You have the rest of your life to work 40-hour weeks at a “grown-up” job.
Before racing into the world of 9-to-5 workdays, consider taking advantage of your transitory freedom and lack of commitments to travel after graduation. As most professions limit vacation time to a couple of weeks, you may not have the opportunity to travel for an extended period again for the next 40 or 50 years.
[See: 12 Frugal Ways to Save on Vacation.]
How to travel when you’re broke. If you’re game to strap on your backpack and roam the world, but hesitant because of the costs, you’ll be happy to learn that postgraduate travel can be cheap. Today’s competitive travel landscape means cheaper accommodations, airfare and food, and there are plenty of tips and tricks that can save you thousands of dollars on the road, in the sea or skies. Here are some insider travel hacks for recent grads.
Work or volunteer. It’s a big world, and lucrative opportunities abound for broke travelers bold enough to seek them. Popular work-abroad options include:
— Cultural exchanges. Check out sites, such as Workaway.info, where you can browse volunteer jobs around the world. These gigs typically provide you with free room and board in exchange for a few hours of work each week.
— WWOOF. World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, or WWOOF, is another popular platform that links you with organic farms, where you can work in exchange for room and board.
— English teaching. If you have interest or experience in education, consider getting certified to teach English as a foreign language and teaching abroad. Asian countries, including Vietnam, Thailand and China, tend to offer a lot of six-month and yearlong opportunities for English teachers.
— House-sitting or pet-sitting. Sites such as Trustedhousesitters.com and HouseCarers.com will hook you up with opportunities to watch over homes and pets in exchange for free accommodation.
— Freelancing. If you have skills in areas such as web development, writing or graphic design, you can find freelance opportunities that allow you to work remotely from anywhere in the world.
Bunk up in hostels. Depending on where you travel, you may be able to bunk up in a comfy bed in a hostel dorm for less than $15 per night. Browse sites such as HostelWorld.com to check on pricing and reviews of hostels in your area.
[See: How to Live on $13,000 a Year.]
Take advantage of Airbnb. Not only can you use Airbnb to hunt down affordable accommodation, you may be able to use the platform to fund your travels. If you have an apartment, you can list it on Airbnb to land paying houseguests while you’re abroad.
Explore cheap transit options. Uber and other ride-hailing apps are available around the globe, so you can skip pricier options such as renting a car or hailing a cab. Better yet, learn how to use local public transportation, and you can get around for mere cents in many countries. All it takes is some daring and Google Maps, a good guidebook or a friendly local.
Choose the right credit card. If you’ve got the credit score, there are plenty of travel rewards credit cards that allow you to earn points that can pay for flights, hotels and more. Popular options include Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card for travelers seeking free flights and other travel perks. Just do your research to make sure the card will suit your budget and determine whether you are likely to qualify.
[See: 15 Financial Steps to Take Your First Year After Graduation.]
Where to travel when you’re broke. The world is a treasure trove of budget-friendly destinations with amazing sites to see, food to taste and adventures to experience. Below are seven awesome and affordable destinations, including average travel costs based on May 2017 data from Numbeo.com and Hostelworld.com.
Thailand. With sandy beaches, lush mountains and vibrant cuisine Thailand has been a mecca for adventurers for generations. Average costs include:
— Dorm bed at a hostel: $3 to $6
— Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $1.73
— Domestic beer: $1.73
— One-way ticket on public transportation: $1.01
Colombia. Colombia is a favorite among backpackers with its towering Andean mountains, pristine coastline, deep jungles and friendly locals. Average costs include:
— Dorm bed at a hostel: $6.15 to $8.54
— Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $3.37
— Domestic beer: 84 cents
— One-way ticket on public transportation: 67 cents
Morocco. This North African country is diverse and vibrant, with soaring Atlas Mountains, vast deserts and ancient cities. Average costs include:
— Basic double room (shared bathroom): $5 and up
— Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $3.02
— Domestic beer: $2.52
— One-way ticket on public transportation: 50 cents
The Philippines. With more than 700 islands, formidable volcanoes and frenetic cities, the Philippines is an adventure-seeker’s fantasy. Average costs include:
— Dorm bed at a hostel: $8 to $16.06
— Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $2.90
— Domestic beer: 94 cents
— One-way ticket on public transportation: 16 cents
Nicaragua. It’s less touristy than its neighbor Cost Rica, but Nicaragua wins over travelers with surfer-friendly shores, untamed forests and graceful Colonial architecture. Average costs include:
— Dorm bed at a hostel: $5 to $15
— Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $2.50 to $5.54
— Domestic beer: $1
— One-way ticket on public transportation: 35 cents
Albania. Though the country remains largely under the radar of most tourists, Albania’s splendid beaches, rippling mountains and dirt-cheap prices make it both an enchanting and affordable travel destination. Average costs include:
— Night at a hostel: $16.39 to $21.85
— Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $3.37
— Domestic beer: 84 cents
— One-way ticket on public transportation: 67 cents
India. It would take several lifetimes to explore India’s breathtaking and diverse landscapes, to sample all its intense flavors and understand its teeming cities. Better start now. Average costs include:
— Dorm bed at a hostel: $16.29 to $21.72
— Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $2.32
— Domestic beer: $1.55
— One-way ticket on public transportation: 25 cents
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The Ultimate Frugal Guide to Traveling the World After College Graduation originally appeared on usnews.com
