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wangdynasty1991@reddit

For those traveling to other countries and need internet use my referral and get $3 off it’s great!!! I use it all the time Hey, have you tried using an eSIM? Get USD $3.00 off your first eSIM package from Airalo. Use code JENNT0672 when you sign up or check out. https://ref.airalo.com/R3WR

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CharlieCharles4950@reddit

Finding places to stay through wwoof, workaway or help exchange can stretch out your budget and provide you with unique experiences. You can pitch the idea of working for accommodation to other places as well to give you more options.

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Organic_Technology42@reddit

I’ve met people traveling for years spending less money than you have!

Even solo young females who hitch hike around the world alone, and have had nothing bad happen to them.

I’ve heard a lot of good things about work-away, including you can get paid under the table at some stays, especially if you have some sort of special skill (website creation, carpentry, etc.) then you can catch public transport/hitchhike to your next workaway and coast for a long time.

I met a girl solo hitchhiking in Japan who would be dropped off in the middle of the night in a village, and would knock on the nearest doors to see if she could stay. (CRAZY against the grain for asian culture btw.) but she said people were so nice and more times than not let her sleep on the couch and fed her!

Flights are tricky but I’ve heard of people hitchhiking on boats (even cargo/fishing ships). I’ve mostly lived out of a car abroad, but from the people I’ve met I’ve seen so much is possible. It takes skills to learn local languages, get street smarts, and watch your back, because scraping by like this

I hear the “rainbow gathering” is a hub for these types. It happens once a year and lasts a month. It’s free and they will feed you for the time and you’ll meet tons of super people! Of course it’s always awesome if you can give back somehow. From there, there are tons of smaller regional rainbow gatherings you can jump from one to the other. Some people do this full time and call it “riding the rainbow”.

Another thing you can try is communes. My sister has done this a few times over the last year (internationally) and they usually have basic accommodation and work exchange roles for beginners. Of course they look for long term people who want to stay for a big chunk of time, but many of the people she met were only there for a little bit. She said Twin Oaks Commune in Virginia was a great experience.

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RearAdmiralP@reddit

I did a similar kind of travel to what you describe in the 00's. I hitched everywhere. I got free food and accommodation by just asking for it. While I wasn't one of them, I frequently crossed paths with rainbow types, and it does seem a viable way to stay on the road for a while. I spent a lot of time in a commune.

I'm glad to hear that this way of travel is still possible today. It was a great experience for me.

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Mug_of_coffee@reddit

freight trains too.

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valeyard89@reddit

Technically those aren't legal under a tourist visa.... so you'd need some sort of working holiday visa.

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CharlieCharles4950@reddit

It is so worth the little bit of extra effort and money for a Working Holiday Visa!

If a person does not qualify for a WHV, there is little risk or consequence in volunteering your time with HelpX or WorkAway while on a tourist visa. If they are afraid then that is their own choice and they can choose from the options they see acceptable.

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Outside_Reserve_2407@reddit

Unfortunately, American citizens only have 6 countries (Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, Canada, and South Korea) that have working holiday exchanges with Americans.

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ImaginarySalamanders@reddit

And Portugal actually! It just isn't well advertised

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CharlieCharles4950@reddit

Wow, that’s great news I hadn’t been aware of that! I did Australia and New Zealand, best decision I ever made!

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ImaginarySalamanders@reddit

I'm in New Zealand now, heading to Australia here soon! Definitely an adventure!

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Independent-Pie2738@reddit

I’m curious where you pitch the idea of working for accommodation? I’ve seen lots of hostels with volunteers while traveling but it seems like there’s only a handful of them actually posted online to apply for. I wonder if people sometimes just contact the hostels directly asking for a job?

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CharlieCharles4950@reddit

Yes, definitely contact them directly and in person.

There are heaps of opportunities along the road at hostels and hotels. Farms are also looking for help. Our best stays were from rural properties where the parents had children and needed, help inside and out. When they realized my wife and I were trustworthy, they then allowed us to housesit for them. When I spoke with the neighbors, I mentioned we were doing odd jobs and they all had yardwork. One of them was putting together a New Year’s Eve party for hundreds of people and we went there five days alone just for that. He paid us for our extra hours and also gave us Molly on New Year’s Eve.

After Australia and New Zealand, we then went to Tonga. Met an American guy that was running a resort and we told him how we had traveled cheaply for a couple years and he invited us to work at his resort for three months during whale watching season. We were paid one dollar an hour and given free food and a beach hut.

