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 
There needs to be more people like you in the world. Many times do I find myself trying convince others that life is not the monotonous, repetitive, struggle for financial success that society tells us it is. Everyone loves having fun, but the second you tell people you want to have as much fun as you possibly can, it’s perceived as an unacaappetable, unrealistic ambition ….merely because others are scared by it and don’t have the willpower to do it themselves. I always listen to my elders and the one thing they always say is they wished that did more things, had more fun and didn’t take life so seriously. Owning a house does not determine a successful life, it’s merely everyone else following suit
awesome blog post! I’m in Sydney now and living my dream and gave up my dream job back in Sweden to do what I just read in your blogpost above – live my dream to explore and grow as a human being! All cred to you and I really hope more people to like you
And I, this was the best desition I’ve ever made, and I know that the same day I booked my flight ticket to get here!
How long did you stay in Australia and what did you work? :)
you go girl!
Caroline
Sooo weird. You had $800 in your bank account, no credit, no job, yet you were approved for 2 top of the line credit cards worth $1,000+? I bet… sounds to me like someone is lying about their mommy and daddy’s wallets.
Hi,
I’m not sure this blog is real. I live in Australia and I am wondering how someone can get a job here in 3 days and earn $1000 a week? The job application and interviews would have taken longer then 3 days for a $1000 a week job position.
Best article ever. Happy to see that someone else is as addicted to traveling as I am. Have a nice easy side job waiting for you (or anyone else with your outlook on life) if interested. Marketing@Beforeyoubookit.com
i have every entention on doing this exact same thing next year and reading this has just made me so happy!! Nothing to loose and a whole lot to gain. Love love love your motives (:
Reblogged this on Matt's Mind and commented:
A lovely post about a fellow Millennial trying to see the world and how shes following her dreams.
I agree with most of this, and it’s great you’re getting the word out there! I would suggest though that if you can avoid getting a credit card, do. I left to go traveling over a year and a half ago with hardly anything and I’m still going. You really don’t need as much money to travel as you may think, as long as you’re careful with it and willing to work whilst you’re overseas. I have a lot of friends in the same financial situation I was in who tell me I’m lucky for being able to travel, the truth is, it’s not luck, I just had the balls to take that initial step and book a one way ticket!
Love your story. But you don’t have to be young to work abroad. I’m a teacher in my late 30s and have lived overseas for 7 years. Check out International Schools Services or Search Associates. It’s a better life than being a teacher in the U.S.
One of my friends just shared this on Facebook and I found it very enlightening. Always wondering what the hell I’m doing with life. Always worrying I won’t have money. Also, always wondering how to travel and how to not miss those not traveling with me. If you would keep posting your experiences and sharing your ways of getting to where you are now, I would be extremely grateful! From one wanderer to another, much love and luck to you.
Excellent article, and great tips. I did something similar a few years ago when I lived in Costa Rica and then Chile.
There is nothing like taking off on your own, trusting in yourself to take care of whatever comes up as you pursue such a “risky” dream… like you, I came back not only in one piece (to the surprise, it seemed, of some people) but better in every way — better as a person.
I would encourage anyone with a similar craving for adventure to go and do this. Like Kate said, just be smart about it… but, also like Kate said, not too smart! Haha. Take a chance :-)
Would love to get more info on how this works as I am in the same position as you were.
Pingback: Around The World In 80 Couches
Reblogged this on My Adventures and commented:
Great inspiration for anyone with the need – want – to travel
Literally reading this made me so happy because so many things said I have thought of and thought I was crazy! This is so inspiring and exactly what I want to do!!!
This is the worst advice ever. No money, in debt with loans, and opening up credit cards without knowing if you’d be able to pay them off. This is the reason young people are in debt. Reckless decisions. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great it worked out for you, but this isn’t realistic.
I agree, what ridiculous advise. Instead of doing this and staying in a hostel why don’t you climb the career ladder and then book a holiday and stay in a hotel?
