There are many restrictions in our lives that hold us back from traveling the world. The most common are money and time. Though not having a travel companion ranks pretty highly too. Many people dream of jumping on a plane, though decide that they don’t have the courage to survive as a solo traveler, so the dream trip never goes forward.
However the biggest key to breaking through these barriers is changing your mindset to realize that these aren’t restrictions. They’re excuses. Especially when so many platforms, networks and resources exist these days which will match us with like minded groups of people for a trip, and allow us to travel for free.
Lifekiy is a platform which does both.
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When I flew to London in 2007, I had a travel agent take care of my flights. I was bright eyed and naive with no travel experience at 18, and I paid around $3,000 AUD. That’s a lot of money for an economy class flight.
I had been warned about home sickness and culture shock, though the worse shock was arriving at the school and having my peers tell me I had paid far too much for those flights. And when you’re 18 and you’ve spent 12 months scraping together every possible penny from shifts at McDonalds after school, that realization comes as a pretty difficult blow.
Since then I vowed to never again get caught paying for ridiculously overpriced flights. And now that I know about Australian startup Flystein, (a team of flight hacking ninjas who find you a cheaper fare than the best you have found), I never will again!
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There is so much to see and do while traveling that it is often difficult to know how to spend your money, and between the cost of the flights, hotels, public transport, food, activities and souvenirs, it’s not difficult to completely deplete your bank account without even noticing!
Though don’t be discouraged because of the cost – traveling on the cheap is absolutely possible, and there are many different ways to cut down on your costs while abroad.
The following are some basic tips and tricks for traveling on the cheap, and stretching your money to get the most bang out of your buck.
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Whether it’s helping you with luggage or setting a dinner in front of you, it seems these days almost everyone is eligible for the acceptance of a tip. This seems to become even more evident when it comes to traveling, especially within the U.S.
Though it’s incredibly difficult for even the most avid of travelers to know when it is appropriate to tip, and how much, and foreigners traveling throughout the United States are looked upon as incredibly cheap for not opening their wallets to almost every-one they encounter.
So how does the culture of tipping apply to a valet? If staying in luxury accommodation in America and driving, it’s likely that at some stage, you’ll come into contact with a valet. And regardless of whether or not the hotel gives you the option to self park, if you hand over your keys, you’re expected to give them tip.
Utilize the following tips for a stress free experience, and to know how much is an appropriate tip.
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As the new year approaches, many will be sitting down and creating their list of resolutions for 2016. Those itching to see the world are likely to have “travel” somewhere on that list, but this probably appears after the resolution to become debt free.
But you don’t actually have to be debt free to travel! Everything we need in order see the world can be ours for cheaper than it ever has been before, and there are many people out there experiencing the world while still actively paying off their debt. I traveled for 5 years before I was debt free.
Traveling while still paying off debt is not only possible, but often very affordable. With some research, a little planning, and the below tips, you can manage to pay off your debt while exploring the world too!
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The world can be broken down into three different types of people. The first are those people who make things happen. These are the “go-getters” of the world. They know exactly what they want, have a very clear goal, and do everything in their power to make it happen. The second category of people are those who watch things happen. The third wonder ‘what the hell just happened?’
Danny Flood is one of those people who make things happen. A serial online entrepreneur who works from his laptop and travels the world at leisure, he discovered early on that huge lifelong dreams can be practical and achievable with the right plan.
His dream was to support himself without a boss and have the freedom to travel and go and do whatever he wanted. He poured his heart and soul into creating location-independent businesses to give himself the freedom he sought. And he succeeded. Over the last five years he has traveled and lived in over 30 countries, and done everything from exploring the world’s oldest rain forests, to fighting bouts as a boxer in Thailand, exploring the Amazon on a raft, island-hopping via sailboat across the South China Sea, and living in jungle camps in Borneo.
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When I flew home to spend Christmas in Australia last year I ended up having to travel with two bags. Knowing that we would be moving to Australia permanently 6 months down the track, we had originally thought this Christmas visit would be the perfect opportunity to ferry as much of our stuff home as possible, to lighten the cost of shipping associated with our future move.
Though as with all best laid plans, we ended up not having the room. Upon announcing a Christmas visit to Australia from the States, the shopping orders started flying in. My phone went crazy with notifications from what seemed like everyone I knew.
Lingerie from Victoria’s Secret. Perfume that they won’t ship internationally. Pandora charms exclusive to the States. If I had a dollar for every time I’ve been asked to pick something up while traveling, it probably could have paid for our entire move!
My second suitcase ended up being a dedicated “goods” bag for items we had picked up at other people’s request. We joked at the time that we should start charging a commission to shop for people overseas.
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Most people avoid traveling — not because they don’t want to see the world, but because they seem to think all travel must be expensive, and they fear they simply can’t afford it. So they take their trips close to home to cut down costs, and they miss out on some truly great cities around the world that are just waiting to be explored.
