I hadn’t planned on ever writing this post, but when my friend sent me a one-line email reading “I don’t understand your life” I realized that it might be time for an explanation. I mean, if I were reading about a twenty-something’s jaunts around the globe I would definitely be curious how on earth she was affording to travel so much.
Just to be clear though, this isn’t meant to be a how-to post about saving money for travel – Google knows the Internet doesn’t need another one of those posts. I’m just writing about how I’m doing it, and you can take from this whatever you like.
While now I do have a home base and job in Norway, for three years I was living purely off of money I had saved while teaching English in Japan for two years. $44,000 to be exact.
But before you start packing your bags for Japan, I should add that my ability to save so much money was largely due to four lucky circumstances:
1. Thanks to the generosity of Williams College’s financial aid department, I moved to Japan without any debt.
Seeing friends struggling to pay off huge student loans or to make enough extra money to send home to their unemployed family members is a constant reminder of how lucky am.
2. I was living on a tiny island in the middle of nowhere.
I came to Japan as part of the JET Program, which offers participants a fixed salary regardless of location. This means that I was making the same amount as teachers living in Tokyo and Osaka who often had to pay $1000/month for a tiny apartment, while I was paying under $100/month for this house. 
Island life is cheap.
3. The Japanese yen was at its strongest, almost ever, on the day I sent my money back to the U.S.
This one is crazy. When I sent my money to my American bank, the Japanese yen was just under 78 to the dollar, meaning that my 3,600,000 yen JET salary was over $46,000. One year later the yen was at 100 to a dollar, meaning that the JET salary had dropped to $36,000. For people saving money to send home, the difference was huge.
4. I was pretty miserable in Japan.
I’m planning to finally write a full post later this week about what went wrong for me in Japan, so for now I’ll just say that severe isolation combined with some pretty crazy events made for a fairly depressing two years. It’s not a situation I’d wish on anybody, but it did come with a silver lining.
This might not be totally rational, but because I had such a rough time living and working in Japan, I now only want to spend that money on things worth that pain. Is the pretty dress from H&M worth all those uncomfortable hours spent at my desk at school? No. What about an ice cream sundae at one of Chiang Mai’s trendy cafés? Maybe Probably not.
But a horse trek through the Kyrgyz mountains? Yes!
It’s a bit of an extreme way to make decisions, and I expect that when I’m making money from I job I enjoy my priorities will shift. But for now, it’s been a good way for me to feel better about two years that might otherwise have felt ill-spent.
~~~
Nearly 28 months after leaving Japan, I had spent almost 2/3 of my savings. I was based in Chiang Mai, where I typically spent $500 a month, and anywhere from $700 to $1000 a month while on the road. That means that the money I saved in Japan was enough to allow me to travel for over four years!
And now I’m living in Norway, making money through a part time job as well as this blog (you can read my monthly blog income reports here).
Like I’ve already said, I’m naturally pretty frugal, but when I am asked about saving and budgeting for travel these are my top three tips:
1. Simplify your life (or at least try!).
I moved to Japan straight out of university, and instead of upgrading my living standards to match my new grownup salary I continued to live like a student. During my first year I wasn’t at all focused on saving money, but even with several trips around Japan and abroad I only spent half of my salary.
I cooked almost all of my meals at home, usually making large batches of a dish to eat for lunch and dinner for several days (I know I’m in the minority here, but I actually really enjoy eating the same meal a bunch of times in a row – usually once just has me craving more!).
After leaving Japan I had a base in Thailand, where I mostly stuck to $1 Thai meals and did most of my work at home to save the $2-3 I would have spent working from a coffee shop. While small choices to live more simply, these things did add up in the long run.
And now that I’m living in Norway – considered one of the most expensive countries in the world – I still rarely spend more than $150/month on food here. Cooking at home is key!
Read also: 7 Ways Norway Isn’t As Expensive As You Think
2. Be clear about your priorities.
I started working when I was fifteen, and instead of going to the movies, out to eat, or shopping every weekend, I saved for a year in order to go to Australia for two weeks with my older sister. Travel has always been a priority for me.
Of course, priorities are naturally going to be different for everyone. I’ve always been happy to miss out on a lot of things in order to save money to travel, but for many people those sacrifices wouldn’t have been worth it. I tend not to enjoy spending money on fancy drinks or meals, but if I loved those daily pleasures and always forced myself to give them up for months on end just to finance a week’s holiday I would probably end up frustrated and disappointed.
But if you do decide that travel is a priority, don’t lose sight of that! Sometimes when I’m not traveling I’m tempted to up my living standards a bit, but then when I think about what that would mean for my long-term plans I always decide against it. I’m sure this will eventually change, but for now travel is at the top of my list.
