Budgeting is essential for all of us; however, it is even more important for travel nurses. As travel nurses, you spend 13 weeks on an assignment and typically move on. With each of these moves, you need to have the funds to get to your next location and have the funds to pay for a place to stay during your next assignment. Below you will find some tips to help you with your budget while on assignment:

Negotiate monthly AirBnB or VRBO before you book

It never hurts to ask for a discount on housing. Because you will be staying there for 13 or more weeks straight, they may be willing to give you a discount. It benefits you to stay for a long time and the person you rent your housing from.

One member suggested only renting an Airbnb or VRBO for a week and then asked around at work about potential housing. Locals may have more insight than what you can find on the internet. Someone at your new assignment may even have a room to rent that isn’t listed on the internet. Housing is the largest portion of the money that travel nurses spend. Why not save some money on it along the way?

Groupon for experiences

Groupon is a great place to look for discounts on local experiences. The discounts may not be huge, but they can and do add up in the long run. These can include food, shows, zoos, museums, etc. Groupon offers discounts in many areas, and you can search easily. What is nice about Groupon is that not only do they offer discounts, but they also have reviews of everything listed. Since you may not be familiar with your new location having these reviews is very helpful.

Meal Prep or Take your lunch to work

Meal prepping is a great option to save money. Taking your lunch to work is a lot easier as the meals are ready to go when you need them. Most hospital cafeterias can be pricey. You can save a lot of money by just taking your lunch to work.

The Instant pot is a big hit with travel nurses because it takes up little space and cooks quickly. There is also an abundance of recipes on the internet and Pinterest.

Dollar Stores and Couponing

You can find many great things at Dollar Stores: cleaning products, toiletries, food, and many other items. Many cleaning items they offer are name brands in smaller sizes, perfect for a travel nurse who may not need a full-size product. You can also find dinnerware at dollar stores, so if you don’t feel like packing yours for every assignment, you can pick up a set at your local dollar store and not worry about breaking them or taking them with you on your next assignment.

Couponing can save you a lot of money. The hardest part of couponing appears to be getting started. Thrifty Nomad gives some great tips on getting started couponing.

Make Your Coffee

Buying coffee from chain stores adds up. The prices vary from location to location, but even at $3-$4 for a small coffee, you spend at least $21 a week if you buy coffee every day. By making it at home, you will save a lot of money. Many people stick to single-serve coffee makers because it creates less waste if you know you won’t drink a whole pot, and as a travel nurse, they take up less space.

Look for free local things to do

It is straightforward to find things to do in your new location because of the internet and social media. You can search Facebook for free events. If you like the outdoors, the local Parks and Recreation website or the Facebook page might be an excellent place to look for free events. Asking around at your new assignment is an excellent way to find free local things to do.

Budget

Make and keep a budget! Put as much into your savings as you can. Having a budget and saving is important for many reasons. It will ensure that you have what you need when you move on to your next assignment. Also, if you are out of work for any period, you will have money to live off of. Having savings on hand is just a smart move all around.

These are just a few budget tips and tips on saving money while on assignment. There are other ways to save money that you will find along the way. These are just a few suggestions to help you get started.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

Negotiate monthly AirBnB or VRBO before you book

Groupon for experiences

Groupon is a great place to look for discounts on local experiences. The discounts may not be huge, but they can and do add up in the long run. These can include; food, shows, zoos, museums, etc. Groupon offers discounts in many areas, and you can search easily. What is nice about Groupon is that not only do they offer discounts, but they also have reviews of everything listed. Since you may not be familiar with your new location having these reviews is very helpful.

Meal Prep or Take your lunch to work

The Instant pot is a big hit with travel nurses because it takes up little space and cooks quickly. There is also an abundance of recipes on the internet and Pinterest.

Dollar Stores and Couponing

Couponing can save you a lot of money. The hardest part of couponing appears to be getting started. Thrifty Nomad gives some great tips on getting started couponing.

Make Your Coffee

Look for free local things to do

Budget

Put as much into your savings as you can. This is important for many reasons. It will ensure that you have what you need when you move on to your next assignment. Also, if you are out of work for any period, you will have money to live off of. Having savings on hand is just a smart move all around.

These are just a few tips on budgeting and saving money while on assignment. There are other ways to save money that you will find along the way. These are just a few suggestions to help you get started.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

Medely provided this article.

As a travel nurse or allied professional, you may find yourself trying to manage an income that fluctuates from assignment to assignment. Uncertainty makes it more difficult to stick to a budget, particularly when your living costs are also changeable.

With thoughtful planning and research, you can get control of your finances and choose contracts that move you closer to your goals. Here are five of our favorite budgeting tips to help you put your money where it matters most.

