I can’t count the number of times I get asked: “How do you travel so much???”
Today, I’ll answer that question. For everyone.
1) I truly believe, with all my heart, you can do anything if you really want to.
Keyword: “want.” You have to really “want” it. I want to travel. I want it so much, I simply make it a priority in life.
We all have our priorities. Some people want to go to sports games, some people want to hunt and fish, some people want to work out at the gym and have amazing bodies (clearly I missed that memo!) For me, I simply want to travel. It starts there. Do you want to travel?
2) I use all my vacation time and make no apologies about it.
I often hear: “You’re gone all the time! Are you ever in the office?” The answer is: of course. I just use my vacation days. All of them. No, seriously…each and every one of them. You should never ever feel guilty about using your vacation days. You earned them. Use them!
3) I am smart with my vacation days.
Take advantage of three day weekends, Thanksgiving week, etc. I schedule my vacations around holidays to be able to take off the maximum amount of time.
When it’s time to take a new job or renew your contract with an existing employer, it’s up to you to negotiate extra vacation days. Make yourself invaluable and insist on extra vacation time if you’re able to.
4) I prioritize my spending.
I don’t drive a fancy car, or roll on 24-inch rims, or buy fancy brand name clothes. I’d rather use that money to travel, and enhance my life.
It all goes back to #1: “wanting.” What matters more to you? Seeing the world, or going out to the bar three times a week with the gang? That money adds up. I’ve prioritized what’s most important in my life, and that’s travel.
When I’m on my deathbed, I want to smile knowing I have seen the seven wonders of the world, made friends with people of all different cultures, tasted cuisines from every continent…I want to see and do it all. That’s my priority.
5) I fly for free.
You read that correctly. I fly for free…or just about free. I flew round-trip to China this year, in first class, for $57. Last year I flew to Europe, first class, for $51.
I’ve discovered a little-known method of getting the airlines to pay for my travel and it’s something that almost anyone can do. There is a handful of credit cards that offer huge sign-up bonuses in the currency of airline miles. 25,000 miles, 30,000, 50,000, 60,000 miles! A couple cards can even score you 100,000 miles! That’s more than enough miles for a business-class ticket to almost anywhere in the world!
The most important key here is to never, ever get yourself in debt. Unless you pay off the full balance of your credit card(s) each month, it’s not worth it. But if you are able to be super diligent about never carrying a balance, the rewards are bountiful. Go HERE for a list of my favorite cards!
A lot of people ask me if I’m rich…they wonder how the heck I can afford to fly around the world as much as I do. I’m happy to share my recipe for world travel with you. Just watch the video to learn how free flights are possible. Many people say, “You’re so lucky!” But it’s really not about luck…it’s about really wanting to travel. And now, you can, for almost free.
BONUS: I take advantage of weekends
I love planning quick weekend trips. Depending on where you live, you’d be surprised where you can take off to with just two-three days. Grab a Friday afternoon/night flight somewhere and enjoy the weekend in Mexico, Canada, the Islands…even Central America!
We live to travel and we make sacrifices to do so… life is to be experienced and for us too, that means by seeing as many places and eexperiencing as many cultures as possible! Keep on my friend… life is good!
Hi Stephanie!
As for your radio career, how often do you get to leverage work trips? I’ve been working in technology for the past 10 years, so I often go to the United States about 2 – 3 times a year. Whenever I can I try to leverage my weekends to visit some of these cities that I might not otherwise visit on my own, like San Antonio, Atlanta or Salt Lake City, or I arrange to stay with friends that I know in the area, like Los Angeles, Chicago or Vancouver. Since my flights are paid for by my employer, I fund my weekend trips by looking for low cost accommodations and eating like locals so I don’t break the bank. That’s another tip that I rarely see other bloggers post (RE: leveraging work trips) when they discuss how they can afford to travel so much.
Thanks Ray–will use this for Volume 3!
I have traveled all over the world for work. Can’t get enough. I started finding ways to go new places and incorporating
Truth!
I think what you are doing is great. You love what you are doing so keep it up. I for one have learned so much about people and places I knew nothing about. I think it’s wonderful.
Thank you Mrs. Cookson! So glad we keep in touch!