Save Less, Travel More

Haylee Sandra
Jan 11, 2015
4 min read

Updated: Dec 31, 2019

This is advice you’ll never get growing up from your parents, teachers or consultants. By societal standards, us college-aged students should be working hard all of our young adult lives to prepare ourselves for our future career, family and expenses. Spending loads of money at one time is considered irresponsible, immature and foolish. However, what have I learned thus far from saving my money as a college student? Not much, other than the fact that I stress out more about financial issues [that don’t even exist yet] while burrowing myself in a blanket of misery as I restrict myself from doing many of the things I yearn to do. On the other hand, what have I learned thus far from spending my money on traveling? More than could ever be expressed in writing. I have met countless stimulating people, gained indispensable cultural knowledge and I have lived a lifetime worth of adventure that is irreplaceable by any dollar amount. Once I learned that spending my money on travel was way more valuable than building up a savings account to pay bills I have yet to generate, I finally experienced freedom and the life I’ve desired to live.

This realization struck me with the entrance into the new year. As I reflected on my days spent in 2014, I saw how I took control of my life in a way I was always afraid to do. In the past, I toiled away working three jobs and barely leaving myself any free time to even relax. I thought that on top of schooling, I needed to be making a decent income even as a full-time student because grad school would be approaching and I’m only going to find myself more and more in debt. I’ve always dreamt of traveling since I was a child, but I put the idea aside as something that would happen in the future, once I’m married with kids and well into my career. I didn’t take a lot of family trips growing up like many other families did. My mom instilled the belief in me that it was far too expensive and impractical to travel often, if at all. She taught me the importance of working hard and saving my money, rather than spending it mindlessly.

(Seven Falls, Colorado)

Although I did have the opportunity to travel occassionally growing up whether through school or with other family members, it wasn’t until these past few years that I’ve really branched out on my own and took the initiative to start seeing the places I’ve wanted to see. I’ve taken countless road trips across the country with my friends and have experienced the places I had only before learned about in history books or seen on TV. Now, at a young 23 years of age, I have been to all but 15 states in the U.S. and I have left the country twice to travel to Japan and the Bahamas. And I’m still only in college. That’s amazing [yes, tooting my own horn]!

(Venice Beach, California)

(Grand Canyon)

(Sunset cruise off the coast of Miami)

(The Alamo in San Antonio, Texas)

With this being said, I’m not suggesting that anyone be irrational with their money. I always make sure I have my bills paid first and foremost, and enough left over for my basic needs. However, I have focused less on racking up my bank account and more on living my life in the moment. The more I put off these opportunities, the lesser chance I will have to actually fulfill my dreams. Once I graduate, start a career, a family… my life is going to become more hectic with more bills and less travel funds. I do not want to look back on my life and wish I had done something or heeded an opportunity that I talked myself out of. I have noticed that when my main priority is to save money, I create high levels of unnecessary stress in my life to earn more and increase my savings account. On the contrary, the less I try to save, the less stressed I am about my financial situation. Money doesn’t become such a priority in my life but instead I focus on my happiness and lifestyle.

(Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs)

(Bahamas)

(Santa Monica Pier)

I encourage anyone to negate the popular advice passed on to us by those who feel they are prepping us for the real and practical world. Be smart, but don’t be frugal. I have received a great deal of hostility in regards to how much I travel from peers, coworkers and family especially. But I refuse to be held down and instead will continue to fill my life with positivity and valuable experiences. Don’t put things off that you can do now. Traveling is not that expensive and can be done reasonably by anyone, even by the typical “broke” college student. I have not reflected on a single one of my trips and thought, “Man I wish I wouldn’t have done that… that money would look much better racking up in my bank account right now.” Dare to be your own person, break the trends, and choose your own destiny. Don’t let your fear of paving your own path be your downfall. I promise you won’t regret it.