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New-Elephant6701@reddit

That's such an exciting plan! With a low budget, slower travel and working along the way can stretch your funds significantly. Here are a few strategies to consider:

1) Work Exchanges: Sites like Workaway or HelpX offer room and board in exchange for help on farms, in hostels, or with families. You could stay in a place for a month or longer, and all it costs is a membership fee.

2) House Sitting: Try TrustedHousesitters or HouseCarers for free stays while taking care of someone’s home (or pets!). People use this worldwide, so it’s a great way to settle somewhere affordably.

3) Affordable Transport: Check out regional buses and slower trains, or rideshare apps like BlaBlaCar if you’re in a pinch. When flying, look for multi-leg flights – they're cheaper if you don’t mind layovers.

Also, join online travel communities to keep up with budget travel tips and connect with others doing the same. This lifestyle can definitely work with patience and planning. Good luck – your adventure is going to be amazing!

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EaJach@reddit

I posted a few tips here: https://offseasontravelworld.com/cheap-travel-tips/

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Conscious-Grab-2869@reddit

I usually use https://islandcrazetravel.com when traveling to the Caribbean. They have partnered rates and stuff like that, not sure if it would work for you though. Can give it a shot.

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RetardRedditor69@reddit

I know a guy who sells cheap tickets (up to 65% cheaper) from and to USA from any destination, along with cheap hotel reservations etc... Dm if u want his contact

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Rabbit0069@reddit

Very interested, love to get to Greece

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RetardRedditor69@reddit

Yeah sure I can put you in contact with him,his deals cover to and from USA flights only

Dm me :)

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LegitimateWash@reddit

I backpacking trips or staying in hostels will save you thousands.

Never underestimate the $$ you can save if you book group travel usually 10+

Hole in the wall food is usually just as good as fancy food. Don’t forget to bring snacks with you so your not impulse buying at airports or hot tourist spots.

I did a 14 day Barcelona, San Sebastián, Pampalona, and did hiking through the Camino dec Santiago all in for $1,300 I saved all year for it but it was SO worth it.

Puerto Rico in Rincon surf, snorkel, bioluminiscentes bay, beach trip I did for $900 all in.

The way you get to another continent etc is to set up google flight alerts. Don’t be so focused on when you want to go - let the price drop decide for you! (This is how I flew to Switzerland for $400 RT)

If you’re trying to go REALLY far fly through the biggest international airports you can (LA, DALLAS, Chicago JFK, Heathrow etc) small airports flights cost the most. Consider flying into big airports and then taking other means of travel - trains (my personal fav) ferries etc

If I’m ever flying to Europe from the eastern US, I get a one way to London the fly from london wherever I’m going. I usually save a few hundred this way. The famous 10 hour heathrow layover is a doozy but it’s cheap!!

PUT EVERYTHING ALL YOUR BILLS ALL YOUR SHIT ON A TRAVEL CREDIT CARD. I GET TO TRAVEL TWICE AS MUCH EVERY YEAR BECAUSE OF POINTS!!!!!!!

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amit-sdp@reddit

If you want to travel cheaply then consider these steps:

Hitchhiking Use Couchsurfing Try Camping Use Public Transport Cook Your Own Meals Travel Off-Peak Work Exchange Programs (Use Workaway or WWOOF)

With careful planning and flexibility, you can stretch your budget and enjoy a year of travel.

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khushitravelsoul@reddit

Traveling cheaply can lead to some of the best adventures. Here are five tips based on my own experiences:

1. Use Budget Airlines and Hunt for Deals

When planning my trips, I always start by looking for budget airlines and special deals. Websites like Skyscanner and Google Flights are my go-to tools. I've found incredible deals by being flexible with my travel dates and booking during sales. For example, I once snagged a round-trip flight to Europe for under $300 by booking during a flash sale.

2. Stay in Hostels or Use Couchsurfing

Accommodation can eat up a big chunk of your budget, so I often stay in hostels or use Couchsurfing. Hostels not only save money but also provide opportunities to meet fellow travelers. Couchsurfing has been an amazing way to stay with locals for free and get insider tips on the best places to visit. During a trip to Japan, I stayed with a Couchsurfing host who showed me around hidden gems in Tokyo that I would have never found on my own.