What you posit as genuis logic, really evades my realm of understanding. You contradict yourself when you denounce debt and bills…but then you advocate for living in credit…and making minimum payments, to boot! I get that you think you’re wise and cunning and have it all figured out – but you don’t. Best of luck with your travels, all the same.
To those who scoff at her decision, glad life is easy on you or you chose to live in the mindset that America’s economy is okay. Working to afford working? That was my life too. 14 hour days on awful pay, losing weight from lack of time to eat and stress… I left the US with a dream of escaping that life because my two degrees weren’t doing much for me other than cause more debt. She saved $10,000 in six months in Australia because it is possible there and other places. If she keeps going like that paying off debt would be easy but not an option in the US. Calling young people reckless is comical. We have nothing! We will be in debt for life because our system is broken. So to me I see no difference between my $40,000 debt and $400,000. I will never pay it off working my US job and will spend my youth unhappy,barely eating,being told I am lucky to have a job, because of what? Because American culture is okay with big corperations running our government and working two jobs at low pay is now normal? Nothing we do will prevent us from being in debt if we try to educate ourselves to work good jobs other than coming from rich families. We are forced to be reckless because debt is our way of life now, and to break the mold you have to make bold choices. This won’t work for everyone, but if you can get out and have a dream of traveling, do it. I am also in Australia, also using 0% Apr credit cards (and paying them off). It was the only way I could travel. And I am so damn happy. Did you know four weeks of vacation a year is standard here? I had none in the US. How can you blame this author for wanting something better?
I think this is great. Although you are taking big risks and finding jobs within the first week might not work out for everyone the experience you gain from travel and throwing yourself into the unknown can never be bought. They’ll always be the haters I say good for you!! I’m incredibly jealous and inspired. And half the fun when travelling is staying in hostels your meet folk from all over the world and it’s cheap as chips! Why pay so much money for a hotel you’re only going to shower and sleep in! Good luck with your ventures girl I look forward to reading more :)
I did the same thing a few years ago when I left the UK for Europe with £1200. I spend half of that money buying a Eurail Global Pass that allowed me to travel by train around continental Europe for 2 months and the rest is history.
I was fortunate to be able to do some freelance work on line while on the trains. That subsidised my budget a bit and allowed me to by a good meal every day. Food in the trains and train stations are a rip off. I use to buy food from supermarkets, and eat at cheap cafes where locals use to gather.
I also did some casual work bar tending and washing up in restaurants.
There are a lot of cheap hostels around but you have to book in advance.
Anyway, good article thanks for sharing.
Mary
Well that’s great but not even a lot of Australians earn $1000 most travelers would earn a third of that and rent for $150 in Australia is almost non existent
I agree, what kind of work was she doing for $1000/week? And rent for $150, where is that possible in any Australian city?
hey Kate! I’m from LI too and I literally could have written this myself. Except for the locations you moved- I too have had the wanderlust itch and love for blogging. Unfortunately i started the move at age 28 and haven’t yet lived completely abroad (just Puerto Rico and backpacking SE Asia) but it’s my dream to keep traveling. I too have used credit cards through life and to help fund my travels, but a few snags along the way have kept me stuck in the states paying back some of them. At least I’m in the sunny state of FL instead of depressing winter in NY but def want to get back out there. Now I’m 31 and i believe I missed my chance to work in Aus :( but found out about working in the yacht world where you can make and save just as you did in Aus. (Tax free, rent free and travel the world). Not sure if that’s what I’m going to do yet but I’m ITCHING so bad for change, culture and adventure and reading blogs like yours is the motivation I need to help push me along (and follow my other dream which is to have a semi successf blog- and by that I mean at least post in it once/month and not once/year!) :) thanks for sharing your life story and can’t wait to keep reading.
