{"id":5230,"date":"2019-09-17T10:14:01","date_gmt":"2019-09-17T14:14:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shaleewanders.com\/?p=5230"},"modified":"2021-12-31T14:24:42","modified_gmt":"2021-12-31T19:24:42","slug":"im-26-and-ive-traveled-the-world-heres-how-i-afford-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shaleewanders.com\/im-26-and-ive-traveled-the-world-heres-how-i-afford-it\/","title":{"rendered":"I’m 26 and I’ve Traveled the World. Here’s How I Afford It."},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"Shalee\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n

\n\t\tI’m 26 and I’ve Traveled the World. Here’s How I Afford it.\n\t<\/h2>\n\t

September 17, 2019<\/p>\n\t

I’ve been to more countries than years I’ve been alive, which often ignites an interesting conversation that revolves around how I afford to travel at such a young age. Recently while back in my hometown, I ran into an old friend while out grabbing beers.<\/p>\n

“I just don’t know how you did it.”<\/em><\/p>\n

I have a variation of this conversation every time I return. It often turns into a rundown of finances and a somewhat wanna-be inspirational speech, hoping to spark some sort of reaction.<\/p>\n

It wasn’t long ago I had 0 passport stamps and a bucket list taller than the Niagara. It’s less than 10 years later, and I’ve somehow made my way around the world more times than once. I’m still not exactly<\/em> sure how I ended up here, but I’ll try to explain:<\/p>\n

\"afford \"afford<\/p>\n

Travel is my priority.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Everyone who knows Josh & I knows that we are cheap. As in, we\u2019ve never had a fancy date night in the five years we\u2019ve been together, we live in a 500 sq foot apartment, we sleep in the car when we can\u2019t find a place to camp, and if the campsite isn\u2019t free, we probably aren\u2019t staying. This is no secret to anyone who has been following our journey during the last few years.<\/p>\n

But beyond that, I\u2019ve put financing travel above a lot: starting a family, investing in my future, buying a new car.<\/p>\n

\"tips \"affording<\/p>\n

\"afford<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sometimes, I get paid to travel. <\/strong><\/h4>\n

Yes, it\u2019s true, my job includes travel a few times a year. There are a couple of realms into how this angle works:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Through my blog:<\/strong> With my travel blog, I usually attend a couple of trips every year as a blogger\/influencer to promote a location.<\/li>\n
  2. Freelance writing:<\/strong> Unsurprisingly, my freelance writing also revolves mostly around the realm of travel, which includes me traveling on assignment for various publications.<\/li>\n
  3. Photography:<\/strong> This includes photography assignments as an influencer or freelancer for a wide range of publications.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    It\u2019s important to note that although I love what I do and am extremely grateful, it\u2019s hard work. If you\u2019re interested in following a similar career path the competition is tough, the hours are brutal, and you will work with no pay for a long, long time before you see a return. Even when a trip appears to be \u201cfree\u201d, a lot of intense work is going on behind the scenes, ask any blogger or travel agent. There\u2019s a funny saying among us in this profession that goes \u201cyou haven\u2019t made it until you\u2019ve had at least one mental breakdown.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \"afford \"afford<\/p>\n

    \"afford<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    I don\u2019t have debt. <\/strong><\/h4>\n

    I don\u2019t have college loans, I don\u2019t have credit card debt, I don\u2019t have a car loan. All these things allow me to have a certain amount of financial freedom that I wouldn\u2019t otherwise have. Here\u2019s how I do it:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. I went to community college for three years before transferring to a university, where I worked 2-3 jobs throughout all five years of school. My aunt let me live in her house, free of charge, as long as I stayed in college. Scholarships and financial aid helped. I didn\u2019t have a fun college experience. Honestly, I didn\u2019t have any college experience, but to me, it was worth it.<\/li>\n
    2. I have a credit card where I earn miles for every dollar spent. I pay off my credit card on time every month and never<\/em> go into debt for a trip. My credit card miles have paid for a number of airline tickets, both domestic and international.<\/li>\n
    3. My car is a used 2009 Kia Sportage that I paid $5,000 out-of-pocket for because having a nice car isn\u2019t my priority, and I don\u2019t want interest on a loan.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      If you do have debt, it\u2019s okay. Check out these financial podcasts<\/a> by my good friend Bernadette, who eliminated $80,000\/debt in a year.<\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

      \"dettifoss \"afford<\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

      I travel cheap.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

      I\u2019ve said this time and time again, but I don\u2019t spend a lot of money when I travel. Living in a van road tripping the United States cost an average of $400\/month. We backpacked Europe on $20\/day. In many ways, I spent less money while traveling than I do at home. Why? Because I love the outdoors. And camping. Both of which are cheap\/free most of the time.<\/p>\n

      Some people don’t understand what the term “cheap travel” can actually mean…here are some of the weirdest places we\u2019ve slept while traveling<\/a>.<\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

      \"How<\/p>\n

      \"afford \"adventure<\/p>\n

      I originally saved $10,000 for travel.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

