daily budget

I'm a big fan of setting budgets so I'm aware of the money I have for the overall trip but on each day of the trip as well. This is why to save money, I would suggest setting a daily budget. Dubrovnik is one of those places that can be a day of free activities or packed with activities so I would say to set the budget accordingly for what you'd like to do, fractioning in prices of everything.

Eat ice cream instead of a dessert

As a coastal city, there are plenty of places to get ice cream, which after a warm day is an absolute blessing. When saving money, instead of ordering a dessert, opt for one of the ice cream stalls instead. Ice cream prices can vary but typically won't be more than the equivalent of a few pounds. 

Pack a picnic

Dubrovnik is a hotspot for beaches, parks and places to sit with a gorgeous viewpoint. And, that means if you want to save a bit of money, finding somewhere free and stunning to eat is easy. Head to one of the local supermarkets, grab a couple of bits and head out to find your dream lunch spot. Sulic beach had to be one of my favourite as a tiny, tucked-away bay to soak up the sunshine.

Go offseason

Dubrovnik is the most stunning with the sunshine beaming down on it, however, whatever time of year, you're guaranteed to see its gorgeous beauty. It can be tempting travelling in peak season when the weather is at its best. However, to travel on a budget, pick the time of the offseason to go in. Croatia's season begins in May and ends in October. I went in early May and the season was just beginning which I loved because I got the complete joy of the place without massive crowds and still lovely weather.

Stay in accommodation away from the old town

Accommodation in Dubrovnik varies massively and it's important to be cautious about where you stay to save money. The old town is the most popular part of Dubrovnik and where you'll find the busy crowds gather. But, Dubrovnik is much bigger than this and if you're saving money, try to stay further away from the old town or opt for a hostel out of the area also.

Opt for an apartment instead of a hotel

Hotels can be a bit pricier in general, it depends where you're searching. I would recommend if you did want to stay in the old town or closer to the main hub, to opt for an apartment instead. They're typically run by locals and are rented out at a cheaper rate.

Embrace the free attractions in the city

The best thing about Dubrovnik is there are many things you can do for free. It's a very hilly and steep place in general which means it's a dream to discover hidden walkways, tucked away beaches and cool architecture. I love being able to walk around the city and see what's on offer so I'd highly recommend you to do that to get your bearings on the city and fill your time without spending too much money.

Book activities with locals

The city is renowned for its water activities, Game of Thrones tours and walking tours in general. With the many travel sites today, it can be hard to know which is best or who to go for. But I actually found the best buck for my money was talking to the locals and booking tours through them. I found the deals pretty cheap and the activities exactly what I asked for.

Walk as much as possible or opt for transport

Probably my biggest money-saving tip is to walk as much as possible if you're able to. I would be wary that Dubrovnik is rather steep and if you're not healthy and active, it can be tricky to do so. If you're looking to get around, public transport is also a winner and incredibly cheap. Plus, the old town is pretty small that no transport at all is really needed.

Utilise the airport shuttle

The airport shuttle was an absolute winner discovery and worked out around £8/9 for a return. It works out that each shuttle leaves around 30 minutes after each flight lands and takes you straight to the old town, with a couple of stops before there. It's a lot cheaper than paying around £30/£40 for a taxi.

Get to grips with the currency

New currencies can always be confusing when visiting a new country, especially when the rate is a massive difference from pounds. In Dubrovnik, they use the Croatian Kuna and can accept Euros as well. It works out roughly that 10 Croatian Kuna is about £1. This obviously changes depending on exchange rates.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What other budget travel tips do you have?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! Christmas is an expensive time, from the gifts to days out and family/friends gatherings, there always appears to be something on. You're not alone in worrying about money, how you're going to afford everything and ensure you feel included; it's a lot to take on.

If you're planning Christmas and need some money advice, here is my guide on how to stay on budget this Christmas. 

Have set budgets for everything 

The best way to stay on budget is to actually have a budget. That may sound silly, but it's easy to overspend when you only have loose figures in mind about what you want to spend and what you can spend. Make a list of your budgets for everything, including presents, food, experiences, days out with family and friends and anything else that'll be paid for over the festive period. Knowing how much you are likely to spend can help you be smarter with your spending choices and avoid extra spending. 

