This is a light read and just personal thoughts. But here is the thing about travel… you either have the time for it or you have the money for it and there is rarely a time when you feel confident you have both. Many times you have neither.
I learned a lot about my need for travel in 2022, made it my mission to bring balance back to 2023 and hope you can take the insight into 2024.
The Thing about Travel in 2022
In 2022, my husband and I moved to a new town, leaving our jobs behind. I picked up a PRN job and my husband went back to school. At this point, working “as needed,” I had AMPLE amounts of time. There were weeks when I had no work at all. The urge to take off on a month-long trip to Italy while I wasn’t tied down was REAL.
However, the flexible and unpredictable job meant unpredictable income as well. And, at the same time, we also renovated a home and started a (nothing to do with travel) business with said part-time jobs. Money was tight to put it lightly.
Toward the end of 2022, our business was up and running. So I was back to having a salary, but, as it goes, I was then tied down to a new business and a place where I HAD to be at work.
2022 was the year I traveled the least since I graduated in 2017. I had gotten used to taking about two international trips per year and suddenly I wasn’t able to take time off from work. It wasn’t a good feeling.
I know: cry me a river. But if there is one thing about me, I need to see new places to feel fulfilled. Even if they are cheap and short trips.
What I learned in 2023
My “word of the year” for 2023 was balance. I was determined to find a way to keep the business going and return to international travel. Granted, I wasn’t making the money I had been in 2021 and I had to be more strategic with getting time away from work. But I was determined both could be done.
I actually went on more than my typical amount of trips in 2023 (probably subconsciously trying to make up for 2022 🙃) But as I’ve looked back on my budget for 2023, I DEFINITELY exceeded what I should have spent on traveling.
However, although I have really spent more than I should have and wracked up some fly miles with the amount of money I’ve put on the credit card (😅), I don’t regret taking any of the trips or spending money on travels.
That’s the other thing about travel: it does take money, but rarely do I hear people regret spending money on traveling (when its reasonable spending of course).
Oh, I also learned in 2023, that it is SO FUN to travel and experience a new destination with someone who hasn’t had a lot of travel experience (especially internationally). THANK YOU FOR GOING TO GREECE WITH ME MOM! 🥰
What to Take into 2024
Unless you are a high-grossing, full time traveller of some sort, you will likely not have ample amounts of time AND money for travel. What you have to do is 1) prioritize and budget for it and 2) utilize PTO wisely.
1) To budget for it:
- Determine what you are willing to spend on travel for the year
- Set aside a certain amount of money per week designated just for travel and not for eating out
- Start tracking flights for a few destinations you are interested in- getting flights at the lowest rate is the best way to afford travel
- If you can be responsible with, a travel credit card is a great way to wrack up points for flights or hotels. In all honesty, I wouldn’t be able to afford traveling as much as I do without using credit card points to help with cost of flights. I recommend either the Capital One Venture card or the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
- I have the $99 annual fee cards, but through the grapevine I have heard that the rewards for the cards with the higher annual fee wrack up points enough to make it worth while. But I do not know from personal experience on that!
2) To address time off from work: I know, America does PTO poorly. There are about 260 work week days in the year and less than 10% of those are usually allotted to PTO.
- So, if you are in this situation, read here on ways to maximize your PTO!
If you’ve made it this far, you likely have some kind of interest in traveling or you would be bored to tears and would have stopped reading paragraphs ago. So in 2024, take the time to plan a trip and budget for it. If thats REALLY what you want. Even if its one trip; 10 days out of 365 surrounded by new terrain, new food, new people, new cultures, new views is worth it and can be SO rewarding. PRIORITIZE IT.
The Thing About Travel in Real life
P.S. I know travel is a privilege and it simply isn’t an option for some. In real life, bills happen, air conditioning units go out, kids are expensive. I get it. However, if you are WANTING to travel, I encourage you to try to make it happen in any way you can. You will love it.
For resources on booking flights, accommodations and creating an itinerary, click here! Happy planning!!😃
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