What Not to Forget When Budgeting For A Trip Abroad

I recently took a trip to India. Per my usual modus operandi, I approached it from a standpoint of frugality. I booked a tour and flight through Student Universe, an organization that offers budget travel arrangements for students and young adults.

The tour and flight were relatively inexpensive, totaling about $1600.  I knew I'd have to budget some additional money for food and activities while abroad, but I didn't take into account some of the other costs associated with traveling.

Don't get me wrong, my trip was well worth every dollar I spent but as I plan for my next adventure abroad, I'll be sure to take the following expenses into account. If you're planning a trip in the near future, read on for a list of things you should be prepared to pay for...

1. Passport and Visa Fees- If you do not already have a passport, you'll need to apply for one. It'll cost you $110 plus an execution fee. The execution fee varies depending on where you apply. If you go to a nearby Passport Agency, you'll need to pay $60. If you choose to apply at an authorized acceptance facility (usually a post office, library, or municipal building) it's only $25. And don't forget that you'll need a passport photo. CVS, Walgreens, and Duane Reade all provide this service at about $10 per photo.

Visa fees depend on the country you are visiting but generally do not cost more than $50. ProjectVisa.com provides a searchable database of visa requirements and costs.

2. Transportation to and from the airport- Planning on taking a cab or renting an Uber? Budget enough money so that you're not stranded at the airport on your return. My suggestion is to take public transportation on your way to the airport and splurge on a taxi on the way back.

3. Vaccines-If you're going to a remote destination, take into consideration that you will need to be properly vaccinated against infectious diseases prevalent in the country you'll be visiting. Most health insurance plans do not cover travel-related vaccinations so be prepared to pay out of pocket. The CDC provides destination-specific information on required and suggested vaccines.

4. Travel Insurance- On the topic of insurance, travel insurance is an optional expense that may be a prudent option. Most plans are between $20 and $100 depending on how extensive your coverage is. It's a wise option if you're traveling out of the country for an extended period of time.

5. Pet Care-If you're a pet owner, this can be a hefty expense. I would suggest having a friend check-in on your furry friend as this is probably the most cost-effective option. If you're looking for a professional service, I personally recommend Throw Me a Bone. They are a fabulous pet care company that works throughout Manhattan. Just let them know the Penniless Prima Donna referred you!

Find Free and Cheap Events in NYC

When looking for stuff to do in New York, it's easy to become overwhelmed. There are so many events, so many places to see, and so many things to do. It's a downright drag though to find an event that sounds super fun and then realize it costs more than a week's worth of groceries. Thanks, but no thanks. 

Lucky for us nickel-less New Yorkers, we have The Skint. The Skint (which is British slang for poor) is a website that publishes a list of the best free and cheap events happening in New York each day. Posted around 2 PM on weekdays, the list includes events like pop up markets, concerts, lectures, and parties. They also post a weekend report on Friday nights for events happening on Saturday and Sundays. I have been a faithful reader of the Skint for many years now and can honestly say that I've discovered some of my very favorite spots from their recommendations. It is truly the best resource for fun free and cheap events in New York. You don't have to spend an arm and a leg in New York to have a good time, I promise.

So take a peek, you won't be disappointed!

Best Affordable Yoga Studio in NYC

I recently got super into doing yoga. I had no trouble finding a yoga studio, there seems to be one on every block, but I had difficulty finding one that I felt was both well led and affordable. My options were either paying $30 for an hour long class or settling for a free one inside a dingy, sketchy studio. I was determined to find a happy medium so I tested out several different studios that offer inexpensive classes. The best one by far is Yoga to the People.

There are so many things to love about Yoga to the People.

1. All skill levels are welcome- There are beginners and people who look like they've been doing yoga all their lives. Instructors encourage participants to modify or intensify any of the poses according to their skill level. 

2. Classes all the time- there are classes all day, every day so it's easy to find one that fits into your schedule. The classes are on a first come, first serve basis and do not require registration. Classes are popular but in the few month's I've been going, I've only been to two or three class where they reached capacity. 

3. So many locations- there are five studios in NYC so it's easy to find one that's close by.

4. Most importantly for this girl...it's inexpensive. None of the classes cost more than $10 and many are donation based. You leave whatever contribution you can in a tissue box on your way out. There is absolutely no judgement! Patrons who don't want to schlep their mat (or don't have one) can rent a mat for just $2.

Check out their website for the full class schedule and enjoy zenning out without spending an arm and a leg.

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Yoga to the People in any way and my opinions are entirely my own.

Easy, Healthy, and Cheap Brown Bag Lunches

I know you've heard it a million times but packing a lunch saves SO MUCH money! How much money? Let's do a quick estimate:

Let's say that the average cost of a take-out lunch in NYC is about $6, and that's being very conservative. If you buy lunch every weekday, that's $30 a week. That may not seem like a lot but if you could cut that cost in half and packed lunches that cost around $3, you'd save almost $800 a year. 

One of the biggest deterrents to packing a lunch is that there simply is not enough time and brown bag lunches are tasteless. I've been packing a lunch (and sometimes a dinner too) almost everyday for the last three years and I've got it down to a science. Most of the lunches I pack don't involve cooking and can be thrown together in 15 minutes or less.

Read on for some of my go-to options:

How to Keep Your Tab Small When Dining with Friends

Let's be honest, having a social life and being on a budget is really hard sometimes. It seems like every time I hang out with my friends I end up spending money, especially on dining out. It's a tough situation because I don't want to miss out on spending time with my friends but I also know that I only have so much disposable income to spend on eating out.  When there's a get together at a restaurant that's a little out of my price range or if I've already spent the bulk of my "going out" money, I follow a few simple tricks to keep my dinner bill small so I don't have to miss out on the fun.

Enjoying a low-cost meal with friends...notice the bowl of soup!

1. Stick with water- That Sprite or Coke just tacks on an extra $2 to the price of your meal. You could buy a whole liter of the stuff for the same price!

2. Order an appetizer as your entree- Appetizers are almost always less expensive than entrees. Look for ones that are meant to be shared by the table like calamari or a pizzetta. You'll get an ample amount of food without breaking the bank.

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3. Order the soup!- I am a huge fan of ordering soup as my entree. Substantially cheaper than an entree, most restaurants feature a soup of the day that usually come in a hearty portion with a side of bread. 

4. Opt for dessert elsewhere- Yes, that cheesecake looks amazing, but is it really worth $5 dollars? Probably not. If I really need a sugar fix after dining out, I buy a candy bar on my way home. It's a much cheaper way to satisfy my sweet tooth.

There you have it, by following these tips you can enjoy the time you're spending with friends instead of worrying about how much it's costing you. And remember, don't over-restrict yourself. If you're dying to try a signature big-ticket dish at a new restaurant or heard rave reviews about a dessert on the menu, go for it!  Use these tips for those times when the food is less of a priority than the people you're with.