      From the moment I sat in my first class at Lansing Community College at the age of 18, I had a plan: to travel for a year after I graduated college. That goal was my driving force throughout the next five years. Ask any of my friends: I obsessed<\/em> over the idea. Probably completely annoying them with the whole concept.<\/p>\n

      I finished my freshman year of college with $120 to my name. Let\u2019s just say sometimes it takes a while to get the hang of the whole saving\/discipline thing.<\/p>\n

      But over the next four years, I slowly grew my savings and my motivation only intensified. When I left my support staff job at the college (which also gave me 8 credits\/semester), I irresponsibly pulled all my funds from my 401k to complete my savings goal and purchased a one-way ticket to Europe with Josh.<\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

      \"afford\"how<\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

      I also work remotely for a really amazing company, Send it Rising<\/a>. <\/strong><\/h4>\n

      Blogging & freelance isn\u2019t my only gig. As I said, the market is tough and honestly, I don\u2019t want to travel\u00a0all the time.<\/em> Send it Rising is an Internet Marketing Company where I get to help brands become visible online through SEO, web design, and social media. I love it because I understand first-hand how online visibility can change a person\u2019s life\/business.<\/p>\n

      Our team is small, but tight-knit, and they\u2019re all completely supportive of me buzzing into our meetings from the Highlands of Scotland, or a library in Mammoth Lakes, or a small remote island in the middle of Lake Michigan.<\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

      \"saving\u00a0\"afford<\/p>\n

      \"\"<\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

      I wanted revenge.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n

      Okay, okay, okay. I’m not perfect, and there’s a part of me that dreamt of the day I’d wave out the window on the plane to Europe at the parents who stopped letting their kids be friends with me and the teachers who told me I was going nowhere.<\/p>\n

      Let’s be honest, sometimes being petty feels damn good.<\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

      \"afford<\/p>\n

      Lastly, I believed in myself. <\/strong><\/h4>\n

      I talk to people a lot who wonder how I do it, I talk to even more who say they wish they could. The first thing I did was believe it, even though I had no money and no plan.<\/p>\n

      The second thing I did was adjust my lifestyle to reflect my dreams, both mentally and financially.<\/p>\n

      The third thing I did was buy some plane tickets, even if they were slightly irresponsible.<\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

      \"how<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\"Outdoor\n\t

      At any given moment, Shalee is either lost, hunting for ice cream, or obsessively planning her next adventure.<\/p>\n

      Born and raised in rural Michigan, she began exploring the shores of Great Lakes as a teen, often sleeping in her car to save money. Eventually, her urge to explore pushed beyond her Midwest borders. Today, Shalee shares her tips and stories to thousands of readers interested in adventure, outdoor, and sustainable tourism. Her pack now includes two spunky hiking cats<\/a> and her partner, Josh. Learn more about her here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

      \n\t\tJoin the Adventure\n\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\"Blank\n\t

      The Epic Five: Utah’s Insane National Parks\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

      Lost in Translation: Why We Thought We Were Being Robbed in Colombia<\/a><\/p>\n

      The Michigan Bucket List<\/a><\/p>\n

      How to Visit 25 Countries for Under $3,500<\/a><\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n\t\n

      \n\t
      \n\t\n\t\t
      \n\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      \"Shalee\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t

      shaleewanders<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n
      \n\t\t
      \n
      \n \n Moments from Patagonia - \n\nOn day one we all looke<\/span>\n \n\t <\/path>\n\t <\/svg>\t \"Moments\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>
      \n
      \n \n We\u2019ve been traveling with cats since 2017 - and <\/span>\n \t <\/path><\/svg> \"We\u2019ve\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>
      \n
      \n \n Annual photo round up - stoked for this year to be<\/span>\n \n\t <\/path>\n\t <\/svg>\t \"Annual\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>
      \n
      \n \n Back home in WY\u2014 the cats think i smell weird an<\/span>\n \n\t <\/path>\n\t <\/svg>\t \"Back\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>
      \n
      \n \n It\u2019s been so fun this year to watch another cat <\/span>\n \n\t <\/path>\n\t <\/svg>\t \"It\u2019s\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>
      \n
      \n \n The BEST fall weekend camping, canoeing, and hikin<\/span>\n \t <\/path><\/svg> \"The\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>
      \n
      \n \n I know we\u2019re supposed to be all about fall at th<\/span>\n \n\t <\/path>\n\t <\/svg>\t \"I\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>
      \n
      \n \n He would ride on the roof if we\u2019d let him. \n\n#ca<\/span>\n \t <\/path><\/svg> \"He\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>
      \n
      \n \n If I\u2019m being 100% honest, the most disappointing<\/span>\n \t <\/path><\/svg> \"If\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n\n\t
      \n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tLoad More...<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\t\t\n \n \n\t <\/path>\n\t <\/svg> Follow on Instagram<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/span>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\n\t \n\t<\/span>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      I’m 26 and I’ve Traveled the World. Here’s How I Afford it. September 17, 2019 I’ve been to more countries than years I’ve been alive, which often ignites an interesting conversation that revolves around how I afford to travel at such a young age. 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