How to Save Money and Minimize Costs as a Travel Nurse

If you are reading this, you more than likely got into travel nursing to help others and travel the world. But what exactly does that mean? Is it the ability to travel and to cure your insatiable wanderlust? Is it the opportunities to meet people from all walks of life while you help them better their health? These are all factors that make people jump into travel nursing, but the constant travel also comes with constant costs (doesn’t everything though?). With travel nursing being a location-based career, you need to be smart with your money because nurses in different locations and states can have entirely different paychecks depending on that location’s cost of living. Here are a few money saving tips so you can minimize your costs and maximize your budget as a traveling nurse: Learn how maximizing your money and minimizing your costs will lead to a healthy #TravelNursing budget! Check out what @freedomhcs has to say about it! Click To Tweet

Thinking Smart with Your Money

A major attracting factor to travel nursing is the ability to explore the world or help others across the land. While we (probably) prefer to admit the adventure is what draws us to our assignments, at the end of the day money is also a major driving factor as to why we take a position. Here are three things to look for so you can make some extra cash: Disaster relief efforts and strikes are often short staffed, therefore the need for nurses provides a great opportunity to help those in dire need and make some good money. In many cases, these situations work out better because they are not stuck in a typical 13-week timeframe. The downfall is you may have to start packing your bags the moment you get the call. In some cases, agencies will offer signing or referral bonuses for traveling nurses, but while the extra dollar signs may seem appealing these bonuses are there to compensate for low regular pay. The key is to look for the positions that offer higher base pay (some assignments will pay up to $65/hr). While the options previously listed in this section are things to be wary of, the next few will surely get your more cash in your pocket. There are simple ways to make more money all over the internet and mobile devices. Below are a few examples to earn a little bit of extra spending money:

• If you are an animal lover, pick up dog walking by registering on apps like Wag! and Rover. You can combine two of your favorite things in your off time: dogs and nature!
• If you become a travel nurse so you could explore nature and you love to journal your experiences, you can start a blog or podcast! These outlets often lead to some sort of inflow of cash because companies will want you to advertise their products if you generate a big enough following.
• Photography is a great way to bring in some money. If you travel to places for the scenery, you may want to grab a camera for the next time you get assigned.

Minimize Your Costs

To make more money, you have to limit your costs as well! A way you can minimize your costs is to find a housing stipend. This will help you pick your own housing pick how much you will pay at that place. Another way to cut down on your costs is to stay organized. Keep a record of what you have spent on past assignments to negotiate your price when you receive the stipend. Putting the money you receive from bonuses into savings helps to handle your unexpected costs in the future as well so you don’t go in the hole. There are also simple ways to save a buck as well! One such way is to take care of yourself. Staying healthy will help you avoid additional medical bills and missing some hours at work. Use these self-care tips to keep a healthy mind and body! Plus, you feel better when your mind and body are healthy – it’s a win-win.   Networking is another way to help your wallet. Through connecting with other nurses, you can get tips on traveling to certain places, where to stay and where not to stay, what to see in that area and if the hospital in the area treats their nurses well or not. Some other options of these include…

• Looking for bargains and deals when you are shopping and cooking meals at home.
• Create your own catalog of recipes so you can easily reference them for your favorite meals. (If you’re a great chef, you can even try to publish it for some extra money!)
• Create an excel spreadsheet for easy bookkeeping of your finances.
• Keeping a sharp eye out for coupons is another way to cut back on costs on the road.

Did you know that #networking and referring a friend to a hospital can save you money on the road? Read more about how to make the most out of your paychecks from @Freedomhcs! Click To Tweet Acting on these ideas will surely make your wallet feel a little heavier after your assignment! Balancing your income and costs is the key to living a frugal life. Keeping an eagle-like eye on your wallet is one way to optimize your wallet. If you are looking to maximize your money and minimize your costs, utilize the tips above and you should be in great shape! Check into our traveling nurse jobs portal for the latest assignments in your specialty!