Reading is an adventure
that never ends
– Charles Shulz
One of the best ways for us to travel is with our own imagination. It may sound cliche but Charles Shulz was onto something magical, reading is an adventure! Think of the writers who brought you books that you will read over and over again, are you transported to a new place? Can you imagine the taste, smells, or emotions that the characters were feeling? That’s the power of reading!
I remember getting those Scholastic book fair catalogs in elementary school, rushing home, and circling all the books I was hoping to get. Finally, the day had come, I would walk into the school Library with the money I begged my mom for and pick my new adventure. “Magic Tree House” and “The Boxcar Children” were among my favorites, wondering where the next journey would take us. I still get excited anytime I walk into a library or book store, a library card is a mini passport waiting for stamps. What would be in your “reading passport”? Maybe Middle Earth or the Forbidden Forest?
So let’s celebrate reading and continue the adventure by simply opening a book.
Finding cheap travel gear on a budget can be hard and frustrating. The anger that takes over when you decided to take the plunge and buy that expensive gear only to see it on sale 3 months later makes you want to Hulk SMASH! Don’t worry, I’m here to help you find the best deals for gear that won’t break the bank, so you can spend more on your travels.
Research!
What are you looking for? A reliable suitcase, stylish but warm winter coat, the perfect hat that says “Yeah, I’m on vacation”, or maybe you have no idea what you need but you need to find it. Doing a quick Google search will bring up endless possibilities and somewhere in the haystack you’ll find the deal.
A large source of my travel gear I find on Amazon, they usually have great prices and most time free shipping. I don’t make this my final stop though, I find what I’m looking for and keep their price in mind as my starting point.
I find so much travel gear at thrift stores and I get excited every time. It’s fun to think about the history of the item, what places has it been? Did someone just buy it for one trip? You’ll be surprised at what you can find at a thrift store…travel or not. One of my favorite Reddit threads is “Thrift Store Hauls”, people are constantly sharing their amazing finds for a fraction of the cost.
scary huh? but don’t let that stop you from finding gold
Dig high and low! Check the book section for travel guides or maps of places you’re planning on visiting. They may be a few years old but most of the content will still be accurate for general things to see and do. You may even find a book for a destination you haven’t thought about visiting yet and add it to the bucket list
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Scan through the clothing racks, there’s no need to spend $800 on a coat when you can score a North Face jacket for $15. Look out for good walking shoes or boots, you can find name brands barely worn. Funny enough when I decided to do this post I went to a local thrift store to gather pictures when I found this Travelon anti-theft bag during a 50% off sale for only $7 when it retails for $65, so happy!
Found this in that scary mess I mentioned, brand new only $3
Don’t stop there, next check out the techy section, display cases, and cosmetic bags area. Target will send their after-clearance items to Goodwill Industries, sometimes even items that were opened but never used but they clearly couldn’t be put back on the shelf. That’s how I found brand-new adapters for half the price.
Don’t forget garage sales when the season is right.
Off Price Retailers
I always take a look at Ross or Burlington for travel accessories like luggage locks or travel pillows. I got a pair of Skullcandy headphones for less than $10 when they retail for $40. Costco will have luggage deals from time to time if you’re a member, and great quality too. Look for the nearest outlet mall/store for past season items at a discount some even have extra discounts on their sale stuff.
Friend Swap Travel Gear
Share travel gear with your friends and coworkers, it’s a great way to test out an item that you’re not ready to buy yet. Obviously, if you damage the item you are expected to replace it. As I write this a friend is borrowing one of my Travelon bags while she explores Europe. We’re a community, we have to help each other follow our dreams.
Where do you like to find your travel gear on a budget?