Read also: How Travel Killed My Ambition
3. Travel/move somewhere cheap. Duh.
All travel destinations are not created equally, especially where budgets are concerned. Southeast Asia and South America are popular backpacker spots for a reason, though I found Western China, Central Asia, and the Balkans to be even cheaper, and far more exciting! Seriously, I don’t understand why backpackers flock to Thailand and Vietnam when they haven’t yet explored Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
However, if you want to stay still for a bit and are looking for a cheap base while working online or writing, Chiang Mai can’t be beat. A studio apartment in the heart of the city will cost around $150/month, and you’ll rarely spend over $2 for a meal. There’s excellent Wifi access, plenty of likeminded expats to network with, and it’s really pretty! Another alternative? Eastern Europe!
Or you can do the opposite: move somewhere expensive with really high salaries. Right now I’m working part time at a supermarket in Norway and making more money than I have, like, ever. The job is low stress and I can take tons of time off to travel, which at least for now is my main priority, so it’s sort of wins all around.
How about you? I would love to hear how you save and budget for travel!
PIN IT!
Christie says
This is great advice, even if you weren’t intending to write a “how-to” guide. It’s especially important to be honest with yourself about your priorities, and then follow them. Also, I hadn’t realised that ads can make up to $2 when clicked!
Silvia says
It depends what ad network you’re with, but on Adsense I’ve had a single click make as much as $4. Though they have to be “natural” clicks, so sadly I can’t just ask my friends to click a bunch of times on each ad, as that would look pretty fishy to Google, haha.
april says
hi ms. silvia, i wonder if where can i find that ads job you are in hehe…i am interested atleast by clicking i will earn
Fiona says
do you want to discuss the click ads versus the impression ads? I just clicked on ads on your page. hope that helps. Thanks!
Jameela Deen says
Very good post on this over covered topic. Thank you for not patronising your readers or thinking you can tell us what our priorities should be. You’re such a bowl of fresh air in this crowded travel blog world. This post reminds why i started following you in the first place. You rock!
Silvia says
I was so happy to read your comment, Jameela! I was wary about writing yet another “how I afford travel” post, but also felt that I owed everyone an explanation. And then I was torn about writing just about myself or trying to at least present a few tips – bah, so much stress over a blog post! I’m glad it seems to have worked out though, phew.
Shannon says
Well to start with not everyone has mummy and daddy to pay off their student loans for them…. some of us will have to live with the struggle of paying it all off… there’s always a catch to these blogs: ‘oh but to start, my student debt was paid off by my rich parents’
Silvia says
Sorry I should have clarified what financial aid means! Basically it’s a scholarship but not for being smart (ha) but instead for not having enough money to pay for school (they calculate it based on your parents income). So I didn’t pay any school tuition, but my parents did help me pay for living expenses, which I’m incredibly grateful for! If they hadn’t so generously helped me out then I probably would have left Japan with something more like $30,000.
Rachel says
I didn’t have parents to pay off my student loan but have still managed to buy an around the world ticket AND paid off the loan. It is do-able! I, like the author of this post, spent days working and sacrificing the weekends clubbing (though I do admit I still had the odd one), not buying the cute heels I wanted and not spending Saturday mornings in the coffee shop! The result I have enjoyed swimming with green turtles and reef sharks, hiking with bears, and sailing a tall ship. I wouldn’t swap this for the world. It depends on what you want and what you are willing to do to achieve this. If you wrote your comment because you want to travel and still paying off debt, student loans etc … please don’t give up, it is worthwhile and you will meet the most amazing people that will stay with you the whole of your life.
Shervin says
Poor horse! My neck ache is killing me…
Silvia says
It’s a rough life, for sure.
Ashley says
Thanks for sharing- I’m always interested to hear how people make money while travelling long term. Even though I have no desire to teach English, I’d love to hear about your experiences in Japan as I’m dying to visit!
Silvia says
I have such mixed feelings about Japan, but there are so many things I love about it too, so I’m excited to finally write a bit about my time there!
Marie @ Marie Away says
Many people I’ve encountered are curious about how I’ve afforded travel in my life, and normally people who are in better situations financially. I totally agree it comes down to priorities. I work hard and live frugally to save money to travel, rather than buy a house or a car like many of my childhood friends have done.
I also get that mindset about spending money, haha. I always equate the cost to the number of hours I’d have to work to make up for it. It’s a good way to break the habit of purchasing on impulse.
Thanks for sharing–an interesting read!
Silvia says
Haha so true! When I think of how much work I had to put in to make the money I’m about to spend, I almost always put the dress back on the rack (because it’s always another dress I’m tempted to buy, haha).
Martina Donkers says
Hey Silvia 🙂
This is a really neat post – so much more relaxed and chilled out than most other “how to save money to travel” posts! I really agree with Jameela above – I love that you didn’t tell us what our priorities should be, instead acknowledging that everyone has different priorities.
I’m someone who’s expenses when up the moment I started my first ‘real’ job. I got to the end of the year, having earned 2-3 times as much as I ever had before, and with no savings to speak of! It was a bit depressing – that said, I did indulge in an overseas trip, lived in an expensive area, and had a number of unexpected medical expenses, so that probably explains a lot of it. But a lot of it also goes to the fact that I was buying things like avocados because I could, whereas they were always too expensive before.