Keep a log of everything you buy

I love a spreadsheet and documents to log my spending habits, especially at Christmas, because I find it easy to overspend on others as I want to treat them as much as I can. To avoid this, I log everything I purchase for gifts in a document to make sure I'm on track to spend allocated amounts but not overspend, and also know how much I have left in each budget. 

Give yourself a 'just in case' pot 

Not everything can go to plan, and sometimes there are events, social occasions or last-minute things you forgot about purchasing in the festive season. Create a 'just in case' pot for this instance, as it can be used for anything last-minute or unplanned.

Lower your expectations of what you can do

With the world of social media, it feels like we have to do everything this Christmas, but really, you don't. The magic of Christmas comes from spending quality time together and making things magical ourselves, not what we buy, how much we spend or the fancy places we go. If you're on a budget, lower your expectations, as it can help you handle the disappointment if you're unable to attend certain events.

Enjoy the free and homely plans 

As I said, Christmas is as magical as you make it. You don't need to spend lots of money to have a good time. Think of all the homely activities you can do, such as craft evenings, baking, film nights and quizzes. Also, all the free things to do out there, such as roaming around the neighbourhood and looking at Christmas decorations, woodland walks, wandering around Christmas markets or visiting family and friends at their homes.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What would you add?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chum! Travel doesn't have to be expensive, as the world is massive and there are 195 countries to see and explore, you have your pick of budget locations. As I've spent all of my twenties so far travelling the world on a budget, I've experienced the cheapest and the most expensive places, where the majority sit in the middle and you can make them cheap.

If you're new to travelling in your twenties, here's my guide on affordable destinations worldwide you can visit.

European countries

I adore everything about Europe and love how many countries I've had the pleasure of experiencing and exploring. Europe has more to it than meets the eye with a diverse range of cultures, monuments, traditions and food to explore. From the UK, Europe is incredibly accessible with cheap flights to various destinations and most locations can cater to a small budget, if you plan effectively.

Krakow, Poland

Poland is the only country I've come home to with lots of money left over, I couldn't believe how cheap it was. Krakow is Poland's most known destination, making it easy for new travellers to explore with ease and find their way around. Krakow is a gorgeous city with a quaint old town, wholesome food experiences and plenty of sights, including the salt mines, Wawel Castle and Auschwitz. Krakow also features brilliant nightlife and cute places to shop, roam and admire.

Budapest, Hungary

Budapest has gained a reputation as a cheap European destination and a very young appeal, great for travellers in their twenties. It's home to the famous Szechenyi thermal baths, one of the reasons you'll find many hen-dos here. Despite the electric nightlife, Budapest is more than a booze city with plenty of sights to see and activities to fill your days, such as Gellért Hill and Buda Castle. As a backpacker-friendly place, you can find cheap accommodation, free sights and affordable eats.

Sicily, Italy

I adore Sicily, I wish I had more time there to explore as it is so incredibly gorgeous in every way, from the friendly people to delicious cuisine and endless beaches. Located in southern Italy, Sicily is very affordable overall, but specifically Palermo for a city break. Palermio is a dreamy destination because it's packed with historic sights, amazing food markets and plenty to do on a budget. It's also nearby to other destinations, such as Mondello beach which costs 1-2 euros to arrive on the bus.

Porto, Portugal

Porto is an amazing alternative to Portugal's capital, Lisbon and in my opinion is a more exciting city, and slightly less touristy. I found Porto exceptionally cheaper than Lisbon with endless gorgeous sights to keep you busy, such as Clerigos Tower, Porto Cathedral, Riberia and the Gardens of Crystal Palace. 

Bologna, Italy

I adore everywhere in Italy I've visited and had to mention another city and a favourite of mine, Bologna. As my favourite city up north, Bologna isn't as touristy as many other popular cities and has a more authentic Italian appeal. The food here is insanely delicious, from the classic ragu, tortellini, cured meats, and lasagne to gelato. Honestly, you can just eat around the city and enjoy some of the main sights, such as Piazza Maggiore, Torre Degli Asinelli and the San Luca sanctuary.