3. Cook Your Own Meals

Eating out can be expensive, so I try to cook my own meals whenever possible. I choose accommodations with kitchen facilities and shop at local markets. During a trip to Italy, I stayed in a hostel with a communal kitchen. I bought fresh ingredients from a nearby market and made simple, delicious pasta dishes. Not only did this save money, but it also gave me a chance to experience local food in a different way.

4. Utilize Public Transportation and Walk

Public transportation is often much cheaper than taxis or rideshares. In cities with good transit systems, I buy day passes or week-long tickets. I also love walking around cities to explore them more intimately. In Paris, I bought a metro pass and walked between neighborhoods, discovering charming streets and cafes that weren't in any guidebooks.

5. Take Advantage of Free Activities

There are plenty of free activities and attractions if you know where to look. I always research free events, museums, and landmarks. In London, many of the top museums are free, so I spent days exploring world-class art and history without spending a dime. Additionally, walking tours and public parks offer great ways to explore new places without breaking the bank.

These strategies have allowed me to travel widely and experience new cultures without spending a fortune. With a little planning and flexibility, cheap travel can be both enjoyable and rewarding.

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Sean_smith1990@reddit

You should plan your trip 6 months before your travel date to make it cheap and affordable holiday for you.

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GuidanceNorth4854@reddit

Traveling very cheaply requires a combination of resourcefulness, flexibility, and careful planning. Here are some strategies to help you travel on a tight budget:

* Budget Airlines: Look for deals from low-cost carriers. These airlines often offer significantly cheaper fares, especially if you're willing to be flexible with your travel dates and destinations.

* Use Price Comparison Websites: Utilize websites and apps that compare prices across multiple airlines and booking platforms to find the best deals.

* Travel Off-Peak: Traveling during off-peak seasons or mid-week can result in lower prices for flights, accommodation, and attractions.

* Stay in Budget Accommodations: Consider staying in hostels, guesthouses, or budget hotels rather than expensive resorts. You can also explore options like couch-surfing or house-sitting for free accommodation.

* Cook Your Own Meals: Save money by preparing your own meals instead of eating out for every meal. Look for accommodations with kitchen facilities or picnic in local parks.

* Use Public Transportation: Instead of taxis or rental cars, opt for public transportation like buses, trains, or trams to get around. It's often much cheaper and can provide a more authentic experience.

* Explore Free Activities: Research free or low-cost activities and attractions at your destination, such as museums with free entry days, hiking trails, or public parks.

* Travel Light: Avoid excess baggage fees by packing light and only bringing the essentials.

By implementing these strategies and keeping a close eye on your expenses, you can enjoy memorable travel experiences without breaking the bank.

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Consistent_Freedom23@reddit

Biggest cost will be the flights. If your planning ahead, I would look into getting a credit card that gives you points towards traveling and rack that baby up!

Besides that though I would also look into staying in hostels vs hotels. I’ve stayed in hostels across Europe and I did a 4 week trip to the Hawaiian islands staying in hotels and it was super affordable! If your traveling within the US, I would suggest road-trip style and stick to sleeping in your car or in a camp ground.

You can also look into housesitting in other countries which gets you a free stay! I have friends who do this and they normally are watching houses for people who are on vacation and have pets. Then they’ll bounce around from house to house. If your looking for a longer stay though this might not be ideal but I have come across housesitting opportunities that are for a longer period of time. If your going to Europe, they have great rail systems so typically can take the train to your next destination vs getting a flight.

I’ve also met people who will travel somewhere and get a job under the table. Once they saved enough for another plane ticket, they’re off again. Usually work at like a coffee shop or if your in the tropics some kind of tour guide. This really depends though cause some places will want you to have a work visa if your not in the US.

Budgeting in general is also important. Can’t be going out to dinner every night and blowing money that you don’t have! Really depends what type of travel you want to do and what you want to do while your there! Planning ahead is key!!

Hope some of that helps :)

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SeaweedStreet6948@reddit

Ashrams, communes, intentional communities…

I did a 3 month work exchange at an ashram in Nassau, Bahamas. It was $0, you just had to commit to practicing yoga and working 4 hrs a day.

The flight to Nassau from Dallas should be cheap.

I also stayed at a place called the Hostel in the Forest in Brunswick, Georgia. It functions as a hostel in order to sustain itself, and offers work exchange for people who want to stay longer but can’t afford to pay. I stayed for 5 weeks, and it was one of the best experiences in my life. It’s a hippie commune disguised as a hostel. I learned so much there. It’s almost completely off grid, big garden, chickens, great food, AMAZING people. Highly recommend. And from there, you can meet other travelers, who will guide you on where to go next. You may even find some paying gigs with which you can extend your travel.