This year I took a dramatic pay cut to work in Fiji, and I’m earning a fraction of what I was. But it’s amazing how your expenses can match your income – it turns out I simply don’t need to go shopping every other weekend, and I’ve loved finding where I can get a decent $3 lunch! I could probably spend less, but I really do like my occasional comforts (lattes), and I’m not one who enjoys the same meal for three days in a row (that would be really useful though – I’m jealous of you!!!).
Anyway, thanks for a great article. I’m going to poke round your site a bit more!!
Martina 🙂
Silvia says
Mmm I can’t blame you for wanting to buy avocados 🙂 But you’re right- often we don’t realize how much more simply we could live until we try. It sounds like it’s working out well for you on Fiji! I think one of the most important things is to really be honest about what we’re willing to spend money on. I mean, if we’re in constant turmoil about trying to resist the avocados, it’s probably just better to go ahead and buy them.
Martina Donkers says
Yeah definitely, it’s about priorities and what matters to you. When I was spending more money, I wasn’t so focussed on travel – I was more career minded. So in that sense investing in a good work wardrobe and stuff like that was a sensible thing to do, because it matched my priorities and I felt daggy and unprofessional in my old clothes. (Except now I have a whole bunch of corporate attire I don’t want!) Now my priorities are different, and I’d happily pass up a new pair of jeans in favour of an extra night in a bure on a white and turquoise beach in the Yasawas.
Also, I’m told avocado season is fast approaching… You can buy imported avocados for $29/kg (or not!!), but I can’t wait until the local ones appear for $2/heap. That’s going to be a good few weeks… 🙂
Silvia says
Judging from your photos of the Yasawas, you definitely made the right choice! And oh my goodness, avocado season!
Martina Donkers says
…Did I mention it’s currently mango season? And that you can buy plates of five or so for about $2 FJ on the street? 😀
Naomi says
I’ve back home with mam and dad to save up for my travels and hopefully building up enough of a client base before I go. Otherwise, I don’t go out much (ie. don’t spend money on drink) and I tell myself how much things will cost based on how many hours I would need to work – that puts things into perspective!
Silvia says
Setting up a nice cushion before heading off is so, so helpful. My sister is actually doing something similar right now, doing tons of writing while at home with our parents before leaving for Asia. It sounds like you will be well prepared!
Marta Kulesza says
I guess there is no big secret on how to afford travelling, unless you have a sponsor, you just have to work and save money. I’ve been doing exactly the same thing for years. Work, save, travel, repeat. Ocassionally I will have some money income from my online work or photography. For the past year and a half, before I set on a journey once again, I had set up saving account in my bank. At the beginning of each month 1/3 of my salary would automatically be transfered to this account. I had to learn to live on the rest, which wasn’t ever that hard to be honest. Ocassionally I would splurge on an unexpected trip or gear that I knew I would need during my future travels. I also worked extra hours on another assignments, during my holidays from my full time job. I knew I will be travelling again soon, so I didn’t mind doing that.
mediodiablo says
But those 5D Mark IIIs and L lenses are so expensive! … and so necessary to take good photos! They are investments! Haha, just kidding, that’s how I convince myself to splurge on a variety of stuff 🙁
Silvia says
Haha I’m actually in the midst of trying to convince myself to splurge on an L lens. Ahhh should I do it?! Probably not, but I probably will 🙂
mediodiablo says
You absolutely must!
Silvia says
It sounds like you have your saving/budget/travel system down perfectly! I agree that the best way to not spend extra money is to set it aside and pretend it’s not there. No temptation!
Vanessa @ The Travelling Colognian says
This is a very valuable post about how to safe money for your travels, Silvia, and I would also love to read more about the two years you spent in Japan. I am also often asked how I afford to travel more than others and I totally agree with you: it absolutely depends on your priorities. I live on the cheap to be able to travel while people around me have expensive appartements, cars and dine out in fancy restaurants. We all have a choice what is most important for us.
Silvia says
It’s nice to see that there are so many other people prioritzing travel as well 🙂 And I’ll be writing more about Japan later this week, woohoo! (I’m a little nervous too, ha)
Charlie says
Lovely and honest post! I’m glad that you wrote it from a personal perspective rather than like one of the many how-tos that we’ve all read waaay too many times. Sorry to hear that your time in Japan wasn’t ideal, I can totally relate to isolation as an expat from living in Taiwan, though I was very fortunate to have my partner with me – I can’t even imagine doing it without him around! Good luck with your freelance projects etc, I hope that it keeps you on the road! 🙂
Silvia says
Thanks, I was really worried it would still come off as preachy, as these posts often do. But so many people were asking me about this I had to write it! And yeah, I think my time in Japan would have been totally different there if I hadn’t been there alone. At least I learned a lot from it.
