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Hello everyone! While organizing my travel notes recently, I noticed many followers asking me in private messages about how to create a travel budget. To be honest, when I first traveled abroad, I was a complete novice. My budget went seriously over, and I could barely afford the return ticket - it was absolutely mortifying. After that experience, I really reflected on it and started researching travel budgeting. Now I've traveled to dozens of countries, and I can keep my budget well under control every time. Today I'll share my experiences with you, guaranteeing you'll never have to worry about an empty wallet again.

Calculating Your Resources

First, we need to calculate how much money we can spend on travel. This isn't something you can just estimate casually - you need to calculate the details carefully. For example, if your monthly salary is 10,000 yuan, it seems like a lot, right? But after deducting 2,500 for rent and utilities, 1,500 for daily meals, 600 for transportation and communication, 1,000 for shopping and entertainment, and 2,000 for credit card bills, you can only save about 2,400 per month. If you want to save for travel, you might need to cut back on shopping and entertainment.

Let me give you a more specific example. If you're planning to visit Japan for a week during next year's May holiday, you need to save at least 2,000 yuan monthly starting now. Why? Based on my experience, a week in Tokyo requires a budget of 15,000 to 20,000 yuan. This is for a relatively economical standard, staying in hostels or regular business hotels. If you want to stay in trendy hotels or five-star hotels, the budget needs to be at least doubled, and prices surge even more during golden weeks.

Many young people nowadays choose to travel on installment plans, but I suggest living within your means. While installments can help you realize your travel dreams earlier, the fixed monthly payments can be quite pressuring. Plus, if you encounter unexpected situations like changing jobs or getting sick, the repayment pressure becomes even greater. So my advice is to save up enough money before departing - it makes the trip more relaxing.

Advance Preparation

When it comes to preparation, there are many details to consider. First is the visa fee, which is an essential expense. For example, when I applied for a Japanese visa last year, it cost 340 yuan, and it might be more expensive now. Then there's insurance, which you really can't skip - a reliable travel insurance costs about 200 yuan, so that's already over 500 yuan gone.

If it's your first time traveling abroad, there's even more to prepare. For instance, regarding luggage, I recommend choosing a 20-inch carry-on suitcase, which can fit a week's worth of clothes without being too heavy. Price-wise, I bought an American Tourister on JD.com during the 618 sale for just 299 yuan, though it usually costs five to six hundred. You'll also need power adapters - Japan uses flat two-pin sockets, so domestic chargers won't work. You must buy an adapter, which costs a few dozen yuan on Taobao. A power bank is also essential - taking photos and exploring abroad drains your battery quickly. I recommend getting a 20,000mAh one, priced between 100-200 yuan.

Besides this basic equipment, you'll need sunscreen and medicines. But don't buy too much at once, as many things expire before you can use them up, which is wasteful. Remember one principle: spend less where you can, and save your budget for more meaningful experiences.

Here's a tip: join some travel-related WeChat or QQ groups. People often share various deals there, like flight promotions and hotel specials. Last time I went to Osaka, I found round-trip tickets for just 1,800 yuan through a group share, which was half the regular price.

Careful Calculations

When it comes to saving money, I've got plenty of secret tips to share with you. Let's start with flights, which is usually the biggest expense. I typically start monitoring ticket prices 3-4 months in advance, setting price alerts on apps like Fliggy and Ctrip. Generally, booking 60 days ahead is most economical, as airlines often release special fares during this time.

However, note that special fares often come with restrictions, like no changes or refunds. So make sure your itinerary is fixed before buying tickets. I have a friend who didn't read the conditions carefully and had to buy new tickets when they needed to change their flight, losing several thousand yuan.

Another money-saving tip is to choose red-eye flights. These flights that depart or arrive in the early hours are usually 30% cheaper. While the timing isn't ideal, the money saved can be used for better accommodation or shopping.

Regarding accommodation, many people might think hostels aren't classy enough. But let me tell you, today's hostels are nothing like the old dormitory-style ones. In Tokyo, for example, hostels in areas like Asakusa or Ikebukuro cost only about 300 yuan per night for a single room, with complete facilities, and you can meet many interesting travelers. I met a German couple at a hostel in Asakusa last time, and we're still in touch.

