The honest truth – I never have the money I need to travel, but I buy the ticket anyway. I’ve realized that money comes and goes, but the more I make, the harder it is to part with it and weirdly, the less I have, the easier it becomes to budget.
I don’t do that saving account, checking account, travel account thing either. I am not rational. I am extreme. I want to travel and so I do. There is no in between. While I was working my first career job in public relations, I realized early on that it was going to take me forever to save all the money I would need to see the world. I come from a middle class family, I’m the middle child of five and I live in one of the most expensive places in America – Long Island, New York. I don’t have rich family members or know people that know people and I certainly can’t rely on inheritance to someday boost my dreams. So I focused on what I did have – a roof over my head, and the attitude that I can and will do anything I want.
… And I want to live around the world.
REWIND TO THAT PLACE IN TIME
I’m working seven days a week and I can’t even afford my own place yet. Five days at the PR firm and Saturdays and Sundays bar tending. For what? So I can slave away my 20s. Work 7 days a week to buy clothes for work and a $400 monthly train pass to get to work. I was literally working to afford working. And don’t get me wrong. I absolutely loved my job. I loved my clients, I loved my boss and I loved my interns. I was proud of where I was and where I was going, yet I still had something inside of me telling me that if I wanted to go all out for my career, I needed to give up that living around the world dream… and if I wanted to live somewhere else, I was going to need to give up my career.
And so the google search began. I have no money. But I want to travel for long periods of time. How do I do that?!
I’m going to need to work abroad.
Working while you travel is literally the smartest thing a person can do.
But you can’t do it forever. It’s only for the young. Sorry people. Not my rule. There are countries who will give you a year working visa but you have to be under 30. (Australia and New Zealand)
So with this information. It was now or never.
I mean, lets face it – If I moved into New York City when I was 24 years old, I’d be working to pay for my apartment. Once you leave the nest – rent till you die. Travel for me would not be likely for a very long time.
And even if I stayed home and kept working like I was – I wasn’t saving what I needed to get ahead. I was getting ahead in my career but financially, I was just getting by and some.
It was only when I thought about the life I was setting myself up for that I realized I was just fitting the mold, and the scariest part was that I liked it because I was used to it – it was the only life I had ever known.
If you tell people you work 7 days a week, they don’t see anything wrong with it. I didn’t. I was a champion. I was going places. If you tell them you work two jobs in one day, well then, you are a hard worker, a hustler, a person who is determined to succeed.
I hate that mindset now. Unless you know exactly what it is you are working for.
What’s up with our society that people are so proud to work so much just to get by? No. You are an adult. Working 40 hours should be enough to provide for your family and your home and everything you need. Especially if you are not working for your dreams. Working more should be an option. (You know for that iPad or pocketbook.) Not a must-do or you cant afford the rent. Or at least that’s how it should be. Kate for President, just saying.
Okay, but really – I understand that there are instances where you work a lot because you have a goal. Mine (at the time) was to afford an apartment in New York City so I could be closer to my job and break out of the nest. It was really exciting to think about – until I starting becoming excited thinking about where I would work on the weekends to afford this new life. Fall back. YOUR GOALS SHOULD NOT BE MATERIALISTIC. They should be focused on personal growth and just because your bank account is growing, it doesn’t mean you are. My mindset was all about money. Money for this, money for that. Bills, bills, bills, throw some money in the savings every month, go for drinks with friends, look for a husband – hey, everyone’s doing it – It’s called being responsible and having your head on straight. I can almost hear my parents sigh of relief when they thought I had lined myself up a successful future… but then I quit my career and crushed their dreams and I didn’t care because where was the room for my dreams? I had to break that mold.
Someone really tell me WHAT THE FUCK life is about? My generations economy sucks. Yet for some reason, everyone has nice things. A lot of us have two jobs, or are working overtime at our one job or even have three gigs going on – And if you don’t fill those categories – get off my page. (Just kidding, but really.)
SO I looked into it. PEOPLE DON’T HAVE MONEY FOR THE LIVES THEY ARE LIVING.
We finance almost everything. Your car, your house, your new big screen TV. OMG I am going to be poor for the rest of my life. But I won’t look poor. Because I’ll have credit cards.
LIGHT BULB.
Have you heard of 0% APR? Of course you have. Well it’s literally the only reason I can travel.
