If you’re reading this, it means I still don’t have Internet access in Guatemala, but I’m working on it!
Last week, a reader asked me how I manage to travel and pay my way around the world. Since many people have asked me this in the past, I decided to answer with a two-part series. The question was about handling the lack of income while traveling.
The money part of traveling is actually quite simple: you don’t need much. Personally, I attended business school in my last two years of college, which was paid for by the company I worked part-time at. I also earned a salary and a scholarship, totaling about $2000 per month, and I lived like my broke student friends, which allowed me to save money. By the time I graduated, I dreamed of a round-the-world trip and estimated needing around $1000 per month for everything, including flights.
To save more aggressively, I took up a waitress job on weekends and cut down on going out, preferring to entertain friends at home. By the end of the year, I had saved more than enough for a year of travel. I decided to buy a flat in the Paris suburbs and travel using the rental income from it. I also kept a small savings cushion for emergencies. My philosophy was that as long as I had enough for a last-minute, one-way ticket home, I’d be fine. That ticket would cost around $3000, which gave me peace of mind.
During my travels, I lived on about $15 a day. I didn’t mind sacrificing comfort, so I camped, slept in buses, ate at markets, and hitch-hiked, but also splurged occasionally, like getting my diving certification in Honduras. I frequently talked to other travelers to learn about budget-friendly ways to reach new places. For instance, in Cambodia, Angkor Wat cost $20 for a day or $40 for a three-day pass. I chose the one-day ticket based on travelers’ advice and paid for an extra night in a $2 hotel to rest afterward.
The main point is that traveling can be very cheap, especially if you go slowly. Weekly travel usually involves a plane ticket and an expensive package deal for food and accommodation, possibly costing $1000 or more. However, slow travel eliminates the plane ticket and allows you to stay in affordable guest houses or with locals, paying only for what you need. You can find clean rooms in guest houses for $10 a night, whereas resorts charge for amenities you might not use.
Regarding income, during my first year of travel, I wasn’t too worried because I had rental income and savings. While I considered finding a small job on the road, the low wages deterred me. For example, in Central America, tourist jobs often pay $1 per hour plus tips, totaling around $15 after an eight-hour shift. I preferred working one day in France and enjoying a full week in Guatemala instead of working for local minimum wages.
The French system reassured me because if I returned home jobless, I’d be entitled to 24 months of jobseeker’s allowance. This safety net meant I could receive 70% of my last income for the next two years. Now, I feel secure with 4 to 6 months’ worth of living expenses saved up. I’ve never been without work for long and could always take a temporary job to extend my emergency funds.
To be continued…