The financial question is one of the most burning when it comes to Comes in about travels, especially long ones. Few can imagine imagine how you can quit and leave for a few years go all over the world That is why it was interesting for me to post this guest post about the guys who have been on the road for a year and a half, and their incomes are pretty ordinary, not some fabulous money earn, and available to the majority. So why is someone going as well is someone just dreaming? But we will leave from philosophy, we will look at practice how much money can go, and for that money we get moving from country to country.
The content of the article
- 1 What is the post
- 2 Money at the time of launch (that we had)
- 3 Our ways to make money
- 3.1 Copywriting
- 3.2 Programming, administration, SEO
- 3.3 Exchange links. Advertising on sites
- 3.4 Photographing
- 3.5 Illustrating, Design
- 3.6 Guidance
- 3.7 Paid Video
- 3.8 Sounds of Sound
- 3.9 Sale of printed photographs on the foam board
- 3.10 Soundaround.me Project
- 4 Where does the money go when traveling?
- 4.1 Food
- 4.2 Transportation
- 4.3 Accommodations
- 4.4 Medical insurance
- 4.5 Equipment
- 4.6 Things and clothes
- 4.7 Entertainment
- 5 savings methods
- 5.1 Volunteering
- 5.2 Couchsurfing
- 5.3 hitchhiking
- 5.4 Burner
- 5.5 Tent
- 5.6 Second-hand, recycle and local production
- 5.7 Sightseeing bypass
- 5.8 Healthy lifestyle
- 6 Summarizing the above
Contents
What is the post about
If your heart is calling – do not be afraid and not resist.
This article is intended for those who are interested in practical part of travel. For those who need to evaluate their own desires and its relation with possibilities. About life and money on the road we will tell you by our example and by our the ongoing (at the moment, one and a half) round the world travels.
Of course, start with the fact that the budget traveling is a thing that becomes famous and more popular here in Russia every year. Lots of travelers are doing unthinkable in duration time and space routes not only with a small budget (Valery Shanin and his “$ 280 World Tour” in 14 countries), but practically without him (Vladimir Nesin and his travels barefoot: according to the traveler, the only fixed amount is pension 7000 rubles a month). It is worth mentioning Anton Krotov, the creator of the Academy of Free Travel, the author and co-author many published useful books, guidebooks on how travel at minimal cost.
In general, the world is full of great romantics, travelers, practitioners who share their experiences. And if the question “go or not go” rests only in the money, we We recommend to look for information on the above and other free travelers on the internet – their experience inspires to action.
In Sequoia National Park, USA
Money at the time of launch (that we had)
And now, about our approach. To world tour careful preparation was not. From idea to realization It turned out about two months. All figures are shown below in the calculation. for two.
- money for an American visa (the only one made before departure) 11880 rub,
- money for the first tickets: Moscow-Irkutsk train 11600 p., Irkutsk-Harbin plane 222 EU,
- work in freelance mode, based on which we could schedule a monthly budget of 30,000 rubles (for two)
- a small stock on various deposits that we planned spend (and spent) at the end of their term when going beyond planned budget and in case of unforeseen expenses.
Budgeting and spending tracking is good because you you create a kind of null-point bar for which You can evaluate your own strengths and abilities to stay in a different country. Of course, in different countries and opportunities these are different, but a limited amount per month helps to be more vigilant.
Here, for example, statistics, which us due to this vigilance managed to compile:
Costs, which include almost everything – movement, overnight stay, food. Calculation per month for two (visa fees are indicated on one), time of action: end of 2013 – beginning of 2015.
- China – 24-26 thousand rubles (including tourist visa for 1 month – 1200 rubles);
- Laos and Vietnam – 20 thousand rubles (as in the first, and in the second country for the Russians do not need a visa if the stay does not exceed two weeks);
- Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia – 15-20 thousand rubles (Cambodian visa $ 25 US);
- Indonesia – 26-28 thousand rubles ($ 25 US – visa with a stay of up to 1 month to stay longer updated tourist visa in Bali)
- Australia – $ 400 AU at the rate of $ 1 AU = 33 rubles (Australian tourist visa with a stay of up to 3 months $ 145 US);
- United States – 30-35 thousand rubles, the course at that time was 35 rubles per dollar, including the cost of gasoline and a car, the visa was paid back in Moscow, and we were given a stay border – six months.
