Consider this your budget-friendly travel guide! There might only be a few months left, but it is possible to save enough money for that year-end vacay. Here’s how!

The working year is long and everyone deserves to have something to look forward to over the December break. The one big reason that many South Africans don’t plan exciting getaways on the regular is because of the costs involved.

And we get it – travelling isn’t cheap. But it can be significantly more doable if you make some minor tweaks to your lifestyle over the next few months. It won’t be easy, but keep your eye on the prize and the reward will be oh-so worth it.

First things first: decide on where to go! To streamline your search, check out these visa-free countries South Africans can visit.

1. Start early

While some types of tours and accommodation, as well as flights, are best booked a long time in advance, it’s still worth booking just a few months before lift-off rather than last minute. This will give you time to browse for the best deals before making any payments. You’ll save money during your holiday, but also before the time – this leaves more money for some souvenirs. Yes!

Check out: Skyscanner.net to compare flight costs and to find the best deal.

2. Eat cheap

One of the easiest lifestyle changes to make when you are trying to save money can also be the most challenging: limit how often you eat out. We know that there is little more annoying than having to worry about rustling something up after a long day at work, but you’d be surprised at how much you save when you lay off the takeaways. Cook in bulk on weekends and freeze meals to make your life easier during the week.

Check out: MealBoard – an app that helps you plan and cook delicious meals at home.
Download on the App Store
Download Mealime on Google Play

3. Clear out

Do you have a garage or spare room filled with stuff you have no immediate use for? Many of us do, and what better time than the present to have a good spring clean? Any old clothing and appliances that are still in good shape can be sold on online classifieds sites, which is an easy way to make some extra cash with minimal effort on your part. A cleaner house and some cash in your pocket – you can almost feel that holiday!

Check out: Gumtree.co.za and Facebook marketplace, where you list items you want to sell and buyers can connect with you.