Once you’ve worked out your travel budget, it’s time to be pro-active and dedicate a substantial amount of your time to reaching your target sum. If you are wondering where on earth to start, follow our steps to a happy bank balance:

Earning money

There is really no way round this one – to earn money, you are going to have to make time for a paid job. If you already have one but don’t seem to be able to save any money, increase your working hours or perhaps even take a second job to make up the balance. Even working at a fast-food restaurant once a week could save you thousands over two years – it all depends how long you have to save.

Saving money

If you can’t find the time to work more hours, you may have to sacrifice your social life instead. Stay in more (or at least visit friends’ houses rather than going out in the evenings), or even consider moving back in with your parents for a while, if that’s what it takes. Alternatively, use your imagination and come up with a plan to help you raise some cash.

Fundraising can be great fun and demonstrates a skill in itself. You could sell things, organise a local concert, get people to sponsor you to do something out of character… The possibilities are endless.

Trusts and grants

Another way to raise funds could be to obtain help from one of the many trusts or charitable bodies that offer grants to travellers. There are national bodies such as the Prince’s Trust that offer travel grants, but mostly it is local funds and charities that offer money to 16- to 24-year-olds. Visit www.grantsforindividuals.org.uk or go to your local library and use the Directory of Grant Making Trusts as a guide to your options.

Organising your money

So, you have the cash – now where to stash it all? Before you go, it is advisable to set up a separate bank account for your savings. This keeps your money safe from your day-to-day spending, and if you do this early enough and put it in a savings account, you can add to your money in interest. Also consider getting a debit or credit card if you haven’t got one already – this is always good to have in case of an emergency.

Travellers’ cheques are a far safer form of money than cash, although it is also a good idea to carry a small amount of cash on you. Strap any spare cash securely to yourself, under your clothes, and steer clear of crowded areas and too much alcohol.

Before you leave, also think about adding someone you trust (such as your parents) as a signatory to your bank account – this means that they can do things to your account while you are away, and immediately transfer money in case of an emergency. Ask you bank for more information on this.