- Mexico (Guadalajara) – 30 thousand rubles (visa-free regime with a stay of up to six months – at the entrance or upon departure, you must pay a customs fee of $ 28 US).
- Mexico (Cancun) – 30 thousand rubles at the beginning, and it was here that we caught the growth of the dollar, in connection with which monthly expenses in terms of rubles have increased dramatically to 40 thousand.
Our lunch in the jungle of Vietnam
And now we will tell about the most burning question: our ways of earning. As practice shows – not many believe in the opportunity to earn on the way. Often, this disbelief becomes the cause of the “requiem for a dream.” We are surprised when we pass by the young drunken homeless: “Hands are in place, head on the spot! Why won’t he find work to live normally? ” The most important thing is to remember that if there are no physical limitations, then you are unlikely to disappear, wherever you are. And even with health restrictions, the brave in spirit find their calling or looking for him. The most difficult obstacles are in the mind, which means “remove” them only in our power.
We have long been addicted to the “freelance” mode. He has two significant advantages – mobility and the ability to search for a business by the spirit; and one minus – the amount of money earned depends on time spent on work. We list below everything that We use it – something bigger is collected from the crumbs.
Palm trees by the sea, where do without them freelancer =)
Our ways to make money
Copywriting
From the very beginning, we had several partners for whom wrote custom articles. Payment ranged from 600 rubles to $ 25 US for an article with photos, or $ 10 for the copyright of our articles site.
Programming, administration, SEO
The source of work are regular customers or clients. coming on the recommendations. Work week brings an average of $ 200 US, per month can be up to $ 1000 US. Once upon a time, the amount of money depends on the “success” of the project, as well as on time invested
Exchange links. Advertising on sites
Passive income, which practically does not require time – US $ 80-100 month.
Photographing
Private photo shoot. It makes a good profit, but in view of our hardness – not often. Photo sessions with different conditions from $ 100 US in an hour (here it is necessary to take into account that the photographing itself is followed hours and days post-processing).
Illustration, design
Customers come on recommendations. Cost depends on the project. Essential minus – suitable space is required for work: table, the ability to “decompose” with a graphic tablet – it is difficult feasible with constant journeys, but perhaps in moments of rest from the road.
Guide
One of the most interesting types of earnings – carried on place This opportunity has opened for us only in Mexico, but you can will try to continue. The working day of the guide (depending on tasks) from 50-150 $ US.
Paid video
Recently, our favorite partner offered to make a video specifically for a particular project. These are three to four minutes. motivational videos collected from our material.
Sinks of sounds
An example of a not very successful attempt 
For a year and a half selling sounds On the stock, it brought $ 5 US, and even to bring this money into reality turned out to be a problem.
Sale of printed photographs on foam board
Unsuccessful attempt. We made a photo shop on our site. All by to mind: with a catalog, with beautiful pictures, with a basket. Were several orders, unfortunately, brings delivery. We could not find a good performer – photos of cities in Russia, printed on foam board, delivered broken and broken. I had to abandon the idea.
Soundaround.me project
The project is our non-commercial, but there are some around it suggestions for our readers that may be pleasing to them and in same time support our idea. In practice, it’s more moral help, but it is no less important. For example, custom postcards brought a total of 2 thousand rubles for a year and a half (of each postcard sent on the project’s account remains about 10-50 rubles depending on the country of departure).
Voluntary donations – support coming from our friends and relatives, for a year and a half about 15 thousand rubles.
Descending from Toluca Volcano, Mexico
Where does the money go when traveling?
Of course, in our case, the average mode is most convenient. Constant movement is not conducive to excess revenue, therefore and in expenses we try to avoid excesses. Of course, sometimes not we deny ourselves certain joys, but now it’s not about of them. The next stage I want to highlight the main items of expenditure on our way.
Based on the pledged monthly budget, we are guided mood, balanced in terms of spending. For example, if autostop exempted the funds provided for the movement we could to spend them on food, if they slept in a tent – they could drive a part public transport and so on.
Food
Evening market for cheap food in Luanprabang, Laos
The most constant basic waste. More than half of our budget since proper and timely meals are the key to good mood and health.
