MONEY

Some things you need to know about travelling.
1. It costs a lot.
2. However much you think it will cost, it may cost more.
3. Most of the costs are unavoidable.

Some things you will need to pay for before you leave.
1. Tickets. Australia to Europe is in the vicinity of $2000 including taxes. The prices quoted and advertised DO NOT INCLUDE TAXES in Australia, so always add a couple of hundred dollars to the price you see on the window of Student Flights or wherever.
2. Travel Insurance. You will hear everyone say it, but IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD TRAVEL INSURANCE, YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO TRAVEL. I have heard of people who have had to cancel their entire holiday after complications on the trip over, and also had to foot the medical bill - including hospitalisation, flight home, and nursing staff for the flight home. As a very rough guide, this will cost you a bit over $100 per month (if you go for 6 months.) The longer you go, the less you pay per day.
3. Rail Pass. OK, so you aren't all going to Europe, and you aren't all going to be Eurail slappers like us, but you will have to do internal travelling. My Eurail Youth Flexipass (I think?!) cost about $650 for 10 days travel in 2 months. A day starts at 7pm the night before if you want to do overnight trains (I will write about our experiences when and if we have them!)
4. Internal Flights. Check well in advance. Book in advance. Companies like Ryanair do CHEAPO flights, such as the 1.99 pound flight we are talking from UK to spain. HOwever, when you include departure tax, etc, it ends up being around 25-30 pounds. Keep that in mind.
5. Storage. Lucky you if you have parents, or some other place to store your stuff, otherwise you will be paying upwards of $100 for every month (including insurance) for a decent house-load of stuff. It's still cheaper than renting a room in a functioning house for the junk, though!
6. Leaving drinks and a taxi to the airport. Remember to budget this a couple of weeks in advance, otherwise you will be inconvenienced. Otherwise, get other ppl to buy your drinks, and scab a lift with someone to he plane (OK if you have to be there at a reasonable hour - not 6am like us!)
7. Should have put it earlier - PASSPORT AND VISAS. Australian Passport is something like $150, and you need to get happy snaps too. Visas vary. Get them ASAP in person if you can, otherwise, factor in the price of registered mail to the embassy/consulate.

Things you can do to make this money:
1. Casual Job, Full-Time hours... works a charm.
2. Cash in hand to rort the system (ummm, I'm not on Youth Allowance or New Start, but YOU might be).
3. HAVE A GARAGE SALE. If you have a washing machine, fridge or lounge suite to sell, you will be able to get a PRETTY GOOD PRICE so don't undersell yourself. These were the items we were most asked if we had. Unfortunately we didn't, but we made enough anyway.
4. Sell your soul to the spirit of jazz...
5. Eat less. Drink less. Smoke less (if you smoke...). JUST DON'T BUY ANYTHING. Eat that pasta you find in the back of your cupboard - it'll still be FINE, even if it was there before you moved in... no really... ... no, don't sue me, please...

Will let you know if I think of more.