1. Set clear and measurable financial goals

What attracted you to the free-spirited lifestyle? Maybe you want to pay off debt, build your savings account, be closer to family, or gain experience in different types of healthcare facilities. Maybe you just want to have an adventure and explore the country!

Whatever your motivation, design a plan to help you reach your goals—now and in the future.

In explaining the importance of setting financial goals, the team at Investopedia recommends setting short-, mid-, and long- financial targets:

Short-term goals (6-12 months) can help you build confidence in your ability to follow a plan and gain knowledge to support your longer-term objectives. Set yourself up for easy wins—find goals you can achieve within the coming year, such as rebuilding your savings account or choosing one debt to pay down quickly.

Mid-term goals (1-5 years) are multi-year goals that may not show an immediate impact but make a noticeable difference over time. Mid-term goals often overlap with your long- and short-term goals. For example, you may want to save up for training that will expand your knowledge into

higher-paying specialties down the road, or put money toward a milestone for a downpayment on your first home.

Long-term goals (5+ years) apply to future life events such as not carrying a mortgage, saving for retirement, or sending your kids through university. You may need to regroup from time to time as you achieve these goals and your life circumstances change.

Clearly defined money goals—whatever their timeframe—are the “big rocks” for you to prioritize as you figure out the different pieces of your monthly budget.

2. Adjust your budget regularly

Your income likely fluctuates as you move between travel nursing assignments. Importantly, so will your expenses—and there may be variables between contracts that you’ll need to account for, such as medical and

dental benefits, accommodations, furnishings, or travel stipends. To keep your budget on track, you’ll need to review it regularly and adjust your calculations as your cost of living varies.

First, let’s look at the main pieces in your monthly budget. It will likely include some combination of the following categories:

Accommodations
- Debt payments (i.e., credit cards, unexpected costs)
- Entertainment and dining out
- Groceries
- Transportation (i.e., car, metro)
- Travel
- Savings toward your goals

But how can you think about budgeting without adding extra stress and a lot of admin to your day-to-day life? There are three popular approaches to setting a budget: 50/30/20, zero-sum, and the envelope method.

A 50/30/20 budget splits your income broadly into three categories: 50% goes toward things you need (i.e., transportation, groceries, essential bills); 30% is to spend on things you want (i.e., dining out, travel for fun, clothes shopping); 20% goes toward savings or debt payments.

A zero-sum budget gives every dollar you earn a job. This doesn’t mean you spend all your money; it means that 100% of your take-home pay is allocated to something, so there’s no money left just “floating around” at the end of the month.

An envelope budget splits your expenses into specific categories, with a set dollar amount assigned to each category that you can spend until it’s gone.

Find a budget strategy that will enable you to reach your short-term goals without running calculations in your head before every transaction. And don’t forget to scan your expenses for potential tax deductions.

3. Choose travel nurse assignments that fit within your budget

Just as changing jobs can impact your budget, moving to a new location can boost or hinder your financial plans. That’s why choosing a location that’s in sync with your current priorities can be helpful.

For example, a winter travel assignment in budget-friendly Phoenix, AZ, can ease the stress on your living expenses and bank account while giving you access to plenty of low-cost activities in spectacular national parks and nearby mountains. And if you need extra money, common travel nursing advice is to keep an eye out for rapid response jobs or less-desirable assignments.

Accommodations, transportation, and groceries (not dining out) are some of the essentials that can vary a lot by region. To find the right balance, you may want to consider:

Food: What’s the cost of basic groceries and what are your options for buying them? Food availability and pricing, particularly for fresh fruits and vegetables, can vary from one part of the country to another.
- Travel expenses: How will the location impact your discretionary travel budget? For example, will friends and family be easier to reach or further away?
- Transportation costs: Will you require a car to get around, or is there a solid public transportation system? For example, considering gas prices in 2022, it may not be an ideal time to take a job that requires a big commute.

Entertainment: Is there a lot to keep you engaged in the local community? A big city offers a lot of variety, and while fees can add up, you may also find more deals and cheap tickets. In a rural area, however, there may be many free options outdoors with an occasional trip to nearby cities.

Try to estimate these costs ahead of time so you can anticipate how to adjust your budget to match.

4. Get resourceful about meals

We barely need to mention that dining out can quickly add up, while planning and meal prepping in advance can save time and money. Knowing this common advice and following it when you’re coming off a double shift are two different things. But there is help!

Take advantage of Facebook groups and smart apps to connect with your new neighbors and get their recommendations for affordable groceries and cheap eats. For example:

Which grocery stores offer the best value?
- Are there farmer’s markets or coop programs that allow you to buy direct or in bulk?
- Are there options such as Too Good to Go, which make it easy for stores and restaurants to sell surplus food?
- What restaurants offer healthy and cheap meals?

