Listen, I was tired of the “one day I’ll travel” excuses. I was sick of adding destinations to my Pinterest board with no real plan. So, I did what needed to be done—I booked my first flight and let the rest fall into place. Six months later, I had touched down in five different countries without going broke, selling my soul, or living off ramen noodles. If you’ve been dreaming of traveling but think it’s too expensive, this is your sign to stop playing and make it happen.
Here’s exactly how I made it work without a rich husband, a trust fund, or hitting the lottery.
Let’s Talk Budget—Because Broke Ain’t Cute
The number one question I get is, “How did you afford it?” Simple: I treated my travel dreams like they were just as important as rent and bills. I didn’t wait for “extra money” to appear out of nowhere—I made it a priority.
- I created a travel fund. I set up a separate savings account and put money in it before I could spend it on things I didn’t need (goodbye, random Amazon orders).
- I cut unnecessary spending. No, I didn’t stop having fun, but I did get real about where my money was going. I swapped brunch every weekend for cooking at home, ditched name-brand everything, and started using travel reward credit cards to stack points.
- I took side hustles seriously. Whether it was selling digital products, running my online business, or freelancing, I found ways to make extra cash without overworking myself.
Flights for the Low? Say Less
Flights can make or break your travel budget, but I never pay full price. Here’s how I kept my flights cheap:
- Google Flights & Skyscanner like my life depended on it. Set up price alerts, be flexible with dates, and always check flights in incognito mode (yes, airlines are watching you).
- I took advantage of layovers. Instead of complaining about long connections, I turned them into mini trips. A 12-hour stop in Dubai? Yes, please.
- I booked at the right time. Flights are usually cheapest midweek, especially on Tuesdays. Buying months in advance also helped me lock in low fares.
Where I Stayed Without Going Broke
Hotels are cute, but Airbnbs, hostels, and guesthouses had my back. And no, I wasn’t out here in a sketchy dorm with 10 strangers —I found budget-friendly stays that were safe, clean, and comfortable.
I Didn’t Just Sightsee, I Experienced Every Country
I wasn’t just hopping from one tourist attraction to another—I made sure to actually experience each place.
Now, for the fun part—the five countries I visited:
- Thailand – Stunning beaches, amazing street food, and super affordable everything.
- Portugal – Lisbon’s vibe is unmatched, and the cost of living is surprisingly low.
- Colombia – Cartagena’s colorful streets and Caribbean beaches? Yes, please.
- Morocco – Markets, desert adventures, and breathtaking architecture.
- Greece – Santorini was a dream, and Athens was a history lover’s paradise.
Each place gave me something different, and I enjoyed every moment. If you’re waiting for the “perfect time” to travel, stop waiting. You don’t need to be rich, you just need a plan. Traveling changed my life, and if it’s on your heart to do the same, go for it. The world is too big and beautiful to stay in one place forever.
Want to learn how to make money online so YOU can travel too?
I teach aspiring content creators and business owners how to build profitable online businesses that fund their dream lifestyle—without clocking in at a job they hate. Check out some of my ebooks and blog posts here!