These are random questions that I get asked all the time. I honestly think they are myths that the average American believes. Does your family have a lot of money? Where do you get the money to travel all the time? Do you have a job? Who are you traveling with all the time?
1. You don’t need to be a millionaire… The majority of the people I’ve met that travel (including myself) don’t make that much. It’s COMPLETELY possible to travel on the right budget and still enjoy yourself. You can book your flights at the right time, stay in hostels, and even get paid to travel to places. (this is a future blog post) I read blogs and scale the internet looking for cheap flights. I have credit cards that give me airline miles. I stay in hostels and eat the local cuisine. If you want to travel for cheap the internet has soooo many resources. One of my favorites is the Jump podcast and The Budget Minded Traveler by Traveling Jackie. She has so many tips for getting started!
www.thebudgetmindedtraveler.com
2. You don’t have to quit your job, get rid of all your worldly possessions, and move to Southeast Asia…But lets face it, we all want to! It’s not always possible or the thing we want to commit to at the moment. I have a demanding career, a house, and a life in Austin, TX. I take three to four trips a year, ranging from one to three weeks using my vacation time from work. It’s definitely more expensive this way, but I currently love my life!
3. You don’t need anyone to travel with. I thought for the longest time, that in order to travel, I needed to coordinate with all my friends, figure out what time of year will work best, and buy something we would all enjoy. While I love my friends, this is not necessary at all. You can buy a plane ticket and travel anywhere in the world that you want by yourself. I actually really enjoy solo travel. On my longer trips, it can get lonely. If you stay in hostels and/ or book activities to do while you’re there, it’s too easy to make friends.
I have been all over the world and realized there are people traveling solo everywhere! It’s too easy to make friends all over the world and solo travelers are the coolest, most low maintenance people you will ever meet! I am still really good friends with so many of the people I’ve met while traveling. If I had been with friends or family, I would have never had to step outside my comfort zone and befriend strangers.
Until next time…
Dez
