Increased competition and advances in technology mean that international travel need no longer be prohibitively expensive. There are some fairly simple things that you can do to cut back on your costs without having to travel like a backpacker. I have outlined 3 easy tips below.

• Buy an International SIM card - Roaming charges are expensive. If you take your home mobile phone or cell phone with you when you travel, you could end up spending a fortune. I made this mistake once and it ended up costing me $1000 for only 2 weeks usage. With an international SIM card, you can save between 60 and 90% on your roaming charges, depending on where you travel to.
• Book your airline tickets and accommodation online - The internet has proven a fertile hunting ground for those people who want to seek out a bargain. There are many websites online where you can get cheap airline tickets and hotel accommodation. The internet allows you to quickly and easily compare prices so you can get yourself the best deal.
• Purchase tickets to events and shows when you get there - If you want to go to any sporting events or concerts when you travel, sometimes it is better to buy these tickets when you get there. If you are flexible with your choices of entertainment, you can often grab an extremely cheap last minute bargain. If you buy tickets before you travel, chances are that some third party who is selling the tickets will have their own mark up to ensure that they are making a profit also.

You do not have to have a huge bill when you travel overseas. Just make sure you follow the tips I have mentioned above- get yourself an International SIM card, book your airline tickets and hotels online, and organise your entertainment when you get there.