'The Lonely Planet's Southeast Asia on a Shoestring was the first book I picked when I decided to quit my job and tour the world. The purchase of the guidebook was the first step I took toward 'long-term travel'. As a result, it made the vacation feel closer to reality. Suddenly, everything seemed doable.
'

'
'

'However, the book did not adequately prepare me for a journey across the world. I was happy and driven but completely lost in the shuffle. I had to piece things together as I went, crossing my fingers that I didn't overlook anything crucial.

'
'

'Determine Your Destination First

'
'

'Having a goal in mind gives you something to work for. Travel is something that is often mentioned in passing. That they are departing is the only thing they ever reveal. Deciding where you want to go is critical since it provides focus and direction.

'
'

'In fact, "I'm going to Paris in the summer" is a far more manageable phrase to remember than "I'm traveling to Europe or somewhere else." It will be easier to organize your vacation now that you have a clear picture of what you want to accomplish when you go on your trip. Focus on the specifics of your goals.

'
'

'Determine Your Trip's Length

'
'

'How much does it cost to go somewhere new? The answer to that question is that it all depends! I'm afraid I'm unable to provide an answer to that question without knowing how long you plan to be gone. It's a question you must answer before you can begin preparing! How much money you'll need to put aside depends on the length of your vacation.

'
'

'How long you plan to away affect the amount of money you require. If you're still not sure, give it some thought. "I'm traveling to Paris this summer for X days," for example, should be followed by "for."

'
'

'Are You Going Alone or With Someone?

'
'

''

'
'

'Choosing whether or not to travel alone or with a companion is one of the most important decisions you'll have to make. They're both excellent choices, but they're also quite different. When you travel alone, you have the flexibility to go wherever you choose. There will be no wiggle room. You follow the direction of the wind!

'
'

'There are certain drawbacks, including that you'll have to do all the planning on your own. Organizing a trip is easier when you're traveling with someone else. It will save you time while planning your trip and provide someone to talk to while you're on the road.

'
'

'Do a Cost Analysis

'
'

'Your 'destination' and length of stay have been determined, but the following step is to determine how much money you'll need by researching prices in your chosen mode of transportation in your chosen location. Do you prefer to backpack or stay in posh hotels?

'
'

'The more you know, the more prepared you'll be for your trip. Here's how to make a price comparison:

'
'

'
• 'Invest in a guidebook beforehand.
'
• 'Check out my travel advice section.
'
• 'Please find out how much it costs to do the things you want on your vacation by searching for them on Google.
'

'
'

'That's all you need to do. Going down the rabbit hole of overplanning can only lead to being overwhelmed by the torrential flow of information available on the internet. You'll be OK if you stick to these four points!

'
'

'Begin a Savings Plan

'
'

''

'
'

'Knowing how much money you have and how much you spend is the first step toward 'conserving money'. Set up a budget by making a list of all the things you currently spend money on, then see where you can make savings.

'
'

'People spend a lot of money daily on minor things like a coffee or a snack. The total comes to a lot. You must first understand your spending patterns before you can modify them. It's simple enough to make a to-do list. It will also help you better understand your financial situation.

'
'

'In other words, if you need to save USD 2,000 for your vacation in eight months, you must put aside USD 8.33 daily. Surely you could come up with a solution to save USD 8 daily.

'
'

'Get a Travel Rewards Credit Card.

'
'

'I get tons of free flights, hotel stays, and other travel perks every year, thanks to the points and miles I earn through travel credit cards. When you satisfy the spending requirements of most credit cards, you can get a bonus of up to 50,000 points. You could fly to practically every country on the globe for free with that many miles!