And that's what you need to know going in, because it's going to happen to you. This is space, [or in this case long-term budget travel] it does not cooperate! At some point, everything's gonna go south on you. Everything's going to go south and you're going to say, this is it. This is how I end [maybe not as dramatic as life and death of course, but it is a realistic possibility just like staying within your comfort zone of home, you can unfortunately be hit by a car and die]. Now you can either accept that, or you can get to work. That's all it is. You just begin. You do the math. You solve one problem... and you solve the next one... and then the next. And If you solve enough problems, you get to come home [or in this case continue to be a savvy budget traveler]. All right, questions? – Mark Watney (film, The Martian)
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Friday, March 18, 2016 (DAY 1,472)
Traveling for more than four-years continuously, I've obviously met a lot of travelers that are traveling for different reasons. Often friends that know me and those that have somehow stumbled across my blog have asked me advice about how it's been possible to budget travel for such a long period of time and where to even begin, because they [themselves] want to begin on the same journey, which I think is great because I feel there is an enormous amount of life experiences that cannot be gained through traditional classroom settings or simulated through two-week vacations abroad. This truly is a lifestyle that takes on an entirely new meaning of life. You deal with more challenges and frustrations then you could ever imagine and either you confront them head on or you succumb to those demons unfortunately. I've both witnessed and experienced both sides of this coin, fortunately or unfortunately. I've dealt with some of the absolute most lonely times in my entire life, knowing that not a single person within a thousand miles knew who I was or where I was, and I've also experienced meeting some of the most amazing strangers that have become life long friends! Just as we all know that life is not easy, but there are always daily challenges, whether that be crossing borders or going to the office. Life. Is. Not. Easy! And the same goes for travel. Therefore, when I am presented with these types of questions, I often begin by answering with questions of my own toward the individuals. I normally begin with, so why do you want to quit your job and travel round the world? I would have to admit that 95% of people that reach out to me are both not serious and/or are trying to escape from something in their life. Therefore, I wanted to take a moment and talk about one of the unglamourous sides of travel, even before you may begin your own journey.
Traveling for more than four-years continuously, I've obviously met a lot of travelers that are traveling for different reasons. Often friends that know me and those that have somehow stumbled across my blog have asked me advice about how it's been possible to budget travel for such a long period of time and where to even begin, because they [themselves] want to begin on the same journey, which I think is great because I feel there is an enormous amount of life experiences that cannot be gained through traditional classroom settings or simulated through two-week vacations abroad. This truly is a lifestyle that takes on an entirely new meaning of life. You deal with more challenges and frustrations then you could ever imagine and either you confront them head on or you succumb to those demons unfortunately. I've both witnessed and experienced both sides of this coin, fortunately or unfortunately. I've dealt with some of the absolute most lonely times in my entire life, knowing that not a single person within a thousand miles knew who I was or where I was, and I've also experienced meeting some of the most amazing strangers that have become life long friends! Just as we all know that life is not easy, but there are always daily challenges, whether that be crossing borders or going to the office. Life. Is. Not. Easy! And the same goes for travel. Therefore, when I am presented with these types of questions, I often begin by answering with questions of my own toward the individuals. I normally begin with, so why do you want to quit your job and travel round the world? I would have to admit that 95% of people that reach out to me are both not serious and/or are trying to escape from something in their life. Therefore, I wanted to take a moment and talk about one of the unglamourous sides of travel, even before you may begin your own journey.
1. USING TRAVEL AS AN ESCAPE
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If you are using travel to escape financial problems, relationship issues (with a significant other or family), a job you despise or any other number of difficulties, my advice is that while some times a break from situations can be healthy, but in all reality these issues will be there upon your return home and you will need to confront them at some point. I think those that have been able to handle the more difficult aspects of long-term budget travel have a genuine passion and curiosity for the world around us–individuals that have a strong respect for other cultures, languages, and ways of life. Sorry, but if you want to use travel as a way to make other envious of yourself at some point you are going to realize when things get tough, you aren't truly ready to handle them in mature ways.
2. STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTIONS
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Sadly, I've seen other travelers that have struggled with addiction, whether that be drugs, alcohol, controlling your budget and spending habits, etc. If you are having difficulty in having self-discipline in these areas of your life, it will not get any easier as a traveler. Yes, you may be able to find areas that are secluded to help you be removed from temptations, but I've also sadly witnessed individuals completely losing it to the point that there were labeled as the town psychotic that truly needed help. One example I will mention was an individual that had a drug addiction and caused both locals and other travelers to avoid and even fear this person because they were so unstable. There were numerous attempts to contact his family and eventually his brother had to fly down to Central America to retrieve the sad state that his brother had fallen into.
2. DIFFICULTY WITH BUDGETING
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Once again, if you are unable to be fiscally responsible while having a job, how do you expect to do so when you have ZERO funds replenishing your bank account. I understand some people may have lower wages and salaries mixed in with high living expenses, but leaving all this behind is not an answer and you will only cause yourself deeper turmoil and possibly deeper financial burdens over time. Get control of your finances! Make sacrifices. Understand the difference between NEED vs WANT. Because, until you are able to do this and if you choose to leave to travel and you do not have the financial support of family or a benefactor then it will be difficult, and even then over time those so-called banks may end up cutting you off and then what are you going to do? Yeah, just imagine being stuck in the middle of a Third-World country. The electricity is out so you have no way to communicate and you are running out of cash. I've been in this situation several times in various parts of the world and I've learned to roll with the punches and situations, but I've seen others when they have access to all these items and they are wastefully spending OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY on items that are completely unnecessary.
For example,
For example,
3. REFUSING TO HANDLE COMMUNAL LIVING
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If you are going to be a budget travel then you will have to get used to communal living in some aspect. I've learned that either you embrace it or you can fight it. If you choose to fight it, then be ready for your budget to become even that more slim.
5. LACK OF MENTAL PREPARATION
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I think this is the MOST IMPORTANT aspect in preparation for long-term travel, whether you are on a budget or you are a flash packer. Pausing to realize that traveling for an extended period of time isn't always beaches and parties or whatever you may think, but there are difficulties you must encounter and by stopping to understand the truth of these realities can make or break your own journey. Beginning unprepared, especially if your plan is to be a budget traveler, this can be the difference in several hundred dollars if not several thousand!
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