Money and Fundraising Articles and Travel Advice
Money Saving Tips for Would-be Travellers
The thing about gap years is they quite a bit of cost money (bugger). That's why we thought you'd like some money saving tips for would-be travellers.
Travel on a Budget
How do you make your backpacking kitty go further? Here are some tips from experienced backpackers and gapyear.com members on how to travel on a budget.
Horrible Holiday Spending Habits
On your gap year you can convert your money in a number of ways. You can obtain your travel money before you leave, but if you’re travelling for months on end and travelling to a number of countries, then that isn’t very practical. Also, you can convert your money using traveller’s cheques, bureaux de change or ATMs abroad.
Travel Money Tips
Travel money tips are like gold, as let's be honest, travel money can get a little confusing at times. That's why it helps to have some travel money tips.
James Mooney’s Budget Guide to China
If you ever get the feeling you’re a bit cramped in China then remember one thing - the population's 1.3 billion. China can hit you hard with culture shock and in my experience it’s the country with the biggest cultural difference with the UK or other western countries. You're completely on your own. Even words like OK and TAXI don’t work here.
What is a Prepaid Card?
This is a payment card that can be topped-up with money by you or somebody else. It looks just the same as any chip and pin debit / credit card with a card number / signature strip and company branding. But prepaid cards are unlike credit cards, which provide you with a line of credit. They are also very different from debit cards that are linked to a bank account with an overdraft facility. This is because you can't borrow money with a prepaid card - you can only spend the money you have topped-up the account with.
Volunteering Bursaries: A Guide by Hannah Jones
If you would like to volunteer on your gap year but are not in a position to fund this yourself, then you may be eligible for a bursary. Lots of companies offer bursaries and eligibility varies from company to company. Below is an example of one company's bursary scheme.
Managing Your Money on the Road
It's easy to get confused when shopping abroad, particularly if you're travelling from country to country, dealing with different currencies in each one. Don't get caught out and buy what you think is a bargain wall-hanging for seven quid, only to find you've actually spent £70.
Fundraising Diaries - “I Cycled from London to Rome”
1,500 miles, 18 days, two 18 year olds, no support vehicle, four countries and one mountain range. If I was to sum up the start of my gap year, that's how it would go.
Fundraising Diaries - “I Crossed the Channel”
So you are planning to sail across the Channel in aid of your gap year right? We take it you've been in a boat before then - and not one of those pedalo type things?
Fundraising Diaries - “I Slept on the Streets”
We've just caught you after a very successful and unique fundraising event. Before you feel us in on it, tell us all about what you are raising money for? Not for your own selfish gains surely?
Fundraising Diaries - “I Organised a Jazz Concert”
Hi there Alex - it seems that word has spread about your stonker of a fundraiser, so let's cut to the chase; what did you get up to, what's it all for and how much did you manage to raise?
Fundraising Diaries - “I Bridge Walked as a Clown”
We hear you are currently fundraising for your upcoming gap year to South Africa - what will you be doing out there and how long are you going for?
How to Fundraise Successfully
Fundraising is a competitive business. Everywhere we turn people are trying to make us part with our hard-earned cash, so here are some tips to help you.
Fundraiser of the Month: An Interview with Lizzy Bell
Superb fundraiser Lizzy Bell spent much of 2006 saving for a trip to South Africa with her fiancé Aaron. They're heading out to Port Elizabeth to work as volunteer teachers for three months with gap year organisation GAP SPORTS. Find out about her about her experiences in this exclusive interview.
Guide to Creating a Travel Budget
Are you good with money; especially with planning and budgeting? I thought not - in fact, who is? Sorting out finances and deciding on a strict budget is something that most people struggle to do. However, there is a simple and effective way to do it...
Bangkok to Brighton by Tuk-Tuk
Every now and then we hear of a fundraising event that really makes us at gapyear.com stand up and take note. This is one such event - ambitious fundraisers Ants and Jo are planning to travel over 10,000 miles on three wheels in a pink tuk-tuk - all in aid of mental health charity Mind.
Fundraising Success Stories
Working your arse off and saving like crazy is all very well, but there are other ways to make money. Legal ones, too. Fundraising involves getting your friends, family, colleagues and total strangers to part with their cash. It can be great fun, and looks impressive on your CV too. Here are some success stories.
Trusts and Grants: A Guide to Raising Money
One of my biggest annoyances in the world is when people say 'I can't afford to take a gap year!' Why it annoys me so much is that it is one of the biggest reasons why most people DON'T go through with their gap year plans. Eighty per cent of those who consider taking time out don't go through with it and I would stab in the dark to say that this excuse must count for over half of them...
Top Ten Tips for Fundraising
Fundraising can be a very good way to raise money for your gap year. However, it can be exhausting, hard work, frustrating and a little risky. I guess that’s why a large number of people who say they intend to fundraise never actually go about doing it. However, if it all goes to plan, you can make more money from a single fundraising event than from working four weeks in a full time job...
Cheap Travel Tips
Here at GYHQ we've come up with a selection of cheap travel tips. Now you'll find out what a bunch of scroungers, blaggers, scavengers and cheapskates you're dealing with...
How to Save Money for Your Travels
The most obvious way to earn money for your gap year is to get a job. You might be surprised to learn how quickly you can earn enough to have a dream gap year, particularly if you're living at home and your outgoings are low. Depending on how long you've got before you leave for your gap year, you could take one or even two full-time jobs and stash the money away...
A to Z of Fundraising Ideas
Fundraising involves getting your friends, family, colleagues and total strangers to part with cash. Check out Tori Oram's A to Z of gap year fundraising ideas.