There are countries absolutely cheap and abundant in this regard. there is terribly expensive. Smallest fixed amount per one person (one meal) – this is Laos, the city of Luang Prabang – in recalculated from bales at the rate of 2013 – 20 rubles. The most expensive food was discovered by us in Australia. For example, a gallon (frozen, because overdue on average for a week) milk in the bush (Australian desert) – from $ 5 AU. About the cost of cafes and eateries I don’t even want to talk.
Transport
Our 1993 Honda Civic, USA
Internationally, we try to use all kinds of transport, choosing the most optimal for the price. On our way for now only six flights, the cheapest of which is $ 40 US for two of Malaysia to Indonesia, and the most expensive from Melbourne (Australia) to Honolulu (USA, Hawaii) – $ 800 US (also for two).
In countries where long-distance transport (for long-term distance) expensive – they did not use it. These are: Australia, America and yet Mexico. In Asia, from China to Indonesia, they used and trains, and buses, and even airplanes. Interesting that bus by Java, from Jakarta to Bali, turned out to be the same in value as the flight, at the same time, a direct journey by land takes several days (if non-stop) – the test is not for the weak!
And in the US, it was more profitable to buy an old economical car and then sell it for the same price. From the cost of it were: gasoline oil and tire change.
Overnight stay
In a tent in Hawaii, USA
Hostels are actively used only in Asia. Beginning with Australia on our way up to Mexico is not cheap pleasure, good there are alternative methods! The cheapest hostels we experienced are located in Cambodia – $ 2 per person (here we were “chic” and for three dollars took the triple dorm); the most expensive hostel experienced – at the moment the last – tasted in Honolulu, $ 28 per person in a room for six. AT Mexico, too, there are budget options in the region of $ 3.3 US per human – they are called cabanas and the view is awesome.
Medical insurance
In a hospital in Bali, Indonesia
This was the most difficult stage of preparation. In the USA and Australia, for example, medical insurance is on the required list. documents upon entry to the country, with minimum coverage agreed. Fortunately, when choosing an insurance, we were not mistaken. Designed almost on the way to the airport in Irkutsk, for two in the sum (to different parts of the world separately) for a year and a half 20 thousand rubles. In the so-called developed countries, it did not have to take advantage, but in Indonesia and Mexico, she rescued us.
Equipment
Ancient Mayan Ruins Kohunlich, Mexico
Our equipment on the road wears out. In the rain and cold in the mountains, in sandstorms in canyons get most of all our cameras. Wires and computers suffer from pack-down tamping. Notam like a humid tropical climate. Something is lost, something becomes useless. In a year and a half, we changed the GoPro camera, We added an old B.u. laptop, memory cards periodically break, Keyboards for both laptops were replaced. By the way, one of these days come wide angle lens, won on ebay auction specially for landscape photography.
Things and clothes
We dry linen somewhere in the reserved woods of the USA
Nothing in this world is forever. And things travelers constantly about this is reminiscent. Shoes and clothes wear out and require replacement. AT In some places, something unexpected appears – in Hawaii we have there was a mask for snorkeling.
Entertainment
Grand Canyon, USA
Let’s call them that! In these expenses we make money that goes to ticket fees: entrances to national parks, museums, visits various natural and cultural sites, as well as leases motorbikes and cars.
I do not want to allocate tips of all kinds, or money for street musicians. I just want to mention them. For example, in Mexican supermarkets allow students and seniors pack purchases at the box office for coins – this is their way to survive. BUT musicians — all over the world — they reveal something to us, they force feel, this is the same tramps with interesting lives. We them thankful
Ancient Mayan Ruins Becan, Mexico
As can be seen from the previous section – there are a lot of expenses. Their maybe even more, it all depends on our own requests. The question arises, how to save? On what? We have already been The calculation of the budget is mentioned, there is more about it. Tell about more tangible and tangible.
Savings methods
Volunteering
Farm volunteering in Australia
Day rest when we were volunteers in the USA
There are different types of this activity. In our practice the job has been of great benefit, providing housing and a meal. Registering on a volunteer website helped us travel in Australia. This has given us many opportunities from a great experience in areas of interest (eco-construction, use of alternative energy sources, etc.) before banal trips to inaccessible our money places – coffee shops and restaurants, for example. And of course – This is a unique opportunity to see life from the inside, get to know people for work shoulder to shoulder with them, live a small life with them, celebrate their holidays, and make friends with them.
