It’s always the same problem, you want to see the world but you can barely afford to pay for brunch, we get it. You’ve got serious Instagram envy from seeing all your friends posing in front of the white walls of Santorini and you’re stuck at home on the 9-5 grind. How can you save money so you too can pose in front of white walls and drink expensive cocktails in a bar on the other side of the world you ask? Once you’ve finally saved up enough cash to go, the next challenge is saving money when you’re there. Aside from all the obvious and super annoying methods such as not going out for brunch three times a week, there are ways you can be super cash savvy and save while you’re travelling. Let us talk you through it.

Stay in a hostel over a hotel

Hostels are almost always cheaper than hotels so it’s pretty much a given that if you’re trying to do a long vacay on a budget, you’ll be spending a lot of time in hostels. It pays to be organised and book as much in advance as possible and because plans can always change, lots of hostels only require a small deposit when you book online. Depending on your price range there are some pretty nice hostels around, so get in, do your research and book early. Lots of hostels also include breakfast so if you’re strapped for cash get on board the free breaky train and fill up before a big day of exploring.

Cook rather than eating out for every meal

This is a bit of a no-brainer but eating out for every meal quickly adds up. Obviously, you want to eat out so you can experience new foods and it’s also nice to not have to cook every now and then but if you’re looking to save coin, cooking is the way to go. Cooking is a super cheap option, just make sure your hostel has a kitchen for you to use. Vegetables from markets are often super cheap, fresh and delicious. Of course, pasta is always another classic on the road for when you want to fill up for cheap. The other option is to fill up on a lot of beer so you don’t have to cook or eat.

Buy your alcohol from a store and take it somewhere nice rather than always drinking in bars

Depending on where you are beers in supermarkets overseas are super cheap. You can get six-packs for around €3 and the view outside is a lot nicer than inside a bar. Drinking in a park or going for a little walk to a lookout spot is the best way to get the best bang for your buck when it comes to drinking and seeing the most of a city while you’re there. Obviously, you’ll want to go out sometimes and that’s totally fine, you should, but if you’re in the business of saving your pennies then keep it to a minimum where possible.

Keep the souvenirs to a minimum

One of the biggest temptations, while you’re travelling, is to buy all the things. When you’re walking around lots of new and exciting little streets with shops filled with things you’ve never seen before it can take a lot of self-control not to spend spend spend. It’s nice to buy mementoes of your travels but for the sake of your back pocket (and your luggage space for that matter), it’s worth trying to keep it to a minimum. If you really can’t help it, you can generally pick up smaller souvenirs for a couple of euros each, and if you want something a little bit pricier from each place you visit, make sure you budget for that before you go away.

Book bigger events through an all-inclusive travel company

Europe is known for its fiestas and parties and there are so many that you don’t want to miss out on. Festivals are an awesome way to have fun, experience some culture and make new friends. While you’re travelling it can be hard to factor these things in, especially if it’s a camping festival. Booking through an all-inclusive company makes things so much easier and works out to be a lot cheaper. Companies such as Stoke Travel offer trips to festivals such as San Vino, Running Of The Bulls, La Tomatina and Oktoberfest, with all your food, accommodation and booze for a very affordable price. This is not only the cheapest way to do these sorts of things but also the most fun. Plus with promo code STUDENTJOB you’ll be getting that tasty unlimited beer and sangria totally free. You can check out more of what they have to offer here.

Now you’ve got the hot tips on keeping your money in your pocket for as long as possible, it’s over to you. Get out there and see the wonders of the world without sending yourself broke (at least try your best). While you’re on the road you’ll pick up on tricks of your own and realise what works and what doesn’t. Don’t think about it too much, be smart and have fun, you are on holiday after all!