*I’m often asked how I can afford travel and in a 3 part series, I’ll try to cover this in three key points. However, those that travel know that there is no big secret to being able to travel for months at a time. You just have to get up and do it. So the list begins with:
1. Focus on doing, not on owning
2.
3.
The other day one of my friend’s apartment was broken into. These crooks (this word is funny to me, but I guess not here) ransacked his place and took his brand spanking new Macbook, his old laptop, sneakers, watches, his car keys and even his cologne. (Seriously, who steals cologne?) It quickly remind me that things are really unimportant (regardless of what you see when you turn on the TV). And they can be gone in an instant.
Since I returned from Brazil the first time, I’ve been focused on getting rid of the stuff that I don’t need. Living in the United States, there is constant pressure to buy and then buy some more. It’s part of a vicious (to me anyway) cycle. People work so that they can buy things and then have to keep working so that they can pay off the things that they’ve bought and then they buy more things to reward themselves for working so hard. (Read that a few times).
It’s hard to turn off the noise, trust me, I know. There is always some new must have gadget coming out or BMW is adding more tires to their cars or there are new condos popping up for sale. But for me, I would rather be able to travel to places that I don’t need a Blackberry than pay $350 for a cell phone and then $100 for the monthly bill. I would rather go somewhere that I don’t have time to watch TV because I’m on the beach than pay $100 for a monthly cable bill. I would rather go somewhere that I can discover by walking than pay $350 for a car note, $100 for car insurance, and $100 for gas…monthly.
I’ve changed my focus and my lifestyle. I no longer want to own things, I want to experience places. When you get rid of the things that you don’t really need, you’ll be amazed by how much money this frees up and the time that you now have to chase something else. You might even realize that you can do something crazy like quit your job and…oh…i don’t know…follow your dreams?
Now, I’m not saying that there is anything wrong with wanting and acquiring nice things. Just know that you choose those things the same way you could choose to travel. Everyone makes their own choices and find ways to afford the things they want. I want to travel so I choose to do things differently.
What things are you hanging onto that you don’t need? Are you willing to give some of them up to spend months in a new location?
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How To Make Room for Travel Pt.1: Focus on Doing Not on Owning | web insurance travel | Cheap | Health | Medical
2 years ago
[...] original post here: How To Make Room for Travel Pt.1: Focus on Doing Not on Owning web insurance travel Related PostAugust 26, 2009 — It’s been awhile! (0)August 26, 2009 — [...]
Rhona
2 years ago
Once again, excellent post. It is like you and I are on the same wave length. I just created a post today at work that I will publish tonight on my blog about the same thing…sort of. you will see it tonight if you read my blog.
I so agree with you. This whole philosophy of keeping our eye on the traveling prize can really apply to anythihg in life but for world exploration, an absolute must. I was just reading a post from FlyBrother the other day and he said something almost the same.
I am getting to the point where accumulating things right now will do nothing for me. My goal is to move to Germany and travel as much as I can there and around Europe and then the world and acquiring things, things, things will only hamper my cause.
I am going through a whole purge thing at my place also and I just keep my ultimate goal in the back of my mind as I contemplate donating something that I haven’t looked at for the last 6 months.
things…who needs them. I would rather save my $ to travel.
Also, I laughed at your ‘crooks’ word. My family is of West Indian background and that is something my parents say ALL the time. I had a nice chuckle.
I am looking forward to parts 2 and 3.
Rhona´s last blog ..Shaking my head
shannon
2 years ago
I’m realizing that I need less and less and it really does feel good. I was able to pack up my apartment in about 6 boxes and now I’m convinced that I can travel anywhere with just a duffle bag.
And my family is West Indian too! Where is yours from? I’m headed to check out your post….now.
Rahsaan
2 years ago
Well…it was my apartment. Let’s call the whole experience “eye-opening.” I don’t need nearly all what I have and being able to recognize that much was a big step. Sure, I like nice things…I am happy I caught one of the bandits and retrieved, read:hawked down and got back, some of my things. Since then, I have really been keeping note of things I have and don’t need, and things I buy with money I could use elsewhere. This forced “purging” has not been all bad, VERY inconvenient, but a growing experience nonetheless.
Shannon, as we know, the best things in life are not things.
shannon
2 years ago
Random thought: Did you move already?
We just live in a society where it’s weird to not spend a lot of money. And I’m really over that.
Rhona
2 years ago
Shannon, too funny that your family is from the West Indies also.
My parents are from Grenada. Where is your family from?
Rhona´s last blog ..In the meantime
shannon
2 years ago
My family is from Jamaica. Grenada is another place that I will visit one day.
Life’s too short to be long « Caldeia's World
2 years ago
[...] with my portuguese. We spoke many times about life and what it’s all about really, because earning lots of cash and getting things isn’t really it. I spoke alot about my great wish to return to Portugal and live my life in Lisbon and Marcio’s [...]
Caldeia
2 years ago
Excellent post as always!
I have been asked this question many times as well and my only answer is prioritizing stuff. I’d much rather travel than spend money going out every single weekend (it’s rather expensive here), I don’t smoke, I don’t do drugs, the only costly thing I have is my car and I try to bike as much as I can.
With all these lowfair flights and great things as Couschurfing or cheap hostels you can travel anywhere at anytime with low cost. One thing I like to spend money on when travelling is adventures and food =) However I also tend to buy some clothes, just because I think it’s more fun abroad. My wardrobe is my holy place of souvenirs lol. When I dress each morning I always get a smile as each garment has it’s own story. Wow did I not keep track here! =)
There are always ways of getting what you want as long as you want it! =)
shannon
2 years ago
I also tend to be big on clothes and accessories souvenirs
In Brazil, it was all about the shoes. It’s so much cheaper to buy great shoes there than it is here. The hard part is deciding which ones to get!
Teems
2 years ago
This is the realest and my most favorite post by far. So true. An eye opener for me.
shannon
2 years ago
Thanks Teems!
Caldeia
2 years ago
Lucky you to get shoes!! I found soooo many nice ones but I’m a viking and couldn’t really find a fit… But I at least got some pairs of great Havainas =)
Caldeia´s last blog ..Life’s too short to be long
shannon
2 years ago
Havianas are the greatest things ever! That was my first Brazil “shoe” experience. After that, I realized that they are really onto something.
Rahsaan
1 year ago
wow…this was over a year ago and I am still purging. I realized that the purging process is much easier now that I have moved back closer to my family. Several members of my family are hoarders and in my great desire to avoid replicating that trait, I purge weekly…I give a lot of stuff to charity and if I can not remember the last time I’ve used something or the exact purpose I have for something I possess…away it goes. It even helped save me some money this christmas because I am a fan of re-gifting. Sometimes people give me gifts that are really great…for someone else. So, why not actually give it to someone else instead of taking room and not using it.
I am actually looking around for stuff to get rid of as I type this. And, i’ve found some more stuff that has to go.