Realizing Your Travel Dreams

Put together by Alex, Crystal, & Darren

Quick Overview

Why Travel?

Terrible Excuses

Getting Started

Super Money Saving Tips

Trip Planning

Just Go For It

What makes traveling so awesome?

Why is traveling so awesome?

Truth!

I’d LOVE to travel more,

but _______________________.

Top 15 Justifications for Staying Home

1. I don’t have time off

2. I don’t have the money

3. I’ll do it later when _______.

4. I can’t leave my job/career

5. I’m starting a business???

6. What will I do when I get back?

7. I have kids/I have a pet

8. It’s not safe/People in other cultures don’t like Americans

9. I don’t have anyone to travel with/I’m waiting till I’m in a relationship

10. I don’t know how to plan all the details

11. I’m afraid of not knowing how to get around

12. I’m too old for that/its too late

13. My family/friends need me

14. People tell me it’s a dumb idea

#15 I am afraid I will turn into this guy!

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

GOOGLE IT

Thousands and thousands of people are traveling long-term RIGHT NOW from all different walks of life and situations.

These people are traveling to exotic and incredible places very inexpensively.

Rely on these people/websites/bloggers who have done it to address your concerns and answer your questions.

Instead of waiting for the stars to align, make them align. Decide what you need to do to see the world.

Trip Planning

Bagan, Myanmar

How do I plan the trip that’s right for me?

What do you want your travel experience to be like?

What luxuries are you willing to give up, both before your trip and during your trip?

How long do you think you can enjoy being on the road?

How soon can you make your budget/life situation accommodate your trip?

What places do you want to see the most? Are any of them somewhat geographically close to each other?

Saving MoneyEither start spending less or start making more!

Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

Money Saving Tips Before Your Trip (Crystals Large Items 12 Mo)

“Beware of little expenses. A small leak will sink a great ship” –Benjamin Franklin

OTHER INCOME

Rewards Credit Card

Started a business on the side

Took on side projects/gigs/jobs

Asked for a raise

Increase sales commission

ITEM MONTHLY SAVINGS

ANNUAL SAVINGS

SE ASIA ($1,250)

Rent $460 $5,520 4.4 months

Car Payment $300 $3,600 2.9 months

Eating Out $450 $5,400 4.3 months

Alcohol $125 $1,500 1.2 months

Clothes $200 $2,400 1.9 months

OTHER EXPENSES

Cable/Satelite/HBO

Netflix/Spotify/Newspapers

Cell Phone/Insurance

Concerts/Events

Gifts for others

Electronics

Other Budgeting Items

Administrative Costs

Gear/technical equipment

Airport Departure taxes

Passport/Extra passport pages/Visa’s

Travel Insurance

Foreign Transaction Fee’s/Debit card fee’s

Gringo Fee’s

Costs Back Home

Rent or mortgage

Credit card payments

Student loans

Phone, utilities, tv/internet

Emergency Fund for Travel (theft, extending travel, last minute changes)

Money reserves if you are quitting your job to travel

Taking the LeapSometimes you just have to go for it!

Machu Picchu, Peru

Buy a One-Way Ticket

When deciding when to leave.

1. Length of time before you will have enough saved up.

2. How long do you need to make all the arrangements you need to.

3. Weather patterns of your destination.

4. Any festivals/major events you would like to see.

5. Different costs for low season vs. high season.

When buying your ticket:

1. Browsers will remember your search cookies for flights.

2. Find the cheapest flights by searching flights to all the airports in the region you are going to.

3. Buy flights way in advance for the best price, and commit to being on that plane.

4. Pay attention to total travel time and arrival times.

5. Research smaller flight with independent budget airlines.

Money Saving Tips On Your Trip

How far will you go to save a few dollars? What type of traveler are you?

Avoid expensive countries

Moving overland is usually cheap and a good experience

Try hostels and couch surfing

Alcohol and going out! No quicker way to burn through your budget!

Street food is deliciously cheap!

Extras: Bungee, rafting, scuba diving, etc.

Travel Light: Pack light in a backpack that will fit as a carry on.

Research currency exchange rates and local scams.

Get a student ID card to save on entrance fees to sites and museums

Bargain for services

No souvenirs. Make your family and friends join you and come buy their own souvenirs!

Potala Palace, Tibet

Staying Motivated Doubters and Nay-Sayers

Any decision that you make outside the status quo will usually always receive resistance and hesitation.

Don’t get high and mighty. Our decision is just different, not better.

Hater’s are gonna hate!

What’s in it for me?

Makes us wiser and smarter. Feel alive.

Constant new experiences and challenges shape me!

For me, it grounds me and makes me a better person.

Perspective, love, understanding.

Travel Warning!