I travel. A lot. The last few years I make anywhere from 7 to 10 international trips a year.
I get a lot of people asking me how I manage to do it; no, I'm not rich, and yes, I fund my own travel. So how do I do it? The answer is multi-faceted, but REALLY SIMPLE: I have made travel a lifestyle and create opportunties to see the world using my abilities and resources.
I've decided to do a post resuming just how I can afford to travel so much and compiled some information that can hopefully help you to do the same.
Timing and planning
Timing and planning are SO important for me. I try to book my train/plane tickets way in advance while seats still tend to be cheaper. I avoid travelling during peak periods when I can, but since I am a teacher with fixed time off (during peak periods) this is often difficult. Instead, I use the inflexibility of my schedule to my advantage: since I know exactly when I'll be on vacation, if I find cheap tickets, I just book them right away. No way I'm missing out on a deal!
When travelling in Europe and Asia I have used a variety of budget airlines and search engines to book my trips. I have listed a few below.
Asia: Air Asia, Dragon Air, Royal Brunei, Jet Star, Tiger Airways, Zuji
Some examples of deals I've gotten: I've flown between Dublin and Edinburgh for 16 GBP including taxes on RyanAir. I've snagged train tickets from London to Brussels for 69 GBP return. I only paid $600 USD for my ticket from Hong Kong to Seattle last summer.
Financial matters/ management
There's no secret or gimmick: I am good with my money. In order to have enough money to travel I operate on a few basic principles:
a) I don't buy anything I can't afford to pay for in cash.
b) I rarely use my credit card; when I do, I pay the balance in full.
c) I pay all my bills first! After paying my fixed expenses (rent, phone bill etc) I put a set amount of money into a saving account and don't touch it.
d) After putting money into my savings account after every paycheck, I take out a set amount of cash that I'll use as spending money between paychecks. I try to use only this cash for my entertainment, transportation, food, and miscellaneous items. I like using cash for everything because it's easy to monitor how much I'm spending. Doing things this way also means that I don't use my credit/debit cards very often.
e) I budget budget budget, and budget realistically! The last 7 months I haven't been working so it was crucial that I was smart with my money. I did a rough plan of how much I wanted to spend per month (about $1200 USD) and tried not to stray from that.
Lifestyle
I don't drink or smoke so I save a lot of money because of that. I cut down on transportation costs because I've lived in cities where I don't need a car. I walk places when I can, which means that I save on bus and cab fare -- my two feet are free! Apart from my camera, laptop, and iPod, I don't own any fancy electronics. When I lived in Hong Kong and owned a TV,I only had basic cable. I am the queen of the pay as you go phone, and use Skype to call friends and family abroad: I can call a land line in Canada or the States for as little as $0.02 a minute. I spend a lot of money on clothes and am a bit of a clotheshorse, but tend to shop at affordable places like H&M. I don't mind spending, say, $400 on a leather jacket, because it is a classic, good quality piece that will last me for a long time. The same goes for shoes. I spend more on footwear, but they are comfortable, timeless, and last long. I eat out quite a bit, but cut corners here and there by skipping appetizer and dessert and ordering tap water.<
Career path and work abroad opportunities
People, in particular my newest readers, often think that I travel all the time, but I have a day job that gives me a lot of time off to travel. I'm a high school teacher who has taught English literature and French in international schools around the world. I chose this career path in part because I always knew I wanted to live abroad and have enough time to travel during my holidays, which are numerous. So far, I've taught in France, Mexico, and Hong Kong, and always extensively travel the regions that I temporarily call home. I now teach at a high school here in London, and have been taking advantage of my prime location in Europe to explore the rest of the continent.
To teach in an international school, you need a specialized degree/certificate that allows you to teach in public elementary and/or secondary schools in your home country. In Canada, this teaching degree is called a Bachelor of Education, which is an 8-month to 2 year program typically done after completing a 4-year university degree. In the UK, this degree is known as the PGCE, and in Hong Kong it is known as thePGDE. These programs can certify one to teach basically any subject that is taught in schools, like Math, or Science, or Art. One can get a generalist certification to teach primary grades or kindergarten. I've always loved languages so I am certified to teach Grade 7 to 12 English lit and French.
