Realizing Your Travel Dreams

Put together by Alex, Crystal, & Darren

Quick OverviewWhy Travel?Terrible ExcusesGetting StartedSuper Money Saving TipsTrip Planning Just Go For It

What makes traveling so awesome?

Why is traveling so awesome?

Truth!

I’d LOVE to travel more, but _______________________.

Top 15 Justifications for Staying Home

1. I don’t have time off2. I don’t have the money3. I’ll do it later when _______.4. I can’t leave my job/career5. I’m starting a business???6. What will I do when I get

back?7. I have kids/I have a pet8. It’s not safe/People in other

cultures don’t like Americans

9. I don’t have anyone to travel with/I’m waiting till I’m in a relationship

10. I don’t know how to plan all the details

11. I’m afraid of not knowing how to get around

12. I’m too old for that/its too late

13. My family/friends need me14. People tell me it’s a dumb

idea

#15 I am afraid I will turn into this guy!

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

GOOGLE ITThousands and thousands of people are traveling long-

term RIGHT NOW from all different walks of life and situations.

These people are traveling to exotic and incredible places very inexpensively.

Rely on these people/websites/bloggers who have done it to address your concerns and answer your questions.

Instead of waiting for the stars to align, make them align. Decide what you need to do to see the world.

Trip Planning

Bagan, Myanmar

How do I plan the trip that’s right for me?

What do you want your travel experience to be like?What luxuries are you willing to give up, both before

your trip and during your trip? How long do you think you can enjoy being on the

road?How soon can you make your budget/life situation

accommodate your trip?What places do you want to see the most? Are any of

them somewhat geographically close to each other?

Saving MoneyEither start spending less or start making more!

Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

Money Saving Tips Before Your Trip (Crystals Large Items 12 Mo)

“Beware of little expenses. A small leak will sink a great ship” –Benjamin Franklin

OTHER INCOME Rewards Credit Card Started a business on the side Took on side projects/gigs/jobs Asked for a raise Increase sales commission

ITEM MONTHLY SAVINGS

ANNUAL SAVINGS

SE ASIA ($1,250)

Rent $460 $5,520 4.4 monthsCar Payment $300 $3,600 2.9 monthsEating Out $450 $5,400 4.3 monthsAlcohol $125 $1,500 1.2 monthsClothes $200 $2,400 1.9 months

OTHER EXPENSES Cable/Satelite/HBO Netflix/Spotify/Newspapers Cell Phone/Insurance Concerts/Events Gifts for others Electronics

Other Budgeting Items Administrative Costs Gear/technical equipment Airport Departure taxes Passport/Extra passport

pages/Visa’s Travel Insurance Foreign Transaction

Fee’s/Debit card fee’s Gringo Fee’s

Costs Back Home Rent or mortgage Credit card payments Student loans Phone, utilities, tv/internet Emergency Fund for Travel

(theft, extending travel, last minute changes)

Money reserves if you are quitting your job to travel

Taking the LeapSometimes you just have to go for it!

Machu Picchu, Peru

Buy a One-Way TicketWhen deciding when to leave. 1. Length of time before you

will have enough saved up.2. How long do you need to

make all the arrangements you need to.

3. Weather patterns of your destination.

4. Any festivals/major events you would like to see.

5. Different costs for low season vs. high season.

When buying your ticket:1. Browsers will remember your

search cookies for flights.2. Find the cheapest flights by

searching flights to all the airports in the region you are going to.

3. Buy flights way in advance for the best price, and commit to being on that plane.

4. Pay attention to total travel time and arrival times.

5. Research smaller flight with independent budget airlines.

Money Saving Tips On Your Trip

How far will you go to save a few dollars? What type of traveler are you?

Avoid expensive countries Moving overland is

usually cheap and a good experience

Try hostels and couch surfing

Alcohol and going out! No quicker way to burn through your budget!

Street food is deliciously cheap!

Extras: Bungee, rafting, scuba diving, etc.

Travel Light: Pack light in a backpack that will fit as a carry on.

Research currency exchange rates and local scams.

Get a student ID card to save on entrance fees to sites and museums

Bargain for services No souvenirs. Make your

family and friends join you and come buy their own souvenirs!

Potala Palace, Tibet

Staying Motivated Doubters and Nay-Sayers Any decision that you

make outside the status quo will usually always receive resistance and hesitation.

Don’t get high and mighty. Our decision is just different, not better.

Hater’s are gonna hate!

What’s in it for me? Makes us wiser and

smarter. Feel alive. Constant new

experiences and challenges shape me!

For me, it grounds me and makes me a better person.

Perspective, love, understanding.

Travel Warning!