The question I get more often than not is, “How can you afford to travel the world?”
Let me first preface this by saying that I paid my way through college (via scholarships, loans, and jobs), and still saved up to be able to study in two countries, road trip/live on the mainland U.S. every summer, along with visiting an additional 15 countries in the past three years. Now, I’m about to travel to another 11 countries this coming year. I’m living proof that if you really want to travel the world, you definitely can (with God’s help!).
The secret to my success? Well, here are 11 lessons I’ve learned:
- MAKE TITHING YOUR TOP PRIORITY…AND BE HAPPY ABOUT IT (: Kinda ironic, huh? Giving first? But yes, I believe 100% in this. In 2 Corinthians 9:7 it says, “Each one must give as he decided to in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” No matter the amount, whether it’s the traditional 10%, more than that, less than that, really whatever it is, giving is a humbling, beautiful thing.
- BE GRATEFUL FOR WHAT YOU HAVE. In this day and age, people constantly want more. More money, more things, more success. For me, I look at what I have and I’m blown away at God’s goodness. I might not have the most updated fashion clothes, or the latest tech gadget, but I still have more than enough. This in turn helps curve my spending because I don’t want for more. I also write down 100 things I’m thankful for every month. It keeps my mindset in check. Especially when I’m living out of a backpack and raising money!
- SAVE, SAVE, SAVE. Did I mention you should save? Saving is crucial to financing your travels. The more you save, the more money you have, and the more places you can go! It’s a beautiful process. For example, if I received $20, I’d automatically tithe $2 at least, then put about $5 into my travel fund and $5 into my savings. I’m left with $8 to spend as I please.
- IT TAKES SACRIFICE. If you really want to travel, you’re going to have to sacrifice what you want here and now. There are times when I wish I could buy that Starbucks coffee, or that cute top, but I refuse to give into that spontaneous want. My heart is to travel and so I keep my eyes on that.
- WORK HARD. In order to finance your travels, you’re going to have to work extremely hard to make it happen. Money doesn’t just fall into your lap—at least for me it doesn’t. I have to study hard and get those scholarships, or spend countless hours fundraising. It’s hard, BUT WORTH IT. Always.
- BE HUMBLE. I know that my pride gets in the way sometimes. I would way rather try to do it all on my own, but I need other people’s help. You’ll be in situations where people will open up their home to you, share a meal, or help finance your dreams. And sometimes, you’ll need to humble yourself and accept that God is providing for you in this way. For me, I had to really humble myself and live with my family when I was at college in Hawaii. There was no way I was going to spend money to live in a dorm (it was the same cost as tuition!) when I had a home I was welcomed to live in. But that meant stripping my pride, and being thankful for the opportunity to live at home and grateful for the extra time with my family.
- LIVE FOR THE EXPERIENCE. When I travel, it’s not about booking an expensive hotel, or eating out at fancy places every night. For me, I just take my backpack, and live for the people I meet, the serendipitous moments that occur. Travel simply and you’re in for a great time. Plus, the adventure is always more fun and challenging when you’re on a budget.
- BE A GOOD STEWARD. In Luke 16:10 it says, “Whoever is faithful with very little is also faithful with a lot, and whoever is dishonest with very little is also dishonest with a lot.” You need to really maintain your finances with honor. I plan on being faithful with whatever amount God trusts me with.
- TRUST IN GOD’S FAITHFULNESS. This one is something that I really had to learn. In my senior year in high school, God put it on my heart to live in Spain and Japan while in college. I had no idea how this was going to happen, but I clung to that fact. And he has pulled through beyond my wildest expectations. I had to learn that lesson all over again as I leave for this next journey, but I know that if He really wants me to do this, He’ll provide the finances.
- YOU ALWAYS HAVE A CHOICE. Everyday you’re faced with countless options, and you have to go about making choices. You can choose to spend money on clothes, makeup, food, or you can choose to use that money for your travel funds. It’s totally fine to have a nice car and the finer things in life, but you have to realize that in order to have that, something’s got to give.
- PAY IT FORWARD. This is not really a finance tip, but this goes in line with the fact that you’re going to meet INCREDIBLE people when you travel. And sometimes, you can’t pay them back for what they’ve done. It’s your job to be grateful, and then to help others in the future. For me, I LOVE helping people out when they come to Hawaii—whether I know them from before or if I met them at the beach that day. And when I have extra money to give, I LOVE helping finance other people’s dreams.
These are just some of the lessons I’ve learned from my travels. I would love to leave you with this verse from Matthew 6:24: “”No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Remember that money isn’t your master. You are just a manager of God’s finances.
Oh and saving money doesn’t mean you can’t have a great time in the here and now! I still LOVE going out with my family and friends. I don’t spend excessively, but I make it a point to enjoy my relationships and spend quality time with the people I love. It’s a lifestyle choice.
Now that makes me feel oh so rich.
So, are you ready to financially make your next adventure a reality?
