Broke But Booked: How Gen Z Is Planning Vacays With ₹0 Savings (And What to Do Instead)

If we had a rupee every time we spotted a broke bestie upload a reel from Goa, we'd be rich enough to fly business class. Let's be real: Gen Z loves to travel. We want the Instagrammable cafes, the aerial drone shots overlooking the beach, the solo train ride with the book propped up, the "ugh I needed this" captions — the works.

But with what money?

Because simultaneously, you'll hear:

"I have no savings, bro."

"Salary is just coming and going."

"EMIs, yaar. Can't save."

And yet somehow. flight booked, Airbnb done, Zara cart emptied for "vacay fits."

So, what's happening here?

This blog isn't here to shame you into not wanting to travel. In fact, vacations matter — they recharge your mental well-being, provide a fresh perspective, and let's be real, make amazing content.

But what we're actually going to do is:

Give you a reality check.

Decode the broke-but-booked life.

Chapter 1: The Vacation Delulu — Why We Book First, Think Later

1.1 The Emotional High of Booking a Trip

You're in your office cubicle, emotionally finished with life, and your friend sends, "Let's do Himachal in June?" You look at Skyscanner. ₹2,499 flight to Chandigarh. Brain goes ping! Dopamine unlocked.

Boom — holiday booked.

At no point on this journey did your brain query:

"Do I have enough in my savings?"

"Will I go over my credit card limit?"

"Can I pay for this and also pay rent?

Because, quite frankly, trip planning releases instant serotonin, and Gen Z feeds off that instant emotional boost.

1.2 Vacation FOMO > Financial Sense

You look at your friends or influencers living their best life in Bali and all of a sudden your life seems crusty. Social media presents the vacation highlight reel, not the panicked ATM screen at the end of it.

And let's not forget the guilt:

"My college friends are all getting together after years. I have to go through with this."

"I've been working so hard this quarter. I'm going to treat myself."

And you most likely are. But are you treating yourself with future-you's money?

Chapter 2: The ₹0 Savings Squad — How We're Paying for These Trips (And the Trap We're Getting Into)

Let's dissect where the money is really coming from when you don't have a travel fund.

2.1 Credit Card = Mini Loan Disguise

Swipe now, cry later.

You swipe the credit card thinking, oh it's just ₹15K for flights + hotel. But tally outfits, food, local travel, activities, and it's ₹30K before you've even blinked. You return home with a full camera roll. and full-blown debt stress.

2.2 BNPL (Buy Now, Panic Later)

Platforms such as LazyPay, Simpl, or even Flipkart Travel enable you to pay later. It's cool now. But after three months, you're paying EMIs for a trip that has already become a memory and then an archive.

Deferred payments = deferred financial independence.

2.3 Spelling from Emergency Funds or Parental Money

We're not judging, but if you're using your medical emergency fund for parasailing, perhaps. don't? And if you're counting on your parents at 25 to bankroll your spontaneous Pondicherry trip, consider: Is this the independence you envisioned?

Chapter 3: Smarter, Guilt-Free Ways to Travel (That Don't Wreck Your Wallet)

3.1 Build a "Wander Fund" Before the Wanderlust Hits

Reverse the process: Save first, plan later.

Suppose you wish to do a ₹30K trip in August. That's three months ahead. That's ₹10K/month or ₹2,500/week.

Do an easy split:

₹1,000/week goes into stays + flights.

₹1,000/week goes into food + transport + shopping.

₹500/week goes into buffer (for indulgences or emergencies).

Place this in a different travel savings account or app like Jupiter or Fi, name it "Bali B*tch ????????" — make it a little fun.

3.2 Go Budget, Not Basic

Smart travel isn't about going bare-bones. It's about being deliberate.

Accommodation hacks:

Hostelworld for budget-but-vibe hostels (solo trips are great too).

Airbnb filters: "entire place" + "under ₹3,000/night."

