Have you been keeping your savings account padded, while dreaming of white beaches or city adventures? You’re not alone. A new survey by autoeurope.co.uk has found that millions of British adults are secretly saving cash without their partner’s knowledge.
The average woman has saved £2,768, while the average man has £4,234 stashed away. 41% said they do this because they like their financial independence, while 23% say that their other half is simply terrible with money.
Interestingly, 27% are saving because they’re dreaming of a sun-soaked holiday. 38% want to go to Europe for a break, while 30% want a tropical holiday, and they want to go without their partner.
If you’re saving money for travel, and you haven’t talked to your partner about your goals, it may be a good idea to get on the same page. If you have a conversation about how much you’d like to travel, you may be surprised to learn that your partner also wants to go abroad, and you can save together. When you have a common goal, it’s easier to reach it as you can check in with each other and keep each other committed and motivated.
On the other hand, if you’re desperate to take a trip solo, why not just tell your partner? Sure, you may be afraid that they’ll be offended, but it’s becoming more and more common for people to travel solo now, even when they have a partner at home.
I’m a big believer in solo travel- or even just having some time away from your partner and traveling with friends. But I think any good relationship should be based on communication. If you can’t communicate your desire to save money for travel, is this the person you really want to be with?
If you’re trying to save for travel, there are a few things you can do to make it happen. Personally, my first step was to pay off my credit cards so I wouldn’t need to worry about paying the interest each month. The same should go for any large debts you’re sitting on. Of course, you don’t need to wait until you’re completely debt-free to travel, but if you set a debt-repayment goal, a nice holiday can be a great reward for meeting that goal.
The next step is to plan well in advance. Consider which countries you’re interested in, and then do some research based on the most expensive. By choosing a country that’s less expensive, you’ll be able to do more for less money, and stay in nicer accommodation without breaking the bank.
Finally, commit to putting at least a little bit of money away each week. Do this as soon as you get paid, so you’re not tempted to go ahead and spend your cash on nights out or new clothes. As you see your money build up, you’ll find it’s easier to save and more rewarding.
Are you secretly saving for travel? Leave a comment below and let me know. And check out this awesome infographic by AutoEurope.co.uk below:
