How I Can Afford to Travel the World Full Time
It was three years ago when I first packed my bags and hopped on a plane solo, headed for Europe. At 20 years of age I had very little idea what I was getting myself into, having previously only travelled overseas with family or friends.
Three years later I’m still travelling solo and have been on my current trip for 8 months – you could say I’m addicted to exploring the world.
The truth is I’m a dreamer. I don’t look at things and ask why? I ask why not.
So you want to know how I can afford to travel the world full time?
The only thing that stops us from turning our dreams into a reality is fear – fear of not succeeding in overcoming challenges.
I faced many challenges in being able to travel the world full time – yes, I am just like you.
I often get bombarded with comments and emails stating that I ‘must be rich’ or my parents are paying for my gypsy lifestyle travelling the world – this couldn’t be further from the truth. Oh, and it’s also mildly insulting.
I don’t have a money tree. I don’t live off my parents. Truth be told, my parents have never paid a penny of my travels – NOT ONE SINGLE PENNY. I’m 22 years old, I would be ashamed to say that I am living off my parents… so please, take it as gospel that I do not now, nor have I ever, relied on my parents to fund my lifestyle.
So how do I do it?
For a long time I have avoided writing this post because I believe if you really want something bad enough, you will find a way. I’m sure that many people have viewed my lifestyle and thought ‘how?’, but those that want it bad enough will have looked and found the answers on their own accord. Truth be told, it isn’t that expensive to travel the world if you are smart about it.
There’s a big difference between a holiday and long-term travel
When you go on a holiday you are spending a heightened amount of money because you have ‘earned it’ and you tend to splash out on extras from a better airline to a nicer hotel, right through to indulging in desserts twice per day… You fall into a trap of overspending because you’ve earned it. There’s nothing wrong with that because you have worked hard and rightly so, you have earned it.
Long-term travel on the other hand is a lifestyle – it is just like every day life except it doesn’t involve a Monday-Friday and the idea of a 9-5 is thrown out the window. Just like living at home, you have to plan ahead and budget, save money where you can, and only splurge on special activities once in a while.
So while you have the idea in your mind that travel is expensive, you’re comparing the cost of a two week holiday where you indulge for 14 days, with a 6 or 12 month lifestyle choice that is similar to life at home, just in a new country every few days or weeks.
How I Can Afford to Travel Full Time
There are two parts to this answer: Before becoming a travel blogger and as a travel blogger.
Before becoming a Travel Blogger
I receive hundreds of emails from readers asking how they can travel the world full time, hence finally writing this blog post in as much detail as possible. But when I have previously stated you can travel the world around $15,000-$20,000 per year comfortably, people have been quick to say it is not possible or at the very least respond in disbelief. The truth is that you can – plain and simple. It just involves a little strategic consideration and an attitude of determination, not creating excuses for yourself.
I previously wrote that I saved this amount of money in a year when I was working as an hotel receptionist back at home in Australia. I received the following comment in response:
But to address what is trying to be said here, let’s pretend the comment was slightly less accusatory and written with a touch of intrigue instead.
Yes, I lived at my parent’s home when I saved between 15-20k in a year to go travelling… there’s no denying that helped get me to my savings goal a lot quicker. However that is a choice I made – a sacrafice to stay at home instead of moving interstate like all my friends were to avoid paying rent and instead save that money for travelling overseas. This decision also meant that I couldn’t go to the university of my choice because of where my parents live, I had very limited job opportunities, all of my friends moved away, and my long-distance relationship failed because my (then) boyfriend lived in the same state as all of my friends.
It was a sacrifice I was willing to make because I made saving for travel my priority.
Also in the job I held (part time hotel receptionist), I did not earn nearly as much as the $45k figure you have suggested. I was working part time alongside a university degree where I was very focused on my marks, volunteering every Monday at the local hospital, and engaging in hobbies such as dancing, gym, and yoga…. so there was no time left for me to be working full time hours. Thus I instead chose to work part time and have flexible hours around my crazy schedule. I was working anywhere between 30-60 hours per week on part time rates which, in Australia, is around $20-$30 per hour before tax. While this might sound like the lottery to some other Nationalities – please know that in Australia we have very very high taxes and living costs are much higher – so these wages are comparable.
But my trick was that I didn’t have high living costs because I was living at home and had very low living costs. I didn’t go out socializing with friends (most of them moved interstate anyway), I would watch movies at home instead of the cinema, I didn’t buy new clothes for the year, and virtually spent no money unless it was absolutely unavoidable (petrol, food, medication).
I made sacrifices – this led to my savings goal being reached in under a year.
Working as a Full Time Travel Blogger
Then there’s life after I started my blog.
Read about my story becoming a full time travel blogger here.
Before I started blogging, I was on a tight budget to pay for everything I did – from flights through to accommodation, trains, activities, shoes…. you get the drill.
It might come as a surprise to you that I am still on a tight budget to pay for my travels.
Through my blog, worldofwanderlust.com, becoming so successful (not for lack of blood sweet and tears and many sleepless nights), I have been fortunate enough to land some pretty amazing opportunities working with brands and establishments around the globe. This has obviously significantly reduced my travel costs as many of the trips I take are by invitation and cover most or all expenses. Everything that isn’t covered in a job outline, I pay for myself out of my own pocket. Sometimes this means paying for my own flights, other times these are covered. Sometimes this means paying for my own meals at a remote resort where the only option is to pay $80 for a salad entree….. and before you know it I’ve blown my budget in just one greek salad dessert (I can’t end a meal without it – or so I tell myself haha!).
But I also don’t always travel with my expenses paid, as I mix up my time working on big jobs with some more low key travel plans so I can see and explore a city without having to write about it – however I would say 96% of the time I am working in some capacity. A lot of the time I’m not reviewing hotels or writing feature articles, instead working with brands in the fashion industry or ghost writing for other freelance writing gigs. I definitely devote the majority of my day to worldofwanderlust.com, but sometimes I’m off balancing other jobs as well.
Again, it all comes down to priorities and making it work by fighting the excuses in your head.
There have been many times this year where I have been overwhelmed by my work commitments, spent waaaaay too much money on a shopping spree for therapy or just been so run down that I’ve seriously considered going home – but I have persevered.
It’s not easy.
To stay on the road full time I need to constantly watch what I spend to ensure I don’t run out of money, constantly be watching flight prices and often change my itinerary according to my budget. For example I would love to pack up my things this very minute and go climb to Mount Everest Base Camp in Nepal, but I simply cannot afford it.
To Summarise:
I am on a budget just like you.
I face challenges just like you.
I am however very fortunate to have opportunities through my blog (these days – not always the case).
But above all, I make it work.
I’ve always been a firm believer in work hard / play hard, and have adapted this mantra into my daily lifestyle. Right now I live, sleep, eat and breathe my travel blog. I’m always working in some capacity, even waking up during the night multiple times to check my emails.
But I love what I do because this is my passion, and I strongly believe your passion is your purpose in life.
So go on, go chase those dreams!
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