Teaching English as a Second (or Foreign) Language is also a great option to go abroad. There are lots of jobs in Asia, in particular, and many programs granting a TEFL or TESL designation that certifies you to teach English as a foreign language. Dave's ESL Cafe is a good start for info and job postings for ESL/EFL teaching.
If you are a university student, you can also teach English in France; I did this back in 2006. Click this link for more information.
*I did a video a few months back explaining the difference between teaching English as a foreign language and teaching any K-12 subject in an international school... check it out!
Not into teaching? Why not see if your country allows you to apply for a working holiday visa so you can work in another field? Canadians under 35, for instance, can get a visa to work in France for up to a year. I have a working holiday visa for the UK, which allows me to work here for up to two years. For Americans, who get the short end of the stick when it comes to work visas for foreign countries, there are a number of programs run by BUNAC and AIESEC that help American nationals find work in different career fields abroad.
While I've chosen to focus on paid work opportunities, a number of volunteer and study abroad opportunities exist. A simple Google search will reveal them in their entirety.
So, in conclusion...
With a few adjustments and considerations it's possible to travel frequently. The secret to living out your travel dreams lies in two words: research and discipline.
My google search brought upon this blog and your video. Thank you for your clarification of becoming an international teacher. I am a certificated teacher in the United States. I have two credentials in Special Education. My question is, do those qualify? Also, I know you mentioned a book regarding this topic, in your reply can you include the name of the book.
Maricela_Sandoval: My google search brought upon this blog and your video.
rule of thumb, never, ever skimp on lodgings. stay at the top hotels and if you can't afford fancy restaurants buy bread and cheese, etc. but don't stay in sub par accomadations.
hopein2012: rule of thumb, never, ever skimp on lodgings. stay at
Oneika-
Your pictures are beautiful. I am a fellow budget traveler who unfortunately got started doing it late in the game (30th birthday was my first trip abroad since I was a teenager). I, too, get asked, "How can you afford this??!!" I have a slight luxury of being an hourly employee, therefore I pick up overtime frequently. I take my lunch to work. I cook at home when I'm not at work, only eating out maybe once a week. I shop at Marshall's and TJ Maxx. I buy clothes and shoes out-of-season. I live right by the Belmont Red Line stop in Chicago, so I don't own a car. My manicures consist of a bottle of Maybelline polish and cotton balls (I'm a nurse, so I don't need pretty fingernails!) My one splurge is cable TV with the movie channels, since I don't go out too often for entertainment.
I fell madly in love with Berlin last year and will making a repeat visit over Labor Day (May 1). If you know of any programs for nurses like the teaching programs you mentioned, I'd be happy to hear it. Happy travels, and best of luck.
coolmaiden: Oneika- Your pictures are beautiful. I am a fellow budget
Berlin is a fabulous city and I go often since my partner is from there. Unfortunately, I am unaware of nursing work abroad programs, but I will definitely keep my eyes and ears open!
hp_blogger_Oneika Raymond: Berlin is a fabulous city and I go often since
There's all kinds of way to save when you travel. I usually book my trips on my own website, http://www.LetsBeOut.com We have all types of 30% off, 50% off deals. If anyone is interested in saving by having a travel business just join my website as an Affiliate!
Brian_Love: There's all kinds of way to save when you travel.
Fantastic post. We used to be travellers...and now we're parents of a toddler with dreams of hitting the road again sometime soon. With regard to teaching abroad, do international schools ever require special ed teachers? Do teachers ever travel with their families to teaching posts or is this more an endeavor for the footloose and family free?
frnd74: Fantastic post. We used to be travellers...and now we're parents
I have worked with loads of teachers in international schools who have come with kiddies and significant others in tow. I would even venture to say that intl schools prefer teaching couples and families because they have the tendency to stay for longer in certain posts (i.e. past the initial two year contract). Thank you!
hp_blogger_Oneika Raymond: I have worked with loads of teachers in international schools
This is a fantastic post! I love traveling and I have been on several road trips in the USA as well. In 2010, I took a trip to Rome by myself and in 2011 took both my children to Paris, London and Rome. They're 15 and 9 and I feel they're at a perfect age to travel and explore what the world has to offer.
