Congratulations!! You’ve simply been employed in your dream job as a Flight Attendant! That is such an thrilling time in your life! Your thoughts is racing with thousands and thousands of ideas as to what’s subsequent; what uniform items will I select as I deal with the aisles as my private runway? What metropolis will I be based mostly in? Ought to Paris or London be my first vacay? #flightattendantlifebetches!!
As thrilling as this time is, new flight attendants, similar to myself, can discover out VERY rapidly that being a Flight Attendant will also be very costly beginning out, particularly if you happen to don’t have a monetary plan in place. To not point out that you’re beginning with the bottom pay. I can positively agree with most seasoned flight attendants once they say that issues get higher with time (and seniority). Till then listed here are 5 methods to economize and make life simpler the primary couple of years of flying.
1. MAKE SMART FOOD CHOICES:
-Pack and convey meals! Even if you happen to minimize out consuming out half of the journey you’ll save a lot cash! Airport meals common $10 minimal per meal. Resort meals could be very costly (about $15 minimal) and generally there aren’t any different eating places round your layover to select from so you’re caught with the resort restaurant being your solely choice if you happen to haven’t packed meals. In case you can convey meals this can provide help to out lots. In case you eat out each day for a 3-day journey you possibly can simply spend over $100 per journey. I usually work 4–5 journeys per thirty days. That’s over $400/month of meals bills for journeys alone!
-try to choose journeys the place there’s a crew meal. This additionally helps! In case you see a visit that provides a crew meal that’s one much less meal it’s a must to pay for. It appears small however, belief me, it provides up.
-try to get layovers the place you will get a house cooked meal! I have to’ve been the ONLY flight attendant within the historical past of my airline strategically in search of layovers within the Flint Michigan space as a result of my household is there. Household equals residence cooked (and free) meals!
2. PICK TRIPS WITH BORING LAYOVERS….
I do know, I do know. The LAST factor {that a} newly employed flight attendant that may now journey wherever on this planet needs to listen to is to choose boring layovers however TRUST ME!! Rome, Barcelona, and Rio aren’t going wherever. They are going to be there. Attempt to dedicate that first 12 months or two to budgeting and saving. Choosing boring layovers in small cities will provide help to just do that. Give it some thought; the extra boring the layover/metropolis the least possible you’ll exit and spend some huge cash on meals and leisure. ‘Is smart, proper?
3. TRY TO BE BASED WHERE YOU EITHER LIVE OR HAVE CLOSE FAMILY/FRIENDS
–Other than the advantage of not having to commute, selecting a base the place you reside or have shut household and associates you could stick with will provide help to lower your expenses considerably as a result of now you don’t have to fret in regards to the prices of a crash pad and/or lodges. Crash pads fluctuate in value ($300+/month is what a few of my commuter associates have informed me is the common) however the greater the town/larger price of residing equals the next month-to-month crash pad invoice and/or costlier resort room. Sure New York Metropolis and Los Angeles are each superb for SO many causes however if you happen to don’t already stay there, it may be a expensive invoice.
–I do know that not each flight attendant has a option to be based mostly the place they stay. Generally you HAVE to commute both as a result of the bottom the place you reside isn’t accessible or as a result of there is no such thing as a base the place you reside. In case you discover that you haven’t any selection within the matter and HAVE to commute, attempt to choose or ultimately switch to a base metropolis the place the price of residing is the bottom doable. For instance, it might be cheaper to
be based mostly in Detroit versus Boston. Make the most of your new flight household. Ask different flight attendants about completely different bases and their monetary experiences in these cities to get a greater gauge earlier than committing to a metropolis.
4. ELIMINATE UNECESSARY BILLS
– Hear, I do know that’s tempting to have the entire premium cable channels however I’m going to let you know proper now; as a flight attendant you gained’t be residence a lot to make use of them. Particularly if you’re employed proper earlier than or throughout “summer time flying.” My first 12 months of flying I discovered myself paying for issues that I wasn’t even in a position to make the most of (premium cable, WIFI, and so on.). I lastly canceled all of my pointless payments similar to cable and WIFI. I ensured that I had limitless knowledge on my cellular phone bundle and simply used my ex’s Netflix till he minimize me off (impolite). However even after I added Netflix to my listing of payments it was less expensive than the Xfinity invoice I used to get. Between Netflix and my firestick, I don’t miss having cable in any respect. I now go to the Starbucks proper up the road for WIFI if I completely want it (for running a blog primarily).
–One other cash saver is ensuring you’re turning off the lights and (or decreasing) the warmth/air when you find yourself out touring relying on the area you reside in. it appears petty nevertheless it actually provides up!
5. WORK FOR MORE MONEY AND/OR UPGRADE YOUR WORK!
It sounds easy sufficient however among the best advantages of being a flight attendant is having the ability to choose up further journeys everytime you want more money. Not everybody has this selection. A variety of careers are salaried so regardless of how a lot or much less they work their paychecks keep the identical. Flight Attendants all the time have the choice to choose up extra journeys for money. I’ve discovered that, in my virtually seven years whole of flying, there may be ALWAYS a visit accessible for pickup, therefore, extra money in your pockets. Along with working extra you may also improve your flying for extra cash: turning into a speaker, flying lead or purser place, and flying worldwide are ALL some examples of the way you could make much more cash whereas flying.
In conclusion, as thrilling as this dream profession is, we should be sure, particularly at first, that we don’t make life more durable on ourselves financially then it needs to be. I hope that you just discovered some, if not all, of the following tips useful as you begin or proceed your profession within the pleasant skies. What are some ways in which you lower your expenses that has helped you? Remark beneath.