There is a huge difference between traveling and a vacation. Taking time off work, flying to a picturesque destination, staying in a luxury hotel, and forgetting about all your responsibilities is a vacation. Traveling is a bit more complicated.
To develop a traveling lifestyle, where you venture off to new lands and immerse yourself in different cultures, you need a bit more discipline and drive than just spontaneously booking the flight. You need to prepare yourself mentally and financially for the tough but rewarding road ahead. Here are a few ways to adopt a traveling lifestyle, depending on your unique situation.
Save Money For Traveling
Whether you plan to quit your full-time job, or just take a break, make adjustments to your life at home to save money for traveling. Sell or donate unnecessary possessions like stereos, sports equipment, or those expensive clothes in the back of your closet that you never wear. Ditch the pricey gym membership and Netflix subscription. Stop buying a coffee every morning and save hundreds of dollars by the end of the year.
If possible, sell your car and bike or walk to work. Limit going out to lavish nightclubs, and cook at home rather than eating at restaurants. Live with a roommate in a cheap apartment, or rent out extra space on Airbnb. You can also sign up for travel rewards credit cards and rack up points towards flights. Transition into an overall more frugal lifestyle and you will save so much money for a trip.
Get Paid While Traveling
Once you have saved enough money travel, you can continue to make money on the road to avoid draining your savings too fast. Generate income online through blogging, selling travel guides and photography, forming brand partnerships, gaining commission through affiliate links, and picking up freelance travel writing work. If you have a knack for these digital tricks, you can document your travels while making money to sustain your nomadic lifestyle.
Choose A Traveling Career
Another way to adopt a traveling lifestyle is to follow a career path that is flexible enough to allow you to travel. Being a tour guide, hospitality expert, English teacher, graphic designer, social media consultant or a translator often allows you to travel while working.
Or work for an international company that pays you to travel, whether it be in sales, marketing, finance, government and foreign affairs, sustainability; there is a whole world of job opportunities that need employees overseas. To find paid jobs abroad you may need to apply for a visa, but this step is necessary if travel is really your dream.
Do A Work Exchange
There are other ways to temporarily work abroad. Check out WWOOF, or World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. With this program, you can work on a farm in exchange for accommodation and food. WorkAway is another online program where you can contact hostels, hotels, farms, and other lodgings around the world and work manageable shifts in exchange for free accommodation.
While these jobs are unpaid, the cost of living is so low that you barely spend any money. Work exchanges are excellent for trying out new skills and living in a new country for a few weeks or months.
Live A Nomadic Lifestyle
If you are truly dedicated to traveling long term, the easiest and most affordable method of living is in a mobile home. Places like the USA, Europe, and Australia are great for exploring by RV or trailer because you can avoid the expensive public transport costs and drive anywhere you want on your own time. Sell your home and car, research airstream trailers for sale, renovate and equip your mobile home how you prefer, and hit the road.
Travel Cheaply
Stay in cheap hostels instead of hotels and resorts, or try couch surfing and stay with a local for free. Take public transport, walk, bike, or hitchhike instead of taking taxis. Shop at cheap street markets and cook for yourself rather than eating out every meal. Use reusable water bottles to avoid buying water at the store every day. Check out cheap or free attractions in different cities and scope out discounts. These frugal habits can help you travel for longer on less money.
Also, consider your destination as a whole. Visiting poorer countries in Southeast Asia or South America will make your money last longer than visiting expensive countries like Australia, Canada, or Norway. Check Skyscanner for affordable flights and try to visit countries during the off-season when flights and attractions are cheaper.
No matter how you choose to execute your travels, keep a positive outlook and an open mind. Traveling on a budget means living with less material things and celebrating the intangible joys of life. As long as you work hard to save money and remain flexible while on the road, you can easily experience the joys of traveling as a lifestyle, and you will never need a vacation again.