Christie of The Butterfly Editions says
Thanks for sharing this with us, in such an honest and personal way! I agree with what you say about evaluating your priorities, when I was saving for travel at home many of my friends and colleagues couldn’t understand that I wasn’t buying new things left right and centre all the time (I had a marketing role in a department store, the staff discount seemed to be pretty tempting to most!). I have no problems with anyone else buying whatever they want, but personally that was not going to help me reach my goals. Also – interesting to hear re your experience teaching in Japan, my brother recently taught for 1.5 years in a fairly isolated part of southern Japan (also on the JET program) and had some similar feelings of loneliness and isolation. I’ll be interested to read your post about your experienced in Japan later in the week and share it with him!
Silvia says
Oh, interesting to hear that your brother was in a similar situation in Japan! I’d be curious to see how our situations compared.
Dominique Kane says
Thanks so much for sharing this Silvia, I’m always so interested in finding out how people fund their extended travels and I know I’m not alone in that!
I’m looking forward to reading the upcoming post that you mentioned that you’re drafting about life in Japan and what went wrong for you there. My little brother moved there earlier this year as a part of a teaching program similar to JET, and there have definitely been some challenges involved in that move for him. It sounds like it will be an insightful post :).
Silvia says
I think moving to Japan is hard on a lot of people, especially if they are particularly sensitive to social rules and norms. It would be interesting to see if my situation was at all similar to his!
Miquel says
I love how you decided to approach this topic. Great post! I look forward to reading about Japan.
Silvia says
Thanks, Miquel, I did stress a bit about whether to write this, but I had been receiving so many questions from people that it seemed time!
kami says
I just hate all these money questions, it’s so rude of people to keep asking these! No one asks a girl how can she afford bunch of clothes every month or going out twice per week but travelling always brings so much controversy! It’s our money and our business how we are gonna spend them and no one should care about that. It’s not like we’re stealing or something! Ah, it makes me so annoyed!
Silvia says
It is crazy how many emails I’ve gotten from people asking how I afford this. Though I guess if they aren’t used to traveling then maybe it really does seem like an impossible luxury. And you’re totally right – I doubt fashion bloggers get as many questions about how they afford their pretty clothes!
jennifer says
Kami hit the nail on the head here. It seems that the same people who refuse to believe that travel is affordable, are the same ones who post pictures of their $10 lunches and $5 Frappucinos with their names spelled wrong on them.
Sylvia – I also would love to read about your time in Japan.
Silvia says
So SO true.
Taylor Hearts Travel says
Wow, really interesting to read the little insights into your travels in Japan. I look forward to reading more about that. Your experience with the exchange rate is crazy (crazy good for you!).
Silvia says
I honestly can’t believe how lucky I was with the exchange rate. Maybe it was fate trying to make up for my less than ideal time in Japan 🙂
Franca says
I understand you perfectly Silvia! We did exactly the same, we saved before quitting our jobs and lives in order to travel and so far we have been living and financing our travels off these savings. It’s now time for us to start thinking how to make money whilst keep travelling because we don’t want to give up this lifestyle, not at all 🙂
Silvia says
I know, now that I’ve started this travel lifestyle I don’t want to give it up, even when my savings are gone. Hopefully we can both figure something out 🙂
Rebekah says
I always wonder how people afford their travels but it seems nosy to ask. I wish I saved money when I wasn’t happy but instead I just spend it more and all my emotional lows in China end up with me downloading a million books off amazing… not brilliant. I agree that living simply can help a lot though
Silvia says
Yeah, I definitely was lucky that I was at least saving money while depressed. Now when I ask myself what I would do if I could do it again and I really don’t know, but I think in the end it was worth it.
Christine@ Apple of My Eye says
Hi love! I clicked over after responding to your comment and just read this as my very first post here. LOVE.
As someone still in college, it’s absolutely fascinating to learn about your life abroad! To learn the financial background to it is equally as interesting since it’s something I would love to do one day. You’re making the most out of your life!
Need to run off to class, but I’ll be back to read (stalk) your blog more soon!
Oh, and as far as ad companies go, try Lijit! I use them with Adsense and they have been doing pretty well for my site 🙂
Silvia says
Honestly, I wish I had been more forward thinking while in college. From the way you’re going with blogging and photography I’m sure you’ll have tons of opportunities to travel (or just move to Thailand and get fat on pad thai haha). I was reading about Lijit the other day – I’ll definitely check them out!
Alana - Paper Planes says
Even being so familiar with people traveling longterm, it’s still interesting to read individual stories about how people exactly do it – thanks for sharing!
Silvia says
I’m glad you didn’t just roll your eyes at yet another “how I afford this” posts, haha.
becky hutner says
I can’t get enough of these kinds of posts! While there are similar threads in each, everyone’s story is a little bit different. I guess mine goes something like this…my husband gets to travel a lot for work and I follow him. The end. Not sure what kind of advice can be gleaned from that…?
Silvia says
So basically I need to find a husband who travels for work!