Couchsurfing
CouchSurfer Australian Zeph, his friend Rob
And his dog named Ali
One of the most brilliant inventions of our time! Couchsurfing blurs the boundaries, confronts completely unexpected people helps to relax. A very good phenomenon, greatly facilitating life travelers.
Hitch-hiking
Joshua Three, USA
The very fact that you can get them from point A to point B absolutely free – beautiful. Well, and all sorts of bonuses in the form dating and complete immersion in the life of the country in which abide It works, helps out.
Burner
Our alcohol burner
Cooking yourself in practice is more economical. Products always cheaper if they are not cooked. Sometimes, you can not suffer – in Asia is hard to stay hungry, even with a minimum budget. Ibid where there is no street food, and cafes and restaurants are openly expensive – the burner saves.
Tent
Without a tent, we would not be in the wild hot springs in US highlands
When you know that your house is with you, you become less depending on the circumstances. Do not be afraid to stay in the mountains or jungle for the night. And even if you do not want to sleep in a tent, one of hers availability adds confidence when bidding for a room.
Second-hand, recycle and local production
Where there are good second-hand – use them. In other places to try on what local people wear in countries Latin America, and in Asia, too, is a pleasure.
Sightseeing ways
Archaeological Area of Uxmal, Mexico
No, we are happy to support the country’s economy or the state of the private owner — when it is affordable for us and does not pose a choice “eat or look at—”. In other cases, we try to take everything available to the maximum, no matter what blocks the way: a fence with security, jungle or mountains – sometimes you have to strung up physically – but worth it. This is our way – we are not urge to break the law
Healthy lifestyle
We are not ardent opponents of anything, no. The fact remains fact – alcohol and cigarettes are almost always expensive, but they absolutely not necessary (sometimes even increases any risks). Even more economical to be vegetarian, but this Level we have mastered only partially and at times This may also include a refusal from all sorts of “snacks” like chips – this is absolutely beneficial, in every relationship.
Summarizing the above
In Yellowstone National Park, USA
Our life in the long-term journey in the material plane is very similar to the usual life in one place. All the same thoughts: where and how to make money to travel and live as you like heart
Now we are preparing for the next part of our journey: the journey in South America on a motorcycle. For six months stop in Mexico I managed to learn a lot of new things, finish old projects, come up with and implement new ones. It was possible to earn a little while the missing amount to buy a motorcycle, but at least something. Maybe, that among the readers there is after some time a person who knows companies that need advertising. Maybe so we will find ourselves partner partners who are ready to provide part of the equipment (helmets, protection and other) on the South American way in return for advertising product or brand.
We love to dream And no less than this we love realize your dreams. This is the only way to live! We believe that long-term travel – one of the keys to the knowledge of life, interesting and rich.
Let your travels last as long as you like. it is you who only come up against surmountable obstacles!
Sequoia National Park, USA
We will be glad if we inspire by example!
Read, watch, listen to us on the following resources:
- http://soundaround.me Our world travel site, for thoughtful stories
- https://vk.com/soundaround_me VKontakte group, for fast of news
- https://www.youtube.com/user/soundaroundme YouTube Channel, for video and soundtrips
- http://instagram.com/soundaroundme Instagram, for everyday photo around
and for special people, there is also live streaming on LiveJournal, Twitter and sending out by mail but, we believe, and the above is enough.
Thanks to Oleg and Dasha for the opportunity to share their story on pages of their site.
Thank you for your attention. If you have questions, do not hesitate, ask! Nikita and Nastya Istomin
Life hacking 1 – how to buy a good insurance
Choosing insurance is now unrealistically difficult, therefore, to help everyone travelers, I make a rating. To do this, constantly monitor forums, I study insurance contracts and use insurance by myself.
Insurance Rating
Life hacking 2 – how to find a hotel 20% cheaper
First, choose a hotel on Booking. They have a good base offers, but the prices are NOT the best! The same hotel is often possible find 20% cheaper in other systems through the RoomGuru service.
Discount hotels
