How I Afford My Travels, and How You Can Too.
This is the 3rd post of my Travel Secrets series.
Most people will be alarmed at how my bank account balance fluctuates every month. It holds the biggest clue to how I afford my travels; I choose to take risks. I am 24, and choose not to be disillusioned by the ‘need’ to save every penny for something better and bigger in the future. I choose not be dismayed by thoughts of a very rainy day either. I choose to take it as it comes (and to take it when it doesn’t come), the money that is. I choose to live in my today, instead of dreaming about what may be in the future. That might sound foolish to some, at best naive, but through these five mantras that have afforded me 99% of my travels, I shall strive to prove otherwise.
1. Money won’t save itself.
As much as I wish I had a secret magic formula for each time people asked me how I find the money to travel so much, I don’t. Not even a grand inheritance. And no, no rich uncle to sponsor my travel whims. I afford 99% of my travels entirely on my own, and after a year of relentless travel blogging & writing, I’m lucky enough to have 1% sponsored by kind travel companies. To fund my travels, I save relentlessly. Nomadic Matt gives some excellent saving tips on his blog, and while I’m yet to write my own version of saving tips in the Indian context, I’ll tell you this: shopping and partying are the two single biggest expenses for most 20-40 year olds I know, and I substitute the two together to travel to places I’ve never been before, in search of experiences I never knew existed. I also don’t own a credit card, which means I never buy anything (not even a flight ticket) with money I don’t already have.
Lake Guzelyurt in Turkey. That new dress or a dip in this lake?
2. Addictions can pay.
At the time I quit my corporate job, I wasn’t quite sure how I was going to make a living. But if 4 years of college and 2 years of work taught me anything, it was that if you can make an income from what you love doing, you’ll never be poor. You probably know that I love to travel and write, but I have a third love, that for social media. In fact, that is an addiction, a notch above love! Shut me off from Twitter, Facebook and the online world for a day, and I’ll become grumpy and slowly start to wither (now I’m being dramatic). I’ve tried to give the otherwise unproductive addiction a positive spin. I start most days with reading Mashable, the BBC of social media news, and have become good enough at it for people to want to pay me for handling their company’s social media presence. You’ve probably heard how social networks are fast becoming gold for marketeers, so that’s a big market we’re talking about. I could go on, but my point is, I have found ways to earn money while doing what I enjoy, while retaining flexibility with my time as a freelancer. It’s the same with my travel writing. The scenario might seem far fetched to you now, as it did to me until last year, but if you really want it, you’ll find a way to make it happen. It will only be fair to confess here that as a freelancer, your income inflow could be very, very erratic, as my bank balance will suggest, and that’s just something you need to have the heart to live with.
Saving for a rainy day or cherishing a rainy day? Photo by Kasia.
3. To Google costs nothing.
Anyone who thinks it is too expensive to travel hasn’t made friends with Google search. Think of Google as a molten lave chocolate cake; the deeper you dig, the more satisfying the outcome! Lurking behind that first page or that paid ad are tons of good flight deals and travel sales that’ll save you precious money. Facebook fan pages and Twitter feeds of airlines, hotels, guest houses, tourism boards, travel companies, are forever brimming with special offers and contests. These contests are how I have afforded a stay at Nikoi Island in Indonesia, a return flight to Europe, and most recently, a return flight to Turkey, and these special offers are how I afford most of my travels without going bankrupt (sometimes close enough).
At Nikoi Island. The first ever travel contest I won.
4. Priorities make all the difference.
Since the day I started working on a corporate payroll, I have wondered why people who have held a corporate job all their life claim they don’t afford to travel much at all. Where does that fat paycheck, every single month, vanish? I didn’t get kind glances when I asked. Saving for the wedding. Saving for a house. Saving for kids. Saving to move to a better place. Saving for retirement. Saving for the future. Heck, when are you going to live, I would think in my head. The truth is, there is no end to saving, no end to desire, no end to the bigger & the better. At the end of the day, it all boils down to your priorities. If travel is what you want to do, none of these should be in your way. They definitely aren’t in mine. And yet, to not have any savings at all can be a scary thought. I’ve often wondered what I’d do if one day, I don’t want to travel or write anymore, or worse still, if I can’t. I’ve pieced together what I call a ‘fall back’ fund, one that I can fall back on if such a day comes, and one that I can comfortably live off for 3 months. Within that time, I anticipate that I’ll get my act together and crawl my way out of the situation.
Sunset over the Black Sea in Turkey, or climbing the corporate ladder? Your call.
