One of the most overwhelming parts of planning a trip for me... is knowing how much money I need to save. I want to keep track on here and for anyone following along at some of the ways i've gone about doing this. So far I have a grand total of $550 and my goal by May of next year is $2500 which I am well on my way too. I still have a few expenses between now and then that I have to think about.

Airfare
Backpack
Digital Camera
Mp3 player
Visas
Vaccinations
Boots
Sandals

I'm hoping to have that $2500 AFTER all expenses. I've started using Ebay to sell some items I don't need right now and I actually sold my first Playstation game. My job is offering overtime right now but because I only work 20 hours anyway its going to be straight pay and not time and a half (bad timing on going back to school... I could have been racking in the cash) I may put in a few hours but with school and work it is VERY difficult to put in any extra time. That is probably me being lazy though. I think the biggest thing for me is the fact that I have cut back on spending to the point that I have more in savings now then I did when I worked 40 hours.

It isn't as hard as I thought it would be. I have attempted to save in the past but I never had a goal. I am guilty of eating out at restaurants and ordering a few $6 mixed drinks at bars. Those days are over though. I may treat myself to some fast food on occasion and tonight i'm going to a Thai restaurant just to get a taste for what kind of food they eat. I know its nothing close to what I would be eating when i'm there but its a start!

All I can say is... for a person in their mid 20's that is looking to save money for a trip. EAT OUT LESS and DRINK BEER. I never thought i'd reach a point in my life where I was looking for special deals and ordering things I normally wouldn't because they are cheaper.

Feels great though.