Asian countries 

Sri Lanka

I could rave about Sri Lanka all day long, the country is everything to me and one I have many amazing memories of. As I backpacked through for two weeks I fell in love with the nature, the people, the new cuisine and the endless sights. It offered me a diverse range of experiences, from an elephant safari,  UNESCO World Heritage sites, hiking opportunities and beautiful temples. Favoruite budget spots include Dambulla, Anuradhapura and Kandy. 

Vietnam

Vietnam will always be one of my favourite countries for many reasons, there's something about it that makes my heart soar. And for budget travellers, Vietnam is gold dust. The food, experiences and accommodations are exceptionally cheap, even though it's such a popular destination with backpackers. Vietnam is incredibly diverse, from the mountainous landscape, amazing food markets, beautiful pagodas, wild traffic and nature scene. Some of the best spots to visit include Hanoi, Hue, Cat Ba Island, Ha Long Bay and Hoi An.

Indonesia

Indonesia is more than only Bali and as much as I adore Bali, it's not the cheapest spot to visit in Indonesia but in many ways is worth it (and can still be done cheaply). Indonesia also includes the  Gili Islands, Komodo Island (although a tour here is on the pricier side), Malang and Yogyakarta. In Yogyakarta, you can visit some out-of-this-world temples and Malang does tours to Mount Bromo, an experience like no other.

Malaysia 

Malaysia is a country that surprised me in many ways, including its diverse culture and how cheap it was. I expected Malaysia to be more expensive as it's rather modern, compared to other south-east Asian countries. Some incredible locations include the Cameron Highlands (the best hiking experiences), Penang and Kuala Lumpur.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Where would you like to visit next?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! As many of you know, travelling is my biggest passion in life; I love nothing more than jetting off somewhere new or researching and booking a trip. I've spent all of my twenties so far prioritising travel and planning trips, and with that comes lessons I've learned and wisdom to share.

If you're new to travelling, going on your first holiday as an adult or keen to plan a trip, here is my guide to everything you should know and prepare as a first-time traveller.

Know your budgets and timeframe

Every trip is different and every traveller is different. Some people have the budget for lavish holidays for longer periods and others are on a smaller budget. I've always travelled on a budget, ensuring I could visit more places, more often, rather than go to more expensive destinations. However as I've got older, I've started to spend a little more on holidays, with bigger budgets. I can imagine if you're a first-time traveller and young, you may be on the lower end of the budget scale which is more than doable. Set your budget, pick your time frame and begin your research for your desired destination with the budget in mind. 

Check visa and entry requirements

Every country has different visa and entry requirements across the world and when you've decided on a destination, research what these are. If you do it as soon as possible, you'll have more than enough time to apply for visas or fill out entry forms before your trip. You don't want to leave any of these down to the last minute because you'll only cause excess anxiety and worry.

Research, research, research

Research is key with travelling, especially when you're going somewhere new. Every country has its cultural norms and top things to see and do. The more you research and gauge an understanding of the destination you're visiting, the easier it can be to book activities, tours, and excursions and create an itinerary for your trip. It can also help with knowing which attractions you need to book in advance and an estimated amount of spending money based on what you'd like to do.

Booking independently vs package holidays

There are two ways to book your holiday and the pros and cons to each, either booking independently or booking a package holiday. Booking independently includes booking the flights and accommodation directly, usually on a flight website (after doing a comparison search on Skyscanner) and accommodation on websites, such as Booking.com, Hotels.com or HostelWorld. If you like to have more of a choice and do the research and planning yourself, then booking independently may be for you.

A package holiday is what it says on the tin: booking a trip where flights and accommodation are booked together for one price (and usually transfers are included too). Many first-time travellers use this option for ease and stress-free experience, as it's down to a travel agent to organise the trip for you.

Check-in your flights (the difference)

Checking in for a flight can be done online via the airline's website. You'll need to use your confirmation number and email usually to locate your booking and can go from there to check in the flight, adding your passport number and personal details. You can also add in any extra extras here, such as food. Check-in online can open between 30 days to 24 hours before depending on the airline you've chosen and if it's short haul/long haul. Your airline will let you know when online check-in is open. You can also check in at the airport, however, leaving it until then can be a little stressful in case the airport is busy and you can't check in on time.  

