$$$$ How to fund your trip $$$

Just imagine… relaxing on a golden beach in Thailand… trekking through a teeming jungle in Peru…. swimming up close and personal with the creatures of the Great Barrier Reef… roaming the electric streets of Tokyo at 3am in a sake-fuelled haze… ah, the possibilities!
But as the real world seeps back in - a crappy nine-to-five desk-job, perhaps? - your dream can feel distant cant it? perhaps even unattainable. i'll help you overcome these obstacles
I've been asked these questions many times , "
"Won’t it be expensive?""How much will I need?""How will I ever save the money?"

Now most people ive met want to travel with a reasonble level of comfort and security .
Not all the creature comforts of home neccesairlly...... backpacking doesn't mean going hungry, sleeping on the floor of a vacant building , which i have done once or twice when the sign has read NO VANCANCY at certain times and places . I dont recommend this !!
But its simplytravelling the oppisite end of the price range scale budget , to say staying at a 5 star resort , which are all the same anywhere ive gone in the world so far .

A THOUGHTS TO CONSIDER WHEN BACKPACKING :

Some countries are cheap to travel in eg: south american countries, brazil ,peru etc
south east asia , india , thailand, indonesia ,comfortable accomodation and food and drink might only cost you $20 us a day for everything from using the local buses, using a internet cafe
having a couple of coffees , and seeing a move , orrr those were the good old days
Well the good old days still exsist in som countries. believe it or not?

Some countries are expensive to travel in eg: england, norway, sweden, switzerland, japan etc...
Where a cup of coffee at starbucks in zurich might get you 2 or 3 nights accomodation in veitnam

So choose to suit your budget ,



Many countries have completly differnt customs to other countries , acceptable ways of dressing where you come from might be really offensive in a muslim country, There are laws you must follow , you can learn these simply by googling them on the internet ,
remember a practical joke you play on someone in your country might be illegal in another county, dont take souvenier placemats from bars in thailand , they dont see the humour in theift . Dont argue with police anywhere especially in cambodia ,
Police in poorer countries are on low income , this can lead to corruption and backpackers are easy targets


Be flexible with your travell arrangments
This can save you money compared to travelling at peak times and seasons

Ask yourself when travelling ,"What option i choose will give me the best memories"

The cheapist isnt necessairilly the best for you , it might have hidden costs .
Like a cheap hostel that has bedbugs that bite you might lead to you paying for expensive medication to resolve the problem .
If the people where you are dont speak your language learn some of theirs at least hello, thank u.

Quality experiences are what your after and the desicions that you make will either be positive or negative towards your experiences

If your a shy person its a great way to break free from your shyness , learn to say hello and smile when your in the kitchen cooking food with other people , it could lead a life long friend ship
or maybe just a night with someone cute , oh the memories, not that i do that of course

Read up on the country or countries youll be visiting before you arrive . The internet baby!!
( education and knowledge lead to greater experinces) in my opinion
And you can have a good idea on cheaper option to take on accomodation ,travel, food etc....

But i can hear you sayin : BUT CRAIG HOW DO I GET THE MONEY TO DO ALL THIS???

Well first youre going to want to improve your income so drug dealing and prostitution are out of the question? ,, . Just joking , if you have a fulltime job already and have the option of overtime .WORK OVERTIME!!

Or if you study fulltime get a good partime job , or look for a trip otion that might sponser your travel like OXFAM

WORKING HOLIDAYS! they are brilliant ways of getting you on the plane fast, not having to save too much money first , and get a job in the country your travelling to.
You could be a wwoofer( willing worker on an organic farm )

Travelling with somone else can lead to alot of ticket twin share , and accomodation expenses can
be halfed in some instances

Teaching english in a foriegn country - Great way to immerse yourself in a culture

Couch surfing for accomodation - Join this easily . this is a network of people around the world who will put you up for a night or two on their couch or other . Interested go to www.couchsurfing.org/

Craig M