And don’t forget to consider the value of your time. Prepping ingredients ahead of time is great—but only if you do it. It’s less ideal if your fridge is filled with well-intentioned ingredients that never quite make it to the table. A meal prep service might help you get past that hurdle and stock your fridge or freezer with leftovers.

Don’t hesitate to ask a local

As with groceries, local residents and your fellow travel nurses can be your best resource when it comes to budget-friendly tips and great deals. Reach out to get insights into the best options in an area for:

Group buy sites, such as Groupon and LivingSocial
- Garage sale sites, such as VarageSale and Craigslist
- Stores that sell antiques or estate sale treasures
- Cheap or by-donation sightseeing tours
- Discount days at local museums and attractions
- Top shops for cheap nursing scrubs and comfortable shoes

Budget well and create a travel nursing experience that works for you

Being a travel nurse or allied professional can be a fantastic way to save money and achieve financial goals of all sizes. With planning, research, and an understanding of the type of travel assignments that are an ideal fit, you’ll have a positive and memorable experience wherever your career takes you.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. If housing is an issue, we have you covered with our housing page. You can search for what you are looking for.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

Favorite Healthcare Staffing provided this article.

Being a travel nurse certainly has its perks. From exploring new cities, meeting new people, and trying new foods, travel nursing adds many valuable benefits to your life and career. As you move from one contract to the next, you may also find that your income fluctuates. That’s why it’s important to budget your money wisely. Keeping track of your expenses doesn’t have to be a daunting task. We’re here to share our top five budgeting tips for travel nurses!

1. Create a Budget Breakdown

The first step to learning how to manage your money is to create a budget breakdown for yourself. This will help you keep track of your money and see specifically how it is being used. You will want to understand how much income you earn on a monthly basis, as well as how much you spend on things like food, entertainment, and any other extra activities. Establish your needs versus your wants and think about how much money you need to set aside for each category.

An easy way to keep track of your spending is through an app called Mint. Mint is a user-friendly budgeting tool that helps you understand the full scope of your spending. Through the app, you can sync all your accounts in one place, such as checking and savings accounts, bills, loans, investments, and more. Mint will also automatically track and categorize your spending, so you don’t have to! Use the separate categories to set spending limits on areas of your choosing, and Mint will notify you once you start to approach those limits. Tracking your finances has never been easier!

2. Utilize the 50/30/20 Rule

The 50/30/20 rule is a staple when it comes to budgeting. First, you need to calculate your monthly income after taxes have been taken out. Next, divide your income into three segments—50% of your income should go toward needs, 30% on wants, and 20% will go to savings or paying off debt. This method ensures that your needs and wants are met while still setting money aside for your savings account.

3. Research Free Things to Do

While on a travel nursing assignment, one of the best ways to save money is to find activities that are free to do during your time off! Parks, museums, hiking trails, and local events are always fun options and are typically free or have a low cost. Make sure to do your research by utilizing Google, Yelp, Trip Advisor, and social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook. These sites will give you a list of all the best things to do and sights to see in your area. If you utilize this tip, it can quickly become a budget-friendly way to help you explore the city you’re visiting!

4. Learn How to Meal Prep

Some of us spend more money on eating out at restaurants than we’d like to admit. A good way to break that habit is to meal prep! Find a few recipes that you would like to have during the week, make a list of everything you need for your meals, and head to the grocery store to purchase enough ingredients that will make leftovers last for a few days. If you aren’t prepared to dive straight into cooking a week’s worth of food, meal prepping can even be as simple as skipping your daily Starbucks run and making your coffee at home instead. While planning your meals ahead of time requires more preparation, it will save you time and money in the long run!

5. Find Coupons

It’s no secret that couponing is a great way to save money, but what’s the best way to get your hands on those deals? Make couponing a breeze by utilizing a tool called Honey! Honey is a browser extension that you can download for free on Google Chrome that automatically searches the internet for valid coupon codes. This takes the stress away from spending time searching the internet and testing different coupon codes that don’t end up working. An additional perk is that Honey will also notify you if you already have the best available deal.

Another great way to find deals is through Groupon. Groupon is a virtual coupon book that finds the best deals in any location, whether you’re looking to grab a bite, go shopping or go on an excursion. They also provide customer reviews on their site to make it even easier for you to find great local businesses. One more resource to keep in mind are local newspapers, as they will often have their own set of coupons listed for restaurants and other activities in the area.

Getting started with budgeting might be a little intimidating, but with these five tips, it should give you a good grasp on how to get started! To make things less overwhelming, you can even try to implement the tips above one step at a time. This will help you ease into properly budgeting your money as a travel nurse. Along the way, you may even discover some new methods that work for you! Have more budgeting tips? Share them with us in the comments below!

