We live in a world of perceptions. Of presumptions. Where to have no money in your pocket means you're poor and to have big house means you're rich.
So if you make a presumption about me, I'm poor.
I have no house. No money in my back pocket.
Make another presumption...
I travelled to 15 countries in the last 12 months and am currently living on a Scuba Diving Liveaboard in the Pacific ocean.
So now I must be rich right?
And the biggest presumption of all: Travelling is Expensive.
Oh this world of confused presumptions we live perplexes me daily.
I get questioned A LOT about how I afford to travel. And that's okay. I too make presumptions, and if I wasn't me I would presume I have some pot of gold I sleep on every night and trade in for
flight tickets around the world.
But the truth is I can't afford to STOP Travelling!
Sounds crazy right?But I would be financially worse off if I sacked in my life as a global gypsy for the life I once lead secured to one place back in Brighton, UK.
Why? And why is the presumption wrong that Travelling is expensive? Let me tell you....
1. Cost of accommodation
I once had my head screwed on and had one of those good job things and even a mortgage (yeah seriously) I knew no different as it was before I travelled, but living on less than $100 a month was
really not fun. And that's while having a full time well paid job. My mortgage, the insurance and the bills gobbled up my pennies until I was left with little more than a night out on the town.
No complaints though, being on the housing ladder was worth it. But now, with no mortgage, and travelling the world I cant even begin to compare how much cheaper it is.
I CouchSurf a lot when I travel, staying with locals and learning their
culture is one of the most rewarding parts of solo travelling. Its also free of charge and you gain lifelong friendships.
Another form of accommodation is by volunteering or 'work exchange' where you exchange a few hours work a day for free accommodation and food, usually for a long time period. I have stayed on a
organic farm in Argentina for 4 weeks, a school in Chile for 5 weeks, and Hostels around South America all for free.
Oh and its super easy to find: sign up to Workaway- a work exchange site to look for
opportunities all over the world.
And when you are not volunteering or CouchSurfing then you are staying at Hostels averaging (depending where you are) around $7 a night. Accommodation on the road is CHEAP. Much much cheaper than
staying in one place and renting a flat and paying agent fees.
Read my Ultimate guide to Cheap Travel for more info on Workaway
2. Food
Why don't they have markets in the UK where you can sit down and have a full meal for $2? I know that is not inline with inflation, but still, maybe $5? When travelling around Central America i
rarely spent more than $7 a day eating 3 meals. Good meals. I didn't need to go grocery shopping, spend too much on large quantities of food I didn't need and throw away rotten food. It's cheap
to eat on the road. Cheaper than at home (get where I'm going with this yet?)
3. Paid jobs usually come with food and accommodation too, and are more acceptable to short term contracts.
Don't get that working in an office eh.
Wanna know how much I've spent this month? $24.
Why? Because I'm living and working on a Scuba Diving
Liveaboard in Micronesia.I get free food a private room and I get paid daily to be here (and I get to dive for free too )
Ok wages aren't high, but there are tips and when I calculate how much I am saving and NOT spending again I am better off here.
Getting jobs in obscure locations (like this) usually come with accommodation and food included. And most of these jobs aren't accessible unless you are prepared to travel.
Travel jobs usually don't come with a contract either; which for me is a good thing, I love trying out new jobs, finding out what I like and what I don't, and the flexibility makes me more
relaxed and to live by the saying 'I am free to go but I choose to stay'
Live your dream: Move abroad and become an English Teacher
4. When I am constantly moving I am constantly motivated
Fact. A unsecured life of chances and the unknown keeps me more alive. I feel constantly inspired by what's around me and excited about learning. I just don't feel like this when I am at home
with everything I need around me. Pushing my limits result in pushing my courage, I feel like I can achieve more, I am more willing to learn and I become more motivated and confident in reaching
my dreams.
5. I am just not ready to settle
And I'm happy to admit it. I'm 26, I have the biggest desire to explore, an adventurous attitude and an awareness of how short life is. I am just not ready to stay in one place just yet. I'm
addicted to moving, to seeing new things, meeting new people. Okay, I can do this in the UK, but that's not what I WANT. I am told too often 'you are only young once' so I'm being young, in the
way I have chosen.
You see half the reason I can't afford to STOP travelling is financial. And that's completely true, I am financially better off touring the world one country at a time than I would be paying a
mortgage or renting in the UK. But the other half of the reason I can't afford to STOP is because of my conscience.
I learnt a few years ago that I am the best version of myself when I am in new environments. I am more sociable, more lively, more adventurous, I carry around crazy amounts of motivation and
inspiration that I just cant find through any other channels.
This blog was made along the ride of inspiration. I became a DiveMaster while discovering new passions, made friends while wandering new countries. The happiness I feel now and the life I am
living today is based upon the decisions I made to keep travelling.
I really can't afford to stop.
And when it comes to the whole process being too expensive to sack your life in and join me? That's all an excuse. Yes, you do need money to do it and to buy the plane ticket, but when you are
wherever your desired location is, to stay there and live the life of a traveller: is cheaper than to live at home.
Is your life cheaper to travel than to stay at home? Can you afford to stop? Or even not to start?Let me know...
About The Author
Sarah is a Twenty something Scuba obsessed Travel Blogger and a self proclaimed 'Global Gypsy' originally from the UK. Follow her journeys as
she blog's, blows bubbles, takes photos and drinks too much coffee around the globe as part of the new generation of digital nomad's. Find out more about her and her website here
Don't forget your travel insurance!
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