6 Ways to Travel More with a Full-time Job
Peyto Lake, Canada. 2019
Traveling may seem impossible when you have a 9-5 job. I hear people say, “I don’t have time to go on a trip. I have a job,” “I can’t afford it. Tickets are expensive,” or “I don’t have the luxury to get up and just go. I have responsibilities.” I’ve said these exact things to myself, but I was able to conquer them by making travel a priority in my life. I’ve learned to budget my vacation time in the same way I budget my finances.
I’m not going to sugarcoat it and say it’s easy. It’s not – but it is very much possible! Most people can’t quit their day job and become a full-time nomad. For some, we actually like what we do and want to have a successful career in our field. I work 8-10 hours a day and have limited time off per year. I still managed to visit Italy, Ireland, London, Peru, Spain, Philippines, Canada, and countless cities and national parks throughout the United States. How?
Here are 6 ways to travel more with a full-time job. These tips will ensure that you are getting the most out of your limited vacation days as you slowly (but surely) explore the world.
Austin, Texas. 2019
1. Be strategic with your weekends and vacation days
Find a 12-month calendar and start looking for holidays your employer observes. Book your trip around those holidays to get 3 to 5-day vacation. Most people are off on Memorial Day and Labor Day in the U.S. If those days happen to fall into a Monday or a Friday, extend your weekends! If you take Friday or Tuesday off, that will give you a 4-day vacation!
Below are the most common paid holidays in the US:
New Year's Day
Memorial Day
Easter
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
Camiguin Island, Philippines. 2015
2. Save more money by starting a travel fund
This tip is pretty obvious, but it could be difficult for some to accomplish. Let me simplify into three steps so that you can go on more adventures.
Start a vacation fund or another savings account. Label it “Travel Fund” or the name of your dream destination: “Swiss(zerland) Cheese” or “Bali Monay.”
Transfer money to your account as soon as your paychecks arrive.
Think of your travel fund as another expense you have to take care of every month. Make it a non-negotiable task!
Whenever I get paid, I’d transfer funds to my savings account immediately – no questions asked. Plus, whenever I see the name of the place I want to visit, I often get excited and add more money! It’s all about disciplining yourself and determining how bad you want to see the world.
3. Take shorter trips
Weekend trips can be just as refreshing as a 2-week vacation. Plus, they are much easier to plan. By taking shorter trips, you’ll introduce yourself to new and more experiences. It’s also easier to manage when you have a full-time job. People who are workaholics often feel anxious about being away from work while they’re on a long 2-week trip – which totally defeats the purpose of going on vacation, by the way. It takes at least a day for me to get into vacation mode. Did I delegate my day-to-day tasks? Who’s going to check in with my clients? OMG, did I turn on my out-of-office email? You’re supposed to unplug and relax. But if you’re a workaholic like me, consider taking shorter trips to avoid feeling stress.
Florida. 2018
4. Go on solo trips
Don’t wait for your family and friends to travel with you. Go on a solo trip! Everyone has different schedules, priorities, and responsibilities, especially when you work full-time. It’s difficult to get a whole group together for a trip. I don’t know how many times I’ve asked my friends to travel with me. Only a few made it to the airport and only 3 managed to go on international trips with me.
Cusco, Peru. 2017
Solo trips are simply the best if you want to travel more. Traveling alone will teach you so much about yourself. Personally, traveling solo changed my perspective and taught me how to be happy in my own company again. Not only will it boost your confidence, but it will make you more independent and resourceful.
Las Vegas, Nevada. 2019
5. Make some lifestyle changes
There are several lifestyle changes you can make to fit in more trips. Take a moment to write down all the places you want to visit. Now, write down all the things you would give up – that are costing you time and money – to see those places. This list will be different for everyone! If you couldn’t live without a gym membership or video steaming apps, then don’t give them up. I merely ask you to cut down your phantom expenses and stop doing things you don’t love, so you can work on your exotic bucket list.
Honestly, I couldn’t completely eliminate sushi days with my family and friends if you begged me to. Sorry, not sorry! If you simply can’t remove certain expenses, then find a way to cut back.
Here are the lifestyle changes I made to travel and save more:
Don’t go to the movies unless it’s a new Harry Potter or Marvel movie.
Don’t go to every happy hour with co-workers.
Learn how to say “no” to events.
Go on day trips more often.
No more manicures and pedicures – only on special occasions.
Unsubscribe from magazines.
Drink at home before going out to avoid spending money.
Only get lash extensions on special occasions (birthdays, weddings, vacations, etc.).
Get rid of cable.
Only get my hair done twice a year! Hair services can cost up to $400. That money can be going toward a round-trip ticket to the tropics, honey!
Make coffee at home. Specialty coffee can cost up to $7. If you’re addicted to caffeine, you might want to invest in an espresso machine. I did!
Valley of Fire, Nevada. 2019
6. Stay close to home
Sometimes the best travel memories are made close to home. You don’t need to travel far to immerse yourself in different cultures and environments. Find cities nearby that you’ve never been to. Plan a quick trip to a national park, visit new restaurants that are insta-worthy, experience new attractions in your city or hike the highest mountain nearby. The best part? You don’t need to take extra time off from work!
It’s time to get the idea that you need to quit your job to travel out of your mind or that you don’t have enough time. If travel is that important to you, prioritize it. There are countless people who work full-time and manage to explore the world. Why not you?