My dreams to study abroad and travel have been on my mind since forever. My mother could tell you the amount of times I told her I was going to hop on a plane and travel to Europe as soon as I could.
It all sounds glamorous in theory. But one thing you don't think of when you're that young? The hefty price tag attached to that dream.
Watching Gossip Girl certainly did not help with that.
I am very blessed and proud to say my parents have been able to provide with all the things I've needed and have taught me how to work for anything I've ever wanted.
With a huge family and very hard-working parents that are constantly traveling and who finance my education, I could not expect them to hand me pocket money to spend frivolously on my escapades in Europe. I needed to find a way to finance my entire trip including my expensive flights. The only thing I'm guaranteed is my tuition being paid that thankfully includes food. Everything else? That's for me to figure out.
Because of this, I had to work A LOT to make enough money to be stress-free while away and being jobless while studying in Europe.
Some people may have misconceptions about others in terms of money. It's always easy to assume that someone is privileged or comes from money but that is not always the case.
I have been working since I was 16 and understand the amount of work it takes to pay for an entire Spring Break vacation or splurge on a vintage designer handbag from first-hand experience.
Saving up over 3,000 bucks may not seem like a lot of money at first, but I managed to scrape this money together in one semester. And boy am I proud of that.
So, how did I save up over $3,000 for this trip?
I am a full-time student with a full course load. I live on campus, extra-cirriculars, have a social life, and have to keep up with my work and academic scholarship. It all sounds easy until you are stressed out and using a pint of Ben & Jerry's to de-stress (guilty).
This past semester, I worked 3 jobs. Yes, 3 jobs. Oh, and interned.
In an average week, I worked over 30 hours, if not more. Did I complain? Yes. Was I tired? Oversleeping and waking up late to class totally happened more than I'd like to admit. Did I want to work everyday? Hell no. Was it worth it? Absolutely. I've never felt prouder of my bank account.
I made sure to put my entire paycheck of one of my jobs, half of the other, and still finance whatever spontaneous adventures I wanted to go on throughout the semester or order take out on the weekends.
Missing a night out with your friends because you're stuck working late? You won't be missing much. Tired because you have been staying up late studying or doing a paper? Grab some coffee and take a nap as soon as you can.
Don't think you will have time to get everything done? You will and you won't believe it when you do.
Find a job or make your own.
Tutor, babysit, sell merchandise, sell things you don't need. So many possibilities.
Need help looking? Take a look at my other post in my "A Gal's Guide" series detailing great places to find your next job!
Click Here
Save your paychecks. Most if not all.
Don't spend your money on things you don't need.
(No matter how cute and fabulous you look in them..I know it's hard..Don't buy the shoes!)
Compare your purchase to an experience you can pay for abroad.
(I'd rather buy a ticket to France through RyanAir than buy a new dress at Forever21.)
Save money you get from relatives for your birthday or from any holidays.
Do you have any useful tips? Leave a comment below!
Save your paychecks. Most if not all.
Don't spend your money on things you don't need.
(No matter how cute and fabulous you look in them..I know it's hard..Don't buy the shoes!)
Compare your purchase to an experience you can pay for abroad.
(I'd rather buy a ticket to France through RyanAir than buy a new dress at Forever21.)
Save money you get from relatives for your birthday or from any holidays.
Do you have any useful tips? Leave a comment below!
Once I come back from Italy, I'm saving up for an apartment and furnishing it with nothing short of fabulous things.
XOXO,
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