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Time-Organization614@reddit

Go to theflightdeal.com then go to google flight and enter your flight interest. the calendar lists all the flight costs.

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InternationalHelp372@reddit

I did 15 months of travel in europe, Maine and California with a 4,000ish dollar budget by getting jobs on coolworks,com and aupairworld. I would’ve broke even but I took 3-4 months to not work and hike/truly travel. It’s not glamorous but I’d recommend it!

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zrgardne@reddit

Annual national park pass is $80.

Sleep in a car (not in parks) and your own expenses are food and gas.

Could do a month for $1000 easy.

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Money_Read1066@reddit (OP)

suppose if you wanted to go overseas though?

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ImaginarySalamanders@reddit

Workaway. Honestly, it saves so much money. Find an agreement that works well for you and the host, make sure to read the reviews, and budget very well. I did Spain for a couple months doing workaway, but the flight alone would use up a good chunk of your budget so you'd have to be sure accommodation AND food were covered. It's doable, but with that budget it will be quite difficult. I think south and central America would be more budget friendly, but you would still need a volunteer agreement. This...uh...is most likely not going to be legal. They're unlikely to care as long as you aren't actually making money and don't inform immigration of your plans, but it is still a risk, so use your discretion.

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Glimmer_III@reddit

Start here:

What is your country of citizenship?
Do you have a valid passport?

Right now, you have no habits -- which is great! That means you have no bad habits either. So start forming good ones, starting with learning order-of-operations and fundamentals.

Education for this sort of stuff costs you nothing but your time to read and learn.

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Money_Read1066@reddit (OP)

I agree! Currently I have no passport and am a minor, but I'm thinking about prepping for a longscale trip for after college. Having a valid passport would definitely cost money and time. This subreddit is definitely really good when talking about this.

I'm curious about what types of habits you are talking about?

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Glimmer_III@reddit

Terrific! Welcome to the dance!

Then you are in a good place to begin educating yourself. You don't have any "bad" habits yet.

(Yes, you'll undoubtedly stub your toe along the way, but you'll recover. That happens to everyone. The trick is to only "stub your toe" and not "break your foot".)

Regarding passports:

If you are 16yo or older, you can get a passport which will last for the next 10 years.

My advice is to not get it until you are at least 16yo. You will want the full ten years.

How much does a new American passport cost?...

Budget for ≈USD $200 total, expecting it to come in less.

The current costs are ≈USD $165. Details here..

You will also need passport photos (≈$10) which you can take yourself at home if you have a photo printer and appropriate paper, or get taken at most pharmacies.

NOTE: Do NOT SMILE in your passport photo, or any photo used for visas. Why? It distorts your face and can be cause for the photo to be rejected. (They need a clear image for facial recognition software.)

You will also have mailing costs (≈$TBD).

How early should I apply?

The mantra with passports is "better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it".

Processing times continue to take longer than they should. There remains a backlog with the US State Department from the pandemic. Even expedited processing -- where you pay more for faster processing -- is taking a lot longer.

So I would say apply at least 6mo in advance of when you might need it, and be glad it arrives earlier. Again, this is about avoiding stress.

But what if I need to get a visa to enter the country I want to visit?

That is why you want to have your passport ready before you need to use it.

BEST PRACTICE TIP: Whenever planning international travel, respect the border crossings. Period.

You start with the date you intend to cross the border, you look into the requirements, then you work your timeline backwards for what it takes to reliably meet those requirements.

Some countries it takes very little. Some more. Others a lot. But never, ever (ever!) assume that "just because I did it one way before it will be that way again".

Border crossings have to do with international diplomatic relationships between countries...those relationships change all the time. Some are more stable than others. But all of them change.

So get in the "good habit" of learning how to quickly check:

"What do I need this time?...Oh, I got that already. I'm fine."

"What do I need this time?...Oh, looks like I need to complete this other form, and it takes 3 weeks to process...better get on that now since I travel in a month."

Stuff like that.

About Passport Validity

While your passport will be "valid for 10 years", do not treat it that way.

Many countries require all non-immigrants to have at least 6mo of validity remaining following their expected date of departure from the visit. Some countries require 1y of remaining validity.

This requirement is distinct and separate from any visa requirements.

If you don't have that, you can (and often will) be denied entry.

So what should I do?...

