10 easy tips to finance a world trip.

This is not as hard as it might seem. What's more, it's going to be a lot of fun, [or should be!] and initially should be done without any thought of financial constraints. Go here to see how to do this: 10 steps in planning a World Trip. I suggest going there right now, THEN returning to this page.

Include airfares, bus and train fares, occasional car hire, accommodation, food, and "must do things!" The list seems enormous... okay, the list IS enormous. And the final total may be... shudder shudder. But we're here to solve that, right.

Break it down. You only need a third of a zillion dollars for a month. Phew, that's better - I can manage one-third of a zillion.

Your basic budget will be... a basic budget! This means your budget is just a rough estimate of fair [not minimum - give yourself room for unexpected 'extras' and 'disasters'. You are planning to travel, not suffer...] expenses.

A word of warning: Don't get obsessed with trying to live too cheaply, as it can be a false economy. The cheapest place in town might save you a few bucks, sure - but might cost you more recovering from food poisoning, or in extra cab fares returning at night to avoid being mugged in the impossibly dingy street in which it is located.

A related point is - don't be so obsessed with saving a buck that you plan your travel in off-peak seasons. Sure, the hotel will be half-price, and so will the airfare. But there's not too much snow skiing in summer. Plus in many seasonal locations [such as planet earth...] many attractions/tours/whatever are closed for annual maintenance etc. during the off-season.

The next step is to consider how to create this money. Do you need all of it before you leave, or can you create some way of producing income even as you travel? I could write several books right here, the possibilities are simply endless, there are as many ideas AND opportunities as there are travelers.

"Now" might not mean today - it may be in six months, or a year. But! 'now' starts today!

Today! start planning your trip. Then you have a rough idea of your budget. Then you can start putting your finances together. Just watch it all fall into place - IF you start!

So, you have planned a rough itinerary, and worked out a very rough budget. Now divide this by how many months there are until you travel - so you can see how much you need to bank each month until launch.

Here is an easy way to generate some of this extra money - cut your bills in half! Learn to spend less on what you need and more on what you want in your life. If you take just a minute to think about it, this is neither too difficult, nor too stupid a suggestion.

Much of your stress, overwork, and debt is probably caused by pursuing stuff you really don't need in your life. Like the latest and greatest laptop - which will be redundant in two years, worth next to nothing, and need replacement. Sheesh, why not spend a few hundred bucks on 'functional' instead of a few thousand bucks on 'fancy'? Think!! In just two years [or less!] BOTH will need replacing - and even Fred Flintstone wouldn't be seen dead using either! Simple living saves you money because less is more.

Exactly how to cut your bills in half?

• Reduce your auto insurance costs - a real killer expense
• Re-think your cell fone plan. Another heavy expense. Make a little effort to shop around... do you ever use any of those fancy extras you have signed up for? How much of your bill can you shift to Skype, instant messages and email? Just a simple change in your habits is all that is required.
• Learn a simple Magic Trick. Here's my favorite: Take a glass of water. Drop your credit card into it. Now put it in the freezer... watch your credit card repayments vanish, just like magic!
• Pay for everything in cash. Trust me, if you actually see the money disappear from your pocket - it makes you think before you buy. Goodbye impulse spending!
• There are dozens more suggestions - go google how to reduce personal spending.

This may seem stupid, but try it anyway. Google each of these tips. Google "plan your trip". Google "your budget". Hmm... interesting, huh.

Whatever, don't close your eyes to cutting your costs by falling in love with the word "always."

An example: Rail tickets in Europe are cheaper than renting a car. True, but... not always! While it's true that many cities are set up to cater to train travelers (central stations, many connections), on short trips with larger parties you might find renting a car less expensive. If you are traveling for weeks or months you can make substantial savings by traveling in a group. Now, this does NOT mean... traveling in a group!

Watch this: You travel from Frankfurt to Amsterdam on a train... you share the compartment with a group of strangers. On a bus... again you share with a group of strangers. So, why not... in a car... share with a group of strangers... and save money? OK, I hear you... once you get off the train or bus, you are rid of your fellow travelers. So? Who says you are stuck with your car companions?

There are two of you, and you want to split the car hire four ways? Wander down to the local hostel, ask around, put a notice on the board. "Wanted: Two people to share car hire costs to Amsterdam. Leaving Thursday or Friday. Cost per person will be $X.00" In Amsterdam, deliver the car to the rental agency, and shake hands goodbye with your travel companions. You have had the luxury of choosing your own timetable, your own stopovers etc etc. And saved money. And maybe made some great new friends.

You hate traveling in a group, you always travel alone. But - were you traveling in a group - or did you just group up to complete one leg of your journey!

Always?

• Tootsie is a cat
• All cats can see in the dark
• Therefore Tootsie can see in the dark

Right? Always? Unless... wait for it... unless... Tootsie is blind! Always?

A final point: go google "share travel expenses" for more ideas.

If you are planning a world tour lasting twelve months or more, perhaps you could think of some way to generate income while you are on the road. Like, how?

Maybe you have saved x-million dollars, and this will cover the first half of your trip nicely. But if you have been an obedient little reader and have planned and budgeted your trip as advised, then you have a rough idea of how much money you will need each month. Is there some business or project you could invest/purchase a percentage in, that will regularly [monthly] deposit money into your account while you travel?

Ok, it's an extreme idea perhaps, maybe even risky for you - but a smart opportunity perhaps for someone else, and opens a door for them to travel. The point is - be creative, and solutions will appear, things can happen.

Do you speak 25 languages? Can you translate documents? Why not get yourself known at a local business that needs this service - this work you can do on a lonely night in your hotel room in the Kalahari Desert, and email the work into your boss.

Or get yourself started typing up students' Theses, or building websites, or... There are many skills that are transportable, that can allow you to quietly work on a few empty travel nights a week. The internet has freed the worker from the desk - so use it. No ideas at all? Go google "How to make money just using my computer skills while I travel around the world living my dream life".

I ran out of money once in Zimbabwe - a while back, when it was still a country. I didn't want to return home - how boring. So I hitched up with one of the local youths, and started taking tourists on ' adventure tours'. It was a lot of fun, paid well, and enriched my travel experience.

When traveling, your health is linked to your wallet. In more than the obvious way. Happiness brings health and abundance.