Initial Motivation

Did you know? According to the latest data, over 68% of independent travelers face financial crises during their trips due to poor budget planning. As a travel blogger who has visited more than 30 countries, I deeply understand the importance of proper budget planning for a successful trip.

Today, I want to share my round-the-world travel experience from September to December 2023. This journey spanned three continents - Europe, Asia, and America, with a total budget of ¥24,000. While this budget may seem tight, through careful planning, I not only completed the journey successfully but also experienced many unforgettable local activities.

Planning

Before departure, I spent two full months on budget planning. You might say, "That's too long!" But it was this detailed planning phase that helped me avoid many unnecessary expenses.

First was identifying major expenditure items. After comparing multiple online booking platforms, I chose a relatively affordable round-the-world flight package for ¥7,200. This might seem like a significant expense, but regular round-trip tickets easily cost over ¥5,000. For accommodation, I adopted a mixed strategy of hostels and guest houses, keeping the average nightly cost under ¥100.

Interestingly, while researching the cost of living in various destinations, I found that Southeast Asian countries generally have 30%-50% lower living costs than Western countries. So I specifically adjusted my itinerary to visit the more expensive Western countries at the beginning of each month when my salary just arrived.

Implementation

During the actual implementation phase, I found that the hardest part wasn't creating the budget but strictly following it. I remember during my first week in Paris, seeing the luxury boutiques along the Champs-Élysées, I almost lost control. But I had set myself a principle: shopping expenses would not exceed 10% of the total budget.

To better control expenses, I used the "envelope method": dividing each month's budget into four envelopes, using only one envelope's money per week. This method was particularly useful because it lets you clearly see how much money you have left to spend.

Regarding food expenses, I discovered a practical money-saving tip: choosing accommodations with kitchens whenever possible. According to my calculations, cooking for yourself can save 40%-60% compared to eating out. Plus, shopping at local supermarkets is a great way to understand local life.

Lessons Learned

Through this trip, I've summarized several important lessons:

First, budget management isn't about saving money, but spending it wisely. For example, in Turkey, I didn't hesitate to spend ¥500 on a hot air balloon ride because it was a unique experience. But for accommodation, I chose cheap but clean hostels, spending only ¥180 for three nights.

Second, leave flexibility in your budget. I usually reserve 15% as emergency funds. This proved necessary, as unexpected expenses always arise during travel, like when I spent over ¥200 on medical care in Thailand due to food poisoning.

Third, make good use of modern technology tools. I used a budgeting app to record every expense in real-time, which not only helped me track budget usage but also analyze which expenses could be optimized. Data showed that transportation took up the largest portion of my budget at 35%.

Did you know? Through proper planning, a three-month world tour on ¥8,000 per person per month isn't an unreachable dream. The key is doing your homework in advance, setting reasonable expectations, and maintaining self-discipline while traveling.

At this point, I'd particularly like to ask: which expense do you find hardest to control while traveling? Do you, like me, tend to overspend on transportation, or are you tempted by local cuisine? Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments.

Suggestions

Based on my experience, here are some specific suggestions for those planning long-term travel:

Before departure, thoroughly research the cost of living at your destinations. I've found many people make mistakes here - both overestimating and underestimating destination costs can affect overall budget planning. For example, in Switzerland, a regular meal might cost 200 Swiss Francs (about ¥1,400), which can easily disrupt your budget if you're not prepared.

For accommodation, learn to flexibly use various booking platforms. I usually compare prices on at least three different platforms, where price differences can reach over 30%. Additionally, for long-term stays, you can negotiate discounts with property owners. I got a 20% discount in Bangkok for a two-week stay by communicating directly with the owner.

Regarding transportation costs, many people overlook the convenience of public transit. In London, for example, while tube fares aren't cheap, buying weekly or monthly passes can reduce average daily transportation costs by about 40%. Compared to taxis that easily cost 15-20 pounds per ride, public transportation is definitely more economical.

Finally, I want to say that a travel budget isn't a restriction, but a tool to make our travels more planned and sustainable. Through proper budget management, we can get the maximum travel experience within limited funds.

Do you have any unique insights about setting travel budgets? Or any questions for me? Let's discuss how to make travel both exciting and economical.