J. Daniel says
Looks like you did it the right way and while it sounds like your initial time in Japan wasn’t great, it has allowed you to have some amazing experiences!
I really enjoyed my time in Japan but I was only there for a short time and my two trips were both work-related which means someone else paid for it! The people were so friendly and I really enjoyed going to the Nikko Toshogu Shrine.
Silvia says
I do love Japan, but I found it a hard place to live (especially on a remote island there). But you’re right, in the end it’s been worth it!
Syed says
Hey,
That’s a really nice post. I have kind of the same plans. But don’t you think time you spend working is actually time lost which you could be spending on the road? Then again you need good savings for travel and for that you need a stable source of income. What about when your savings run out? Do you have any plans for the future?
Anyway your blog is really good and simple. I started following you after reading your Iran and Tajikistan blog posts. They were really awesome. Wish you all the best.
Silvia says
In many ways I feel like my time in Japan was wasted, but on the other hand I learned so much there and I think that’s a huge reason why I’m traveling so much now. But ugh, I don’t want to think about running out of savings! Now my writing is at least stretching them out a bit, but eventually I will need to get a proper job again.
Sabine says
I cannot agree more with your post. Even if you write this how you do it, in general it is the way to save up money and travel (while you spend it) 😉
Except of course about your negative experience in Japan.
Thanks for sharing this!
Silvia says
Haha yeah, you don’t need to have a bad experience in Japan to save up money 😉
Chalsie says
Very interesting stuff! Good on you for working your butt off for two years to fund your travel! You deserve it 🙂
Silvia says
It does make the traveling a little bit sweeter 🙂
Victoria@ The British Berliner says
These tips are great Silvia. 🙂
I’m a little older now and I did my backpacking-around-the-world-spurt 20 years ago (oh god!) however, I still like to keep my hand in and travel in various ways. This year alone (although I have a full-time corporate job, a husband and a child), I managed to go to to 10 countries and the year isn’t over yet!
Travel is a priority and so to make it happen, instead of buying “that dress” when it first comes out, I wait a few months later. I go to high-end shops and wait for the sales. You won’t believe the drop in prices. Hilfiger jeans from Berlin’s equivalent to Harrods €25.00 dropped from €170!
I also try to look for small boutique hotels or private rooms in hostels.
I do extra 1-on-1 teaching for academics and corporate professionals every now and then, and they have no problems coming to my home or in my garden. It saves on transport LOL!
I then put any extra money into a seperate account so that we don’t dip into it.
And to tell you the truth, living in Berlin doesn’t hurt. I get to live a full life with all the trimmings, at prices well below most European countries, AND still get to travel as well. Brilliant!
Silvia says
Wow, 10 countries in a year is super impressive! I love the lifestyle you’ve set up for yourself – hopefully I can get something similar going 🙂
RC @ Allianz Travel Insurance says
Hi Silvia,
You are very lucky enough to be able to see the world itself with your own choices, i may not be lucky as you even though my work line is with the travel industry, got the chance to travel in Asia but due to business trip. I have my own plan on how to travel the world soon, i need to save up and do some extra work to pay for my own trip, but you impress me on how you took your life to travel and see the world. Thumbs up for you!
Hannah says
Awesome post! Thanks. I usually give up on travel posts after the first sentence in disappointment but this was refreshing. I’m just getting into Affiliate Marketing with an online business I started last year and things are picking up – hoping to stay on the road as long as possible! Also…if people are interested in cheap. I just snagged an apartment in central Budapest for £145 all bills included! It’s like the Chiang Mai of Europe 🙂
Vanessa Amendola says
Hi there!
I am a student of your father. I just wanted to say that he is so proud of you, i can see it in the way he gets completely lost whenever he talks about you. He suggested I check out your website and it’s amazing! I myself am only 18 but just this summer i traveled to London, Edinburgh, Dublin, and the country side of Ireland and i absolutely loved it. I hope to go to Budapest, Vienna, Prague, and Germany this summer if I save enough money. I got the travel bug but after reading your posts I just want to travel even more. Thank you so so so much for creating this wonderful website and i wish you the best of luck in wherever life takes you next! I can only imagine all of the lives you’ve already impacted in a positive way because your father is one of the greatest people I’ve ever met.
Best,
Vanessa Amendola
Elena@Elena's Travelgram says
Sylvia, that’s a truly incredible post and so frank. You are right, the internet’s full “how to travel the world” posts, but quite a few of them contain non-generic advice and so personal insights. Besides, a lot of people get false ideas that all travelers live on sponsored trips or whatsoever.
Silvia says
I was seriously nervous about posting this because I thought people would just roll their eyes at yet another “how I afford to travel” post. So glad to hear that you enjoyed it!
Keane says
Fingers crossed that there’s a cute town in Italy that’s ridiculously cheap 😉
Silvia says
Or you can just go to Albania, which is super cheap and so close to Italy! (Plus their pizza totally tastes Italian)
Jeff says
Thanks for sharing how you saved the money. For every traveler out there, there is a different way they saved up funds. For me, the last 11 years I’ve worked seasonally in the Alaska tourism industry to save money and then travel in the fall/winter. Like you did in Japan, I saved as much as possible while working.
