Claire Howard from Solihull shares her journey of traveling 13 times abroad after a pay cut, revealing budgeting tips and the joy of extreme day trips.
Solihull: Claire Howard, a teacher, took a pay cut but still managed to travel abroad 13 times in one year. She used to be a deputy head of sixth form but stepped down due to burnout.
Now, Claire is back to teaching English and works four days a week. She realized she could take quick trips from Birmingham Airport. After a birthday trip to Dublin, she got hooked on extreme day trips.
Claire set a goal to take 12 trips in a year and ended up doing 13. She budgeted carefully and made lifestyle changes to afford her travels. Despite the pay cut, she found ways to enjoy her adventures.
She usually travels on her off day, Tuesday, catching flights late Monday or early Tuesday morning. Claire loves the thrill of day trips and has become quite the expert at planning them.
In 2024, her trips included destinations like Geneva, Alicante, and Warsaw. She spent an average of £180 per trip, with her cheapest being a £27 return to Paris. Claire emphasizes the importance of budgeting for travel.
She cut back on spending in other areas, like fast fashion and dining out, to make her trips possible. Claire enjoys the freedom of traveling now that her kids are older and can take care of themselves.
Her mental health has improved, and she feels more fulfilled. These trips give her something to look forward to, and she finds planning them enjoyable. Claire’s story shows that with some sacrifices, travel can be within reach.