It's simple: When you've had your passport for 8 years (and 2 years remaining) that's the time to start looking at the calendar and planning "When am I going to renew?"

Renewal is a fairly simple process. And it costs less than a new passport. But it still takes time to process.

You want to slot your renewal during a period when you will not need your passport for international travel.

Passport Cards -- should I get one?

I think they are a good idea. It's always good to have another version of official government ID "when you need it".

Yes, the cards cost extra, but the utility they offer relative to the cost is high.

And you live in Dallas...chances are you're going to take a cheap flight to Cancun, Mexico in the next few years.

Sorry for the long brain dump. I deal with this stuff in my IRL career. And I'd much rather use your blank canvas of "no habits" and develop scalable, good ones.

Enjoy the rabbit hole!

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Money_Read1066@reddit (OP)

Do passports get tracked by the government? and Can I do this online? Doing it online would be nice.

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Glimmer_III@reddit

Do passports get tracked by the government?

Yes, they get tracked by the government. They are "the" document which governments use to say:

"The holder of this document is a citizen of country, and they should be offered all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities as negotiated between our two countries."

Passports are important documents. You should always keep track of yours and keep it safe.

Every time you cross an international border, you need a passport.

Can I do this online? Doing it online would be nice.

You can gather information online, but no, you can not do the entire process online.

Why not?

To obtain a passport, you must prove -- definitively -- your citizen ship. There is a list of materials you will need to mail to the US State Department for them to review, and then they will approve/deny/request-additional-information your application.

What sort of evidence? For your first time you'll need your birth certificate along with a few other things.

Just get the check-list and follow it carefully and you should be fine. Most people screw up because they "skip steps". They think "passports are not a big deal", when in fact, they are the crux of how international travel -- and commercial between nations -- occurs.

Again -- passports are a privilege, not a right. Operate from that position and you'll usually be a-okay. Forget that and you'll wonder why none of your international travel plans work. :)

Here is a link for you to research more:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/where-to-apply.html

Also, a good sub to know about is r/passports. The community there is quite knowledgable.

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70redgal70@reddit

Check out https://www.hostelworld.com/ for low cost accommodations. You can travel by bus or train from one country to the next if you plan it right to minimize the need to fly. Eat local food for cheap.

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Independent-Pie2738@reddit

Go to Google flights and search the cheapest international flights from your location. Do some research on the locations, find what interests you and where is affordable. Find a job through Worldpackers for a month or find some cheap hostels.

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zrgardne@reddit

$1000 is going to get you a round trip ticket

So you clearly don't have enough money for long term travel.

It would be irresponsible to even try without a sufficient safety net in savings.

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Particular_Resolve_2@reddit

Why are you waiting five years? Get a summer job and then go. I've been doing it for forty years. I'm doing it now.

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Money_Read1066@reddit (OP)

I'm waiting because A) I'm not yet 18, and B) I have to go to college because it's been in my plans

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doublevirgo1981@reddit

I can’t remember the site but it basically let you layaway your entire trip. Or try with affirm I know you can get a debit card to make a purchase and they have you pay biweekly

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queenannechick@reddit

Learn useful skills ( cooking can be one ) and hang around yacht docks and try to get a gig on a boat headed the way you want to go. You can make money and room and board is provided. This is a somewhat dangerous life. You're putting your safety in others hands. Sexual violence and/or predation is a risk. So is being trafficked. Trust your gut.

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Money_Read1066@reddit (OP)

interesting! How does this work? Do I have to negotiate anything with them? I see your thing on Violence and trafficking, so I guess gender matters here.

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queenannechick@reddit

Men are the overwhelming culprits in rape and murder but being a man doesn't make you safe from violence from men.

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Money_Read1066@reddit (OP)

fair point, should I bring self defense items, as well as take precautions?

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queenannechick@reddit

Make sure you trust the people. That's all you can do. You'd be at sea. You're at their mercy until you get to port. Google Natalie Wood...

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ilovemydogso2023@reddit

Sleep in the bus station. Eat food out of fast food dumpsters(they throw out food after x amount of time). Hitch hike. Truck stops usually have free showers.

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opinionatedlyme@reddit

I spent 6 weeks in North Macedonia. The hostel was so cheap. I used it as base camp to visit Romania, Turkey, Montenegro, Croatia. 10/10 recommend.

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KillerCoochyKicker@reddit

I packed a backpack and a tent and hitchhiked through Mexico for 3 months on 1000

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Level-Worldliness-20@reddit

Megabus or similar transportation services are super cheap if you plan ahead.

