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 
Such inspiration! I love to travel and I have the same mindset – you will never have enough to do it… but I make sure it happens. Coming back home is not the same as never leaving <3
Reblogged this on Sweat More & Bleed Less and commented:
Great little blog for anyone who is looking to travel, but is questioning whether to give up the career / money to travel. Well you can still work and travel, here is how Kate from the States did it.
Check it out
I love this post so much!
I only have a few years until I’m 30 so if I wanted to copy you, the time is now. But I’m not that brave! I wish I was! I’m still pretty content with my current ability to travel though; as much as I’d like to be a local abroad, minibreaks and holidays will do for now.
If you have skills, you can get a job here pretty easily. It’s your admin staff and straight out of schoolers that struggle. And Australia pays way higher than the states (though rent is a lot higher to make up for it…)
Chill bro you’re 20 yrs old it’ll come
Yo p dig thinks kate is babetown
No negative Josh and no pessimist pete and no bitter billy is what she is
You know how many continents you can find manatees in? You’ll be set
You missed the point. Don’t ask questions, sign up for a credit card and fuck off!
Finally someone who understands the meaning of life! I truly respect you for taking a huge risk in your life! I’m glad you found your dreams, it’s nice to see that someone believes still :)
you’re not gonna like what I’m about to say ;)…That’s credit fraud. Punishable with massive fines or jail time.
Great story! I’m an American and have been living in Germany for 7 years and I’m able to do that by working on a military base. I have got to travel and see so many places in Europe as well as Egypt, Turkey and Morocco. Same thing, I do not have much money, I am a single mom but I make it happen! I live in a tiny apartment have a old beater car but traveling is more worth the money to me ;-) I read different things about working in Australia or Thailand and it always interests me. I just don’t know how I would make it happen taking my child along. She is 12 years old. Any body have any ides or do I have to wait until she leaves the nest. :-)
Katy
kate, admire your restraint in responding to above fearmonger! i live like you do, and love it. you go!
Reblogged this on freshfaced and commented:
I just read this post and loved it! It gave me some ideas for my future and I hope it inspires you to start traveling (if you hadn’t already started)!
Are you ever worried that all your exciting traveling and moving about will ultimately leave you so very deprived of important relationships that one day, you will say, man that actually was not worth it?
Just a thought to ponder. Travel is amazing. New cultures and experiences are amazing. But, as humans, we are made to have depth in our relationships, and when you create a life that is solely on traveling the world and seeing as much as possible, I’m afraid you may be sacrificing the most important thing along the way : people. Not only does relational depth help us become better people, but it helps develop others to become better too.
Don’t get me wrong, I love travel, and I’m constantly itching to go somewhere new. But, what keeps me grounded to living in one place long term is knowing that there are people I’m investing in, the next generation, even, who are much more important than me fulfilling MY “dream” to see the world.
Just think about what you are actually sacrificing by fulfilling this dream.
Oh, and you asked what life’s about: it’s about knowing your Creator God, accepting His love, and living a life pouring out that love to others.
There is… but they don’t check.
YEES YOU DEF SHOULD!
Never. I have relationships all over the world because I travel. A global family. I will never regret that.
Reblogged this on Words by Katerina and commented:
LOVE IT
Reblogged this on Welcome to bfgriote.com and commented:
I think I may have found the solution to my travelling dream problem! Although, am I brave enough to do it?
What you did is amazing and ive done similar with the credit card deals to get free trips. I took a vaca to nz a few months ago. Im curious though, what kind of a job did you find that paid 1000 a week? I would love to do something like this.
I loved your blog. I am doing the same thing. Currently living & working in Italy, last year I was living & working in S. Korea, I am moving again in October & feel so blessed to be able to live that kind of life. You make friends all over the place, the networking is great! Love Life, Live Life!
hey kate…. serious question and i hope you respond. im in much the same boat as you and i was following you up to the point where you got off the figurative boat in australia with a dime in your pocket and a visa in hand. the logistical progression lost me though- one moment you’re staying in an 18 person hostel eating PB&J and the next it seems you’re saving up 1000 a week and 10000 a month to travel. what changed? did you have to pick up a conventional job like you did in the states?
