From broke to stoked in Italy

Right now I am perched up on a sunbed, at the top of a cliff somewhere along the Amalfi Coast. Sporting my bright green bikini, my brown sunglasses looking out at the most blue, picturesque corner of the world.

I have a half eaten nectarine sitting next to me, my tan is looking half decent (albeit mostly fake), and my heart is feeling very happy. The air is warm, the sky is clear and as million-dollar-boats float metres away from where I’m relaxing, I can’t help but think my holiday has been perfect.

Over the past week I have spent afternoons scooting around in an authentic light blue vespa. Found hidden beaches, and had naps in deserted coves. I floated on a boat in front of Positano, and met old Italian men as they watched the sunset.

Sitting here watching the super yachts float past, I can’t help but have a smug smile on my face because finally after 32 years, I can say that I was able to save, plan and enjoy exactly the kind of Italian holiday I have always dreamt of.

Ironically two years ago I was also in Italy, however under completely different circumstances. I booked my flights a few weeks before and genuinely felt more stressed by my finances than I did relaxed.

Two years later after seriously confronting my money habits, I can now holiday in the same country guilt-free, without sacrificing my investments (you can read more about that here).

Here are six things I have learnt between then and now that will help you do the same….

Step 1: Confronting money habits - ouch.

Before this dream holiday was even a thought, I had to confront my money habits.

Truly, our Money Reset Course was EVERYTHING when it came to getting my finances in a place where this holiday could happen. Vic created the first iteration of the course back when I hit my lowest point financially - I wasn't saving, there was $9 left in my emergency fund and I was having to sell my investments.

This course massively changed the way I budget, set money goals (like this trip) and think about my spending. 

It's built like a 2-week financial *spring clean* helping you get your money sorted so you are ready to start investing for your future. Our last intake for the year starts verrrry soon: 1st August!

Step 2: Put little bits away, often.

Try The Lazy Girl Paycheck Method. It will honestly take you 30 minutes and make a huuuuge difference.

Essentially all you need to do is figure out how much you can realistically put away each month towards your future holiday. Then AUTOMATE it to come out of your spending account and into a high yield savings account. 

Small reminder: Don't get discouraged. if you fall off the savings wagon, hop right back on next week. No one is judging you but yourself.

Step 3: Let your budget determine your holiday

Don’t book something without knowing you can cover the full amount by the time you’re meant to get on that plane, boat or in the car. Booking something outside your budget, or the realistic time to get to your goal amount is reckless and anxiety inducing.

💰 Don’t let the dream dictate the holiday.
💰 Know your budget.
💰 Know the time it will take to save that amount and book accordingly.

Step 4: Prioritise what's important - save in other areas.

Spend money on things that bring you joy. Things you actually value, rather than tonnes of sh*t you don’t care about.

For example I am writing this at one of the most beautiful beach clubs in Italy, however I am not stretching my budget by being here. I ate breakfast before I came and plan on scoffing my BYO olives, bread + drinking water rather than spending £100 on a Caprese salad. I chose to spend £30 on a lounge chair for the whole day, rather than eating expensive food.

Don’t pretend you don’t have a budget. LOL. Two years ago on my Italian holiday, every time a bill came I felt my palms clammy with sweat… and it wasn’t because of the 35 degree heat. I yo-yoed from two extremes, either blacking out when I ordered (too scared to see the prices), or ordering a side salad and no alcohol in a desperate attempt to avoid splitting the group bill. What was supposed to be a carefree Summer holiday, got real uncomfortable real quick.

This time round, I knew my daily budget. If some days I blew it, other days I did cheaper activities. For example I wanted to go on a boat, but I knew that I couldn’t afford something too expensive. I compromised and got the slowest boat in all of the Amalfi. Did it take forever? Yes. Did I get ruthlessly sunburnt? Yes. Did I have the time of my life? Yes. Did I sit on a beach and eat my packed lunch the day after? Yes.

Step 5: Don’t stretch yourself. Unless it’s your belly from too much pasta.

The point of a holiday is to feel relaxed, not riddled with anxiety about how you'll afford groceries when you get back to reality.

This time round, rather than going with a crowd of 17 friends, I decided to go on a romantic holiday with just one special person. We decided the length of time that was realistic and set a combined budget for each night of accommodation.

Rather than picking where to stay willy nilly, I stayed in one Friday night and spent 5 hours sifting through all of the accommodation websites to find something that was in the budget.

Step 6: Open communication + plan with the lowest budget in mind.

Arguably most important, have honest conversations with yourself and anyone you holiday with. What is your budget? What is theirs? If yours is higher, are you happy to compromise?

You need to plan a holiday based on what the person with the smallest budget can afford. IF you want to do something expensive that is outside the other person's budget, could you subsidise it for them? Or are they happy for you to do an activity alone if it’s out of theirs?

Expecting someone to keep up isn’t fair and puts so much awkward pressure on you both. These are all conversations you need to have before you’re parked up on an Italian beach.

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At the end of the day, it all comes down to knowing what you are (and like) spending money on. It’s about planning a holiday in advance and saving for it (thank youuuu Money Reset Course), not throwing caution to the wind and booking flights three days before.

It’s deciding if you prefer a fancy boat day, or beautiful accommodation. It’s deciding on a location that fits your budget. It’s about enjoying every dollar you spend and don’t spend. It’s about reframing your relationship with money, so that you save, spend and invest it consciously.

It shouldn’t be about restriction, it should be about creating consistency and giving yourself a choice.

Leaving space for magic and having confidence in both the way you choose to save (and spend) your money.

The course that's changed hundreds of lives, and hundreds of bank accounts for the better... ✨💸

Do you spend your money with no real plan? Live pay-check-to-pay-check? Or struggle to save, let alone invest regularly? Cue.....The Money Reset