How to Make More Room in Your Life for Travel

Travel advice can sometimes be a little too simple: Spend less, take PTO and book a trip. But in real life, managing finances, family obligations and work responsibilities can leave little space for travel.

That’s not to say you can’t make room in your life for more trips. The key is to look for travel opportunities that fit the way you live, the time you have and the money you can realistically spend.

Choose travel that fits your life right now

Travel doesn’t have to mean spending a ton of money or weeks away from home. A shorter trip, a nearby destination or a simpler itinerary can still give you the change of scenery you’re looking for without asking more from your budget or schedule.

If your budget feels tight, start with lower-cost travel

Working travel into your budget often starts with deciding what you truly want from your trip. If your goal is to experience somewhere new, a day trip or one-night stay may give you a chance to explore without stretching your budget.

You can also look for trips during the off-season or shoulder season, the period just before or after a destination’s busiest travel season. Flights, hotels and activities may cost less during these times.

If your debt payments feel hard to manage, look at the bigger picture

Travel is usually considered discretionary spending, so it should come after essentials, debt obligations and emergency savings. But when you’re balancing several monthly debt payments, it can be hard to see how much room you have for anything else.

One way to simplify your budget may be a debt consolidation loan, which combines certain debts into one monthly payment that might be less than what you’re paying now. While a debt consolidation loan can’t cover travel costs, using one to combine eligible debts could give your budget more breathing room. Just be sure to compare rates, terms, fees and overall costs to see if it makes sense for your financial goals.

If you’re considering a loan, use a personal loan calculator first

Taking out a loan to cover travel costs may be an option if your regular expenses are covered and the monthly payment works with your budget. Before borrowing, use a personal loan calculator to estimate your monthly payment and see how different loan amounts or repayment terms could affect the total cost.

If time is your biggest barrier, plan smaller trips

Work and family obligations may make a two-week vacation unrealistic. Instead of waiting for a bigger opening in your schedule, start smaller. Long weekends or short road trips can give you a chance to get away even when your time is limited.

A short trip usually means you can’t see all the sights, so plan your itinerary around what matters most. Experiencing even just one memorable event can make your time away feel more meaningful.

Turn your travel goals into a realistic plan

Once you know what kind of travel fits your life right now, the next step is making space for it. A little planning can help you find room in your budget and schedule without adding stress to the responsibilities you already have.

Review your spending before setting a travel goal

When budgeting for travel, start by reviewing one to three months of your spending, separating it into fixed and flexible costs. Fixed costs, like your rent or car payments, are usually due every month and may be harder to change.

Flexible costs may give you more room to adjust. Look for items you can temporarily reduce, such as dining out, or cut completely, like a streaming service you no longer use. Any money you free up could go to your travel budget.

Create a travel fund that doesn’t compete with essentials

Consider opening a special savings account for your travel fund. You can start building up your savings by:

• Automating small transfers every pay period
• Depositing windfalls, like tax refunds or gifts
• Moving any extra money at the end of the month

Keep in mind that travel counts as discretionary spending. Make sure your bills are covered first and keep your emergency savings separate.

Look for calendar space before picking a destination

Rather than choosing a vacation spot and rearranging your schedule around it, try the reverse: Check your calendar first and then choose a destination. That gives you a chance to see what kind of trip is realistic for the time you have available.  

Consider both your work deadlines and family obligations as you plan. Look for dates that won’t create extra stress before or after your trip, such as long weekends or naturally slower seasons at work.

Make travel part of your life, not a break from it

Whether you want relaxation, time with loved ones or a fresh perspective, travel gives you something to look forward to. But a big trip isn’t the only way to enjoy the benefits. When you make travel part of your life, you can find meaningful ways to get away without waiting for the perfect time, budget or destination.