this has kind of been my hesitation for attempting this sort of thing. i completely agree with you that the idea of having to work 3 jobs and OT is ludicrous and that people who boast about it arent in touch.. your statement about goals being materialistic peaked my interest because here i am in boulder, co – apparently heaven on earth – hating that i’m just forcing myself into the conventional lifestyle so that i can afford to exist (“what’s it all for??”). im not sold on the career path, finding the husband and settling down, though this path is right at my feet if i chose to take it (as you say, we’re fortunate).
my real goal is a lot like what you’ve articulated – experience.. i feel that if i do make the jump, as you did, i would have to do this conventional lifestyle where ever i go though. if my move to colorado has affirmed anything i knew already, that life seems to follow the basic structure most everywhere you go, if that makes sense.. my biggest pet peeve is being forced to spend my time in the regular 9-5 office job. is the major take home here that you’re in a totally different environment from NY and working a similar job but it still satiates your need to see the world, or that you’ve managed to break away from the typical 9-5?
Absolutely love this!! Working while travelling now myself – currently in NYC! :D
This is all awesome, but I am 21 and like most of my friends who have already moved away and finished university but want to travel, the risk isn’t just not finding a job and coming back ‘home.’ It isn’t the money, I think it took her a while to work out life isn’t about money, but her biggest possession here is that if anything did go wrong she could go home and live with mum and dad. She was giving up a job and friends, that’s really not that risky considering.
Its only Australia and New Zeland you restricted on age with working visa but you don’t need a working visa to travel this countries! Don’t put yourself of only because you over 30!!! I’m 33 and will go and travel Australia and New Zeland soon!
Kate,
Thanks for sharing! I just received my grant letter for my working holiday visa in Australia, and the financial fears are slowly making me second guess my choice. Reading this was just what I needed to keep pushing through!
I’m a planner by nature, but I’m realizing “winging it” may be good for me. I am curious, though, how did you found your job and apt while in Australia?
Thanks again for the great read, and happy travels!
Great post! What type of jobs did you get abroad? Did they pay more/less then what you would have expected to make in the States?
Well this was a great post…I just turned 30 this year, and for the last 10 years all i’ve wanted to do was travel the world, but was too chicken shit to get up and do it…Now I totally regret not going…not putting my fears aside and just going..
It’s too late for me now.
For you young people, don’t let your fears stop you. Just don’t. You will 110% regret stopping yourself. Just do it!!
Good on you. I recently sold my house, quit my job and have been touring the world for almost 2 months now. Planned on 6 but already seeing that’s going to extend. The part I thought funny was how many were actually scared for me. “You have a job, you have a house, why would you do this?” I’ll tell you why I’m doing this, to live. Not be part of the vicious work cycle just so you can buy things that claim to make your life better and brag to others what you have. This has already been the greatest experience of my life, and it’s only getting better. Be smart about it, do what’s best for your heart. Everything else will fall into place and make it happen.
Helllloooo. All I want to do is travel and experience our planet. It is one of my highest aspirations. I was wondering if you could share information about what financial knowledge I would need to educate myself with in order to start planning such a lifestyle. Im only 19, fresh out of highschool, so I know this would still be a little ways away. I really think it would be prudent to research as much as possible about all of this to insure that I could make it all come to fruition. Also do you think that with multiple people (3 or 4) it would make the traveling any easier? Thank you so much. Reading this was the final kick in getting me to realize that I need to do this and that I CAN do this.
This is exactly what is wrong with America. Everyone wants what the other person has, but doesn’t want to work 20 years to achieve it. Have you thought about retirement? You realize the prime years to save are in your 20s and 30s, so you’re missing out. I’m sure you’re having fun being a bartender in Australia, but while the rest of us are working and saving, you’ll be the 60 year old that’s complaining about the government not providing enough for you.
A really great read. I live with the same ideals, I work to live, not live to work.
Many of my friends near my home in England (those I’ve grown up with from a young age, family members and friends I’ve met through work and education) have, in my eyes, lifestyles which consists of working regular hours for a regular wage to afford mortgages, marriages, clothes and their weekends.
One of the aspects of travelling I enjoy is that I can meet others with a similar mindset to myself. The people who value adventure over what is perceived as ‘growing up’. For myself, growing up is about self discovery, challenges, learning, adapting, and making friends all over the world. There will always be people who disagree with your choices, even those close to you, but it’s important to follow your own dreams – only you know what makes you truly happy!