Your blog is very entertaining and I’ve really enjoyed reading through it.
Silvia says
That sounds like a pretty perfect setup you have there!
Benjamin says
Im glad this wasn’t like another typical how to travel post. 🙂 I saved $30,000 from 4 years in the Navy, but If I was smarter back then I know I could have saved much more, but Ive made it last for 2 years of travel so far. You were miserable in Japan??!, I really loved Japan but I only traveled there not worked.
Michelle says
It’s so funny. I’m saving for a trip now and everyone always asks how I’m going to afford it. They always say they don’t have money, but then they go out and spend $50 on drinks at a bar while I stayed in and read my kindle haha. I love your description of priorities. It’s spot on and I’ve always had a hard time articulating that. Great article!
Silvia says
Right? It still drives me crazy when my friends say they could never afford to travel like I do, when I’m pretty sure I spend about a third of what they do a month. Priorities!
Beatriz Valenzuela says
That is great!! that you get to travel. I started traveling 10 yrs ago and I love it. But I only go when I have saved up $$ and my 2 weeks vacation from work. I have a friend that will not”allow” me to buy $5 coffee because as she says “that’s money for our next adventure”. (I do sneak a Starbucks here and there). I am older and have responsibilities but like you say “priorities”. For me traveling is part of life. I have the travel bug and now my daughter has it too. I love to read stories about fellow travelers. I can’t wait to visit Asia. Thanks for sharing! Safe travels.
Silvia says
I got my travel blog from my parents so I understand your daughter’s position! I hope you can visit Asia someday soon!
Alyssa says
What apartment do you stay in while in Chiang Mai. I am moving there in May and would love recommendations! I think I want to be in old town Chiang Mai. I love posts like this! They’re so inspirational. This will be my first time traveling alone and I have a feeling I’ll never want to stop! Thanks!
Silvia says
I never stayed in the Old Town – most expats live around Nimmanhaemin instead. I spent a few months in a gorgeous apartment on Nimman 11 at Chiang Mai Condos (it looks terrible from the outside but has really nice apartments for 6,000/mo) and a few months in between Nimman and the Old Town at Chai Mansion, which I think cost 4,500/mo. It’s easy to find a place there – just double check the electricity charges because some of the bigger apartment buildings way over charge people, which can get super expensive. Good luck, I’m sure you’ll love your solo adventure!
Dani says
This is a great post. We love the honesty in it. We’ve found many people try to over exaggerate how they made their money and how much they make blogging, but you are honest that you were lucky and you prioritize.
Thanks for this. We just added it to our sharing schedule. We love sharing real tips and insights from real people. 🙂
Silvia says
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Dani! And thanks for sharing 🙂
Daisy says
Hiya, I am going to Thailand in a few months time, also hoping to stay in Chiang Mai for a month or two… I was super pleased to see how cheap you said it is to rent! Any ideas on how to go about renting an apartment?? Is it easiest/cheapest to arrange this kind of thing in advance, or when I arrive? Your blog is so fun to read and so useful! Any advice is much appreciated 🙂
Silvia says
I always just found an apartment as soon as I arrived. The big buildings like Baan Thai on Nimmanhaemin and Huay Kaew residence (each of which I think cost about $150/month) never fill up, so you can at least stay there, though I would recommend also just walking around town and asking in at any apartments you see. I last stayed at Chai Mansion across from Kad Suan Kaew, which was about $100/mo I think, for what was sort of like a hotel room. You really shouldn’t have any problems finding a place. Good luck and have fun!
Travelsito says
Amaing story Silvia!
Mary says
Hi,
I’m having a full time job in a company in Europe, now moving to New York with an exciting new job with new duties, looks fabulous, bbut. my passion, my priority is to backpack all around the world when I’m on holidays and catch up with new people and cultures and being in extraordinary landscapes and places. I have saved money to be living backpacking for the next two years, I want to do it so badly, but the preassure from my parents (especially my dad, who is a very workaholic person) and from my friends, which sees this as lack of aspiration in life. What do you think?
Many thanks
alex
Silvia says
Ugh that’s so tough! My family loves travel too, so it was never an issue for me, but I guess ultimately you have to decide whether that pressure is coming from a good place or not, and what you feel the right choice is for you. I think it’s definitely harder with different generations because we have very different opportunities available to us, but hopefully you can figure out the right thing to do and your parents will see that you’re happy with your decision and can be happy for you!
Katie Featherstone says
Thank-you for your transparency Silvia. It struck a chord with me when you said that not enjoying your time in Japan made you more careful with the money you earned. I’ve found that from travelling on my waitressing money in the past- I measure every purchase in hours of my life wasted previously!