Couchsurfing or Zostel? It's a little rough around the edges, but you get to hang out with the best people.

Food hacks:

Dine where locals dine.

Street food > fancy Insta cafes (unless the cafe is included in your content strategy ????).

Pack dry snacks from home — saves money and hanger issues.

Commute hacks:

Use local transport (metros, buses) to cut Ola/Uber bills.

Rent scooters if it is safe and allowed.

3.3 Group Trips > Solo Trips When Budgeting

Solo travel is empowering, but group trips = split costs. If your finances are tight, don't try to prove anything by doing a solo trip.

Share:

Stay (1BHK for 4 = ₹500/night per head)

Transport (₹1500 cab split by 4? Sweet.)

Activities (such as kayaking or safaris — group rate cheaper)

3.4 Don't Travel In Peak Season (Unless You're Rich)

May-June and Dec-Jan = price inflation, pandemonium, and crowds.

Want the same destination with half the crowd and 30% less cost? Travel just before or just after peak season.

Goa in July? Coastal, rainy, moody content. Win.

Chapter 4: Emotional Spending vs Intentional Living

4.1 "I Deserve This" Is Not a Budgeting Plan

You do deserve joy. You do deserve breaks. But if every feeling = spend reaction, your finances will never stabilize.

Ask:

"Do I need a break or do I need an escape?"

"Will this vacation bring value or is it impulse?"

"Can I accomplish this in a healthy financial manner?"

4.2 Travel Can Be Easy — It Doesn't Need to Be a Show

Not every trip needs to be a reel-fest. You don't need 4 suitcases of fits for a 3-day trip. Sometimes, peace > aesthetic.

Be low-key.

Be unplugged.

Be as you are — and return better, not broker.

Chapter 5: Realistic Ways to Fund Your Next Trip (Even If You're Broke Right Now)

5.1 Begin a Micro-Side Hustle

You don't need to have a full-time freelancing job. You just need ₹500/day extra for 2 months.

Ideas:

Sell Canva resume templates (₹199 each)

Do simple video edits (₹1K/reel for small pages)

Flip thrift finds on Instagram

Teach conversational English online (tons of legit sites pay ₹300-600/hr)

Use that money only for traveling.

5.2 Sell Before You Swipe

Want to shop for the trip? Sell 2 things you don't use anymore.

Old perfumes

Duplicate jeans

Decor you don't vibe with now

Use platforms like:

• Poshmark

• Instagram story sales

• Quikr/OLX

You free up space and earn money.

5.3 Use Travel-Focused Credit Cards Responsibly

If you can use a credit card, use it intelligently:

Get cards offering air miles or cashback on travel (such as HDFC Regalia)

Always pay in full, no minimum due gibberish

Monitor spends in real-time

Use credit as a tool, not an easy way out.

Chapter 6: The "Smart Vacay" Checklist — Because You Deserve Both Peace & Prosperity

Here's a quick checklist to go through before you make any bookings:

✅ Do I already have at least 80% of the money saved?

✅ Have I considered all costs — not just accommodation and flights?

✅ Will I be worrying about bills or rent after this holiday?

✅ Is this time of year the best time to visit (price and atmosphere-wise)?

✅ Can I still invest/save next month after this holiday?

✅ Am I booking this holiday out of peer pressure?

If it's a YES to most — you're good. If not? Delay it, not deny it. The mountains aren't going anywhere.

Final Words: Broke Is Not a Vibe. Budgeted Is.

You can't keep yelling "I'm so broke" and also drop ₹40K every long weekend. At some point, you have to choose financial peace over peer pressure.

Traveling is lovely. But so is waking up free of debt. So is having the knowledge that you didn't screw up your SIPs for the sake of one pool party.

So travel — but travel like the protagonist who also pays their bills on time.

Take the vacay. But take the plan with it.

If this post touched your feels and your wallet, pass it along to your broke-but-booked buddies as well. Let's create a Gen Z that's not only well-traveled but also well-funded.