Y’all want to know the number one question that I get about quitting my job that’s none of anyone’s business? It’s about how I fund my lifestyle of leaving my corporate job and traveling constantly. Lucky for you, I’m not shy when it comes to talking about money.
When I started working after college, I told myself that when I was debt-free, I’d quit my job to travel. That moment came and passed three years after graduation.
When I became debt-free, I told myself that when I had a year’s expenses in savings that I would quit my job to travel. That moment came and passed a year after becoming debt-free.
When I had a year’s expenses in savings, I told myself that when the time was right, I’d quit my job to travel. That moment came while in Vietnam when a friend asked me why I didn’t just leave my job, and I didn’t let it pass.
This photo has no relevance to the article. At all.
I still haven’t answered your question though, have I?
I have some runway with my savings and am continuing to work online to supplement my savings. The goal is to not go back to corporate and to evolve my online writing, editing, and blog to a point that I am fully sustainable, ideally creating streams of passive income. Of course, life happens and we’ll see what other avenues open up to me as I go.
Also- I’ve always wanted to work as a beertender in a brewery. I might look into that soon, or look at being a barista. That’s always looked fun, too! I want to get my dive master’s certification next year, but I’m not sure if I’ll want to work in that or not. Ideally, I’ll be living a super low-expense lifestyle and in time be able to make enough to start saving again.
So that’s it- I’m making a little money, I’ve saved enough to be fine, and I’m living the life that I want.
It’s clear that I don’t see a reason to NOT travel – there’s plenty of blogs and other resources to lead travelers to cheap flights, inexpensive lodging, and apps that make city tours available in a single click. In a world of apps and blogs, why wouldn’t someone make travel accessible to themselves?
I’d hate to sound insensitive, so let me be clear:
I do not make a ridiculous amount of money. I get 15 paid days off per year. I am terrible about planning ahead. Yet in 2016 I visited 9 countries, and each trip I took was less than $1000 including flights– how?
Expenses –
I pay all of my bills right away. Student loans, rent, and a car payment are all a part of my reality. I keep my other expenses low. Then, whatever is left over is mine to spend.
Also, I work in sales. I am fortunate to get a quarterly bonus. With this, I usually put half toward debt and half toward spoiling myself- usually in the form of travel.
Credit Cards (Points) – I rarely pay for flights, and never full price. I leverage frequent flier programs, budget airlines, and special deals to keep my flight costs low. It cost me more to go home to Iowa last year than it did to go to Budapest thanks to frequent flier miles.
Strategic Saving – As an added bonus, I have $40 of every paycheck go to an account that I do not touch. That’s just over $2000 per year that I have set aside to travel.
Time
Last year I traveled a long weekend to the Caribbean, took 1 week to visit Central America, and traveled over Thanksgiving week. I was able to travel for 10 days and use my 2 days of holiday to only have to take 3 days off. I also spent a full week at home in the Midwest and took several Friday afternoons off for summer mini road trips in New England.
Planning
I always have a place to stay my first night in a new spot. Beyond that, I take recommendations as they come and enjoy my time in new places step by step.
The $1000 Vacation – It’s possible, and it’s fun.
Therefore, the concept of the $1000 vacation has been born. I have gone on 5 trips in the last two years and covered 10 countries and several US States. Each trip cost less than $1000 including flights, lodging, and everything else.
I’m heading to Scandinavia next month for ten days. Scandanavia is notoriously expensive. I can’t find a hostel for less than $80 a night! Do you think I’ll be able to keep the trip under $1k?