No I don’t have a rich family who funds my travels. Sorry to ruin your day.
When I moved to Australia on a Work and Holiday Visa I had $800 in my bank account. Crazy I know. I literally told my parents, ‘Okay I’m going to Australia. I only have $800 so if I don’t get a job in the first week, I’ll see you next Sunday.”
BLANK STARES
I was taking a risk I know. But what did I have to lose? Money? My whopping $800. Which is why having less money makes it easier to take chances. I was prepared and willing to fail for a dream I wasn’t sure would work. But lets be honest, I was NOT going to lose. I was on a goddamn mission and I don’t understand the word “no”.
SO
UNITED MILEAGE PLUS EXPLORER CARD – They gave me 50,000 miles for signing up and 5000 for adding someone to the account (which I did) and miles after spending $1000 in the first month (which I did because I put my plane flight on the card.)
This means, I basically racked up enough points (and by basically I mean, I had enough points) for a free flight home. I’m A GENIUS — And yes, I planned that out.
[NOTE: They have slightly changed the card. Look for deals and offers.]
THEN
CITI THANK YOU PREFERRED CARD – Boom! 0% APR on balance transfers for the first 12 months and a fee of 3% of my transfer. (Which sucks but I needed to.)
ARE YOU FOLLOWING ME?
I transferred all of my credit card balances to the THANK YOU CARD and set up the minimum monthly payment to automatically come out of my checking account every month.
I also set up my student loan to automatically be deducted every month as well.
NO WORRIES MATE – remember, it’s just money. (And it’s for my dream – Not a sweater and shoes.)
FROM THERE… I put a weeks stay at World Square Hostel, in an 18 bed dorm room (the cheapest bed they had) on my credit card.
WHAT ABOUT FOOD?
PB and J my friends. Not even J, just PB and the cheapest loaf of bread I could find in Sydney (which was $1, SCORE).
AND REALLY THE REST IS HISTORY
I found a job within the first three days. Applied for a tax file number. Set up an Australian bank account and after my first Australian paycheck I never had to touch my American credit card ever again. I was making about $1000 a week in Australia and working 35 hours a week. My rent was $150 a week. Eventually I transferred some money over to my American account just to keep paying the minimum payment on my THANK YOU card. But that was the last I had to worry about my American bills. I ended up SAVING $10,000 in six months working in Australia. And I used that money to travel Australia with. Never having to touch an American dollar.
I used this same strategy when I moved to Thailand. Except I started with $2000 as my backup if I didn’t get a job. (But I did.)
I may just be a master budgeter but I’m pretty positive this tactic can work for anyone who is as ambitious and money savvy as me. Don’t just go get a credit card and put everything on there. And don’t spend more than you can make. The most I ever put on the card was $3000. The point is to use it as a little loan to help you pursue a dream you may not have the money for right now, while keeping some money in your bank account for emergencies.
Good luck and be smart. (but not too smart – leave some space for risks!)
OH! AND AS FOR MY DREAM – In case it’s unclear… I want to live and work around the world. I want to experience culture. I want to be a local. See what it’s like to be someone from somewhere else. It’s not just about money anymore. It’s about life and challenges and doing things I never thought were possible for me.
I don’t know why I was so lucky to have been born in America – to have all these opportunities – to not even be close to being the richest person in my town but to still have so frikken much. I don’t know why I got to be born here and not somewhere else, but I know I won’t take it for granted.
If you are in a country where you can read this – Please don’t take it for granted. xx
Next read: Australian Work and Holiday Visa: Do It Yourself Guide
Related: How to Make Over $18/hr Backpacking Australia
Kate from the States 
Kate this was an awesome read. Good for you!
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it :)
Well put. Always travel when given the chance. Fortunately I have spent some time in Austrailia and met a few people with similar dreams and crazy stories. Best of luck!
what kind of work did you do in Australia?
You are literally my role model! I have been researching being an au pair abroad, because I studied abroad for a few months in New Zealand and now all I want to do is continue to travel.
Reblogged this on thechainlessmind and commented:
This is a wonderful post!
I completely agree. you said it best! Traveling is a lifestyle. Life is one grand adventure or nothing at all.
Very nice. I’m a lot older than you, but having wanderlust never gets old. Is the beach you’re sitting on Had Thien beach, Koh Phangan by any chance?