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FearlessTravels@reddit

If you want something, work for it. Don’t take jobs from people in developing countries (à la Workaway) or ask for handouts (hitchhiking, Couchsurfers who never host, etc.).

Five years from now is 259 weeks away. If you saved $100 a week between now and then you’d have $25,900 saved up for your trip. If you get a part-time job that pays $15 an hour and work a 7.5-hour shift on one of your days off that will cover the cost.

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Money_Read1066@reddit (OP)

I haven't heard this perspective much. Most of what I have seen is pro surfing and workaway. Why don't you recommend it? Is it specific to certain countries?

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FearlessTravels@reddit

Workaway takes paid jobs from locals and gives them to volunteer foreigners. It keeps locals in poverty and drives local incomes down. If you want to work abroad do it the ethical way, like a working holiday visa.

Couchsurfing is fine if you understand the reciprocity element. You should host other surfers in your own home if you expect people to eventually host you. It’s not just “free accommodation” - it’s an exchange.

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Ptownmama@reddit

I do not know how old you are. This is really good for the younger crowd, My daughter volunteered to work on a turtle refuge in Costa Rica, she had to pay for airfare but once she got there food and lodging were included and she had plenty of time for the beach and site seeing, she got around on buses and stayed at hostels while traveling weekend’s. Best part made lots of friends from all over the world

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Money_Read1066@reddit (OP)

This sounds like a really cool idea! I'm planning on traveling when I'm about 25, which is a few years on, but this sounds awesome. What's your advise to doing this?

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Ptownmama@reddit

My daughter was 21 when she did this and researched it all herself so I don’t have any advice except narrow down the volunteer experience to something you are passionate about. For my daughter it was working on her Spanish language skills and helping animals. Unfortunately my daughter died shortly after her trip so I can’t share details on how she researched it but I’m so glad she had this experience

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Money_Read1066@reddit (OP)

I'm glad she did have it too. Now that I remember, one of my previous teachers did something very similar to this, but did it in Burma/Myanmar.

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Glimmer_III@reddit

Some useful information to help folks comment:

1) AGE: What is your age?

2) GENDER: What is your gender? (Sadly, a necessary question. This helps anticipate any safety issues in particular destinations.)

3) LANGUAGE: What language(s) do you speak?

4) DEFINE "AROUND THE WORLD": Are you looking to be gone from Dallas, TX for 1 week, 1 month, or 1 year (or more)? (This is helpful for estimating a generic, general budget...things will change as you plan, but you still gotta start the planning "somewhere".)

5) DIETARY RESTRICTIONS: This can help you anticipate how simple it is to feed yourself.

6) MEDICAL OR MOBILITY RESTRICTIONS: Again, you want to start with fundamentals. If you have bad knees, you might want to avoid someplace which is nothing but stairs.

7) GENERAL "TARGET" LOCATION(S): It is always easier to edit someone else's work than to create scenarios from scratch...so, what excites you? Where have you dreamt of visiting before?

Because...let me let you in on a little (non-)secret of shoestring travel...

Shoestring travel is 100% identical to non-shoe-string travel. Period.

How so? You answer exactly the same questions as any other traveler, but in a different way.

Travel is not binary. There is rarely only one way to do something. Instead, it all exists "on a slope" with multiple valid answers.

And your success in navigating shoestring travel is about understanding that slope of options, and then choosing what option is the best balancing of trade-offs for you.

Let this be your manta: When you are poor, you can not afford to be cheap.

That doesn't mean you need to spend lots of money. To the contrary, it means you need to be intentional with everything you spend.

Plenty of folks have screw up their shoestring trips because they didn't anticipate risks, or over/underestimated whatever risks they did anticipate.

i.e. They approached travel as a set of binary choices rather than a flowing slope with multiple, ever changing, interwoven options.

Do it enough, and you'll learn themes. But you gotta start somewhere, and for you, it's education.

Beware of "errors of omission" as much as your "errors of commission".

The most expensive mistakes, either financial costs or non-financial costs_ are from the "things you didn't know you didn't know".

A good place to start is with budget categories of areas you know you'll need to "ask and answer" how you plan to "do X-thing".

This is already a long comment, so I'll leave it there. Your starting point is getting a good foundation with concepts, then put those concepts in to practice.