5. There is no such thing as petty work.
Something we in India can really learn from the west is the dignity with which they do everything, from manual work to other blue collar jobs. There is nothing wrong with any kind of work, as long as you do it willingly. And it really takes getting out on the road, in other countries, to adopt that line of thinking. The road can put so much into perspective. That feeling you get when you find yourself overwhelmed at the kindness of people you didn’t even know a minute before, or when you lose your way and stumble on a freshwater lake surrounded by mountains with not a soul in sight. Those moments make you wonder whether having a stable career really matters. Those moments liberate you in a way that is hard to put down in words. And if you must keep a blue collar job to find the flexibility or the money to make such moments possible, then so be it. It is my dream to be on the road for several months at a stretch and work while I travel, keeping jobs that let me meet new people, perhaps as a receptionist (any offers?), and take the challenge to sustain myself financially on such work and my blog alone. But I digress…
Kastamonu in Turkey. Who wouldn’t want to work in a city that looks like so pretty?
If you’ve ever wondered where it is that people find the money to travel extensively, maybe it’s time to go back to the drawing board, evaluate your priorities, dissect your life, and start living in the present, doing what you love most. The future can wait.
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What is your biggest challenge to affording your next trip & how are you going to tackle it?
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Also read:
Saving Money For Travel: 9 Practical Tips.
The Story of How I Quit My Job to Travel.
Dealing With Travel-Wary Indian Parents.
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For more travel stories, photos & tips, join The Shooting Star on Facebook & Twitter.
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Wow Shivya, I absolutely enjoyed reading every bit of this post, especially #1, 4, and 5. I travel a lot and all my friends always say how they want to join me, yet they’ll be partying non-stop, buying those thousand dollar bags and shoes, and then come to me and say they can’t afford it. By now I’ve come to accept that travel isn’t on everyone’s priority. I’m at that tender age where everyone’s having babies, getting married, buying a house, and everything else in between. 60% of what I earn goes to my “travel fund”. The rest are for bills & necessities.
Thank you
I know what you mean, I’m not quite at that age yet, but it is slowly starting, and sometimes I shut Facebook just for that. I’m slowly trying to make peace with the fact that different people really do have different priorities. I have intended this post to give people something to think about, and if travel a is a priority, then to try to convince them of the possibilities with my own journey. Thanks for stopping by!
excellent read! We have travelled a lot in 20s and now in 30s too, result we are yet to own a flat/place to live- almost a must have today at 30s. Family gets confused on such not-have’s and friends look at us with suspicion whether we don’t have any priorities..
anyway, may be we will fall into the pressure as we are also parents of a child and we need to be so called sensible and responsible parents but truly speaking the places we have travelled gives us so much cosy memories and comfort that are no less than the comfort of having a place to live.
Thanks Chandrima! Wow, it is really inspiring to hear that you’ve made it into your 30s with this kind of life. Hang in there, don’t succumb to the pressures!
Loved the post. I’m a bit like you, very careless about money , thats what others say
Haven’t yet found the way to quit the job like you but trying in a rather aimless way. I had actually met someone in Mcleodganj who had quit his high paying job in a MNC to open a small tourist lodge. It was hard work for 3 years but it paid off and the guy is living a content life now.
Thanks JJ =) Whoa, I think I’ve read about this guy. Is he the one who also runs a small organic store? Can’t remember the name now, but it’s always inspiring to hear of people living their dreams. I recently read this article – http://www.livemint.com/2012/07/13205411/Living-the-dream.html – which talks about how living the dream has more to do with contentment than money or what is deemed success. Excellent read.
No organic store. His lodge is in Gallu Ka Mandir. The junction where one trail goes to Triund and another to that waterfall. I had stumbled there while roaming around in rain.
BTW, I need your advice about trekking gear. I’m going to Spiti next month for 10-12 days. Any recommendation about gear, buy or rent ? I’d love some camping under the stars
Haven’t heard of him then. Maybe next time I go that way! Ah, I’m not the best person to ask about trekking gear, I was mostly hitchhiking in Spiti. Try google?
As always an excellent read. I recently read this book about how to travel full time, and wanted to share it with you in case you have not come across this before. I am sure you know many of the ‘tricks of the trade’, still you might find this useful.
How to Travel Full Time
Thanks Abhinav! I’ll try to get my hands on the book, but generally books like these only make me want to stop reading and start travelling. I guess that’s the intention
Or maybe read while you travel, best of both the worlds
Good idea!
Great article Shivya. I’ve always wanted to know about the finance aspect of traveling but didn’t dare to ask you because its something of a personal question! I am still a college going student who enjoys and yearns for traveling, especially the countryside, so these tips will sure come in handy. Oh btw this was my first read on your blog and surely wont be the last one! Cheers.
Welcome to The Shooting Star
I wish someone had told me all of this in college, or I had made an effort to find it, haha. Good luck & hope to see you on the road someday!
Inspiring article shivya….but still don’t have the guts to chuck my job and be like a free bird
Thanks Sunil, I’m sure someday you’ll find the heart to do it (and I hope it’ll be soon)!
tht’s a soul-searching piece and thought provoking- good one shivya
Thanks Priya =)
Very inspiring, Shivya. I did pretty much the same thing around a year ago- quit my job to travel and pursue interests closer to my heart. Sometimes I find myself questioning my decisions, but I suppose life is all about trying new things. Your post reaffirmed my faith. Thanks
That’s awesome Malavika, my chance to be inspired by you. Would love to catch up sometime & hear more about what you’ve been upto. I haven’t questioned my decision yet, maybe because it’s only been less than a year, though I hope it’ll never come to that
Quite love my life right now!