Pack like a pro

Mastering the skill of packing can take time and I don't think many people do it efficiently on your first go, however, keeping these tips in mind will help.

My best packing tips include:

• Use packing cubes - it can help you organise each type of item in your luggage
• Roll up clothing to fit more in your suitcase
• Wear your heaviest clothing
• Look at what you've packed and remove unnecessary items
• Write a packing list to prevent you from forgetting anything

When you fly to a destination, you'll have the option of cabin and hold luggage. Cabin luggage is what you bring with you when you get on the plane and hold luggage is the luggage you check in and goes in the back of the plane. With cabin luggage, you'll generally have cabin-size a small bag included and have to pay for a cabin-size suitcase. Hold luggage options can vary in size and weight too. Every airline will have its rules on the size and weight that's allowed for cabin bags and hold bags - ensure you check that before getting to the airport. 

Getting through the airport advice

Getting through the airport can be overwhelming for your first time, especially if you're travelling at peak season. These are some things to keep mindful of when going through the airport: 

• Go to the airport check-in desk first if checking in hold luggage
• Head towards security, putting your bags through 
• Enjoy the airport - grab some food and shop duty-free
• Wait until your gate number appears on the screen and head to the gate
• The airline crew will check your boarding pass and passport, letting you on the plane

I hope you enjoyed this post. When is your first trip?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Planning trips and thinking about where I'm going next on my travels is my favourite thing in the world. I love the process of planning where I'd like to go, researching about it, discovering the best sights, hidden gems, independent restaurants and reading about people's experiences. 

If you find booking holidays stressful or need help determining where to begin when planning the trip, here are my best tips to make the process a little easier.

Decide on your destination

We all have an idea of the places we'd like to visit, whether it's eating fresh pasta in Italy, roaming around the Big Apple or island hopping in Thailand. Whatever the destination, deciding where you want to go is the first step. Planning a city break is completely different to a week away relaxing in the sunshine. Planning involves booking excursions, variations in budget, the type of activities and which transport you're using to travel around.

Pick a timeframe and budget

With the destination ticked off the list, you'll need to decide how long you're planning to jet off for and the budget. From a long weekend to slow travelling around for a month, shorter trips are easier to map out and cheaper to afford. Picking a timeframe can help you choose a daily budget, and factor in flight costs, accommodation costs and any activities you'd like to do. Set a rough budget and then had a buffer onto it for any emergencies when away.

Read all the blogs about the destination

As a travel blogger and someone who adores to travel all the time, research is key to making your holiday everything you dream of. Read all the blogs on what you need to know before visiting that destination, the best sights and activities to see and do, where to eat and drink and how to get around a destination. The more research you do, the more prepared you can feel for the holiday. But, make sure you leave room for spontaneity. 

Decide how you're looking to get around the destination - this helps with finding suitable accommodation

Every destination is different and when you're travelling, you need to decide you're planning to get around the destination. If you're happy to walk around and want to be near the main sights and the city centre, booking accommodation central is key. But, if you're happy with getting public transport or taxis to see the sights and activities, booking accommodation further out can be suitable and save you some money. Knowing how close you want to stay to the centre or near other sights can minimise the radius of where you look for accommodation and hopefully help you make a decision easier.

Plan a rough agenda based on blogs and recommendations including timings

With all the main points of the holiday tick, it's time to use your research skills and put it to use. For all the blogs you've read, pick out the activities and sights which are a must and add them to an agenda throughout the time you're on holiday. This can help you plan out what you'd like to do on which days and roughly how long each activity will take. It can also help you coordinate your agenda, ensuring it all makes logical sense.

Leave from spontaneous ideas, roaming and relaxing

Spontaneous plans are the heart of all holidays and making memories. Even though an agenda helps you prepare, you don't want every minute of the trip to be organised. Leave room to roam around, try new places, meet people, go off the beaten path and enjoy the joys of a holiday.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Where are you planning on going next?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! I'm excited to announce, I'll be fulfilling my dream of heading back to South East Asia in January for 3 months of backpacking. I couldn't be more excited to get back to the backpacking way of life, discover new places, eat delicious foods and meet new people.

