THE ULTIMATE MONEY SAVING LIST, WHILE CITY-TRAVELLING!
SUCCESS NOT GUARANTEED.
I am a country girl to the bones - or at least I would like to be. I was born and raised in Helsinki, so I guess I cannot use that term. Well, country girl to the soul - if something.
I do enjoy visiting cities too. Occasionally. Very occasionally to be honest. But when the time is right, I usually have a very good (few days) in Helsinki. I love eating out, sitting hours on coffee shops, reading and writing at the library, wandering on the streets on a sunny day, having picnics and visiting friends and relatives. In a few days, anyway, I become very concerned of my money. I am a money saver, not a spender, so burning money is not one of my strongest sides.
It can definitely kill your creativity in the city, if money is all you can think about. It can also kill you if you are spending way over your budget and return home without a penny in a pocket. I have to say, that being a homeless backpacker four for years, leaves good marks on your budget. You will definitely learn ways to save up money.
That is why, I decided to write this ULTIMATE MONEY SAVING LIST for any city travellers. Or actually it’s just for the broke ones.
BLUE CITY, MAROCCO.
ACCOMMODATION
If I truly hate to put money on something, it’s accommodation. I do love a nice hotel visit as well, but only when it’s free. Here is some tips for a cheaper sleep.
A light save
Hostel. A private room in a hostel is much cheaper than a hotel! If you wanna be adventurous, book a bed in a dorm! You may even find travel company. A TIP As you leave, remember to take all the freebies! E.g shampoos, soaps, candies, etc. AirBnB is also a good option!
Decent save
Rent a van and sleep in it! Yes you may be asked to move it occasionally, but that is a cheap price to pay. If you wanna be even more stingy, rent a normal car instead. Just make sure to test the movability of the front seats! You don’t wanna sleep upright.
THE ULTIMATE SAVE
Couch-surfing. No costs. Save you cash for something better = coffee and chocolate.
TRANSPORT
It can cost tens of euros to travel by public transport around cities. One way ticket in Helsinki costs 3.2 € !!!
A light save
Buy a weekly ticket, if you know you will stay in the city a wee bit longer. You will definitely save some pennies, if you are planning to bus around the tourist attractions in the city.
Decent save
Rent a bicycle for your time in the city. Walk as much as you can. Do not visit all the tourist sites. Enjoy time in your hotel. There is worst ways of spending a holiday than having a hot bath in you hotel room.
THE ULTIMATE SAVE
Don’t pay. Buy a cheap pushchair from the flea-market and you travel for free! It works as a shopping cart as well. If you are so broke, you cannot even buy a baby-tram, try sneaking into the vehicles.
Yes, it may need some courage, but remember you can always just cry uncontrollably and start speaking your own language, when you get caught, (Finnish works here very well).
A TIP - If your native language is english, just make up your own! No one bothers to talk to an unsatisfied ‘’Chinese’’.
FOOD AND DRINKS
Love to eat out and have coffee in lovely a cafe’s? Don’t worry, there are solutions to save up!
A light save
Plan. Go out on lunch time and choose the most affordable options. Citydeal.fi - also has some good deals on eating out in Helsinki! I am sure there is similar websites all over the globe! Even just google knows lots about deals in town!
Decent save
Do you love a good cappuccino every now and then? Go for it, buy the nice coffee in a coffee house, but bring your own snacks. You can buy that croissant five times cheaper in the supermarket next door! Also, if you like to have more than one cup of mocha, fill-up your thermo-bottle at home and drink-up without a 20€ bill!
THE ULTIMATE SAVE
Does it really have to be a coffee shop? Have you ever tried a library or museum instead? They have nice little rest areas as well and you can bring your take away coffee with you! Or at least no one ever bothers to tell you off.
A TIP - Local supermarket might sell drinks as well, I just bought mine for 0,50€ !!
EXERCISE
Working out on a holiday might be hard as most gyms charge only monthly prizes. There is no need to give up from your exercise routine, even on a holiday!
A light save
Go to the public pools and gyms. They will cost some cash, but will still be way cheaper than the private ones!
Decent save
Rent a bicycle, move outside and use your hotel’s gym! Pay an infrequent visit at the pool if you like.
THE ULTIMATE SAVE
Pretend you have moved into the city, and go for ‘’trials’’ on different gyms around the city. There will definitely be enough gyms for you to try out in a week or two. If you are lucky, you may even get several days into the same gym. P.s prepare to talk about your goals and work-out schedules with the gym members! Remember to act and be really into it!
Have you got any good tips for saving money? Please let me know! I do get quite desperate at times!!
P.s I do know that money is not so important in life. Just important.
Working out on a holiday might be hard as most gyms charge only monthly prizes. There is no need to give up from your exercise routine, even on a holiday!
A light save
Go to the public pools and gyms. They will cost some cash, but will still be way cheaper than the private ones!
Decent save
Rent a bicycle, move outside and use your hotel’s gym! Pay an infrequent visit at the pool if you like.
THE ULTIMATE SAVE
Pretend you have moved into the city, and go for ‘’trials’’ on different gyms around the city. There will definitely be enough gyms for you to try out in a week or two. If you are lucky, you may even get several days into the same gym. P.s prepare to talk about your goals and work-out schedules with the gym members! Remember to act and be really into it!
Have you got any good tips for saving money? Please let me know! I do get quite desperate at times!!
P.s I do know that money is not so important in life. Just important.