How to save $15,000 for my trip in 2012

Oh, it is South America. So I am very interested in which route you are planning to do. I suggest you travel independently for some of your trip and take a tour for the part you would find most challenging on your own. The way I managed to travel for over one year around the world was let out my cottage, pay for my ticket out of my redundancy money, take my savings with me and get a working holiday visa for Australia. I stayed in youth hostels and did a little camping. I worked as a children's nanny, factory worker and charity collector. I had a monthly income from the letting out of my home. I didn't leave home with very much money. Whilst you are saving I suggest you borrow library books that are travel guides for individual countries in South America. If you need a vaccination for Yellow Fever you could get if free in Santa Marta in Colombia. It is valid ten days later.

I don't own any property. I do have a car which might have to sell to do the trip. I'm assuming that redundancy money is like unemployment insurance here in canada. We can only qualify for this is we get laid off or cant work due to medical reasons. Neither of these apply to me. I know I could do my trip a lot cheaper but I really have my heart set on this tour. I do have a back up tour of just peru thats half the price. Tour: $7879 Plane ticket: estimating $1000 ( to be on safe side) Volunteering in Galapolosis for 6 months: $2000 Total: $10, 879 I say $15,000 total to pay for stuff like visa in ecuador, vacinations, travel insurance, tax, and day to day expenses. I have $761 towards the tour itsself from airmiles. This is my exact itinerary: http://www.gapadventures.com/trips/great-south-american-journey-rio-to-quito/JRQ/2011/ Day 1 Arrive Rio de Janeiro Arrive in Rio at any time. Day 2-10 Paraty /Ilha Grande/ Iguassu Falls From Rio we head south on Day 2 along the Atlantic coast to the port of Angra dos Reis, and onward by ferry to Ilha Grande. Relax and enjoy a cool Caipirinha on the beach, or try surfing. Further down the mainland coast we encounter the quaint colonial town of Paraty, an architectural gem famous for its churches. After Paraty we head west to the magnificent Foz do Iguaçu, or Iguassu falls, which borders Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. Day 11-15 Salto / Montevideo / Colonia From Brazil we cross through Argentina to the Uruguayan city of Salto, famous for its thermal baths. After some time in the capital city of Montevideo, travel along the shores of the Rio de la Plata to charming colonial Colonia del Sacramento before crossing back into Argentina. Day 15-17 Buenos Aires Cross the Rio de la Plata by ferry to reach the dynamic city of Buenos Aires. There is much to do in this vibrant metropolis, with plenty of museums, theatres, and historical areas. Be sure to visit the colourful neighbourhoods of La Boca, San Telmo, and the Recoleta, and catch some tango at one of the many tanguerias, or tango houses. Day 18-21 Nightbus / Bariloche After a full day exploring the capital, board a night bus to Bariloche, in Upper Patagonia. A popular resort town for Argentines, the spectacular surroundings of Bariloche offer loads of outdoor options like hiking, biking, parapenting, lake tours, and skiing/snowboarding. Day 22-23 Puerto Montt/Puerto Varas Journey through the Andes of Southern Argentina, cross into Chile and arrive at Puerto Montt, Chile’s most important southern port and the gateway to Patagonia. Take a day trip to the island of Chiloé and sample the seafood! Day 24-26 Pucón Continue north to the Lake District of Chile, and the town of Pucón, a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. Climb a volcano, hike, go rafting, mountain biking or skiing/snowboarding (in season). Day 27-28 Nightbus / Santiago Take a night bus to Chile’s largest city and capital, Santiago. Explore the many museums and parks, and visit the vibrant neighbourhood of Bellavista to see some handicrafts and trendy cafés. Day-trips include a trip to Valparaiso and Viña del Mar, Chile’s premier beach resort, and to Isla Negra, Pablo Neruda’s seaside home. Day 29-30 Santiago Santiago is known equally for its museums and parks and its vineyards and ski resorts. Visit the vibrant Bellavista neighbourhood or go exploring. Day-trips include Valparaiso and Viña del Mar, Chile’s premier beach resort, and Isla Negra, Pablo Neruda’s seaside home. Day 31-32 La Serena A journey north takes us to the seaside city of La Serena. Take a tour to the Elqui Valley and visit a Pisco factory, or stop by one of the numerous international astronomical observatories scattered throughout the valley. Day 33-35 Nightbus / San Pedro de Atacama A night bus brings us further north to the dry, desert regions of the country, where we arrive at the small desert oasis of San Pedro de Atacama. Optional excursions include biking, exploring nearby ruins, horseback riding, or a tour of the Valley of the Moon. Day 36-38 4x4 Atacama Desert Crossing Excursion / Uyuni (2B,3L,2D) Climbing almost 3000 metres into the Chilean altiplano, we embark on our 3 day desert crossing into Bolivia. A surreal landscape awaits between the Salar de Uyuni and the Atacama Desert (Chile), the driest in the world. Travel by 4X4 and marvel at the contrast of piercing blue skies and blinding white salt on the flat lakebed. Day 39-40 Potosí The highest city of its size in the world, UNESCO declared Potosí a World Heritage Site in recognition of its tragic history in the mining of silver during the time of Spanish colonization. Option to visit the silver mines of today. Day 41-43 Sucre With beautiful architecture and plenty of good museums, the city has much to offer during our two days here. Optional activities include visits to dinosaur footprints, an old tin baron’s mansion, and a textile cooperative. Day 44 Sucre/Night bus to La Paz Spend a final day enjoying the colonial beauty of Sucre before boarding an overnight bus heading through the Bolivian highlands to La Paz. Day 45-47 La Paz Considered the highest capital city in the world, La Paz offers streets lined with market stalls and vendors. This vibrant atmosphere makes it the perfect city to explore by foot. Day 48-50 Puno Drive through the altiplano to the town of Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Stay with a family on Amantani Island and visit the unique Uros floating islands. Day 51-58 Cuzco/Ollantaytambo/Inca Trail (3B,3L,3D) A full day’s bus journey takes us through the high Altiplano region to get from Puno to Cuzco, the capital of the Inca Empire. The landscape is dramatic. Explore the colonial centre and ancient Incan capital of Cuzco before heading out on the Inca Trail. Ollantaytambo is a major Inca ruin site and the starting point for this once in a lifetime journey. Local porters and guides ensure that the trip is worry free, and days are filled with fascinating ruins and spectacular mountain scenery. On the final day, if lucky, watch the sunrise over Machu Picchu and the surrounding Andean mountain peaks from the Sun Gate. Day 59-63 Arequipa / Colca Canyon The beautiful colonial city of Arequipa is the departure point for our excursions to the Colca Canyon, one of the world's deepest. Watch for Andean condors soaring and nesting against the towering canyon walls. Day 64-65 Nazca / Pisco (D) Nazca is best known for the mysterious Nazca Lines, where an optional flight is the best way to get a bird’s eye view. In the evening assist in the preparation of a "Pachamanca", an ancient ceremonial meal where a variety of delicious treats are wrapped in banana leaves, buried in the ground, and slow-cooked with pre-heated rocks. Head north to Pisco, famous for the drink of the same name, is the starting point for excursions to the Ballestas Islands. Day 66-68 Lima Lima's museums are filled with cultural treasures, reflecting a long and varied history. The ‘City of Kings,’ Lima is filled with colonial buildings, and boasts excellent cafes and great nightlife. Day 69-72 Huanchaco / Mancora Heading north from Lima along the coast, we reach Trujillo, the largest city in northern Peru, known for the nearby Chan-Chan ruins and the resort town of Huanchaco where we spend the evening. Enjoy the relaxing beach atmosphere in Mancora before heading north across the border. Day 73-74 Cuenca Cuenca is a laid-back colonial gem filled with galleries and museums. Cajas National Park and the ruins of Ingapirca are possible day trips. Day 75-76 Baños A great climate makes this area perfect for hiking, and optional activities include mountain biking, horseback riding and rafting. A dip in the famous hot springs offers a welcome end to the day. Day 77- 81 Quito/Amazon Jungle Homestay (3B,3L,3D) Ecuador's World Heritage capital has a rich colonial past. We include a journey into the lush Amazon jungle From Quito I plan to go to the Galapolsis and volunteer for 6 months.

