Looking to take a gap year or another round the world adventure but not sure where to start? It can be scary to venture into the world with nothing more than optimism and good-will, but personal freedom begins with a leap of faith.
1. Embrace the Simple Joy of Travel
Travel frees you from the grind of daily routine. You will explore new places, meet new people, try new foods and learn things about the world – and yourself – that you never imagined were possible.The joy of new experience is the most wonderful thing about travel – and new experiences are free. Walk the streets of a city. Stop and chat with a local. People watch in a public park. Climb to the top of a hill and watch the sun set over the ocean. The simple joy of being in a new place is just a matter of…wait for it…going someplace new. No tour package required.
2. Keep Your Needs To A Minimum
The modern American economy is built on the false premise that people need to buy new goods and services all the time. Again, I call bullshit. People need fresh air, healthy food, clean water, exercise, creative stimulation, companionship, self-esteem and a safe place to sleep.
All of these things are simple to obtain. Most of them are free.
For fresh air, go outside. For exercise, take a walk. For creative stimulation, go somewhere new. For companionship, make a friend. For self esteem, turn off your TV, breathe deep and open your spirit to the basic goodness of the world.
3. Leave Your Possessions and Obsessions Behind
When you travel, you don’t need to pay rent. You don’t need a car. You don’t need an oven, a washer-dryer, electricity, Cable TV, a gym membership, a sofa and loveseat or a closet full of clothes. You don’t need a suit and tie to wear to your job because you don’t need a job. You don’t need to worry about paying the bills, because there are no bills to pay.
4. Get Out of the City
Although it’s possible to travel for free in a big city, it’s damn difficult. Cities are built on money, and necessities like fresh air, clean water and a safe place to sleep are difficult to come by in cities. Go to the country, where people are more relaxed, food is plentiful and there’s ample room for one traveler to lay out her sleeping bag under the stars.
5. Embrace Serendipity
Traveling the world for free requires a blend of advance planning and the willingness to seize opportunities and go with the flow. Does your new Couch Surfing friend want company for a drive across the country? Grab your pack and ride along! As Kurt Vonnegut wrote, “Peculiar travel suggestions are dancing lessons from God.” Go Dancing.
6. Free SIM Card in Case of Emergency
Also do remember to take a World SIM Card as a convenient and economical calling solution while you travel to World. The World SIM card includes FREE incoming calls with service across World. Pay the local rate for local calls and use a cellular phone in World like you do at home. And unlike home, your World SIM card and cell phone service is free of a contract or minimum commitment.
Also explore the options of buying a World-compatible cell phone if you don't have a Unlocked Cell Phone, renting a World Cell Phone at just $1 a day.
nice post! It’s something I have never thought about, really, but it makes a whole lot of sense. Thanks for sharing
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