Is there anything more exciting than packing a bag, grabbing your passport and heading to the nearest airport to start your adventure? Probably not. While many people like to travel in groups or pairs, there are plenty of individuals who love the excitement that comes with solo travel; It would be really challenging to find something that offers as much freedom, self-discovery and personal growth as solo traveling does. However, now it’s time to consider the funding, something that requires careful planning, financial management and street smarts. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to finance your solo travels and hit the open sky as soon as possible.
Generate Extra Income
So you’ve made a decision to hit the open sky and travel solo, which is a great choice. You are going to need some extra cash because traveling unfortunately isn’t free. Let’s look at finding additional sources of income to boost that fund. It’s a great idea to think about this ahead of time because you don’t want to be in the middle of your trip and then only realize that your funds are running low. Luckily, there are several ways to make a good living online these days. One of them is called freelancing; you’ve surely already heard about it. Use your skills like writing, graphic design, or programming to take on freelance projects and work on them for 2-3 hours every weekday while you travel. Additionally, consider starting a faceless YouTube channel where you can share your travel experiences or niche expertise without showing your face—this can be a lucrative way to earn passive income while on the go. Set aside a time that suits you best; you’ll be surprised at how lovely it is to work while you travel.
Another way to make money is through the gig economy, which includes things like driving for rideshare services, delivering food, renting out a room on Airbnb or making investments on crypto and the like. If this type of work interests you, then be sure to get all the info you need beforehand, like checking Ethereum Live Price Insights, getting the right driving qualifications or getting a room ready for guests. The third option is getting an in person part-time job while you travel. For example, if you are traveling to Cape Town, South Africa, there are programs that allow you to work and teach in the city. The same goes for other countries, and you also have the option of working for room and board. That may be a good solution for those of you who want to really delve into the culture and live with and like the people of the country you’re visiting.
If you are blessed enough to call English your mother tongue, then you are in luck because so many countries welcome English teachers to give locals English lessons. Some positions also provide accommodation and a salary, just make sure to enquire beforehand and get the necessary documentation like these TEFL certificates. Work exchanges are also a fun option; websites like Workaway and WWOOF offer opportunities to work in exchange for accommodation and meals. Similar to teaching English, but some work exchanges are more aimed at physical labor, for example picking apples on an apple farm in China or assisting tourist companies that offer whale watching to excited tourists in South Africa.
Set a Realistic Budget
When you’re planning your trip and trying to finance your solo travels, you’ll need to create a realistic budget and not try to live an “Instagram life”, meaning that you should definitely stay within your means. Traveling—real traveling that is—is about finding parts of your self and your personality that you didn’t think you had within in, it’s about making friends from all over the world and getting up super early to see the sunset in the summer months. It’s about meditating, journaling, experiencing and living. It’s really not about renting a villa and staying there for one month. That’s called a holiday.
So, if you’re ready to kick off your adventure, you’re going to need a budget, some savings and preferably some passive or active income while you travel. Many believe that the dream is not to work at all, but that gets very old very fast. Working 15 to 20 hours a week is actually ideal because it allows you to break up your day beautifully and have a good balance. Start by estimating the total cost of your trip, including transportation, accommodation, food, activities and emergencies. Having a detailed budget helps you track your spending and avoid overspending.
Be Resourceful and Flexible
With anything in life, you’ll do much better if you’re flexible with your travel plans and resourceful with your spending money. If you approach solo travel with a strict plan, something is bound to go wrong. See this adventure as a chance to strengthen what you’re already good at and develop what you may not be able to in daily, everyday life in your home country.
If you can, try to travel off-season because it will most probably decrease your costs for flights and accommodation alike, which are the two biggest account drainers. While you’re traveling, also look out for free activities like group walking tours, or even walking around alone, which has so many health benefits, and visit parks and museums too. Not everything has to be an extravagant outing, sometimes it’s fun to just lay down on a park bench and read a book. Lastly, don’t forget that you’re allowed to negotiate, depending on the country’s customs of course.
Conclusion
If you’re keen on traveling solo, then you’re going to need to blend planning, saving and resourcefulness. By setting a realistic budget, saving in advance, generating extra income and using travel-friendly financial tools, you can make your solo journey more affordable and enjoyable. Safe travels!