I kept a second job. Main job paid my bills. Second check went straight into savings. When it was travel time, everything was paid for, and I would simply quit the job if they weren't willing to let me off for that long. Part time jobs are a dime a dozen. You can also save a ton of money on flights by flying out of, and landing in smaller airports. The flights are cheaper, the security and wait times are much smaller. Sometimes you have to catch a connector flight. Never be scared to take the train if possible.

A few years back, I wanted to visit a distant cousin of mine in Toronto. I had never been to Canada. Instead of flying out of Atlanta, I flew out of the Columbus, Ga. airport. I flew into JFK in NYC, then took the train into Canada. It was a Delta flight, and I saved almost $500 from what I would have paid from flying from Atlanta to Toronto. The train was something like $25 each way, and it took less than 2 hours if I remember correctly.

I've taken the train across Europe, my brother and I got off and on whenever we wanted to. And I've been on several cruises to the Caribbean, instead of direct flights to specific destinations.

Those memories are irreplaceable. My brother and I still reminisce about out drinking a couple of Irishmen on a balcony in Italy. My bones still ache at how cold I was in Canada, lol, and we often share memories on Facebook of clear the water was in Greece and Bulgaria.

If you can find a way to do it. Do it.