Because the more resource constrained you are, the more you need your plans to be robust since you may not have the resources to course correct later.

i.e. Do it fast, do it cheap, do it well...pick two.

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Money_Read1066@reddit (OP)

You definitely laid it out really well.

1) Age: About 25 when I would want to travel. 2) Gender: Male, which it is a cruel reality in this world that the answer matters. 3) Language: I speak English and also some German 4) I can't eat peanuts and a few varieties of beans 5) By around the world, I mean foreign, preferably overseas. Hopefully I would have a job, so financial restrictions would be less restricted. 6) I'm very mobile, I run long distance. 7) The targets are landmarks and the people of an area. Preferably overseas, but I'll get more precise: Central Europe to Southern Asia.

I did see on another question asked here, someone said that you have to decide 2 from 3 things: Cost, reliability, and speed. This seems like a golden concept.

Last question, to anticipate for any mishaps on a trip, should I have an emergency budget?

Seeing these questions, they would be great advice for all future questions possibly. Maybe this info would be something good for other posts to have.

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Mrsloki6769@reddit

What about workaway or other such programs?

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Annel384@reddit

Make Friends on Tandem. Use Workaway

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i_know_tofu@reddit

You can save an awful lot between now and 5 years from now. even $2 a day will be $3650 in 5 years. If you commit to $2 a day and toss more in the piggy bank when you can (an actual piggy bank, one you need to smash yo get open), you will have a bundle at the end of that time.

As you get closer to your travel date, sign up for Scott's Cheap flights or similar to be alerted of deals to your destination. Take the cheapest flight to Europe, wherever that is, and from there you can fly RyanAir to wherever...so cheap!

For lodging I recommend renting a room in the house of a family through Airbnb. This is the cheapest way to go by far, short of hostels, and the stay is generally quiet, fairly private, and a great way to meet locals. Anywhere within a 1 hour walk or on a metro line to the major sights you want to see is close enough, you don't need to stay in the tourist part of town.

Travel light, take a carry-on only (RyanAir-size), bring easy to hand wash and air dry clothing, buy groceries and brew coffee (learn to live on bread meat and cheese!) reserving restaurants and cafes for 1 sitting a day (2 if you can afford it). Take city buses, not tour buses. Get a pass for transit. Buy booze and drink in parks or along canals, like the locals.

Try to find work you can do while travelling. Try to sublet your place, so you don't have rent to pay at home. Sell a bunch of things before you go.

Good luck!

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Ocean_Dream77@reddit

Just go. Then when you run out of funds you will die there. But UNTIL then, enjoy!!

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lurkingtillnow@reddit

Use the website Work Away :) there are other similar ones.

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lurkingtillnow@reddit

Even though you’re working — it’s often part time, quite relaxed work (it can be a quite physical thing though). I know people who’ve travelled through that and loved it

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RearAdmiralP@reddit

While it is possible to travel in the US without money (I've done it), it's much nicer to be able to just pay for things. The problem is that the US is too expensive. From Dallas, you should be able catch a cheap bus to Central America. Look for flyers in Latin American grocery stores. Once you're there, hitchhike or take chicken buses, stay in hostels, eat cheap local food. You can go for a while on $1k.

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adamosity1@reddit

If you’re walking five miles versus taking a bus, eating only discounted supermarket food or ramen noodles, and can’t afford the cheapest hostel in the city you shouldn’t be traveling.

I’m more along the frugal than absolute cheapest, but if that’s your budget, don’t go. Nothing is worse than being in a foreign country completely broke.

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IllustriousPlay7@reddit

Just go live with the homeless in any random city. 1000 bucks will be enough to survive.

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Erike16666@reddit

Join workaway.info find a cool place to work and apply. I’ve done this a bunch of times and it’s great way to travel cheaper. Lodging and food is usually included in exchange for 4 hours of work 3-5 days a week. All my experiences have been positive but I’ve heard of some shot stories too.

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NiagaraThistle@reddit

Even my first trip in 1999 when things were MUCH cheaper and my round trip airfare was only 360 for unlimited open jaws ticket, still cost me $3500 US and that was only for 3 months AND i was lucky to have familiy throughout europe that graciously put me up at various points on the trip.

Traveling overseas with only $1,000 isn't possible, really, unless you simply plan to walk around and be homeless.

What i would suggest is spend the next 5 months learning to build website, edit podcasts audio or youtube videos, write web copy, anything you can use to monetize yourself and earn money while travel. I.E. figure out a way to be a digital nomad.

