Top 10 Tips On How To Save Your Earnings While Still Having Fun On Your Days Off!

Everyone who has completed a season or plenty more, know just how difficult it can be to stick to what you promised yourself in the beginning. One of the promises might be… “I must save!” But, like everyone else, after you have worked beyond breaking point, with little to no days off, all you dream of is what you can do to treat yourself as soon as the trip is over!

26 February 2015
Ideas like, go to a spa for 3 days, fly to another island and stay in a nice hotel and catch up with your friends from another yacht over Pina Colada’s, celebrate your birthday (which was 3 weeks ago) with a big bang!

Speaking from experience, all of the above can easily be achieved within 5 days. And yes, at the time I feel like I’ve deserved it, convincing myself each night before I get some sleep that it was totally worth it. But then, back at work, I look at my bank balance…BAM! Staring right back at you is the digit that you were not expecting and it sucks! Drastically, you then decide never to go out until the season is over, you’ll never go out for anything until it’s your holiday or it’s your actual real birthday. And you and I both know this lasts for maximum 3 weeks.

So, how to save? How to find a comfortable balance between being that social butterfly you tame inside and being that sensible person you know you can be? Take it or leave it, but here are my top 10 tips on how to save your earnings while still having fun on your days off…

10. Organise a big beach day out for you and the crew! Put together some beach bags filled with drinks, snacks, towels, games, and sound speakers! Invite friends or other yachts and soon you will bring the party to you! Free of charge.

9. Tired of seeing the same faces? Want to explore? Why not hire a scooter (with a friend or not)? Do a little research before so you know exactly where you’re going, and just go! Pack a little lunch box, drink, map, kindle, iPod, towel… whatever you may need! Then simply enjoy a good day out which will only cost you 30 bucks at the most!
8. BBQ! Everyone loves a good BBQ, whether it’s yours or a friends house or on the quay, it’s a good way to meet people, catch up with friends and enjoy good grub.

7. When you do go for a drink, instead of ordering singles why not split a bottle of wine (or whatever it is you order) with a group of friends. Split the costs…

6. I don’t mean to stick to drinks related side of fun, but when you do go out, make sure you buy your own drinks! Nothing wrong with taking yourself out of the ‘rounds game’, because you’ll find sometimes you’re the one who’s left with the hefty bill. And that really sucks! No-one likes to ask people the next day for that 30 bucks that they didn’t cough up!

5. Go for a hike! Everyone needs to sooner or later - it’s a great activity for the body, mind and soul. Pack some snacks, grab your camera and show the world what you see.

4. Take charge of your hobby! If you like drawing then spend a day drawing. If you like photography then go out there and take photos! If you like sports and exercising then fill your day off with heaps of free activities! If you love editing your Go Pro videos but haven’t got round to it, then just do it! All of the above will give you great sense of achievement. Fact.
3. Why not spend a day planning your next big holiday? It may not be heaps of fun for everyone but atleast you’re building up the excitement and suspense! Also this will give you more incentive to save!

2. Sleep… Sleep is fun. (At least, I think it is) Sometimes I would be so knackered from a trip that I would literally spend my 3 days off in bed. Sleeping, watching movies, catching up with friends and family back at home over Skype or messenger, replying to emails and eating sweets! Not everyone’s cup of tea but does the trick! Relax…

1. This is the first thing you do before ANYTHING. It’s number one for a reason! With the help from your bank, have them set up a direct debit from your current account into a savings account each month. For example, let’s say you earn 2,700 euros, have 1,000 euros put into your savings account. And, if you’re feeling really sensible, make sure they put a block on this account so that you cannot just access it without signing a contract. This is a great way to budget your cash flow, and a brilliant way to quickly save hard earn cash.
1.1. I’m aware that the title says, “top 10”, but a great friend just suggested one activity which would give everyone a nice warm giving feeling. Why not check out local volunteering work? A friend and myself did this on Christmas day back in 2009. It was awesome. So if you haven’t already ticked this box, then do it!


If you have read this and thought of 10 other ways to have fun on your days off and still save then get in touch and together we can share great knowledge for everyone else who suffers from little things like this!


Till next time,

Lily