I always get asked how I have the means to travel all over the world so frequently. It truly isn’t rocket science but an exercise in priorities & personal choices.
Am I a foodie? Nope.
Do I care if I eat Taco Bell or a five course steak dinner? I’ll always opt for quick & easy. Actually, I honestly prefer just a granola bar so I can simultaneously continue on my journey & maximize my time in each destination. And my first chore on any trip is to hit up the local grocery store for some sustainable fuel. Rarely am I wasting money on a daily Starbucks run (which is very common amongst travelers on my group trips), as my go-to refillable water bottle is sufficient (especially when adding squirts of Mio flavored water…. Gamechanger!).
One of my big superpowers is tracking down crazy flight deals. I enjoy the chase. My idea of low key fun is researching cheap flights via Google Flights & punching in all different scenarios (days, times, stay overs, one way connections, lower price windows, etc). Allegiance to any airline is a thing of the past, as I’m searching for the best fit into my tight schedule & what else I can squeeze into the adventure. Flight tracking is always a major bonus too, as any price fluctuations automatically send you an alert.
And I’m a die hard carryon only kinda girl. Not only do I avoid those exorbitant baggage fees & gain valuable time, but I’m more nimble just strapping a book-bag on. I’ve been in too many third world countries where we are schlepping our luggage down a dirt road or the polar opposite in the massive concrete jungle cities where elevator/escalator availability is questionable. Plus I’ve learned the hard way that over packing & carrying too much “stuff” just weighs you down. Don’t do it! Besides meticulously thought out layers of clothing, mobile entertainment, a few basic toiletries & snacks, what else do you really need?
Souvenirs are rarely a necessity anymore, as I’d rather opt for framing and/or blowing up some of my favorite photos as a daily visual reminder that the best things in life are experiences.
Lodging is typically my biggest expensive nowadays, but that hasn’t always been the case. As a young professional & aspiring full-time travel nomad, you have to make a dollar stretch a little farther so I’ve slept in my fair share of 1-star roach motels, holed up in the back seat of rental cars, booked a red eye flight, crashed on friends’ couches, pitched a tent in roadside campgrounds & squeezed into my single bunkbed in shady hostels. While I no longer enjoy snoozing in any of the above scenarios, I’ve survived all those unpredictable nights & have great memories to share!
Finally, as a National Park enthusiast, I firmly believe in the power of nature to rejuvenate my inner peace & balance. A majority of my adventures are based around these natural wonders and I’ve currently hiked in 54 of the 63 US parks so I also avidly renew my annual pass for just $80 (typically it would cost $30 entry per day). Obviously a no brainer!
So whatever your travel style entails, be free….. open your mind to the possibility that the unknown can be wildly invigorating & you don’t have to break the bank to get out of your comfort zone.
FearlessAdventures 