Do you ever feel like everyone around you travels the world and glides through life like millionaires, broadcasting their ‘hot dog’ beach legs on social media, sipping cocktails in Thailand and flashing their sarongs on Nikki beach? Yet you know that most of them work full time, some of them have houses and most of them have responsibilities, so how on Earth do they do it? More to the point, how can they afford it?

Like most of us, I thought I had all the time in the world to travel. Then I dished out my only pot of savings on a deposit for a mortgage, secured a safe and satisfying job in the city and became an aunty for the second time. With so many new responsibilities, and my 30th birthday coming soon, I felt as though I was destined to stay in one place forever – but that didn’t last long.

Budget travel tip 1: Say yes when parents/family invite you on holiday (if you can)

This understandably won’t apply to everybody, and if it doesn’t apologies. Please skip to tip #2.

I’ve been very lucky as my wanderlust began right when my parents booked a beautiful villa in Ibiza and they invited me along for their annual holiday. The location was not expensive and the accommodation cost me nothing (if someone else pays for the accommodation you know you’re onto a winner!). I only needed 5 days off work for the trip and I figured that would satisfy my holiday craving for the year.

Once I arrived in Ibiza, the warm temperatures hit me like the feeling of sinking into a beautiful hot bubble bath, the sound of the waves and the smell of sardines on the BBQ made me love being away from home – this was the moment that I realised my passion for travel.

Budget travel tip 2: Don’t be afraid to be cheeky, it’s always worth asking

This is how they do it, I thought. People come away on a budget like we were. We spent most days on the beach soaking up the free sun, playing in the free sea and walking around the free streets taking in the sights. I even asked the beach sun bed attendant to lend me a body board to play with and some books which people had left on the beach, making me realise – if you don’t ask, you don’t get! This applies to everything and has since become my daily motto. Call the travel agent and ask for a price-beating quote to the one you found on the Internet. Ask the airline to throw in a free meal, ask for a hotel upgrade, ask for extra baggage allowance, ask your boss if you can take some extra holiday days from next year. The worst-case scenario is that they say no. Any other scenario and you have gained a little extra for the sake of asking. Ask ask ask, you may well be surprised.

Budget travel tip 3: Research, research, research

Once I came to the depressing conclusion that I couldn’t be happy with just one holiday, I began to scour the Internet for cheap deals anywhere. I’m not saying you can travel when you’re penniless, physically travelling will always cost something, in particular the flights. You must research as much as you can with the use of websites such as SkyScanner, budget airlines and various comparison sites.

My old University friend lives in Bondi, Australia, which got me researching the white sandy beaches and exciting nightlife – avoiding any pop ups about the creepy crawlies. I only had 5 days holiday left at work, but I was determined to make this trip happen. I got in contact with my friend in Oz who excitedly offered for me to stay with her for free (going back to the old saying ‘you don’t ask, you don’t get), which meant it was only the flights I had to battle with, after endless research I knew they wouldn’t be much, but I still needed more than I had.

Budget travel tip 4: Beg, borrow and sell

I needed more money for this trip to happen and found myself typing into the search engine ‘the quickest way to make £500’. I always remember the basic answer ‘sell your belongings’ – and that’s exactly what I did. A great tip if you are tight on money, as people will buy anything, so sell as much as you can! It didn’t affect my mortgage payments or bills and I made enough to cover my flights solely on selling my clothes online. Before I left, I also looked up ‘free things to do in Bondi’ and low and behold I found plenty for my to-do list. I had a great time going on long walks, laying on the beach and enjoying the Australian home cooking, which saved spending too much on food.

People thought I was crazy going to Australia for a week, but I have always enjoyed flying. A week off of work taking in the sights of Sydney Harbour is surely better than a week off of work watching ‘How I Met Your Mother’ repeats in my pyjamas, right?

Budget travel tip 5: Find a destination with good currency exchange rate

I had my holidays refreshed in January and looked at booking something else. I went onto a website which promised to be the cheapest package holidays around, and they were right. I managed to book my partner and I a long weekend in Prague; flights, accommodation and transfers for £65 each! We took some spending money in the form of Czech koruna, which resulted in us getting a lot for our money – a pint of beer cost around the equivalent of £1.50. It rained and it snowed whilst we were there but it still felt romantic, and for food and drink that cheap we didn’t need to go outside.

I have taken my own advice and this year I am taking one step further. In March I am attending the annual festival ‘Beyond Sahara’ which takes place in the Sahara desert, consisting of sand boarding, yoga, meditation and glamping under the stars. I only needed 2 days off work and booked well in advance to get the best deal.

Budget travel tip 6: Avoid the tourist areas

My final and most extravagant trip this year is in Fiji for 2 whole months. I asked my work for a sabbatical which was accepted (if you don’t ask, you don’t get). Most large companies grant sabbaticals if you choose to go travelling or do charity work. I have decided to volunteer with a gap year company for dramatically less money than if I was to book through a travel agent. Who says it’s just for students? It might not be the honeymoon paradise or five star tourist attraction, but travelling around Fiji on a budget and staying in a ‘home stay’ makes the experience much more real. Living in a different country with real locals, staying away from tourist areas, discovering backstreet restaurants and of course, still being able to save money sounds incredible. This rule applies anywhere in the world, so don’t get ripped off with premium tourist area prices. Explore the countryside, visit the smaller cities, and find those hidden gems along the way.

If you have any of your own budget travelling tips, I’d love to read them! Please leave a comment below.