Of course there are some obvious areas where you can focus in order to save money while traveling, like hunting for cheap plane tickets and traveling in the off season, though some of the best money-saving tips may not be the ones you immediately think of when planning a trip.
Dublin is one of the most beautiful and culturally-rich cities in the world, and while it can be an expensive place to visit if you let it, there are a few ways you can cut some corners and save some cash.
Following these simple tips will have you exploring the best this Irish city has to offer with enough cash left over for a round of pints at the pub.
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Jen & Ted are a frugal-minded couple with a passion for travel. In 2012, their lives were consumed by one-track careers and a habit of making their condo resemble an IKEA showroom – until something triggered the desire to change.
In their two-week, once-a-year vacations, they kept meeting people who didn’t seem to have a lot of money, but were travelling much longer than they were. They were baffled – how were these travelers doing it? Well, they finally decided to drop their jobs, sell all of their possessions, and see for themselves. They quickly learnt that travel is cheaper than many think, and have been hooked ever since!
They created Thrifty Nomads to share cost cutting tips and inspire affordable travel. By offering practical advice and insights, they hope to encourage more people to explore this beautiful world. In their interview today they share about what life is like traveling as a couple, and the answer they’ve since found as to why travelers with less money can travel longer than you.
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All inclusive vacations have risen in popularity in recent years due to their convenience and affordability. Clearly people like to know what the total cost of their trip is going to be when they book, and with all meals, drinks and activities included in the price, you don’t have to worry about going over budget while you’re away. Is an all inclusive holiday cheaper than doing it yourself?
Though many travelers are horrified by the very thought. Vehemently against the words “all inclusive”, some even claim that you aren’t really a traveler if you stay in an all-inclusive resort where everything is done for you. But when it comes down to it, there is no right or wrong way to travel, and an all inclusive holiday could genuinely be for you.
So before you turn your nose up at the notion of booking an all-inclusive resort in Mexico or Jamaica or the Bahamas, here are the pros and cons of going on an all inclusive holiday, plus some tips you should seriously consider to decide if this is the right kind of holiday for you.
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Australia is often referred to as the lucky country, and blessed with an abundance of raw materials, natural wonders and sunshine, travelers flock here from all over the globe to witness the likes of the Sydney Opera House, Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef. Though none of these iconic attractions even come close to touching Australia’s top tourist attractions, and you’ll never guess where the majority of our tourists head.
The top three tourist attractions in Australia are casinos, apparently, and in a list of the world’s top 100 tourist attractions, Crown Casino Melbourne is Australia’s most popular destination, drawing up to 10.9 million visitors in a year.
Just behind Crown for tourists hitting up Aus is the Gold Coast’s Jupiters casino (10.6 million visitors) and the Star in Sydney (9 million). More iconic attractions like the Opera House, for instance, only attract around 8.2 million visitors annually by comparison.
The following are the best places to gamble in Australia – our best casino’s for your every gambling need!
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Despite the ridiculous number of resources that the Internet age has borne to help us travel cheaper, the overwhelming perception is that travel has to be expensive. But that is absolutely not the case. Resources to find affordable (and even free) travel options exist these days in droves, and there truly are no more excuses that money is an obstacle to experiencing the world.
Collecting credit card rewards points, for instance, will put you further towards finding free flights, and organizations like couch surfing, housesitting and homestays exist to cut your costs on accommodation to almost none! And sightseeing doesn’t have to be expensive either – there are options for entertainment throughout every city in the world which won’t bleed you dry.
The following are free activities to do while traveling through almost any country in the world – you don’t have to let cash dictate whether you enjoy your time abroad!
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If I were to tell you that you could travel the world for free, would you drop everything right now and go? Most would likely not believe me.
Despite the ridiculous number of resources that the Internet age has borne to help us travel cheaper, the overwhelming perception is that travel has to be expensive. But nothing could be farther from the truth. Resources to find affordable (and even free) travel options exist these days in droves. There truly are no more excuses that money is an obstacle to experiencing the world.
Everything we need in order see the world can be ours for cheaper than it ever has been before. With his unconventional and ruthlessly effective approaches to money, lifestyle design, and entrepreneurship, Andrew Walton reveals how it’s possible to travel longer, farther, and better, on any budget, even if you don’t have room for one at all.
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London is one of the most exciting cities in the world, though visitors generally worry that the city is an expensive destination to see. But don’t let people put you off with tales of how expensive London can be – should you choose your attractions wisely, there is an incredible amount to do throughout the city without spending any money.
Breathe in the fresh river air while walking along the Thames, wait to watch Tower Bridge open and close, enjoy galleries featuring some of history’s best art, and marvel in the architecture of palaces and parliament buildings from the outside.
The reality is that there are plenty of ways to enjoy London for free. Here are just 7 fabulous ideas to start with.