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

Traveling is a great way to explore new and exciting locations while discovering cultures and making lifelong connections with locals and fellow travelers. Before planning your next trip to your desired destination, use these budgeting tips to prevent overspending while making the most out of your time spent away from home.

travel on a budget — Photo by Chen Mizrach on Unsplash

Set a Budget

Setting a budget before you begin booking airfare or reserving accommodations is essential, especially if you are genuinely limited on funds. Without a budget in place, you may find yourself out of cash before your vacation ends. With a set budget in place, enjoy yourself without overanalyzing each time you make a purchase.

Research Hotel and Rental Home Rates

Choosing where to stay while traveling on vacation is not always easy. Whether you prefer a traditional hotel room or want to save money on a rental apartment or hostel, there are plenty of options when traveling abroad or to the other side of your state. Use services such as Airbnb in addition to traditional hotel booking websites to compare rates and to find accommodations that include all of the amenities you prefer, even if you are on a strict budget.

Compare pricing for various times if you have a flexible schedule for the vacation or traveling getaway you are planning. Hotels, hostels, and even home vacation rentals are not always the same price year-round. Most often, accommodations spike in price during peak seasons such as summertime and throughout popular holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. Consider traveling during the off-season to make the most out of any budget you have set for your trip.

Reserve Accommodations Ahead of Time

Booking your hotel, hostel, or even your vacation rental ahead of time is a great way to maximize savings while eliminating the hassle of searching for last-minute locations with availability. Book your trip at least a few months in advance to ensure you are getting the best deal possible regardless of the type of home, apartment, or hotel you prefer.

Travel With Friends

Traveling with companions is another great way to reduce overall spending. Group travel can cut back on airfare and when renting a larger vacation home, regardless of your final destination.

Book Travel Plans Using an Incognito Browser

Use Google Chrome’s Incognito browser or another anonymous browser to search for airfare and rates on hotels you are interested in. Websites utilize cookies to track you anytime you search for rates. If you do not use an anonymous browser while comparing hotel and airfare rates, you run the risk of overpaying for tickets.

Avoid Dining Out

While it is enjoyable to experience a night of dining out and having others cook for you, save cash by cooking your own food once you arrive at your intended destination. Shop for groceries at a local store that is not centered in a tourist area. Ask locals for more information on local food stores and grocery marts if you are unfamiliar with the location or if you are traveling out of the country. Research different grocery stores and get familiar with common food available in the location you are visiting. Cooking your own food is not only a way to cut back on overspending while sticking to a budget, but it also provides a unique experience of trying new foods and cultural delicacies that are not available anywhere else in the world.

Research Cruises and Port Options

Often times, you can find great deals on cruises. Cruise companies fluctuate prices so that they can fill rooms. One of the benefits of a cruise is that it takes little to no planning and you can visit multiple locations while cruising. Whenever you are planning an upcoming cruise vacation, research port options along with cruise costs before settling on a decision and booking your getaway. Compare cruise ports along with nearby tourist destinations and adventures that are most interesting to you. You should try to choose all-inclusive cruises that provide you with freedom and flexibility at each port so you have more time to spend in each desired destination. Because not all cruise ships dock at the same ports, compare all of your options along with activities and entertainment that are available before making a purchase that is right for you and your travel companions.

Research Free Activities and Local Classes

Get to know more about your final destination before hopping on a plane or setting sail to make the most out of your time away from home. Many local cities (especially those with tourist areas) provide free activities, entertainment, and even local classes to those who are interested. Whether you want to paint outdoors or spend time at a local music festival, conducting adequate research on your preferred destinations is a great way to create an itinerary that won’t break the bank.

Traveling around the country or even the world should not feel impossible, even if you have a tight budget to adhere to each time you plan a trip. With the right resources and the ability to book your travel plans in advance, make the most out of any vacation destination you have in mind.

Finished the travel nursing guide and are ready to look for an assignment?

Negotiate monthly AirBnB or VRBO before you book

Groupon for experiences

Meal Prep or Take your lunch to work

Dollar Stores and Couponing

Make Your Coffee

Look for free local things to do

Budget

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

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Negotiate monthly AirBnB or VRBO before you book

Groupon for experiences

Meal Prep or Take your lunch to work

Dollar Stores and Couponing

Make Your Coffee

Look for free local things to do

Budget

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

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1. Set clear and measurable financial goals

2. Adjust your budget regularly

3. Choose travel nurse assignments that fit within your budget

4. Get resourceful about meals

Budget well and create a travel nursing experience that works for you

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

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1. Create a Budget Breakdown

2. Utilize the 50/30/20 Rule

3. Research Free Things to Do

4. Learn How to Meal Prep

5. Find Coupons

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

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Set a Budget

Research Hotel and Rental Home Rates

Reserve Accommodations Ahead of Time

Travel With Friends

Book Travel Plans Using an Incognito Browser

Avoid Dining Out

Research Cruises and Port Options

Research Free Activities and Local Classes

Check out our travel nurse jobs!

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