Save Money or Travel the World? How to Navigate This Classic Money Dilemma

There comes a moment in every money journey when the budget is balanced, the emergency fund is padded, the future is being funded…
And you start to wonder… is it finally okay to live a little? 👀

That’s exactly where one listener found herself in this week’s episode of The Vault. At 24, she’s built an impressive foundation as a freelancer in the unpredictable world of film and TV. She budgets carefully, has a solid £25k net worth (including a Cash LISA, emergency fund, and pension), and she’s been doing all the right things for years.

But now she’s asking the question so many of us do in our 20s:
Should I carry on saving… or should I take the trip of a lifetime while I still can?

You don’t need permission – but here it is anyway 😉

At Financielle, we often talk about how your money should work for you and your life. And the truth is, this listener is already doing everything right – maybe even too right.

From managing irregular income to building strong savings habits, she’s clearly got the financial maturity. But that doesn’t mean she has to delay joy forever. As the pod said loud and clear: this is your season to travel. 🌎

You’re not irresponsible for wanting to explore the world. You’re not “bad with money” if you pause investing for a year while you live a little. You’ve earned the right to do something that’s just for you, no guilt required. 

The ‘one goal at a time’ approach

The episode was a reminder that sometimes the best way forward isn’t trying to do everything – it’s choosing one thing, funding it fully, and then moving on. 

Here’s how the pod broke it down:

• Decide how long you want to travel – 3 months? 6 months? A full year? 🗺 
• Work out how much it will cost – and start a dedicated travel sinking fund. ✈️ 
• Pause your other goals temporarily – like LISA contributions or investing – and go all in on saving for that trip.🏝 
• Come back, reset, and pick up where you left off. 🏡 

This isn’t abandoning your financial future. It’s just pressing pause, and you’re allowed to do that!

Final thoughts: A well-lived life is also a well-funded one 💸

So often, we wait for some magical permission slip before we do the thing we really want to do. But this episode was a powerful reminder that money isn’t just about what you’re building for the future; it’s also about what you’re making possible today.

If you’ve been playing everything “by the book” and wondering whether it’s time to live a little… maybe this is your sign. 

Not reckless. Not impulsive. Just a short, joyful detour on a very well-planned path.

Want more dilemmas like this?
🎧 Listen to the full episode of The Vault: “Save Money or Travel the World” – now on YouTube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts.