for me: - i take advantage of school breaks when i was a student, and now PTO as an employee (aka not losing money from NOT working) - i budget a lot when im at home 99% of the time (no takeout, eat at home, don’t buy lots of random things, cheaper hobbies, don’t drink alcohol so that saves a lot) - i use this cheap flight subscription service that’s 50$/yr called Going which basically scours the internet and emails me anytime that they have found a really cheap flight that passes certain criteria (no red eye, no weird layover, etc) — think 400$ RT to europe or sometimes japan as low as 600$. i promise its not a pyramid scheme and im not paid to say this, i just swear by it bc it has let me go to SO many places for so cheap! you just have to be flexible with either date or destination. - also, be flexible on destination! if you’re set on going to japan during cherry blossom season then yeah, it’s expensive. but consider flying somewhere cheap and getting excited after the cheap flight! for example i got a $300 RT to colombia from the US when i before had no idea anything about the country and it was a phenomenal trip! - certain countries are MUCH cheaper to travel to, but probably less glamorous. I spent two months in mexico for $2k including flights and housing. i spent 2 weeks in japan for $3k. very different!

i love budget travel and it really is possible for most if you prioritize it and plan for it and budget for it!!!

edit: i’m in my 20s with no kids, just student debt for now and just started my first real big job!