A remote job opens up a world of opportunities. So when I saw someone say, “I have a remote job, but I still can’t afford to travel all the time,” it got me thinking. It puzzled me because, in my experience, traveling full-time while working remotely is realistic and affordable. We’ve been doing it for a year, and here are our travel and money-saving tactics.
Embrace Slow Travel
If you want to spend less or perhaps save money while traveling, avoid rushing from one location to another. Slow travel allows you to stay in one place for longer periods of time, allowing you to completely explore it at your own pace and absorb the local culture without rushing, all while saving money. When you don’t have to squeeze as many activities and sites into a few days, you may find affordable long-term lodging, discounted activities, and cheaper local markets for your groceries. Slow travel is a fantastic way to avoid the outrageous costs of short-term tourist traps.
Choose Destinations with a Low Cost of Living
One of the most essential tips for balancing work and travel on a budget is to choose the appropriate destinations. Focusing on low-cost regions allows your money to stretch much further. These places offer incredible experiences without the high price tags. You’ll be amazed at how far your paycheck can go.
Time Your Trips Around Tourist Waves
Another key strategy in keeping travel costs down is to plan trips around popular tourist seasons. During peak times, accommodation, flights, and activities costs skyrocket. For example, this year we avoided Europe’s Mediterranean hotspots during summer when prices were at their highest. Instead, we opted to explore the United Kingdom, where we found lower costs and fewer crowds. This type of planning will save you money and give you a more authentic experience.
Save on Accommodation with Work Exchange
One of the largest travel expenses is lodging, but we’ve been able to significantly lower that cost using work exchange. Our personal favorite is house sitting. This means we look after homes, pets, and plants while they are gone in exchange for free lodging. It’s a fantastic way to experience local life, stay in amazing houses, and meet incredible people. There’s just something comforting about staying in ahome rather than in a hotel room. TrustedHousesitters is a platform we frequently use, and it’s been a game-changer for our travel lifestyle. Workaway, on the other hand, offers a greater variety of skills exchange options around the world.
Cook Your Own Meals
Eating out every day can quickly drain your budget, especially in popular destinations for tourists. To save money, we tend to make sure that the accommodations we stay in include a kitchen so that we can prepare our own meals as often as possible. Whether we stay in an Airbnb, a house sit, or a hostel with a shared kitchen, we make full use of the cooking facilities. We’ll shop at local markets and supermarkets, which also gives us a chance to try local ingredients. Cooking at home has become an essential part of our budget-friendly travel lifestyle, but we nevertheless treat ourselves by eating out once or twice a month.
Travel Light
Overpacking can lead to extra baggage fees, especially when flying or taking buses. To avoid unnecessary costs, we each travel with only one backpack. This minimalist approach saves us money on luggage fees and makes it easier to get around. Traveling light also allows us more freedom and flexibility while transferring between places. Moreover, after a while, you realize you don’t require much to enjoy your travels.
Travel With a Partner or Friend
While solo travel is often celebrated online, traveling with a friend or partner has major financial benefits. Splitting costs for lodging, food, and even transportation reduces your spending in half. In fact, a dorm bed at a hostel usually costs the same price as a basic room in a bed-and-breakfast that you can split with someone. Sharing the load doesn’t just save money, it also divides the energy it takes to plan, cook, and organize things along the way.
Conclusion
Full-time travel with a remote job is absolutely possible if you plan wisely and adopt money-saving habits. With these strategies in place, you will be able to combine work and adventure without breaking the bank.