Whether you're new to backpacking or planning a trip, here is how to prepare for 3 months of backpacking.

This article contains paid content placements.

Figure out who you're going with

Deciding you're planning to go backpacking is a big decision, whether it's for one month, three months or a whole year. When you've made the decision to go, you need to choose who you want to go with as it's a big thing to plan. It could be your partner, friends, or sibling or you can go solo. Each decision means a slightly different style of planning.

Decide on the route and timeframe

You can go backpacking for as long as you want but making the decision on how long you have in mind, can help you save, budget and decide on the itinerary you'd like to follow. I've decided to travel for three months and visit seven different countries: Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Phillippines and Indonesia. You may decide to spend three months in one place or do as many destinations as me.

Research each place and decide on a rough itinerary

If you're spending longer in a place, there's more wiggle room to be spontaneous and travel slower, however, if you're spending less time in each place, it'll be best to do some research and decide if there are any must-have places you want to visit or specific landmarks to see. I've made a rough itinerary of the different places I want to go to and include the must-see things and do.

Book travel vaccinations

I cannot stress this point more because your health is the most important thing. It's not worth catching anything and being unwell in a place where healthcare isn't as accessible as back home. Check with your doctors and book an appointment in with the travel clinic and see what vaccinations they recommend for you to get. I had to get quite a few including Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Rabies, Japanese Encephalitis and Tetanus. I will say vaccinations can be quite expensive and you will need to budget for them, mine came to around £400. Some may be available on the NHS, it depends on your doctors.

Check with countries that need visas

Visas are another essential thing you need to do. Some countries allow you to enter in with no visa, some require a form for you to fill out whilst others may need a visa to apply for. Do this with plenty of time as sometimes they can take a while to approve it.

Book flights and accommodation

Once you have everything mapped out, it's time to begin booking flights and accommodation. I would highly recommend booking flights in advance because it makes things easier and cheaper in the long run. With accommodation, you can book it whilst you're travelling around, however, to feel more prepared, book the accommodation in advance. I've gone through and booked all the accommodation for the whole stay, saving me time and worry when arriving at each destination.

Book any other transport

Getting from one place to the other isn't always by flying, it could be through buses, trains or boats. You can easily buy tickets for these when you've arrived, however, booking in advance can make your trip a little bit smoother and sets more of a permanent agenda. I find 12Go as the best place to book this type of transport.

Buy travel insurance

Travel insurance is essential for any type of trip, especially when you're away for a long period of time as there's more time for potential things to go wrong. Purchasing the right policy is key; ensure you list all of your medical conditions, and cover the right countries and any activities you're looking to choose.

Organise a sim card

Phoning and texting when on a different continent can be very expensive and why purchasing the appropriate sim card can help with communicating whilst you're away. You can get sim cards at the airport or anywhere locally in the country you're visiting. 

Decide what your budget will be for the trip

When you've decided on where you're going and for how long, it's ideal to set a budget for the ideal amount you'd like to spend on the trip. Then, ensure you bring extra than the budget in case something happens or things are more expensive than you expect.

Download e-books, shows, films and podcasts

Months of backpacking mean you'll be experiencing many flights, bus journeys, trains and boats and you'll want to keep yourself occupied during them. Download as much entertainment as you can including e-books, tv shows, films and podcasts to help long travel journeys a lot more fun.

Download travel apps

Travel apps will come in handy when you're travelling around such as Grab for tuk tuks and taxi rides across Asia, and your accommodation apps including Booking.com, Hostel World and Airbnb. Also, if you've to go the travel card from the post office, their app, ensures you can top it up and see your balance.

Photocopy documents

Your passport, visas and any useful documentation are vital when travelling. Unfortunately, accidents happen and you may lose important documents and why I'd recommend photocopying them so you have evidence of the documents. 

Create a packing list and decide what you need to buy

You never know when you may have an emergency and by noting down the emergency numbers in each country, there at hand should you need them.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What other tips would you add?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! I've always been a good saver. Growing up in a family who were always money-conscious and taught me the value of the pound has made me aware of how to make money last and invest when needed. I'm no money expert, however, I've picked up many money- saving tips over the years which have helped me save and manage my money as a freelancer. 

