5 Truths Travel Has Taught Me About Money

Category: Financial Freedom

I’m writing this blog from the backseat of a van with my family – racing across the Irish countryside to take us to stay in an 800-year-old castle. What an adventure.

I am moving into week 3 of our family trip across the UK. We have been to London, Scotland and now Ireland with our 3 boys. There’s been ups and downs, rain and sunshine, and a whole bunch of togetherness. It’s the trip of a lifetime, and something my husband and I have dreamed of doing for a very long time.

There are a few things I have learned about myself and money along the way. The first being – money is well spent on experiences, rather than things. There was a time (ok, plenty of time, I have to admit) where my thoughts and desires revolved around clothes, cars, jewelry and STUFF.

I spent much of my money and time buying things that I believed I wanted, and that would make me happy.

However, over time, I have realised that the stuff never really did make me happy. Sure, there was the pleasure of wearing something fab for the first time or walking out of the store with the bags in my hands, but that buzz never lasted long. It always led me looking to the next thing, and the next.

This trip for me, has represented more than anything a deep change in my view of money, and how it is spent. While we have spent a small fortune getting five of us here, it has been done in a way that represents our values, and what having money goals is all about. It has been about enjoying each other as a family and sharing experiences and adventures that will last in our memories for a lifetime.

Here are five money truths I learned for overseas travel:

We paid for this trip in advance. Accommodation, airfares, transfers and food where we could. This meant none of it was put on credit, and I wasn’t mentally planning for how we were going to pay it back. We only booked the trip when we had the funds. This is a good feeling.
We haven’t gone retail crazy. I bought a hat and a scarf in Scotland (it was freezing!) but other than that, I haven’t bought a thing. I bought a large suitcase full of clothes, and don’t need more. Sure, I saw plenty of things I would have liked, but it was easy to walk away. Because spending our money on experiences has given us a lot more meaningful pleasure.
Our kids have learned valuable money lessons. Currency exchange being one of them. Our 15-year old is now regularly checking our currency against the pound and euro – a lesson he would have found boring in economics class, but fascinating when cashing in his hard-earned savings.
We haven’t gone without, but we have been sensible. We may eat in the hotel restaurant or out one night but have taken back fruit and food to the room on other nights. While we have definitely spent every day, our costs have been variable and sometimes way cheaper than expected.
We worked to a budget. We planned what we wanted to spend and put it on our visa in advance. We can then spend and keep track of our costs daily online, to make sure we are within our planned spend.

Travel really does open your mind and allows you to leave the routine and sameness of every day. To me it is a crucial part of life experience. Doing it in a way that is mindful of money and as a reward for a long-held family goal has been incredibly rewarding.

A trip, whether big or small, creates valuable memories that last – longer than any material item ever could.

Until next time,

Vanessa

Share On

From Clear Tax on Should You Help Your Kids Buy Property Now? What to Weigh Before Giving an Early Inheritance

Helping children with property can be complex. Professional advice on structuring gifts or loans, including tax and Centrelink considerations, can make a significant difference in long-term outcomes.
From ANTOINETTE COLBRAN on Navigating Your 50's: A Woman’s Guide to Financial Freedom in Retirement

Natallia – you’ve said it so well. The message here I think is about consistency. Consistency in checking what’s going in and what’s creeping out. A review of finances to keep on track on interest rates, investment opportunities and Superannuation top ups. Many of us in our businesses self contribute to Super – we easily get behind. It’s part of our financial literacy homework. Get going ladies.
From Kids Debit Card on Changing Conversations You Need to Have with Your Kids

The goal of the following article is to assist parents have meaningful conversations with their children about money and financial literacy by providing them with practical guidance and useful recommendations. The author discusses goal-setting, budgeting, saving, and investing, and offers advice on how to have these discussions with people of varying ages. The essay is informative and easy to read, making it a valuable tool for parents who want to teach their children about money.

For More Info:-https://busykid.com/kids-debit-card/

From admin on Changing Conversations You Need to Have with Your Kids

Thanks for your comments!

From Gale Pickles on It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times

So enjoyed this, I will share if that’s okay with you, many of my friends will benefit from your journey.
Many Blessings for 2023
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
From ScottViabe on Three ways to embrace change to improve your life

Hi all! This is a good site.
From David Horton on How Finfluencers are teaching millennials and Gen Z about money

And once again the regulator finds a way to stop ordinary people from getting advice by placing high costs on people who do the right thing. If a finfluencer is actually trying to scam someone, it would not be hard to operate outside Australian jurisdiction.

