Becoming a Full-Time Traveler: 7 Ways to Make It Happen
An unexpected side effect of the recent COVID-19 pandemic is that people suddenly saw the value of traveling. They missed being able to explore the world, and now that it’s opening back up, many people are trying to make up for lost time.
And with so many parts of daily life forced to go virtual, it’s possible to work and still become a full-time traveler.
Yes, your dream of living the gypsy life can come true. All you need to do is follow these 7 tips to make it happen!
1. Minimize Your Expenses
You don’t have to wait until all your bills are paid off before you can travel. However, the less overhead you have, the easier you’ll find it to pick up and go on a whim.
Figure out your overhead and regular expenses (including gas if you’re driving everywhere). Add in a bit for your travel budget, and you’ll know how much you need to make weekly or monthly to support your lifestyle.
2. Start Saving
A savings account is an essential part of financial stability. As a traveler, you’ll need this safety net more than ever.
Since you’re limited to what you can travel with, it makes it easy to avoid spending money on anything unnecessary. However, the experiences you’ll find along the way will tempt you into splurging.
Have those backup savings and keep adding to them just in case emergencies, like car trouble, come up on the road.
3. Find an Independent Job
Freelancing, working remotely for a company, and owning your own business are a few ways you can travel and earn a living. Find a stream of income that you can access wherever you’re visiting.
Whether this is work, living off retirement funds, or using an investment portfolio, it means you have to stick to your budget. Know what you can expect to have in your bank account, and live within your means.
4. Plan Your Destination
Sure, picking up and going wherever the wind takes you sounds amazing. But it isn’t always budget-friendly. If you want to travel full-time, it’s going to require some planning.
Sites like Inspire4Travel can give you ideas of places to add to your list of future destinations. Look for the features you want, such as off-the-beaten-path, sustainable towns, or inexpensive restaurants and lodging. Then, follow the sites that focus on those kinds of places.
5. Work Where You’re Staying
Here comes the hard part. Living like you’re in vacation mode is going to mean your travel days are limited. If you can’t force yourself to work from anywhere, you’ll have a hard time affording your lifestyle.
Do your job while you’re on the beach or at your hotel. Pick up odd jobs wherever you’re visiting. Make sure you work while you travel, and remind yourself that you’re working to enjoy your life.
6. Find Cheap Lodging
Whether you’re an RV road tripper or an international traveler, you need to find cheap places to stay.
Don’t overlook hostels and couch surfing with friends of friends. Find RV sites that aren’t tourist attractions. They’ll be cheaper. Offer to work at a hostel in exchange for lodging. There are plenty of ways to stay safe, clean, and in budget!
7. Use Reward Points
While you don’t want to load up on debt, credit cards can be helpful to travelers. Find a card with a low limit if you’re worried about overspending, and one that has travel perks.
Any time you would use your debit card, swap to your credit card instead. Then, pay it off when the statement comes in each month.
You’ll be pleasantly surprised how quickly the reward points add up. Use them to plan your next trip, and then repeat the cycle!
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