Good luck and best wishes Shivya.
Thanks Nandan =)
This is a good post to learn a few things! Though I am not a shopper, I can’t resist buying art, which leaves me without money most of the time. But then, my two loves are looking at art and traveling, and I try to shuffle between both!
What’s life without indulgence in these passions?
Thanks, enjoyed reading this, especially the part “The road can put so much into perspective. That feeling you get when you find yourself overwhelmed at the kindness of people you didn’t even know a minute before, or when you lose your way and stumble on a freshwater lake surrounded by mountains with not a soul in sight. Those moments make you wonder whether having a stable career really matters. Those moments liberate you in a way that is hard to put down in words.” So true.
I’ve also resigned from a corporate job a few years ago and still trying to figure out between making money & traveling. For now whenever I run out of money, I try to find short-term project-based work related to my old job. I don’t love it but it gets the necessary funding for living & traveling the next few months.
Greetings from Indonesia!
Nice write up…
Loved to read it again, the section 4. Priorities make all the difference
Priorities, Its the matter of convincing yourself and parents/family?
An absolute delight to read your thoughts on life, travel and money. Happy to know that there are people in this world who believe in spending the money that they actually have and not the income they have not yet earned.
Shivya – props for giving it a go. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for you as a young Indian woman with the expectations of your family, friends, and the culture. Keep pushing and don’t give up. You’ve got a good thing here.
Thanks Scott, I’ve never looked back once
Still getting used to the instability of income flows though!
Thanks Scott, I’ve never looked back once
Still getting used to the instability of income flows, but that’s a small trade off for having a life you’ve always wanted.
great to see such enthusiasts.. really requires guts to get out of job and follow what you really like to do.. but as you rightly said, everything falls in place when you do what you love..
all the best for life and keep discovering..
Thanks! And welcome to The Shooting Star! Hope to have you travel with my virtually
hello Shivya… the name by itself is a divine and you are true follower of your Destiny… I was just goin thru all the premium bloggers of Blogadda…and I’m very much INSPIRED with your post above…
I second Priya Sreeram’s point that its a soul-searching piece… and I can EXPERIENCE your inner-mind how you have written and actually how you have started your JOURNEY (literally
)
I was just reminded about Paulo Cohello’s The Alchemist(guess you have read) and can relate your journey to that…
My heart-felt wishes to you to follow YOUR DESTINY…
I loved the Alchemist, though back when I read it, I didnt even know where to start or what dream to follow. I guess we all have that moment in our lives when the dots in the past start connecting and the conspiracy of the universe becomes evident
Thanks for dropping by! Hope to see you hear often.
Loved it:-D
Thanks Mayank, hope it’s useful too!
Aah,admire your spirit Shivya!
My motto like yours is that if you want it badly enough, you will find a way. Only I realised that a bit late in life. Wish I had your insight and the opportunities when I was your age! Desparately trying to make up for lost time now
Happy travels, no matter where life takes you!
I wish I had found the “way” a few years ago too, but I guess it’s better late than never
Hope to bump into you on the road sometime!
hey shivya
really enjoyed this practical,helpful and honest post. keep those posts going
I see that you are extremely passionate (if this word can accurately describe the extremity of it) about what you do…
Hi Shivya,
Your Blogs are really motivating, I follow you on Facebook and everyday it makes me more passionate about my travelling. I am a teacher by profession and whenever there is a vacation, I pack my bags to explore. Just wanted to convey that I enjoy reading your write ups.
Regards
Great post; especially loved the pictures and their comments
Dip in the lake over new dress indeed! 
We’ve saved up and are finally travelling long term, definitely feels amazing.
PS I’m from Bahrain and loved reminiscing via your Bahrain posts.
Hey! We’d make soul mates:) my wife and I are travel freaks, we have done stuff that would be nightmares for most. 15 years ago, we took a short cut and deviated from the trekkers path in Nepal through dense forests at the peak of the maoist insurgency. I think that experience sort of sealed our destinies and we have never given up on that love of travel. Now we have 3 rowdy kids in tow, all below 6, but that doesnt deter us from anything. It sure takes a lot more planning, but a true traveller knows there is only so much we can plan for. We did Indonesia last year with three small backpacks and a stroller, stayed in a tiny village in banyuwangi, went snorkelling, trekked to the ijen crater at midnight (that was me alone though), and visited the bromo volcano, using every single transport on the land- ferry, train, bus, flight, taxi and even hitched rides. It is the most satisfying feeling in the world.
Will follow you for long! Can you give me one good travel idea for next month- sikkim maybe, or a road trip in himachal? yeah, with the kids….thanks and cheers!