hey Kate! I’m from LI too and I literally could have written this myself. Except for the locations you moved- I too have had the wanderlust itch and love for blogging. Unfortunately i started the move at age 28 and haven’t yet lived completely abroad (just Puerto Rico and backpacking SE Asia) but it’s my dream to keep traveling. I too have used credit cards through life and to help fund my travels, but a few snags along the way have kept me stuck in the states paying back some of them. At least I’m in the sunny state of FL instead of depressing winter in NY but def want to get back out there. Now I’m 31 and i believe I missed my chance to work in Aus :( but found out about working in the yacht world where you can make and save just as you did in Aus. (Tax free, rent free and travel the world). Not sure if that’s what I’m going to do yet but I’m ITCHING so bad for change, culture and adventure and reading blogs like yours is the motivation I need to help push me along (and work on my other dream which is to be consistently updating my blog and get it rolling!!). :) thanks for sharing your life story and can’t wait to keep reading.
Reblogged this on Gina's Journals and commented:
My thoughts exactly…
Hey Kate,
Firstly, I applaud you for breaking the hell out of the grind. I love what you said about not chasing materialistic things – that has always felt right in my heart, but has also since been backed up by science :)
Secondly, I am extremely impressed at your savings habits! Great work! I’ll also echo the bit about making less leading you to saving more; it’s anecdotal and n=2, but quitting my rather well-paying job and starting my own company (making less than half) has led to actual savings in my bank account – sight previously unseen.
Third, and this isn’t a jab, but could you write a follow-up post on what your plan is for getting out of the debt you’ve been carrying? 0%APR is an extremely smart strategy, but that does run out after the initial 15 months as you mentioned. What were you thinking of doing at that point?
Keep kicking ass and taking names, lady, you are killing it!
— Masha
PS: oh, and, ignore the haters – people have a really hard time with change, and out of the box thinking :)
Reblogged this on The Ruby Lily and commented:
This is exactly what I want to do! So inspirational.
WHOAWHOAWHOA… kinda just casually tossed us the part about making $1000 a week in Australia. Gee, how did that happen? Are they just throwing out mid-level jobs over there? I feel like by not telling us anything about the jobs you take, you’re leaving out the SINGLE most important piece of information in this entire article and in a way, are underhandedly tricking people into following your advice. Thanks for that.
Reblogged this on Chabuthra Gupshup.
Reblogged this on evanchica and commented:
I love you K8.
Your phenomenal! I am doing this right now with no visa in Canada. But I will certainly consider getting one for when I go abroad. I completely agree with you. It’s about faith in yourself, and living your dreams. Dream on, may our paths cross one day. :) <3
I think it’s good advice I’ve saved 1500 pounds so far and wanna travel Australia and work at the same time I wanted to save ten grand but it’s taking me ages to save as I’m only a waitress. So it’s good to know people take risks and just go for it! It will make u want it more if u don’t have any money to fall back on! Sometimes when you don’t have a choice the only way is to succeed…..
You go girl! I have managed a similar situation in my own life. Sometimes people don’t understand it, but it’s YOUR dream.
Could you redirect us to some links where you found all of the cards and work visas? This is making me excited.
THANK YOU! Keep it coming sista! I don’t understand why people can’t at the very least, TRY to be open to this concept! Your job isn’t your life, but simply the way you pay for the life you want! Changes things a bit, doesn’t it? What you’re doing, working, paying off your debt, etc, is EXACTLY the same as what you’d be doing at home! Only now, you have an incredible location. People who say this is bad advice, you’re in worse trouble if you’re looking to everyone else for advice! Do what works for you, & try to help others navigate through life, there is nothing wrong with gaining knowledge through someone else’s experiences & this is exactly the benefit of blogs like this!!! I did the same thing in Perth, AUS & it was the best thing I’ve ever done.
Truly inspired by what you wrote. I shared it with my family over the holidays. They loved it just as much as I did. Best of luck to you in 2015! Can’t wait to see what happens during the rest of your journey.
Cheers,
Nicole
As one of Kate’s former interns, I couldn’t be happier reading this! To know her is to love her and I’m not one bit surprised that reaching out and grabbing her dream was a thrilling, non-scary task. Keep up the great work my friend! I hope to read more soon!
