How to Budget for Long-Term Travel with Kids: Our Family Prep Plan
The real costs, how we’re saving, and why prepping is half the chaos
4 Months Out: The Budget Is Real (and So Is the Stress)
We’re not on the road yet — but our spreadsheet already feels like it’s been on a trip.
With just a few months to go until we take off for a year of family travel in Latin America, we’re deep in the prep stage. That awkward in-between where you’re still doing school drop-offs and meal planning… but also pricing mosquito nets and calculating how many backpacks is “too many.”
One of the biggest mental hurdles? Money.
Not just having enough, but planning enough — and staying sane in the process.
This post breaks down how we’re budgeting in the pre-departure phase:
What we’ve already paid for
What we’re still saving toward
And how we’re trying not to lose it completely every time something unexpected pops up
Our Pre-Trip Budget: What We’re Planning for (and Paying Now)
We’re using Notion + Google Sheets to track everything. Here’s what’s on the “before we leave” tab:
Flights (Initial Leg):
1-way tickets to Colombia for 4
Bonus costs: baggage, seating, airport transfers
Estimated: $1,500 – $2,000
✅ Booked and paid
Vaccinations + Medical Prep:
- Yellow fever, typhoid, Hep A + more
Private travel clinic + extra child doses
Estimated: $800 – $1,200
❌ Still happening (and adding up fast)
Gear + Tech:
- Backpacks, packing cubes, water filters, power banks
Travel insurance documents, passports, digital storage
Laptop upgrades for remote work
Estimated: $2,000+
✅ Mostly done (but there’s always “just one more thing”)
Travel Insurance (1 Year):
- Looking at options like SafetyWing or Genki
Needs to cover kids, emergencies, possible work abroad
Estimated: $1,500 – $2,000
❌ Still deciding
Home Prep Costs:
- Decluttering + storage (for the few things we’re keeping)
Legal + landlord fees to rent out our house
Temporary living arrangements in final weeks
Estimated: $800 – $1,000
🔄 In progress
Total So Far (Estimated Pre-Trip Costs):
$6,500 – $8,500
Yup. Before we’ve even left.
It’s a lot but we’re planning for it intentionally, so it doesn’t throw off our full-year travel budget later.
How We’re Saving for It (Without Going Broke Before We Board)
We’re not saving in silence. Here’s how we’re doing it in real life:
1. Renting Out Our Home
We’ll generate some monthly income (and avoid paying for storage or mortgage separately). This is a huge budget win.
2. Selling Our Stuff
Kids’ gear, home items, furniture if we’re not using it in the next 6 months, it’s gone. Facebook Marketplace is wild.
3. Cutting Subscriptions + Services
Gym? Canceled. Spotify family plan? Replaced with a cheaper one. Every $15/month saved adds up fast.
4. Freelance & Online Work
We’re already building online income so it’s running when we leave. Affiliate links, blog posts, and client work all count.
5. Using a “Bridge Fund”
We’ve created a mini savings pot just for pre-departure chaos. It helps cover weird last-minute costs without raiding our main travel fund.
What’s Still Unknown (And That’s Okay)
Even with all this planning, we know we can’t budget for everything.
Here’s what we’re still figuring out:
How fast we’ll spend once we’re actually on the move
How many work hours we’ll realistically have while traveling
If we’ve under-budgeted anywhere major (hint: probably)
The goal isn’t to predict perfectly. It’s to go in with eyes open, and a cushion big enough to handle the curveballs.
Why Budgeting Before We Leave Feels Harder Than We Thought
Honestly? We thought this part would feel exciting.
But a lot of it has felt… overwhelming.
Because budgeting for a family trip like this isn’t just math. It’s emotions, identity, risk, and “what ifs.”
And all of that happens before you even buy your first ticket.
So if you’re in this phase too we see you. It’s messy. But you’re doing it. And that counts.
Final Thoughts: Planning Isn’t Just About Numbers, It’s About Values
We’re not budgeting just to “be responsible.”
We’re budgeting so we can say yes to the things that matter:
Time with our kids. Cultural immersion. A slower pace. Adventure. Simplicity.
Every spreadsheet is a little nudge toward freedom.