I pay everything with cash and don't own a credit card. I don't like shopping but I do like to eat out. I don't get frequent, expensive haircut or get manicures like many of my friends, so I do the flexibility to travel as often as possible. Right now, I'm winding down to focus on getting my son in college and we'll be moving to a different city in a couple of years. As soon as we get that handled, we'll get our backpacks on and travel again.
Stay safe and adventurous.
hrbk2004: This is a fantastic post! I love traveling and I
It is nice to see the world but after seeing so much of it I am finding that there are plenty of things I neglected to see in my own backyard.
Save money, time and stress by taking time to explore what is around you and in doing so you will help save the environment too.
Tommy_the_Tiger: It is nice to see the world but after seeing
i kind of agree with you. i have traveled all over the world but there is so much more in my country i want to see. for example, natchez, MS. i have never been there but heard the mansions are so cool.
hopein2012: i kind of agree with you. i have traveled all
I would also like the opportunity to travel to different areas, especially when I can find a job again. So for now, while my budget is tight, I take advantage of the various photo field trips my 2 camera clubs have to offer. Granted, they're still located in California and some may require a slight expense of $25 [if we rent a bus], but most are free. At least I get to see some areas that are on my "photography bucket list" and also get some great images at the same time. If I like an area that has much to offer in the way of "photo ops" then I'll try to return again sometime later. If I carpool with someone, then my only expense is to give the person driving some money for gas. Eventually, once I'm able to find a job again, my dream vacation would be to attend one of those "photo workshops" in another state.
msfixit3325: I would also like the opportunity to travel to different
Seeing the world is great, but I do agree that many of us neglect to explore our own countries! I will definitely endeavour to see more of my home country (Canada) in the next few years.
hp_blogger_Oneika Raymond: Seeing the world is great, but I do agree that
American Express returns 20% of the points when paying for travel or merchandise with points. The trick is getting the point balance up high enough to where it starts feeding itself with every ticket, rental car or amazon purchase.
Of course, this method requires great discipline and responsibility, paying bills with Amex and paying off the balance, on time, every month.
theGrands: American Express returns 20% of the points when paying for
Your pictures are beautiful. I am a fellow budget traveler who unfortunately got started doing it late in the game (30th birthday was my first trip abroad since I was a teenager). I, too, get asked, "How can you afford this??!!" I have a slight luxury of being an hourly employee, therefore I pick up overtime frequently. I take my lunch to work. I cook at home when I'm not at work, only eating out maybe once a week. I shop at Marshall's and TJ Maxx. I buy clothes and shoes out-of-season. I live right by the Belmont Red Line stop in Chicago, so I don't own a car. My manicures consist of a bottle of Maybelline polish and cotton balls (I'm a nurse, so I don't need pretty fingernails!) My one splurge is cable TV with the movie channels, since I don't go out too often for entertainment.
I fell madly in love with Berlin last year and will making a repeat visit over Labor Day (May 1). If you know of any programs for nurses like the teaching programs you mentioned, I'd be happy to hear it. Happy travels, and best of luck.
I pay everything with cash and don't own a credit card. I don't like shopping but I do like to eat out. I don't get frequent, expensive haircut or get manicures like many of my friends, so I do the flexibility to travel as often as possible. Right now, I'm winding down to focus on getting my son in college and we'll be moving to a different city in a couple of years. As soon as we get that handled, we'll get our backpacks on and travel again.
Stay safe and adventurous.
Save money, time and stress by taking time to explore what is around you and in doing so you will help save the environment too.
Of course, this method requires great discipline and responsibility, paying bills with Amex and paying off the balance, on time, every month.