Well its a year long trip.... and I've inflated the amount of money I need to have just in case. I could do the trip on my own through wooofing and a lot cheaper but I really want to go on the tour. I'm kinda afraid to travel around south america by myself.

Thanks I actually do Airmiles. The tour company that I want to use takes airmiles. I'm going to call them tomorrow to see how many it will take for my entire trip. I think I might have enough to take $500 off the trip. I'm going to start using my airmiles credit card for everything and then pay it off right away.

I phoned them and I have $761 worth of airmiles towards the tour. This is a great start! lol only $7000 more dollars and the tour cost is covered.

Thanks for your tips! I just spend my money on stupid stuff. I need to stop that. In the past month I did have a car accident which cost me about $500.... definately beyond my control. I pay $500/month for rent currently and it includes electricity, water, cable, and internet. I pretty much just pay for my car insurance, gas, rent, and food. I had to buy a bunch of new stuff for my job up here. $70 on clothing. $30 to get pants hemmed. $130 on new shoes. $40 on makeup. but I'm leaving this job now so hopefully all will work out. cheers

not an option for me!

I don't have a lot of expenses right now but I do eat out a lot. I've been trying to cut back on this for years. I've been somewhat successful. I'm actually moving to the Yukon for a bit. I won't be making much per hour but I have free room and board. I'm going to put storage insurance on my car and leave it in Vancouver. I'm also going to cancel my cell phone when I get to the Yukon. I'll be living in a tiny village so there won't be much to spend money on. The only expense I really will have is paying off my credit card debt and coin laundry. My parents are buying me warm clothing for christmas and the bus ticket up to the yukon.