13 Ways To Travel On A Budget And Live Your Best Life 

Hello there! 

I would love for you to meet Ada and Kunle. Ada and Kunle are twenty-something year olds who have a wanderlust that is bigger than their pockets. Ada follows countless travel agencies on Instagram, and day by day she is assaulted by the alluring images of people living their best lives and having a blast at exotic locations all around the world. For Kunle, data is not even a barrier for he has a folder of countless travel destinations he pores through when he's offline. On her good days, Ada mutters “God when” and feels hopeful that one day, she too will live the baby girl lifestyle. On his bad days, Kunle has to deal with the onslaught of envy from seeing others enjoy what he wants so badly but lacks sufficient means to get- the soft life, partying on a yacht in Dubai, surrounded by a bevy of beauties.

Ada is me; Kunle could very well be you. In actuality, Ada and Kunle are many of us. But what can they (or someone like them) do? 

Well, in my opinion, they can start small.

Contrary to common belief, you don’t have to own a fortune to travel. Of course, there are levels to these things (you can’t compare a first class Ibiza trip to traveling by bus from Lagos to Accra), but regardless of the location and the means of getting there, there are common denominators that cut across every ideal travel experience: meeting new people, learning new things, having an unforgettable adventure, immersing yourself in a new culture and having fun (amongst others).These and more, are enriching travel experiences you can have almost anywhere as long as the place is safe and appealing to the senses.

Nigeria is currently being ravaged by the menace called insecurity and more than ever, one has to be careful with their touring activities. However, this should not detract from the existence of many beautiful tourist locations here in Nigeria. Exploring nice and beautiful places right here in Nigeria is one way to get started if you really want to travel on a budget. The ability to see Nigeria from the eye of a tourist can work wonders if you ask me. Thanks to the diversity of Nigeria’s geography and people, you are sure to be left wowed anytime you visit somewhere new in Nigeria. A few places worth mentioning are: Ikogosi Warm Springs in Ekiti State, Erin Ijesha waterfall in Osun State, Idanre Hills in Ondo State, Vega Waterpark in Delta State, Terra Kulture Art Gallery in Lagos and many others. Google is your friend, check them out.

If you would prefer a different, non-Nigerian vibe, maybe you’re well-traveled across Nigeria, then visiting neighboring countries might just be your best option as a budget traveler. From Benin Republic, to Ghana, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Senegal, the Gambia, Togo etc. These countries are like diamonds in the rough, they have amazing but sadly, unpopular tourist attractions that can help satisfy your wanderlust. From lovely beaches, to art centers, to historical sites, these destinations are replete with beautiful sights that will enthrall you.

                                                                  13 Pocket Friendly Travel Tips:

1. Make lots of research- once again, Google is your friend. You can also approach people around you who have traveled to these places and ask for their help.
    
2. Pick your destination(s) wisely – you can only do this once you’ve done your research and gathered relevant information.
    
3. Book your flights months in advance to get cheaper rates.
4. Find affordable accommodation.
    
5. Save money on food.
6. Carry essential and only necessary belongings.
7. Use public transport as opposed to renting a car.
8. Make friends - Meeting people and making friends has to be one of the hallmarks of traveling. But Please be careful. 
9. Pick an off season period – if you don’t want to pay through your nose, avoid Christmas and Valentine periods.
10.  Go in a group – this is cheaper and safer.
     
11.  Adopt a saving oriented lifestyle – you’ll never have any spare change for traveling if you spend everything you get.
12.  Have a budget and stick to it.

      Pro Tip

1.  Be extremely vigilant – don’t have fun and throw caution to the wind.

     If for some reason you’re unable to travel at the moment, there are still some things you can do      in the meantime. 

1. Try out new restaurants in your city. 
2. Book a staycation.
    
3. Learn a foreign language. 
    
4. Read a foreign book. I'll suggest a personal favorite: A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khalid Hosseini - this book literally took me from Nigeria and threw me in Afghanistan. I had no choice but to enjoy the ride and it was an amazing experience!
    
5. Try a new music Playlist-be open to listening to songs in other languages. 
6. See foreign movies - I don't mean Hollywood only. Korean movies are the rave of the moment, you can give them a try. 
    
7. Lastly, while doing all of the above, strategically plan your next trip!