1. What is my budget?

First step is asking myself how much I want to spend. After careful consideration of weather, mood, and timing, I narrow down the list of places I can reach under my current circumstances.

2. Am I flying or driving?

This is the question that can drastically change my plans. After many many long road trips, I have finally found that the maximum amount of time I can sit still in a car is for about 10 hours. If you enjoy driving and watching the scenery, consider boarding states for your starter trips. When you are choosing to fly, you have to consider flight tickets into your budget.

3. Where am I staying?

Airbnb. Airbnb. Airbnb. My go-to website for every place that I choose to stay. I will never stay at a hotel again! If you are on a budget, consider checking out your Airbnb options before looking at hotels. To the readers who do not like the idea of staying at another persons home, you can ask the host and most of time it is just their vacation home or a rental home for other travelers.

4. How Am I Paying?

Ah, yes. This was always the factor that stopped me from going on many trips. Do NOT let this stop you! You finally put in all your information, you are ready to check out, and you see the price. Do not be scared of a price unless you can not afford it. Think about a miles credit card if you prefer to fly. Choose the card that has the most money. If you are going with another person, only one can pay. Decide who wants to put the transaction on their card without becoming in debt which should be repaid from the next person as soon as possible. Choose wisely, but do not stop here.

5. PLAN & PACK

I finally booked it! I usually am booked 2 months ahead but I love spontaneous trips. With the way I travel, there is no telling how long I have to plan and pack. I usually have an idea of where I am going beforehand. Sometimes, I even do some researching on the way to my destination. I like to make an itinerary and have an idea of what I have planned to do, but my rule is, it does not have to be followed. Unless you are travelling somewhere deserted, toiletries and other things can be bought at your destination if you forgot something. *Travelers tip: PACK LIGHT!

That’s the one question I always get asked from family and friends.

1. Confidence

You may be wondering why confidence is number one on this list. It is because most people are afraid to leave the comforts of their everyday routines. Complaining of boredom and the same things everyday will not do any good for a soul who is just looking to do something out of the ordinary. To many people, the money spent on travelling is money that is wasted. To people who believe otherwise, they think the places and memories are worth more than any price. The key to finding happiness in travelling is starting off small. For my fellow Michiganders, take bliss in the time spent at the lake during the summer. Soon, you too will realize that stepping out of your comfort zone is what makes you happy. Although, not everyone may feel like this but it never hurts to try. Nobody can tell you what makes you happy is a waste of money, it just takes confidence.

2. Having A Budget

Number 2 might make more sense, being a college student and such. The one thing you need being a traveler is, money. Regardless if you are on a budget or not. For a lot of people, your income may come from your job, for others it may in a different form of payment. Nonetheless, you need to make sure you have enough money for the trip you have planned. Pro tip: never book a vacation that puts you in debt. THERE IS NO WRONG WAY TO BUDGET. Make a savings account dedicated to trips, put an envelope aside to put in extra cash laying around, even in the smallest ways, piggy banks for your change. Any way that helps you save your money, is a good way of doing it! I for one, use a savings account, where I put $20 or more a side from every check I receive. This helps me get to at least 1 trip a year, plus money saved for the next one. Of course you could put more or less! Find your strategy and work with it!

3. Travel Buddy(ies)

You do not actually have to follow this last step but I always prefer it. As I am a female, I have anxiety travelling alone, especially when it is somewhere far from home. I have taken many road trips to see scenery but I always find comfort in the surroundings of my friends, boyfriend, and family when it comes to travelling. Having a travel buddy may also ease your stress on the money situation. Things get a lot easier when they are split half and half (besides airplane tickets.) This is just a recommendation but for being a young traveler, I would like to enjoy it in the company and safety of people I know. And no, this will never stop you from making new friends along the way! Travel in the ways you find comfort and safety in to make sure you are having a good time.

I go to seek a great perhaps.

— John Green.

Welcome to my blog! For those of you who are new, my name is Melanie but I prefer to be called “Mel.”

If you are an adventurer, you have come to the right place. Feel free to navigate through my site at your own personal freedom!

I know people come here for my ‘travel diary’ entries and my amazing travel tips for budget travelers so I will make my introduction short and sweet.

At only 20 years old, I have traveled to parts of the world some may never see and places you think only exist in movies. I have a deep connection to the world around me and find nature to be my spiritual guide. I do not enjoy working out, but I will hike a mountain for 4 hours just to see water fall (Get it? Waterfall). I am the oldest of three, first of my name, dog mom of Milo, and watcher of stars.

If you are my professor and have more questions regarding myself, please refer to the “about me” page for more information. Thanks!

As for my blog viewers and readers- thank you for spending the time to visit my personal diary, it truly is something I have always wanted to share with people and hope you feel the same way that I do when I explore this beautiful world.