One of the most asked questions I get is, “How do you afford to travel so much?” Because no, I’m not rich, I don’t have a sugar daddy, and I didn’t get an inheritance (yet?). So how am I able to fund my travels?
By putting it above all else.
Along with a lot of hard work.
And I know no one wants to hear either of those choices. But honestly it’s true. You don’t get anything without having to sacrifice something. And because I wanted to travel more than anything, I was willing to do whatever it took.
So here are things I’ve done to fund my travels that you can start implementing too.
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Working More
When I was in the US I would work 2 to 3 jobs. I would take naps in my car between jobs. Anything to save more money. It was hard. But I had my eyes on the prize and wasn’t going to be deterred in any way.
Of course this isn’t ideal because the more you work, the less time you have available to actually travel due to work commitments. So I made sure that I found out early on how much flexibility I could have with my jobs and asked with how much advance notice I would need to give to get time off.
I know that not all jobs are flexible so many times you’ll have to plan ahead and work with the days off you know you’ll have.
Getting Paid to Travel
This is the dream one because this is the ultimate goal. I found a way to get paid to travel for work. But in the end it is work. There are many companies that exist that can help you achieve this too. This is how I’ve been able to go to Hawaii three times while getting paid for it! Read more about it in this post.
Cutting Down on Costs
This one is relative because it depends on how much you make and what your basic needs are. It’s important to write out your budget so you know exactly where your money is going. This way you can see where you may be spending a bit more on things that you don’t have to be.
If you’re willing to give up a couple dinners out or skip a few happy hours, it’ll add up to something. Keeping track is important, my budget tracker is coming soon to help get on your next trip sooner rather than later!
Teaching English Online
If you are a native English speaker then this one is perfect for you. There are many different platforms out there that pay various rates. The ones that pay more do require certain certifications or experience. There are ones that do pay less but that are much more flexible.
I started working with a platform called Cambly. It does not pay much, but I’ve been able to get a few consistent students that make it worth it to do a few hours a week. If you’re interested in learning more and need some help setting up your profile and intro video, send me a DM on Instagram (@latinatraveler) letting me know. I do have a service I offer to those looking for this additional support.
Selling Old Clothes/Accessories
This is one that at the moment of writing this post I am currently getting into. I know a lot of people who sell things online so I wanted to jump in on this too. I have so much extra clothes and just stuff laying around my childhood room where I currently find myself that I need to get rid of. Some apps/websites you can use to do this too:
- Vinted
- Ebay
- Facebook Marketplace
- Etsy
- Wallapop (parts of Europe)
Each works differently so do some research to see which will be the right fit for you and your money needs. This is a great and easy way to fund your travels as well as getting rid of unnecessary things around your home.
Save Money in HYSA
A bit related to cutting down on costs because once you know the money you could be saving by using the budget tracker, you need to actually save that money. And not just in your checking account.
Open a High Yield Savings Account (HYSA) because they have higher interest rates. Many don’t have a minimum requirement to open and do fluctuate based on the market. Don’t let it discourage you if it goes down because it will come back up. The one I use is Ally Bank. I love that it has buckets so you can set different goals for what you’re saving.
Travel Rewards
Many credit cards provide rewards and miles when you use them. Depending on the kind of card that it is you can get anywhere from 1 to 4 points/miles per dollar spent. To incentivize people to open certain cards, companies offer welcome points or miles if a certain amount is spent within the first 3 months.
I do not suggest opening a lot of cards at the same time as this can have a negative impact on your credit score. If learning more about your credit score and how to improve it are things that interest you, then I invite you to work with me. I have been invited to give presentations at schools and social work organizations about this topic. I’d love to help you level up your money game. I am not a financial advisor, but I can give you all the info I know to have an above 800 credit score.
Bonus: Volunteer with WorldPackers
Sometimes accommodation is the most expensive part of a trip. If you can get yourself to the destination and are able to plan in advance, then volunteering could be for you. WorldPackers is a company that connects you with hostels, farms, and other companies/people around the world that are looking for volunteers.
For a certain amount of hours a week, they’ll provide you with free housing and sometimes some meals. This is a great way to meet people and cut down your costs while traveling.
If making friends while traveling has you worried, check out this post where I give you multiple ideas on how to meet friends abroad.
Here is the TL;DR version:
- Working More
- Getting Paid to Travel
- Cutting Down on Costs
- Teaching English Online
- Selling Old Clothes/Accessories
- Save Money
- Travel Rewards
- Volunteer with World Packers
Which of these will you start implementing in your life to fund your travels more? Let me know in the comments below.
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Viaja more y live más,
