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It can be hard to strike the balance of saving money for your trip to Asia while still living in the moment and enjoying where you are. Stevo and I are from southern California, one of the most unaffordable places for rent in the USA. After three years of living and traveling around Asia from 2011-2014, we considered moving to Los Angeles in 2015. When we started to math it out, the sticker shock of just existing in LA (rent, food, bills) versus our potential to save money and still have fun in the city just didn’t add up for us. We didn’t think we’d be able to save for future trips while struggling just to live there.
This week’s guest post is from Jayson Goetz, who managed to live fully in the city of angels while saving for his big trip to Asia. If you are living in LA or even just traveling through, we hope you will find some useful tips on saving money. If living in Los Angeles and saving for a big trip to Asia are both in your heart, it can be done! Read on for Jayson’s top tips for how to save money in Los Angeles before your trip to Asia.
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Though there’s plenty to do in Los Angeles, the city of angels might feel less than angelic when you’re stuck saving for a trip. Maybe you’re planning your first vacation to Beijing, or Ho Chi Minh City, or Seoul. But of course dreams of your glamorous getaway across the world can only get you so far. Though you still want to have fun whiling away the weeks before your trip, you don’t want to break the bank. Whether you’re looking to take your date on the town, or just looking to have fun with friends, there are activities galore for nights on the town, on the cheap.
So while you’re prepping for your newest adventure, don’t stop enjoying life!
Dine Out the Right Way
There’s no reason to live off leftovers until the big trip. Cheap eats are all over the city, from food trucks to healthy options.
You might consider trying one of LA’s many taco trucks, often a cheap meal, and moreover a staple of the Los Angeles diet. Two deliciously-fried shrimp tacos at the much-beloved Mariscos Jalisco truck on Olympic Boulevard will cost you just under $5, and their tasty shrimp ceviche or oysters on the half shell will leave you–and your wallet–full. You can get some of LA’s fresh fruit from trucks and carts as well, for a cheap midday snack.
And there’s no need to go broke for some authentic Japanese cuisine before your trip to Tokyo, either. If you’re looking to sample more Asian cuisine before the big trip, you might want to stop in at Monterey Park’s Dean Sin World for budget bao dumplings and noodles. And for dinners out (and especially for dinner dates), a trip down to the nearest taco stand might not be what you have in mind.
When cooking at home, grocery lists, discount stores and membership-based chains like Costco might be your saving grace. You might also consider trying a meal service like HelloFresh or other snack and meal subscriptions to cut down on cost, and better yet, learn how to make delicious meals.
Try Public Transit, or Park Smart
If you’re nearby a bus station, you’re in luck. Though the Los Angeles transit system is somewhat infamous for its unreliability, you’ll save some money on gas when try taking the bus to work or to your favorite bar.
If your commute is just too long (and requires a few too many line changes), then your car will be the most convenient option. Downloading apps such as ParkMe or Parker will help you find free or cheap parking for days you’ll need your ride, and hopefully avoid a few of LA’s egregious parking fines.
Bring a Friend (or Two)
Have a little help from your friends. When you’re looking to save every penny, it’s not a bad idea to look for group deals, or to go dutch on costs for activities and food.
Try and make a break for it in one of Los Angeles’ Escape Rooms, where you and your friends are locked in a room with only a series of clues to guide you out. Take in the city scenery with a rock climbing trip or a VIP club hop for you and a few adventuresome pals through Groupon. If you like comedy, take a trip down to LA’s Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre for a show with ticket prices starting at $5.
You can save a little bit with your after-work drinks, too, with happy hours around the city. The Morrison in Atwater Village offers $6 appetizers and cocktails, while Downtown’s Pour Haus Wine Bar offers $4 select beers and $5 select wines–and on some Mondays, they offer all open bottles at $5, even the most high end.
Work with the Industry
Well, not literally, but you can always take advantage of being in the U.S.’s entertainment hub. Be part of a studio audience for your favorite TV show, or catch a free flick at a pre-screening.