From admin on How Finfluencers are teaching millennials and Gen Z about money

They definitely have a place. People need advice and many are working on it to be more accessible. Watch this space!

From Camelia on IT'S NOT TOO LATE FOR YOU

It’s never too late to learn something new and to start all over again. Unless you’re dead, you can do it.

From admin on IT'S NOT TOO LATE FOR YOU

So true

Each day I wake up excited to inspire everyday people to open up and take control of their money, regardless of their history, goals, or savings amount. About Vanessa >>

Discover a new way of seeing
life & money.

Download the first 3 chapters for free

Download

Don’t miss a blog post… ever

Authors

Vanessa Stoykov

Vanessa has been passionate about writing and storytelling since her days of hiding under the doona with her torch to read after bedtime.
Kathy Skantzos

Kathy is a yoga-loving world traveller who also happens to moonlight as a business journalist and writer. She was the finance editor of news.com.au and the Managing Editor of CEO Magazine (Asia) before joining Vanessa and the evo squad.
Shayne Sommer

Shayne is second dan black belt in karate, and a budding romance writer with a difference. Why? Because she writes romance stories that always have a money lesson.
Antoinette Colbran

Specialising in stories for 50+ women, Antoinette draws from her own experiences to help other women avoid the pitfalls and see the benefits of understanding their money situation.
Michael Crooks

Michael Crooks is a more than 20 year writer and documentary maker who has worked with Time Inc and the BBC, who wants to expose the truth from real victims of financial crime to help others avoid their mistakes.
Kim Payne

Kim Payne has spent the past three decades as a speaker, trainer, business coach, and consultant in financial services. She has worked with and transformed hundreds of brilliant, educated, high achievers who are chronically under-living.
Rebecca Pritchard

Rebecca Pritchard is on a mission to help men and women achieve equality when growing a family.
Antony Perring

Ant is a writer, designer and business builder with a love of food, design and good living. He writes on food and money in an easy to do way.
Julie Hyde

Julie Hyde is a leader of leaders. A disruptor and a powerful people enabler who empowers leaders to make big things happen.
Joshua Pennell

As a Dad to four kids and a business owner, Josh is passionate about family and finances and is known as The Family Finance Guy.
Sid Lal

Sid is a serial entrepreneur who set up his first business when he was still in University. Since 2009 he has been heading Bruce Clay, first in India & more recently in Australia.
Lou Johnson

Lou Johnson believes in the power of sharing stories to build empathy, understanding and connection. Growing up surrounded by books and storytelling, alongside her drive to make a difference led her to a highly successful career in book publishing.
David Rae

Dave is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional and has been a financial adviser since 2003. He works with a range of clients and has a strong focus on ethical and sustainable investing.
Natallia Smith

Natallia specializes in assisting pre-retiree single women—whether they are never married, widowed, separated, or divorced—understanding deeply the importance of financial stability during life's pivotal moments such as separation, divorce, retirement, and the loss of a loved one.
Mark Hoy

With over 15 years of experience in financial services, Mark established Wollemi Wealth Management in 2013. His business is built almost entirely on referrals and word of mouth — a testament to the trust, integrity, and long-term relationships he forms with his clients.
Derek Gascoigne

Derek Gascoigne is the State Manager for UniSuper Advice in Victoria and Tasmania. Derek has been with UniSuper for over 15 years, and his career in superannuation and financial services spans 27 years and counting.
Annika Bradley

Annika Bradley is Head of Advice Strategy, Research & Technical at UniSuper. She brings over 20 years of experience across investments and wealth management in both the public and private sectors.
Wayne Leggett

Wayne has been a recipient of numerous industry awards and was one of the first to qualify as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). He has been heavily involved in industry affairs at the highest level, including serving as national president of the Association of Financial Advisers (now FAAA).
Conrad Francis

Conrad Francis is the Founding Director of Inspired Money, a Perth-based financial coaching and financial planning, mortgage broking and money coaching firm he established in 2011.
Andrew Beks

Andrew Beks is a Chartered Accountant and the founder of Simplified Business and Accounting.