Affording the Next Adventure

I’ve embarked on my next great adventure.

3 weeks of cruising around Alaska with Jeremy under the “spouse on board” privilege.

4 weeks in Thailand.

When I’ve told people my plans, the first reaction is genuine excitement. Behind the smile I can see a question percolating. Inner dialogue running, “Is it appropriate to ask? Am I crossing a line? But I really want to know….”

Usually the words pop out, “How can you afford to take so much time off?”

First things first, I’ve said “no way man!” to the 9am-5pm standard and have fully embraced the gig economy. I freelance in the New York City events and entertainment scene doing everything from registration at big conferences to dancing at bar/bat mitzvahs. For a deeper look at my freelance life click HERE. I decide what jobs I take and I control my own schedule. Meaning that I can take 7 weeks off without burning bridges and without asking anyone for permission.

I’m always open to a conversation about money, finances, and budgeting. Let’s dive into how I’m affording my next adventure.

Part 1: Trip Expenses

In regards to the 3 weeks in Alaska, I get to sail with Jeremy for free. But “free” comes at a cost—being apart for nearly 3 months. Flights and activities in port cost money. Jeremy picked up the tab on the flight, and the 3 weeks shouldn’t exceed $400.

In regards to the 4 weeks in Thailand, a conservative budget is $50 a day, which comes to $1,500 total. (I’m hoping to keep it closer to $40, which is $1,200 total.) My flight there was $750, and I’m hoping to use my miles to get the flight home. Although given high fuel prices, it’s not looking promising and the return flight might blow the budget. We’re talking $1,100. Not all travel planning goes perfectly, and I certainly did not plan my flights in the most cost efficient way.

7 Week Trip Total Goal: $2,350

7 Week Trip Total at Max Budget Including Flight Home: $4,000

Part 2: Base Monthly Expenses

“It’s not about how much you earn, it’s about how much you spend” is a mantra that has helped me achieve financial stability and live beyond paycheck to paycheck, and it’s a key component of saving for the next adventure.

If your base-level, non-negotiable monthly expenses are high, it’s going to be financially challenging to break even, let alone take off for 7 weeks.

Netflix, Spotify, health insurance, gaming apps, and loan payments are just some monthly expenses you might have. Tack on a mortgage/rent and maybe car payments. Perhaps you’re “paying later” for that buy now pay later dress. Credit card debt? Add in those interest payments. Before you know it, you’re paying $1,000s in need-to-pay monthly expenses.

Currently, my monthly expenses are $165/month

But how?!

My name isn’t on a lease, I don’t have any loans, I never take on credit debt, and I never buy something I can’t afford. I don’t subscribe to 4 different streaming services and I am fully aware that “just an extra $10 a month!” adds up if you say it 5 times.

Sometimes I’d love to have a home instead of a storage locker and I’d like to change my wardrobe to match the latest trends. But the financial freedom to get up and leave matters more to me.

Low monthly expenses are the most critical part of my work to travel lifestyle.

Part 3: Online Work

I have a handy dandy online job doing SEO headline and meta description writing that I’m able to do from anywhere in the world. It’s how I was able to live in Australia for 13 months and it helped me afford our recent 2 ½ month trip through Mexico.

It’s not necessarily what I call “fun”, but I usually average $25-$30/hr pre-tax.

Part 4: I worked, worked, worked, and saved, saved, saved

With my budget and online job, I could just about break even. But let’s be real, I’m not going to spend 3 hours a day working. Plus, it’s always wise to have a cash cushion not only in travel, but in life. And if you know me, you know I’m never one to watch my bank account drain.

I spent the past 3 months in NYC working, and I saved $9K. A number I’m proud of, and plenty to cover my expenses.

How did I save so much? I worked smarter, not harder. I focused on booking gigs that paid more per hour and ones that I actually enjoyed. I became the ultimate mitzvah queen and am proud to say that I was able to pay rent via The Frugal Foodies. I worked hard, and I was smart about my spending. For a more in-depth look on how I leverage the gig economy, check out my series on gigs HERE.

Max Budget Total:

Max Trip Expenses + Costs of Living: $4,289

Goal Income: $1,400 Total

Total Cost: $2,889

Goal Budget Total:

Min Trip Expenses + Costs of Living: $2,638

Goal Income: $1,400 Total

Total Cost: $1,238

Affording travel and creating a lifestyle conducive to taking big chunks of time off takes dedication, planning, and plenty of sacrifices.

But it’s totally doable. And for me, it’s totally worth it.

Will I hit somewhere between my goal budget and max budget? Stay tuned…