Justin is a solo traveller who started his nomad journey with only $400. Anywhere he went he found jobs from bar tending, dive shops, restaurants and hotels. Now he spends his days travel blogging to make an income and spending anywhere from $200 - $2000. Come read!
How much money was in your pocket/wallet/bank account when you started on your travel adventure? And how did you decide that was enough to get started?
USD$400.
It wasn't enough, but I didn't care. I was in Southern Africa on a Uni trip on a scholarship. But I fell in love with traveling during the 5 week trip and knew I couldn't go back. I only had $400 to my name, but I didn't care. I missed my flight home and decided to figure it out along the way.
What methods do you currently use to make money while you travel (in order of most value)?
Now the only work I do is on my blog. It finally started to make enough money to sustain my travels. But at the beginning of my travels it was much different. I learned to do what ever was necessary. I I knew I would rather do crappy jobs then return home to a boring life. I found jobs everywhere I went like bar tending, dive shops, restaurants and mostly at hostels. Hostels will always hire travelers without work visas. I had no special skills, so would do anything just to keep on the road.
As you've travelled the world and met other travellers, what is the most unusual way you've heard of other people creating an income on the road?
My friend in Prague use to pose nude at a art school. they would let him read a book but he had to sit still for hours while the students drew or painted him. He actually made more money than at his regular hostel job. He got a date there once too.
How much do you spend (on average) each month?
Flights/transport: Not much on flights a month, I usually go overland mostly. But I'd say a few thousand dollars a year. Other transport, a couple hundred a month when I'm on the move
Accommodation/utilities: Less than $200. If its more, like in an expensive country, I'll find ways to work for accommodation or something. But right now I have a big studio in Dahab, Egypt I pay $120 a month for.
Food: Probably $5 or $6 a day. I'm not a picky eater and can go with the cheap stuff.
Tours & Entertainment: Diving is the big killer. It's like an expensive addiction. I can spend up to $500 a month on it. But for this reason I took a lot of course to get to divemaster, so that I can work as a diver when I want to do a lot of diving in an area, instead of pay for it
Miscellaneous: Probably $100 or less a month
Mobile/Communication: Until Egypt i never had a phone. But now I pay about $20 a month for it and internet
Total outgoing expenses: It's really hard to say. I'm pretty bad at budgeting. When I have it I spend it, When I don't I don't. I've gotten by on as little as $200 a month, or splurged with max $2000 a month. Every country is different in how much I have to spend.
What have been the ways that you've saved the most amount of money?
Well it depends on how little money I have at the moment, because no matter how little it is, I'm not going to stop traveling. I've hitchhiked and Couchsurfed when I had to, and its a good idea to take over night transport when possible, to save on a nights accommodation. When you're addicted to travel you find all kinds of ways to save a dime.
What's things have been the biggest waste of money for you?
Things you really can't get out of. Like visas. I hate paying for expensive visas. The other thing would be flights. I go overland as much as humanly possible, but flights are a necessary evil expense sometimes.
What is the best money generation/management tip that you read/heard that impacted your life?
Obviously the best tip for saving money would be to realize you really don't need so much. When you figure out that you can live on much less. After that you just naturally spend less.
Reader Comments...
"I respond to every comment by direct private email. I look forward to your feedback" - Josh BenderThis is so true. When I was in my early 20's I went on a working holiday around Australia for a few years, I took whatever jobs I could find but always had work within a couple of days after arriving in the next place.
Cool guy! A real inspiration to others, for sure.
I've never heard of anyone poising nude to make money to travel, hat off to your friend though, he really got creative in order to make money and fulfill his dream of travelling :)
Thanks Erin for the feature! See you on the road somewhere
Another person living the dream. Keep up the good work!
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