More money or better life? How to finance a trip around the world

Three years around the world - “does not work!” will be the reaction of most of us. Or is it? How does it look financially?

The dilemma with traveling

Traveling is not only a beautiful and enriching experience, but you also learn for life. However, the thing about travel presents many People presents an organizational dilemma:

Most who are involved in a fixed work rhythm, to earn though enough Money to travel, but then often do not have the necessary time. On the other hand, people who have enough time, for example because they are freelancers, do not have the necessary money. Incidentally, a dilemma that I have in many areas of our Society see: Some have no money, but time; the others money but no time.

Minimalists counter the dilemma

What to do about this dilemma? The answer is simple: be brave, reconsider ingrained habits, dare something new and be creative ideas develop. Some people even give up a large part of their possessions and sometimes even a permanent residence for it travel them around the Welt.

Now I can really get a lot out of minimalism, it could even become a future trend. Future researcher Matthias Horx has long predicted that after the “consumer-oriented industrialization phase” a time will come when there will be more inner contemplation and experiences, experiences and personal services will become more and more important and we will be more willing to spend money on them than on material ones Possession.

The fear of letting go

And yet: The thought of not having a permanent residence makes many people Anxiety. Behind it is the fear of letting things go. Probably completely normal and human. And maybe worth considering. That's exactly why I found the report by media representative Lisa Lubin from Chicago so exciting, who had quit her job as a TV producer for her trip around the world. Lisa describes the philosophy behind it as follows:

“I've managed to avoid the other American dream - to be a sucker for marketing and feel the need to run out and buy the latest iPhone, plasma screen TV, DVD or even the latest latte. I am simply not much of a shopper ... especially when it comes to clothes and shoes. I like cute stuff, but don't need name brands and don't need a million pairs of shoes. "

How do you finance a trip around the world?

In her blog post How could you afford to travel around the world? describes in a fairly detailed manner how she managed to finance her three-year trip around the world - starting from the question that was obviously asked very often: “How could you pay for such a trip. Are you rich?" And Lisa gives interesting answers.

1. Travel saves money: Lisa spent around 2000 euros a month on her trip around the world and even saved money. Because at home in Chicago she would have spent money on rent, utilities, and a car, including various repairs and everyday small things, such as toilet paper. Although I have to say that I would still have some of the costs that Lisa lists, such as internet or insurance. But still an interesting consideration.
2. She did not have to deal with unnecessary ballast and also saved time, for example when choosing clothes. Or as Lisa simple states: “No stuff - no worries”
3. Organization is everything: Lisa admits that travel can be expensive - if you don't plan accordingly. In any case, the most expensive part of the trip is transportation and sometimes you can find really good deals and discounts.
4. Money in the account only serves the subjective sense of security: Lisa, as she says, also worked a lot and saved money. However, that had mainly practical reasons - subjectively she felt a little safer with the money. In the end she says: "So, don't let anyone scare you."

What does a trip around the world cost?

Florian Blümm wrote how much such a trip around the world costs in his book “Around the world with little money”, published by MVG in 2019. The short version is: It depends.

The most common question about the world tour adventure is how much it actually costs. It's like asking what a car costs. You can spend 20.000 euros for a mid-size car or 10.000 euros for a small car. If you are undemanding and pragmatic, you can also find an older used car for 6000 euros. They are on a world tour Costs also depends on your requirements and wishes. The price range per month can be between 500 euros and 2000 euros. Most world travelers get by on 1000 euros per month and person. If you follow the tips, you will stay below 30 euros per day on average, i.e. 900 euros per month and person. This includes flights, accommodation, insurance and all other costs. My own trip around the world cost me 9249 euros for the first calendar year. That is exactly 25,34 euros per day or 771 euros per month. After all, I visited sixteen countries, but five of them only in transit. Eating and drinking cost me the most this year at 1991 euros. Other big items were overnight stays for 1182 euros, flights for 1192 euros and other means of transport for 1260 euros. In addition there are others expenditure for example visas, Insurance and activities totaling 2227 euros and "luxury costs" for example beer, good coffee and electronics of 1410 euros. Is that less money than you thought? If you add up your everyday expenses, you will probably end up with a higher monthly amount. Traveling can therefore be cheaper than staying at home. Of course, you don't earn any money while traveling and you have to save your entire budget beforehand. My first year traveling around the world cost 771 euros a month. I've been traveling non-stop for almost eight years for an average of 684 euros a month. Yes, I counted every euro, it's all inclusive.