Not everyone has to feel the same way you do about raising a family or finding a spouse. If everyone in the world had the same ideas, dreams, and goals…things would be kind of boring. Also, just because someone chooses to travel instead of settling down right away, or work many different jobs rather than the same one for years, does not mean all opportunity of in depth relationships are thrown out the window.
As an example, my own personal preference would be to have children in RESULT OF MY LIFE, rather than have children to CREATE MY LIFE… If that makes any sense at all. Basically I’d like to be my own person and do things that I enjoy first, and let the rest branch from that, instead of doing all of the above and centering my life around who I’m married to, my career, or my children. There’s more to my existence than that.
With that being said: there is absolutely nothing wrong with getting an education, building a career, and starting a family. If that is what you want, by all means go for it! If you feel that your life IS JUST THAT, fine. I can respect that. Some are awesome parents, others very successful in their career, and then there are those of us who just want to experience living and breathing and all the little things. Acting as if your dreams and ideals (whatever they may be) are what everyone else should live by is absurd.
To each their own
I think I also sent a message rather than a reply aha:
Wow, I’m really stunned after reading your post! I was always told in my life that I need to have a job, I need to save up, I need to get married, I need to have a family, then I can travel. But in reality, I don’t want to do that. I want to travel the world, like you, working jobs where I’m able to get by and save up to travel somewhere else. You’re really inspiring, and I’m hoping to follow in your footsteps. I do have a question though, what exactly was your major? I’m currently in college, and was wondering if my major would even let me do such a thing. Thanks and I hope you can get back to me!
You rock girl I love this post. Great advice! Love the mindset I can totally relate, happy travels! :)
Reblogged this on Creative Lounge.
Couldn’t have said this better! Well done!
did you go to college first? I’m currently working 2 jobs and 65 hours a week to save up to study abroad in Costa Rica. But I have the same goals as you. Work and travel the world. See and learn different cultures. It’s my dream. After reading this I want to ask you, should I finish college first? And what’s the best job to travel the world with? I’ve googled this more than a few times and I’m stuck.
Reblogged this on Hipster Habits and commented:
Sometimes you just have to take a leap!
Please. I started my very intl lifestyle just like this 25 years ago and it only gets better and better with age and career advancement. (I’m 45.) I have VERY meaningful deep relationships with like-minded people. And my dear very international, bilingual husband and I just moved abroad (10th year abroad for me) to continue this intl open-minded lifestyle together. Let each person choose their values and lifestyle. It is beautiful when someone like Kate lives her life as SHE chooses. And to me your arguments convince me even more that an international travel lifestyle for life is best for me.
Kate, what did you do for work in Australia? Through what site/service/means did you find that job? Would love to do something similar and have the savings & airlines miles to follow this blueprint. Cheers.
Reblogged this on NY Affair.
Do you speak any other languages? Have you ever found it a challenge to communicate with people? How did you overcome that?
What if you`re from a country where you can`t get a holiday work visa for Australia and New Zealand?(Only a limited country countries can) What happens when you`re 30 with nothing but travel and bartending experience? I honestly admire people working two jobs trying to get through college more, but whatever makes you happy…
I absolutely love this. I feel like you just crawled in my brain because I live the exact same way. I did the skymile card and everything! Where are you living in Oz? I am selling all of my things and plan to be there in March unless I swing by SE Asia again first :)
You are genius! I am wondering-Is a $1000 a week salary an average or reasonable salary for Australia? It sounds like a lot, but then again I am from small town Iowa…Just curious if that is an achievable salary for someone with a bachelor’s degree in Australia. Good for you girl!
This article is dumb and unoriginal. There are TONS like it.
Btw It’s only the United States that corporately works their citizens to the bone.
My life has been enriched in the past year through my travels. There is a common spirit among travelers and the bonds are indescribable. Relationships
Happen anywhere and it is not your responsibility to compare the depths of them. Being grounded does not necessarily mean being in one spot, it’s having an awareness of yourself and a balance; mind, body, and spirit. I see it as living a vivid life and not allowing everyone else’s decision to stay and live in one spot to be my only choice.
Nick, I think your key phrase here is, “What keeps ME grounded…” Your goals aren’t everyone’s goals. I think that’s the point of this blog. You might not be able to imagine traveling all the time; others might not be able to fathom staying in one place. Great post Kate. I spent my 20’s traveling around the world, and now in my 30’s and own a house (one of MY dreams), and still travel every couple years, even on my meager grad school salary.