Silvia says
Right? It’s really interesting how it works like that! I’m wondering if I’ll view spending differently now that I’m making more money again in Norway. I’m not sure though…
claire says
this is bad to some people but the way I’ve earned some money to at least get out of debt and to pay for 1 trip was to donate eggs. Its a super easy process and i got 9000 dollars. you can donate up to 6 times so if people are really looking thats always a possibility haha
Silvia says
I’ve always heard about it, but never knew anyone who had done it. Super interesting way to finance travels, haha.
Kyle says
Definitely agree with making traveling a priority. People do not realize how much money is idly spent when there are no plans in the future. I have to constantly remind myself to pull back on expenses the moment I start itching for another big trip. Awesome blog btw.
Silvia says
So true, it’s all about priorities!
Chloe says
Love your post and your tips! Dying to move abroad foe a while!
Xo, Chloe
http://www.timetravelblonde.com
Silvia says
You should!
Melissa says
Hi Silvia!
I am also looking to start travelling abroad to Asia or Eastern Europe. I was wondering if you could give me any insight as to relatively safer places to go for a twenty-something year old female traveling solo. Any tips or tricks?
(I know every area is different, I’m just looking for tips and general information)
🙂 Thank you!!!
Ali says
It’s a great post Silvia.
I’m 25 just like you and like many other people in the world, I always had the dream of traveling around world, but I want to travel around Iran and see my country first. I went to many cities like Tehran, Shiraz, Isfahan, Mashhad, Arak, Qom, Khorram Abad, and many cities around them. I can count for 50+ cities. But all of these trips were for work and I didn’t spend much time in these cities to see them.
I believe that there are 2 questions that everyone should ask before traveling around the world:
1. How to save money.
2. How to spend money.
The first one is answered by you. I totally agree that to save money we should count on every penny.
But the second question is very important too. Hotels, restaurants, buses and taxies, and if we travel by our own can, gas and car costs can burn the money. For example, a normal 7 day trip to shiraz cost me about $800 USD, and a normal 7 day trip to Isfahan costs me around $400. I mean, I didn’t stayed in many-stars hotels, I didn’t eat at hi-class restaurants and still I spent a lot of money.
Can you please write an article that explains how you manage your money to spend just $700-1000 in a month, even when you are traveling in expensive countries like Norway?
Thanks a lot, and be safe.
Ali says
Oh, I just read the about page, and it seems that you are not 25 like me, but 27.
Sorry for that mistake 😉
Silvia says
I am planning on writing a bunch of posts about traveling and living in Norway on a budget over the next few months, so hopefully they’ll help!
Briana says
hi not sure if you will see this but, my name is Briana Gentle i live in Central America and im only 14 years old and i love travelling i want it to be apart of my everyday life exploring the different cities and countries but at the same time i still want to graduate high-school ( 2018) and go to an online collage and get my degree(s) and become a lawyer but at the same time i just want to travel for as long as i can do you have any tips on what i should do and when should i start saving money?
Liza says
Thanks so much for your candor and great posts. You’ve inspired me to get to writing, I am having issues feeling overwhelmed starting a blog and considering all the time it will take from travelling.
My boyfriend and I started in Kyrgyzstan in June and we are still here, just attended the world Nomad Games. We were able to visit Kazakhstan and Tajikistan and now we are looking ahead (with anticipation and some antsy-ness) for crossing from Osh to Uzbekistan. We were debating about Arslanbob and then I read your great post on it and now we have another decision to make. We had to delay our travels to Uzbekistan first due to the heat, then to the the land borders being closed around the independence holiday, and today it is a holiday in Kyrgyzstan.
Sorry, that was just context…but now my real question is, do you have any contacts for a 2 week or month Rental in Chang Mai, we are planning to go for Loy Kratong!
Thanks so much, I enjoyed drinking tea and reading your Central Asian blogs from a wooden table in Biy Ordo, Osh.
Cheers,
Liza
Linsay says
This is probably the million-th article I’ve read about travel and building finances, but unlike the others, I was interested throughout the entire article! I love the conversational aspect of your writing. I genuinely feel like you’re answering a question I just asked over some coffee!
I’m currently trying to transition out of being a full time teacher, and traveling more permanently. I’m curious about your experience with the JET program. I’ve been looking into several programs that involve teaching abroad (Korea, mostly.) Would you recommend that program? Or is there another program you maybe have heard about?
Silvia says
I think the JET program is one of the most highly paid and respected programs in the region. And the support they offer you is really amazing! Teaching in Japan can be really hard, but if you’re up for the challenge I would highly recommend going with JET. The only downside is that the application process takes a really long time.
Stephanie Cryer says
I really enjoyed reading this piece! It wasn’t your standard ‘stop drinking coffee or eating out’ advice but it was an engaging and fascinating blog. I love your honesty about Japan but I am still intrigued to go and work myself. I would love to know what you do in all the other countries whilst you are living there!
Silvia says
Thanks, Stephanie! Right now I’m working part time at a supermarket in Norway + blogging, so nothing too exciting, ha.