You can also find cheap shows across the city featuring some of your favorite artists and actors (and maybe even a few new favorites!). Improv shows and even movies showed in 35mm can be found across the city, at venues such as the Cinefamily at the Silent Movie Theatre.
Deals, Deals, Deals
At the end of the day, saving a few dollars comes down to finding the best bang for your buck. Scout out deals before you decide to go on that bar hop, and try to find the best deal for your night on the town. It is possible to still enjoy life in Los Angeles on the cheap while saving for your dream trip to Asia.
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Author Bio
Jayson Goetz is a writer from Phoenix, Arizona who is passionate about traveling on a budget. Being a broke writer, Jayson soon learned that if he wants to travel he needs to find the best deals. He loves sharing his experiences and tips in hopes of helping people travel the world.
Fantastic tips – LA has a reputation for being an expensive city, but I think there are ways to cut down in any city when you’re a local, and save for your next big trip. Cheap eats are a huge savings as people spend so much money on eating out these days. Food trucks, cooking for yourself and grocery stores are the way we save too 🙂
Nice perspective. LA is full of unique and affordable pleasures – you just have to be creative. I love your idea of saving money there for a trip to Asia.
Thanks Elaine! Creativity is the name of the game when entertaining yourself while saving money 😀
These are some great tips by Jayson! 🙂 Meals and smart transport definitely make a difference:) I am yet to master the art of deal though. You need to be really nimble enough to strike them in the nick of time!
Good to know there’s some cheap eats and drinks around LA! It’s been so long we were there, I can’t remember how much stuff is, but I remember it being more expensive than I expected. Bao and noodles sound like a cheap yummy option! We just stuck with public transport when we were there, but the parking apps sound like a good idea for those with a car. I would love to be in a studio audience if we ever visit again. Is it hard to get on a list though?
After living in Asia, LA prices were such a shock to the system for us! We love Jayson’s advice for cheap living! I (Jen) have been in a few studio audiences and it’s a ton of fun! For some shows you need to request a seat online for the specific date you want to go. Another way is to hang out near Grauman’s Chinese Theater where touts often pass out audience passes for shows taping that day. If you have a chance to do it I’d highly recommend the experience!
I’d be happy with an escape room experience and a $5 all open bottle offer! It’s nice to read about budgeting that doesn’t suggest pausing your current life to save for a trip.
It’s hard to justify pausing your currently life completely while saving for a trip. Finding good deals on entertainment and food definitely helps!
I really need to learn how to master deals. I feel I’m just not cut out for it. It doesn’t look all that tough when i read all these posts about it.
It’s a matter of being organized I think (not our strongest trait 🙂 ), but it’s worth trying!
These are definitely great tips to get the saving done while still having a life. My husband and I are about to take off for our year abroad, starting in Asia, but we lived off of leftovers and such. We have a huge chunk of money saved, but we had a super boring year! Haha
Hats off to you guys!! All of your saving will be so worth it! Once you know how much farther your money can go in Asia, leftovers start looking pretty good 😉
Good ideas. I am sure most of them are not limited to LA and can be used in other cities too. This also reminds me that I need to get some savings done myself for the next trip.
Very true, you can apply these tips all over! Haha so do we 😀
Love the brilliant ideas you suggested. Plus in Asia, it will be cheaper— so cut back in LA and then live like a “king” in asia?
Exactly Karla! Knowing your money will stretch so much farther in Asia is great incentive to save 😀
This is really good advice! Since I live in Europe, I don’t think I have the chance to visit US and Asia in one trip, but you never know! 🙂
Thanks for your comment, Gabriela! Hopefully you can apply some of these same ideas while saving in Europe 🙂 Happy travels!
Whilst I don’t live in LA, this is going to prove very helpful for when we are there again. Thank you
Thanks for reading, Suvarna! Glad you found it helpful 🙂