Maria
Everything about this is the reason I want to travel. Studying abroad (beginning in January!) for the next six months is the closest I can get while being in college, but I would LOVE to do what you do in a few years. You go girl :) Thanks for writing!!
Wow…this was very inspiring. I’m 20 years worrying about my future, bills…etc. & you allowed me to have some kind of ease and to look forward to my years to come. Thank you!
Kate, I think I’m in love lol just kidding, but what you did is EXACTLY what I am trying to do. I am working a job right now in hopes of saving enough money to move to Australia for at least one year. I want to experience different cultures and see a different side of the world. I would appreciate it greatly if you could send me an email and we could chat so I could learn more details and how to make my dream a reality like you did! AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE OY OY OY!
Thank you for this. I really needed to read this.
Great Post! Everybody searches for happiness and they think earning all this money and working that 40 hours a week plus job building security and family is happiness but in essence it’s so far from it in many ways. You are experiencing the world, which is tremendous and life fulfilling! Good for you!
I love your perspective, your energy and your inspiration for all of those wishing to do the same. If more people stepped into their power and asked themselves what they really wanted to create in their lives…there would be a lot less people working those two jobs just to get by. We moved from the mainland to Hawaii on this same dream and it is amazing. And as a side note there is a ton of “woofing” here which is a live and work trade that allows the same flexibility you are talking about. Aloha and congrats on following your heart and choosing joy <3 Mishi
I am 22years old guy, I came across your blog it very much inspired me! Is it easiest to find a teaching job abroad? Or is their other types of jobs you looked into also?
Seriously the most inspiring thing I’ve read in a good while, especially for a wanderlust soul like me. All I want to do is travel and work and experience what this world has to offer, but no clue where to start. Any chance you’re willing and able to email me, please please do. I would love more insight and guidance!
Hate to point this out but the only thing that you can click on other than the hostel are both credit card links, both visa, & both chase. Makes me think this is just good marketing. Good read none the less even if it is fictional
Hate to point this out but the only thing that you can click on other than the hostel are both credit cards, both visa, & both chase. Makes me think this is just good marketing. Good read none the less even if it is fictional
you are so inspiring! im so happy to have read this article :)
Hate to point this out but the only thing that you can click on other than the hostel are both credit cards, both visa, & both chase. Makes me think this is just good marketing. Good read none the less even if it is fictional
I absolutely loved this! Thanks so much for sharing!
This is great in theory.. but it leaves me with SO many questions. What happens if you get sick? Or don’t find a job in that first week? Were you just going to go back home and try again? Or another place? How did you find a job so quickly? I’ve only ever heard horror stories about people that have done this.. I’d love more details on your experiences <3
This is great and all and luckily it worked out for you..but maybe if you had a higher paying job you wouldn’t have been in the scenario in the first place. NYC is way too expensive to live for young people starting their careers. I paid my dues working a job after college for a year and was offered a position making nearly 15k more. It’s all about putting in your dues…Oh and now I can travel wherever I want, and come home to my nice apartment. To each his own I guess. Best of luck .
Love this! As a LI’er who unexpectedly took that traditional life a little too soon, I look forward to living vicariously through your posts ;) Awesome read, thanks for sharing!
Amazing! This is all i think about and all i talk to my friends and family about! If I didn’t take a semester of school off to travel south america, I would be graduated by now and abroad again, but one more semester to go! What kind of job did you work while in Thailand? That is my first ideal destination!
Going through some really tough decisions myself lately with graduation in a week. I really want to do something awesome and see the world, I’ve barely left the east coast. This was really inspiring for me to really start my dream of traveling and seeing the world but in a cost effective way. Overall great read thanks for sharing.
Did you travel alone or with someone else?
Your words will inspire many to live LIFE with no fear. Life is too beautiful to ignore. Love this!
Great article. Was really feeling it up until the very end. What were you doing in Australia to make $1000 a week?? That seems like you really hit the jackpot finding a job almost immediately that paid that much. I know Australia is expensive so maybe their mid-low level jobs pay more as well? Just curious if you could fill us in on that, not sure everyone could just head somewhere and quickly find a job paying anywhere close to that. Ex. I went through a lengthy process to get certified and find a job in Colombia teaching English (where I am headed in Jan.) but it is basically volunteer work with a stipend of $750 a month. Obviously, Colombia’s cost of living is extremely low compared to US or Australia but still I’ll be living check-to-check without any potential of saving. Overall, loved the article coming form NYC myself and having a similar thought process deciding to find work somewhere far away. But maybe a little clarification on your jobs abroad and how you found them so quick.