Diana says
So amazing & inspirational! I also saved for a while to make my dream of long-term traveling a reality. It’s totally possible! I would love your feedback on my blog 🙂 Merry Christmas! – Diana http://www.maplesunset.com
Silvia says
Thanks, Diana, and I will try to check it out when I have some time!
Grace says
I just found your page, and I’m in LOVE with it! I was wondering what you studied at the university? Did you ever keep going with that or did you scratch it to travel?
-Grace
Silvia says
Thanks, Grace! I studied philosophy in college, so I guess in the sense of philosophy being all about the pursuit of wisdom, I’m still doing that with my travels and blogging. But mostly I’m not using my degree at all, haha.
Samantha says
Great Post!
Silvia says
Thanks!
Amber says
Really interesting read! I’m currently trying to save to travel but it’s not easy, especially when you want to really enjoy life while doing so. I need to get more savvy about making money from my blog so I can do it when I travel too 🙂
Sarah says
I really love this post! I find that a lot of friends say that I am “lucky” I get to travel so much. I explain that its not really luck, travel and experience is number one priority. If a house or car was my priority then thats probably what I would spend most of my money. I agree and really believe that if you want to travel more and make it a priority its possible! Love your blog :).
Nasle says
good article thanks for sharing …
Christine says
Hi.. Can i know is it save to travel to Tajikistan as a solo traveller?
When you go there. are you travelling alone or with a friend?
Thank you 😀
Silvia says
I was traveling with two other women, but we did meet some women traveling through Tajikistan alone as well and they were fine.
Anna Jones says
Wow. You did all the things that I had planned to do after Japan (Tanegashima), but as you mentioned not having college debt is a huge bonus. I paid off about 10,000 of mine but I think that I was still not as frugal as you. The yen was 110 to the American dollar when I lived there. So you had a huge benefit.
Thank you for sharing again. Also I think that house looks familiar that’s in the photo. If it’s the same one I stayed there for a week with an ALT from Wales before moving north of Tokyo.
Tatiana says
Can you do a post about what went wrong for you in Japan?! I’m really curious to see what happened.
Hliary says
This is going to sound a little dorky, but I just wanted to say that I have this article bookmarked on my computer for encouragement and I click on it whenever I’m having a rough day at work.
Swap out Japan for you with China for me and you know my current phase in life. Though I love living in China (4th year living in this country, 2nd year working full-time and saving money), I am happy for my 2-year chapter in polluted Beijing to come to a close. (My first two years were in southern China, which I much prefer). By the end of this contract, I will have saved almost exactly 44,000 USD too. Small world.
But I’m mentally already ready to fly away.
My current post-current-contract plan: I’m going to Kazakhstan for one week, then Ukraine to study Russian, travel over land to Paris, fly to America and visit family, then Peru to study Spanish. I can’t wait.
Anyway, thanks for the reminder that the freedom isn’t that far away and that it’s gonna taste so sweet!
Best,
Hilary
Silvia says
Oh wow, it is a small world! Your post-contract plan sounds amaaazing – certainly something that should make the struggle worth it. Just hang in there until then!
Tra says
Love the discipline required. Travel is so important. And you are right, is a dress or ice cream THAT important in the real desire to travel and enjoy. Kudos for surviving your Japanese experience. Quite inspiring. Keep doing “YOU”.
Micaela says
Hi Silvia
I’m also from Worcester and now I teach there! Where did you go to school? And what inspired you to start blogging? I’m also a traveler, but now only during school vacations 🙁
Micaela
Silvia says
What a small world! I went to Venerini and Notre Dame. I started blogging with a friend who really loved reading travel blogs, and then when our four month backpacking trip was over I decided to continue traveling on my own and started up my own blog.
T.M. says
Just stumbled across this piece and it’s good to know I’m not the only one in the world who lives cheap and uses money to travel (in my case I live in Taiwan and usually return to VT. once a year for 5-6 weeks, rent a car, and explore New England.) And there’s nothing wrong with working at a supermarket or, in my case, being a private tutor. I’ve run out of patience with the mooks who constantly harp “Why don’t you get a REAL job?!” and my standard response to them is “Because sitting in a cubicle all day gives me cramps in my ass.”
Looking forward to reading more!
-TM
Justin says
This is a great blog! My friends always ask me why I don’t want to go out – simple! I want to save my money and not spend $3 in gas and another six to twelve bucks on beers at a bar! I studied abroad in australia and i’ve got a travel bug ever since 2017. Need to make that work in my life!
Melissa says
I pretty much do the same as Silvia to get the travel money, as in I live simply and below my means.
These days I like to have and do other things besides travel, so I ration and prioritise. Then when I decide on a priority and spend some of my money to get it, it feels extra special, like giving myself a gift. That feeling has been an added and unexpected bonus of putting so much though into what I would like most to have.
Sanjib says
What an inspiring blog. Live close to nature in simplicity, you will save a lot of money. Thanks for sharing.
Prakash says
Thank you so much for great post