5 Tried-And-Tested Ways To Save Enough Money To Travel The World

There isn't a Millennial among us who hasn't dreamed of quitting his or her day job and traveling the world. While this dream is achievable for some, it's not always an option for everyone else.

Whether you're saving up for a weekend or a year, here are five tried-and-true methods I have for you to save money for travel:

1. Reduce or eliminate your rent.

Move back home with mom and dad, or try grandma.

Move in with anyone who is willing to hook you up with a bedroom for less than whatever you're paying now.

Rent is the single largest expense most people have, and reducing or eliminating your rent even for a few months can help you save enough for your dream vacation... whether it's skiing in the Alps, bicycling in Austria or surfing in Bali.

2. Stop eating out. 

They aren't kidding when they say your Starbucks habit adds up. It's easy to spend a little money here and there, but do you really know how much you're wasting on coffee?

Would you rather spend $25 this week for coffee on your commute, or enjoy a cappuccino and Cornetto every morning in the piazza in Rome? The choice is yours.

Prepare your own meals and pack snacks for when you're tempted to grab something on the go. And don't worry: You can still socialize with your friends by having them over for dinner.

Host a potluck, or try making new cocktails at home. By eating in every night, not only will you hone your cooking skills, eat healthier and save money, but you'll also appreciate the homemade carbonara in Rome that much more.

3. Start a side hustle... or two. 

Have you heard of Upwork? Once you complete your profile, you can start applying for side gigs. They have a ton of options, including data entry, design, fact-checking and copywriting.

The best part? You can do them on your own time, from the comfort of your own home.

Or are you more of a hands-on kind of laborer? Check out Craiglist for local listings, or pick up a couple of shifts at a restaurant as a hostess or server.

The best part about working in a restaurant is the cash in your hand. When you're at the open market in Barcelona, you'll be glad you worked the extra hours.

4. Unsubscribe. - save money for travel

Are you serious about traveling, or are you serious about "Shameless"? All those subscriptions every month are costing you big money.

Cancel all your magazines. (Heard of the internet?)

Get rid of your cable subscription... there's nothing on TV anyway.

Unsubscribe from all your streaming services. Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Showtime, Amazon and even Spotify are all costing you too much money every month.

Even entertainment junkies can strengthen their friendships by using their friends' accounts, or watching shows together now and again.

5. Sell your stuff.

List your old furniture and appliances on Craigslist. Also, eBay isn't free, but it can be great for selling stuff of higher value, like any collectibles you have.

Try Facebook to sell books, movies and video games to the friends in your network. For selling clothing, hit up consignment shops like Plato's Closet, or use services like ThredUp.

Sorting your old clothes makes you realize how much junk you've accumulated over the years, and will leave you surprised at how much you just don't wear.

With all that new space in your closet, you'll be able to justify buying that new Italian leather bag you'll inevitably fall in love with in Florence.

These methods are basic, but they're tried and true... trust me. You'll be beachside in Valencia before you know it.

A version of this post originally appeared on the author's personal blog.