So let me get this straight. You can’t afford to travel with cash, so you put it on credit cards. Then you pay off the credit cards with said cash. You also specifically say do not put anything on credit cards you can’t afford to pay off. I’m not seeing the logic.
Yes, if you are extremely careful and make plenty of money, you can get some little bonuses out of using a credit card. But it’s dangerous to make a blanket recommendation to the world to just use them if you can’t afford something. The moment you are late on a payment… the moment you can’t make that payment… Every benefit from that card is voided and then some.
You couldn’t save $800 for a plane ticket, but you could pay it off that next month?
Man if I didn’t have kids this would be amazing. Glad you could live your dreams, that’s amazing!
Good read ‘Kate from the States’ :-)
I hope this page inspires many others to do the same. I left home on 01/09/2011 (which i have now have tattooed on my foot in thai laungauge), And since then i have lost count how many countries I’ve been to. IVE HAD THE TIME OF MY LIFE. I’ve been living the dream as (everyone always says). I fly to Argentina in two weeks to spend three months of saved money to travel up through chile, bolivia, peru then fly to miami (cheap flights) to stay with a friend i met at the start of the year in Rio, Brazi and then fly to canada (cheap flights again) to start a working visa and the whole cycle starts again. I have thought about writing something like this recently but didn’t have the time so I’ve just started a faceboook page
https://www.facebook.com/travellightmarcwhite
Peace & Love
Marc. White
Great post!
I’m litteraly in australia right now and yes, work and holiday visa is awesome, yes, I found a job very quickly, yes, I’m gonna go travelling in a few months after I’ve saved but dude… 1000 for 35 hours what in the hell were you doing??
I love love love this! I want to do this more than anything! I’ve been seriously considering it because I graduate college in May, so why not!
You’re inspiring.
This sounds SO appealing and inspiring. As a college student, I dream of doing this after graduating. But my only fear is – what about when you get to your 30s? Is moving from job to job and city to city going to be your entire future? Do you see all of these places and experiences as stepping stones to an ultimate settlement in one place and one job?
your rampant, superfluous and incorrect use of “literally” is horrid. PLEASE STOP!!!
I wish i could marry you, ive been trying to find a girl like you for forever
This is amazing:) a great read! I’m planning to teach English abroad in as many countries as possible. Your article makes me even more excited to follow my dreams and wanderlust heart!! Thank you for being brave!!!!
Kate- My friend Lyla shared your blog on FB and I must say…you and I have the EXACT same mindset. I have a great job, boyfriend, ect and I am dropping everything to move to Aus this upcoming April. I will be doing the Working and Holiday Visa as well :) I would love to chat with you and get some insight!
Kate! I love your positivity and “take no shit” attitude. I would love to know what time of company you worked for and more about your travels. Was it really so easy to move across the world and find a job?
What job did you do on a WHV that paid $1000 for 35 hours?
If that is you in the picture, I hate you less because you seem to be at least somewhat attractive, and I recognize that that may be your only redeeming quality. Other than that, your life strategy is parasitic and selfish. As a person with what seems like at least a decent amount of potential, you should contribute to society until you have been sufficiently financially rewarded to no longer be a burden to your family or the very generous American banking system. Although, I suspect you will only continue to wander the world aimlessly in your naive search for a more fulfilling life. In the end, I hope you find happiness, but I speculate that you will only find that you have not built anything worthwhile, and this will break your already low self-esteem that motivated you to write this excessively defensive, self-serving blog post in the first place.
Did you get an hourly job or something on salary when you moved to Australia? Going there is hopefully in my future!
Reblogged this on Lisa Maria and commented:
“The honest truth – I never have the money I need to travel, but I buy the ticket anyway. I’ve realized that money comes and goes, but the more I make, the harder it is to part with it and weirdly, the less I have, the easier it becomes to budget.”
$1000 a week yeah sure, doing what?
Hi Kate,
Enjoyed the post. I’ve been living life the same way for 5 years now. Traveled to every continent and everything… Experienced amazing things.. adventurer in nature.
We have a lot in common, get in touch.
Ofir
What types of jobs did you secure abroad?
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