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This job made me realize that the world was much smaller and more accessible than I ever knew. Holland America took me all over the Caribbean, around both the Mediterranean and Baltic seas, to Egypt, Greenland, Russia, and everywhere in between! I even managed to travel on my own in between contracts, requesting extensions on flights that were already paid for by Holland America.
Eventually, despite the lure of new places and having made so many great friends, I knew I couldn’t keep doing this forever. Youth staff on a cruise ship was a young person’s job and I was ready to focus on starting a photography career. With this goal in mind, I decided to end my career in cruising, a task that is easier said than done. Ask any former crew member and they will agree!
It was once I stopped, of course, that an irresistible opportunity practically fell in my lap. It was another contract, though this one was different. It would last 6 months, taking me from South America to the Mediterranean, by way of Antarctica!
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We’re pretty much the poster children for packing everything bar the kitchen sink, and despite fervent vows that the next trip will be different, that we’ll learn to travel light, this never ends up being the case. In fact, we travel so light that we even travel with a microwave!! For cross country road-trips at least.
It was a during recent road-trip throughout the US that we realized a portable microwave could come in incredibly handy. With the amount of time we were spending in the country to explore, we figured the time and money having a microwave would save would prove to far outweigh it’s initial cost.
We hit up Walmart to invest $40 and haven’t looked back since. The following explains exactly why our microwave now rides shotgun on each of our epic trips.
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Everyday, millions of people share their travel reviews on a host of popular websites, and you’re probably one of them. This means your experience is helping thousands of other travelers find inspiration and make more confident choices, and you do all of this for free, meaning the online travel agencies and review platforms are making a healthy profit from your knowledge and insight. But all this is about to change.
A new hotel booking site which pays you for reviews, Yonderbound is starting a revolution in travel – the first platform which lets you earn money online by sharing your travel insights whether you’re a travel professional, a travel blogger, or you just enjoy sharing your own experiences.
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Stuck for gift ideas for the world traveler in your family? Well, you’re in luck, because travelers are not difficult people to buy for!
In the lead up to Christmas, we have compiled a list of great gift ideas for world travelers, and also highlighted whether each item falls into the “want it” or “got it” category, so you know which items are based on personal recommendation.
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One of the largest concerns when traveling is how to keep your money safe abroad, and this is especially true for female travelers who generally carry more than can fit into a bulky purse.
While guys fit everything they need into a wallet in the pocket of their jeans, we also carry makeup, perfume, our cameras, cell phone, ID, credit cards, cash, chapstick, keys, tickets, a tampon or two, and some girls even throw in a small dog for good measure!
But carrying a bulky purse is not only painting you as a target for pickpockets, it’s annoying to filter through, and also annoying to carry. But don’t worry – I’m about to teach you a magic word: SHOLDIT.
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It’s a traveler’s worst nightmare – being stuck abroad without access to your hard earned funds. And whether the airline lost your bags, the machine ate your card, or someone stole your cash, you really don’t want to have to throw yourself at the mercy of strangers to find a place to sleep, or break into an international bank!
It’s always good to have a Plan B and prepare for the worst case scenarios before you leave home, though if you can keep your money safe while abroad to start with, your trip will undoubtedly go much smoother for you.
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We’ve already established that you can make money while traveling the world by starting a blog, but what if running a blog isn’t your thing? Are you instead a kickass teacher? What about a born salesperson? Do you have experience working in a resort? Or do you dream of appearing on the big screen?
As luck would have it, there literally thousands of opportunities to consider which will allow you to make money while continuing to travel the world. You don’t have to be a blogger to do it!
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Traveling abroad and seeing the world are items you can find on most people’s bucket lists, but so many people have a hard time crossing it off.
“I can’t get the time off work”;
“I have to wait until my kids are a little older”; and, the main reason:
“I just don’t have the money.”
To start, our first tip is that if you really have the urge to travel, make it happen. Get a financial planner, live extremely minimally in order to save maximally. Whatever you have to do, get determined to make it happen.
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10 Sacrifices Made To Travel The World No matter what your dream, making it happen will always take sacrifice. Saving money takes sacrifice. Traveling the world takes sacrifice. Everyone is blogging about the benefits of travel, and while there many, there are also many sacrifices which come with the choice to pursue this lifestyle. Some of these are fairly...
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Make Money While Traveling The World. Start A Blog. I recently asked a room full of ordinary Americans “what kind of people get to travel?” The response from an overwhelming majority was “rich people”. Another popular response was “lucky people”. I don’t consider myself to be rich by any means, and I like to think that I...
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How to Make Adventure Travel Your Lifestyle In October 2013 the Wellfit Institute partnered with Lululemon Athletica and Origin Outside to bring adventure speakers to Naples, Florida. The speakers involved with this continuing series are from many lands and many cultures, however speak one language: adventure! I was invited to give the keynote presentation at the...
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