If you feel hostels aren't for you, consider Airbnb or guesthouses. These are cheaper than hotels and often come with kitchens where you can cook. I stayed at a fantastic guesthouse in Kyoto for 500 yuan per night, located near Kiyomizu Temple, and the host even provided bicycles, saving us transportation costs.

Daily Expenses

How to save money at your destination? I suggest using local public transportation as much as possible. Take Tokyo for example - their subway system might look complicated, but it's actually very convenient. A one-day subway pass costs only about 800 yen and allows unlimited rides, much more economical than taking taxis. Plus, Japanese subways are incredibly punctual, so you don't need to worry about delays.

To save even more, you can buy a PASMO or Suica card, which can be used at convenience stores and vending machines, and often come with discounts. During my week in Tokyo, I saved at least 1,000 yuan just by using these transit cards.

For meals, I highly recommend local supermarkets. Did you know that Japanese supermarkets discount fresh food every evening, often by more than 50%? I usually go to supermarkets around 7 PM to hunt for deals on sushi, bento boxes, and sandwiches - they're half the price of convenience stores and the quality is excellent.

Another great place to save money is 100-yen shops, similar to our 10-yuan stores but with much better quality. I've bought many great cosmetics and daily necessities there for just one-tenth of department store prices. Their cups and tableware are also super elegant, perfect for personal use or as gifts.

If you want to experience local cuisine without spending too much, try izakayas or ramen shops. While these places might be simple, the food is very authentic. I have a favorite ramen shop in Shinjuku where a bowl costs only 700 yen, but the rich broth and chewy noodles are definitely not inferior to famous restaurants.

Emergency Preparation

This is really important - I suggest reserving at least 15% of your total budget for emergencies. Why so much? Because you can encounter all sorts of unexpected situations abroad. For instance, if you suddenly get sick, medical care abroad is really expensive. I have a friend who got gastroenteritis in Thailand, and the hospital visit for injections and IV drips cost over 10,000 baht, about 2,000+ yuan. Although insurance can reimburse you, you need to pay upfront.

Then there's the possibility of losing things or getting robbed. I almost had my passport stolen in Barcelona, fortunately I noticed in time. But if you really lose your passport, getting a temporary one costs money too. So make sure to reserve enough emergency funds.

I suggest carrying two credit cards - one with you and one at your accommodation. This way you have a backup if one card has issues. Also, choose credit cards with low international transaction fees, like XX Bank's multi-currency card, which has basically no fees for overseas transactions.

Sharing Insights

Through years of travel experience, I've deeply realized that a travel budget isn't a restriction, but a guarantee for a more relaxed and enjoyable trip. Many people might think budgeting is troublesome, but trust me, spending an hour making a budget is much better than feeling anxious about running out of money during your trip.

Now before each trip, I make a detailed budget table listing everything from flights, accommodation, transportation, dining, shopping, to admission tickets. I also use accounting apps to record every expense during the trip. This not only helps control spending but also provides reference for future trips when reviewing the experience.

Another important insight is learning to make trade-offs. With a limited budget, you need to spend money where it matters most. For example, I love food, so I spend more on dining and save on accommodation. Everyone has different interests, so budget allocation varies. The key is finding the right balance for yourself.

About shopping - this is also an area where it's easy to overspend. I suggest making a shopping list before departure, deciding what to buy and how much to spend. If you see something tempting during the trip, note it down instead of buying immediately. Often these are impulse purchases you might regret later.

Finally, travel isn't about how much you spend, but about how many unforgettable experiences you gain. Sometimes a street food meal or a late-night walk in a strange city can bring more joy than staying in a five-star hotel. So don't focus too much on the budget amount - what's important is how to create the best memories with your limited budget.

What do you think about these suggestions? Feel free to share your travel budget experiences in the comments. Next time I plan to discuss how to choose the most suitable travel destination - interested friends remember to follow me! I believe that with proper budgeting and planning, everyone can realize their travel dreams!