Travel does not have to be expensive, it just has to be intentional.

There are "luxuries" in life that we perceive outside of our own reach. We place these  notions outside of our scope and in so doing negate our potential.

I've had comments thrown my way that often go like this....


" Yea we wish we could travel but we're not rich"

"I don't have the privilege to travel, I have to focus on my bills"

"You're so lucky, I wish I could see and visit the places you've been to"



I can understand where these comments come from but I also want you to understand that the mindset behind these comments don't have to be true.  Like anything in life what matters is the intention behind your actions. Not only that, but, what capacity you're willing to create actionable steps to make your intentions a reality.

Being transparent I want to use myself as an example on how I make travel work.

I travel, not as often as I'd like but enough at the moment to take care of my responsibilities in life, while also feeding my passion to explore. For the last two years I have been working for a nonprofit. As some may know nonprofit workers are paid very little for their efforts. I've earned a wage that some working professionals would consider very low ($30,000 USD) which could be a different discussion for another day.

But even with a low wage my earnings are enough to fund my adventures on a smaller scale. In the last year I've road tripped down the entire west coast. I've traveled from Vancouver B.C to Rosarito, Mexico. I've traveled to the east coast and will be in Thailand by the end of the year. All while funding small adventures in and around the Pacific Northwest.

I can assure you I'm not a person with excessive amounts of money stashed away, quite the opposite I'm a product of the "American Dream" two Guatemalans that came to this country to succeed and did.

The way I manage to fund all these adventures is simple. I account for all my living, and by that I mean almost every portion of my earnings is accounted and allotted for. My partner and I have wages that we coordinate separately but share ideals mutually to work towards the same goals. Tracking our money allows us to live a life that fits our needs. We don't have a house. We don't have new cars. We don't have all the bells and whistles, but we have enough and for us it works.

You can get hung up in what you don't have, in what seems impossible but what does that serve you?

I like to believe that our mental constraints hold us back from the greatness that lies within. Travel is the notion I hold dear so I make it work.
 
I hope that whatever makes you tick, whatever brings you alive, that you have the courage to make it be. 



Because you can.



Resources:

Intentional Spending

Mint (for tracking finances)





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