$1,000 total may not be enough to travel for any length of time, but $1,000 per monthw ill get you started. And you can EASILY do that with 5 months of focused web dev skills under your belt. Know how to build simple websites with wordpress from scratch, find clients that need that, charge the VERY CHEAP rate of $1,000 per website and you have a VERY sustainable income stream. The hardest part of that would be finding clients and you can simplify that with a google search of potential clients (ie Dentist offices near Austin) and then call or email them from the road to offer your service. Show them a couple sites you've built and charge them next to nothing (ie $1000) to do it and you'll be amazed how much you can earn and how quickly.

THis is NOT some "get rich quick scheme". You need to put in the focus and work, but this is exactly I would start over if I had to, or if I was talking to my younger self. And is exactly the advice I give my kids.

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DynamicPillow2@reddit

Do a program like hostelworld where you work in hostels in exchange for a bed to sleep in and sometimes you get a couple meals a day as well. That's accomodation and part of your food budget sorted. Most visas are 90 days though so every 2-3 months change country

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captaincarryon@reddit

Do you mean Workaway? Woofing is another option.

Hostelworld is a booking platform for paid accommodation, like booking.com

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DynamicPillow2@reddit

Yes that's exactly what I mean, thanks for catching that.

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Smellslikegr8pEs@reddit

👍 and see how far ya get

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Tronzyv@reddit

Go slower - choose the slowest mode of transportation & you’ll be fine - eg merchant marine

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ChemEngWMU@reddit

Think about work aways or working in establishments like hostels where you travel, both situations usually provide room and board and maybe a little bit of $

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ksgif2@reddit

Unless you're going full hobo and sleeping under bridges you'll need to figure out how to fund your travel. The good news, it looks like you live in the US, so you have decent earning power compared to a lot of places.

What I've been doing is working (in Canada, because I'm Canadian and can legally work there) for 6 months every year. I generally travel from November to April. I keep my overhead low, I don't have a house or apartment, I keep bills and expenses low and I save most of my pay for travel.

Find a job that includes some sort of housing. I work as an OTR truck driver and usually I sleep in the truck my employer assigns me. Other options include camp jobs or resort jobs or merchant marine or airline jobs. You can also live in a van or RV while working. The point is, don't be paying lots of monthly bills and getting into debt.

As you get older you'll likely appreciate having the resources to take time off travel and working. Being able to rent an apartment for a few months and chill out for awhile in a different city or country is a really nice break from the grind, and believe me, travel can feel like a job if you're at it for awhile.

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Ninja_bambi@reddit

Go bicycle touring, if you wild camp, buy groceries at the supermarket and cook yourself, a few hundred bucks a month goes a long way.

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Short-Ad2054@reddit

A thousand bucks might get you a coupla weeks in lovely Fort Worth.

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mr-insano@reddit

Get a hammock and some camping gear, then the world is your oyster!!

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Stelljanin@reddit

Wwoofing

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frozendecember@reddit

Wwoofing is one way, but not as cheap as Workaway or cheaper still, HelpX.

All these are volunteering sites. You pay to become a volunteer and have a lost of worldwide hosts who typically give you food and accommodation in exchange for 3-5 hours of work upto 6 days a week.

Accommodation and food are two of the three most expensive coats of travelling, transport is the most expensive. So for that to remain cheap, there are a number of ways to keep that to a minimum. Hitching, networking in countries, car sharing for example.

You can exchange your skills in country for money sometimes too. Find a need and provide the solution/service. My cheapest year was 2018 where for the whole year including flights to several countries I lived off £2000. The year included much volunteering and some paid work. It also included flights to and from the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan and Indonesia.

Where there's a will, you'll find the way.

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binhpac@reddit

Its usually the 3 big costs: Accomodation, Food, Transport.

If you stay longer at a place, you have less costs for transport and accomodation. Like renting for 1 month at 1 place is usually much cheaper than staying at 2-3 nights at one place and then switch to another.

The most inexpensive travel usually is wild camping and hiking. No accomodation and transport cost, so you just have to take care of food.

That's why its easier to do it in the summer, you can sleep outside without getting hypothermia so easily.

More common is it to do hostel stays and then cook/eat more often in the hostel with street food and occasionally eating out, trying to do (public) bus/train/flight cheaply to move around.

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Scandalchris@reddit

Find cheapest ticket abroad, hitchhike, wwoof/work exchange for room and board, wild camp, r/DumpsterDiving