I wanted to travel around Europe, but kept being unable to save enough or find the time with work. Then I cut way back on my expenditures and habits. I cut my spending to only two meals out a week and one live event per month, if that. I also cut down on the amount I drove by switching to a transit pass, walking and biking. I alerted my boss last week that in late November this year I will be taking at least a month off to travel. This way she knows far in advance, and I will have enough saved to make up for the week, or more, I will have to take unpaid. I will have 5-6 weeks of touring around Europe, and come back to my full time job with money in the bank and zero debt incurred. This is taking into account my car payment, student loan payment, and rent.
The one thing I was scared of was a drop in my current living standard with the cutbacks, but it actually improved. I am about 6 months into the plan, and without eating out as much, or drinking as much, and more walking/biking I have lost 25 pounds. Plus you force yourself to get creative with meals, and activities, and its actually made me a better cook and finding new things to try. I might not get to see what happens with House of Cards for another year or go a few months drinking the low-grade coffee at work because its free, but I had to sit down and decide “Do I want to see what happens on a show, or see Versailles, the Christmas Market in Vienna, and catch an EPL match in the UK?” its a no-brainer.
i love everything about this. props to you <3
OMG KELLLII!!! I adore you. Message me on Facebook and fill me in on life!
Aw thanks Nicole this means so much!! Hope you enjoyed the holidays :)
I love you for writing this! I’m not even bothered by those people – If anything I feel bad for them. We get it girl :)
For people with a college degree and a decent grasp of the English language, you can teach English overseas (Korea being the most lucrative gig for Westerners). They pay for housing, flights, health insurance, and it’s easy to save $10,000 in addition to traveling to other countries like the Phillippines, Thailand, etc. for vacations. It’s not as reckless as this, but it’s a viable alternative for any American student deep in college loan debt. I paid mine off in two years overseas and earned a lot of great experience, culturally and on the job.
Nice try, but your numbers simply don’t add up. Or, at least, won’t work for virtually the entire population. Oh, and did you pay taxes on that $1000/wk? If so, your net was $600 or less – if you have $150/wk housing, and you’re saving $10k over 6 months (which is $400/wk), well, let’s just say that’s a mighty big leap of faith. If you didn’t pay taxes (oh, and that means you’ll never be allowed back into Oz – and, by the way, you did file US taxes, didn’t you?) you’re screwing yourself over big time.
And if you netted $1000/wk, that’s some job for a 20-something to pull down.
Your numbers simply don’t jive with reality. The sentiment is nice, but if you’re going to advertise this as a viable attitude/lifestyle, how about doing it with some *real life* possibility. Because what you posted isn’t reality.
Seriously – screw the people who tell you that your advice sucks. I traveled the world in my 20s (lived in Europe and Australia, went to every continent except Antarctica) and I don’t – for ONE SECOND – regret any dollar spent (that I had or didn’t have at the time) and am so grateful for every single moment. And I didn’t have a lot of money – what I had was freedom (no kids/mortgage) guts, and a blind belief that it would all work out and if it didn’t I would find a way. Because of those experiences, I am who I am today – successful in my career, with a wonderful family and great friends all over the world – and I’m happy with myself – no matter WHERE I am. CHEERS TO YOU!
This is beautiful! I want to be around more people like you!
Totally reckless and totally adventurous! Now that’s what life is about!
yes! I use this… http://www.creditcards.com/balance-transfer.php?a_aid=b0e5a181&a_cid=1005&a_did=72599
I think this is great what I got was, “don’t be afraid to take planned risk.” Great things can happen but over planning can cause issues. Just live life and don’t fall into a routine that doesn’t support your dreams.
I understand very well. When I wrote that I meant about the working visa’s in New Zealand and Australia that are only for people under 30. Also, I wish you could understand that it would be very difficult to write an article if I also had to mention every except to the rule. That’s a whole other article in itself that I will write when I have a handful of people to include :)