If you're saving up for a big occasion or keen to learn better money skills, here are my best financial tips to stay savvy with money.

Focus on your needs, not your wants.

In an over-consuming world, we constantly compare ourselves to what everyone else has. Here's your reminder, that what you see online is not normal and unlike a normal life. Most people aren't on holiday all the time, most people don't buy new clothes all the time and most people don't have a 10-step skincare routine. It's normal to want things, you have to enjoy life, whether it is a weekend away or some new trainers, however, you don't need to constantly be shopping for things you want.

Focus on affording the things you need, and the things you want come every now and then. And if you want something that badly, waiting for it will be a great reward and you'll appreciate it more. For example, you may see a trending gadget online and think you want it as everyone else is getting it, however, once the trend is over, you may forget about it. If you wanted it that badly, it would have stayed on your mind. 

Set an automatic payment to your savings account.

It's easy to forget to save money unless you push and remind yourself. There are two ways to save effectively. The first is putting money in your savings account as soon as you get paid and the second is setting an automatic payment to your savings. With an automatic payment, you won't have to think about actively saving as it'll do it for you - and you can actively save on top. For example, send £10 a week as an automatic as it's the price of two coffees and not necessarily money you'd miss (unless you're on a really tight budget). From there, you can add more to your savings but there's already money ticking over into the account.

Don't touch your savings (unless it's an emergency)

I know so many people who can't save as they always dip into their savings, and therefore the money doesn't increase. Don't do that. You need to get into a disciplined mindset where once the money is in your savings, it's only to be used for that saving purpose, such as a new car, a holiday or buying a new washing machine. Whatever it is, the money is in there for a reason. The only time you should ever touch it is if it's an emergency, such as your car is broken or you need to replace something immediately.

Have a set budget for days out and fun activities

When we have a day out or an activity booked, it can be easy to simply enjoy ourselves and not think of the money repercussions. However, to keep an eye on your money, have a budget for that day out. For example, say you're going for dinner and drinks, have a number in your mind that you expect to spend and don't go over that.

Understand what your disposable income is and how you spend it.

Everyone has different levels of disposable income. If you have a budget spreadsheet listing all of your expenses each month, you'll know what's left to spend on whatever you want. It could be £50 or even £500. Whatever the amount, decide where you'd like it to go. For example, you could put some towards a holiday and some on a meal out.

Have set savings goals each month

It can be difficult and unmotivating to save if you don't have a goal. I recommend setting a goal for the year and then breaking that down to how much money you need to put in your savings each month to reach it. The goal will push you to be more careful and consider your money when spending too. 

Any money left at the end of your month put it in the savings

This is a privileged position to be in. However, if you have any money left over before your next payday, put it in your savings account. Even if it's £10, it can make a massive difference over time.

Plan for birthdays/Christmas in advance.

Shopping for presents adds up over the year and if you don't plan for it, it can set you back with your money. At the beginning of the year, list all the birthdays you have coming up (and other occasions) and set a budget for each one, giving you a rough prediction of how much you intend to spend and on which month too.

Use what you have, rather than buy something new.

It's incredibly easy to buy and replace items rather than use and fix them. If you have things in your house that are a little old but usable, continue using them. You don't have to buy new. Or if something breaks and you need an item, see if you can find it second-hand rather than spending a large amount of cash.

Always be on the hunt for deals - shop around.

Deals are always around, from supermarkets to holidays. You don't always have to pay full price for anything. Think smarter not harder and remember, by looking after the pennies, the pounds will look after you. If you're shopping for something new, search different shops and see where is the best value for money.

Avoid buying things on finance.

Buying things on finance isn't a financially smart move. I understand in some cases, like your phone, it can seem impossible to have the money upfront. However, for larger items, such as a car or a sofa, by buying it on finance, you're really spending more in the long run, wasting money and adding to your monthly expenses. It's better to save up or buy second-hand than be stuck with a large bill every month.

I hope you enjoyed these tips. What would you add?

Thank you for reading <3