For a guy like me with a full-time job, grad school, a lovely girlfriend and a half-alive social life to think about, planning for my next trip can kind of get lost in the shuffle. So, to keep my travel dreams alive, I have to take a few organizing steps in advance…

1) Save yo’ money!

Let’s get real here, I don’t make millions. Far from it. So, I live on a budget, but I make sure to set aside a certain amount each month for travel. The rule here is to start saving and then DON’T TOUCH THAT MONEY. I happen to use ING Direct (it’s an online savings account with a very high interest rate), but it doesn’t matter who you use as long as you do it.

I will, by the way, send you an invite, if you ask – you’ll get $25 bucks for free when you make your first deposit. Hey, free money!

2) Book early…

Start buying flights, hostels, etc at least 2-3 months in advance – you’ll get the best prices and will have the pick of where you want to go and stay. Last-minute deals are a thing of the past, unfortunately.

3) Read a book

Buy a guidebook and make it your friend. Read it! I know that I’ve been guilty of not doing this in the past (or, rather, reading an entire Lonely Planet on my trans-Atlantic flight) and it’s not good. Just think about it, though, you’re paying hundreds (or thousands) of bucks on a trip, try to get the most out of it…

4) But I don't like to read!

The solution to not finding time to read, though, is to do a guided, adventure-backpacking trip. Now, before you get all “Whoa! Nagel!” on me here, just listen. I’m a loner – I like to travel by myself at my own pace. But, last year, I booked an awesome trip to Turkey that went with this small tour group (Intrepid). And I had as much free time as I wanted in each place, I didn’t have to worry about deciphering signs in the bus/train station and I actually saw more than I would have otherwise because our guide was a local. Now, I’m a big proponent of doing trips that way – especially if you’re a busy, young professional like me.

I write all this because I’m heading to South Africa for the first time in November. It’s sort of a dream-come-true for me. Yes, I’m doing a guided trip (you aren’t getting me out on safari without someone who knows what they’re doing!), but I’m still studying up in advance.

This week’s project? Learning how to use a SLR camera… any tips?

Also, anyone been to South Africa? I’m traveling from Durban to Cape Town along the Garden Route…