Part 2:The Here and Now: Where we are now with our finances and how we’ll continue to afford to travel
We’ll we made it overseas, and are living in the here in now. We don’t know at any given time where we are going to be living in the next week, month, or year. This is partly due to the fact, that we truly want to live like the wind is blowing us to the places we are suppose to land, but also, we can only “land” where money allows us.
We started off this adventure with roughly $5000 to our name, NOT including the roughly $2400 we could spend on our credit card.
We have one credit card with a $3500 limit ($1,100 of which was already spent) but we would prefer not to use it. This has worked out whether we want it to or not, as most places ONLY accept cash in their local currency. The credit card is mostly reserved for emergencies and flights.
I documented some expenses we experienced over the course of our travels. I, however, failed to write out all the amounts; I guess I thought I would miraculously remember what things would cost…
None documented expenses:
[Note: This was just the first four days of travels in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia.]
- Food at Tai Pei, Taiwan Airport (Pork Dumplings and Bubble Tea)
- Visas into Indonesia
- Hotel in Kuta
- Refreshments while waiting to get hotel
- Sim Cards
- 1st Night Dinner (Fried Noodles and Beers)
- Surf Board Rental
- Bottle Water at the beach
- Motorbike Rental
- Lunch (Fried Rice, 2 Chocolate Milk Shakes, and Fried Bean Card)
- 2nd Night Dinner (Shared a Pizza and large beer)
- 3rd Night Dinner (With Paulus, Stef, and Araya)
- Groceries (Exotic Fruit, Red Bull, Guinness, extension cable etc)
- Groceries (Box of bottled water, Mango Candies, Sweet Cheese bread, fruit, etc.)
- Lunch: (Shared a Chicken curry, Fanta, and shake)
- Misc. (Laundry Detergent, Cheetos, and Chocolate Straws)
- Fancy night on the town (Mai Tai, Water, Ravioli, Pizza, Taxi)
- Girls Learn to Surf camp
- Taxi from Kuta
- Slow Boat to Lembongan
- Etc. Etc.
Documented Expenses:
These are just a few examples of how we’ve spent our money (some are just average prices), and to give you an idea of how things cost.
[Note: We were shocked to find the hostels/hotels in Indonesia were so expensive because we were unknowingly traveling in high season...they are cheap for America, but we were hoping to spend around $10/day!]
Indonesia:
- Nusa Lembongan, Indonesia Bungalow (No A/C, No internet, no warm water, but fun experience.): $17.56/night x 4 nights = $70.24
- Ubud, Bali, Indonesia Bungalow (No A/C, good internet, warm water, free amazing breakfast, friendly staff) : $17.56/night x 14 nights = $245.84
- Average price of a plate of food in Ubud: $2.36 (we shared a plate of food)
- A Large bottle of water in Ubud: $.41
- A bushel of bananas in Ubud: $2.36
- An Ice Cream cone in Ubud: $.88
- Fresh Squeezed Juice in Kuta (Avocado with chocolate sauce is the BEST): $.56
- Average Hotel in Kuta (A/C, internet, warm water, pool, free breakfast, sometimes television): $32.77/Night – during High Season
Singapore:
- A 24 person Dorm style Hostel in Singapore (Smelt like stinky boys, shared room/bathroom, good internet, cold a/c): $30/night
- A large Bottle of Water in Singapore: $.82-$1.22
- Entry into Singapore Zoo (Included Night Safari as well): $36.66/per person
- Pint of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream in Singapore: $12.18 – Yikes, no thanks!
Malaysia
- Hotel in Malaysia (No A/C, Shared Bathroom, internet, Great staff): $12/night x 3 nights: $36
Thailand:
- Apartment for a month in Chiang Mia Thailand (A/C, small kitchen, t.v. with American Movie channels, Roof-top pool, fitness center, Walking distance to famous Night Market) : $295.16 + electric/water
- A western style hamburger,fries and pepsi in Thailand: $4.92
- A large Bottle of water in Thailand (1.5L): $.49
- Refilling 4 large bottles of water: $.10
- Antibiotics and Pain pills for UTI in Thailand: $1.50
- Groceries to last a week+: $38.84
- Our idea of a good priced plate of yummy food: $1.00/per person
- Splurging on a plate of food: $2.50/per person
- 4 large bags of fresh fruit and veggies (on average): $6.00
- Jar of peanut butter (on average): $5.00
- Bag of ground coffee (on average): $5.00
- My favorite fresh salad: $2.00
- A bushel of bananas: $1.00 – $1.50
- A fresh juice: $.50
Well, now that you’ve got a good idea of what things cost, now’s the time to write the honest part of this post, “How much money we have and how we’ll afford to keep traveling!”
How much Money we have:
- We currently have $695.16 to our name as of October 14th, 2011
- We have a guaranteed $600 coming in ever month from Chais’s website business “Control Yours.” I also make on average $500 a month teaching English via Skype.
Our Monthly Expenses:
Overseas Expenses:
- $800+ Overseas expenses (includes: rent,food,water,travel, etc.)
In the U.S of A:
- Student Loans: $190
- Doctor Bills (from surgeries): $300
- Storage Unit: $34
- Pet Care: $50
- Life Insurance: $74.12
- Auto/Home Insurance: $120
Total Monthly expenses: $1578
[Notes: We should have our medical expenses paid off soon as my settlement from a car accident a year ago should be coming through. This settlement money will also pay off our credit card (it was eaten up by Chais' medical expenses), give us a cushion, and even some money for investing (gold, silver, etc.)]
We are slightly concerned about money (some months we make less than we spend), BUT we have confidence that we can make it work, just like we did back home.
Here are some ways we can make money while we’re overseas:
- Teach English: I do that now and make $10 USD/hour (Note: the Per capita income for Thailand (2010 prelim.) is $4,716 or $13.10 per day.)
- Make Affiliate websites
- Work on a farm in New Zealand or Australia – we are considering getting a New Zealand one year work visa
- Make Money off our blog- yes, this one that you are reading right now!
- Become an Au Pair a.k.a an international nanny
There are SEVERAL ways to make money overseas, if you aren’t afraid to be a little adventurous or object to not lay out at the beach/pool, but rather, bunker down in your hotel/hostel/apartment for a few days to get work done!
That’s the low-down or the gritty side of traveling overseas and NOT being wealthy. We are determined people…determined to make our dreams come true, determined to make a living, and determined to secure our future. Yes, we’ve hit bottom A LOT, but the only way to go is up AND the best part is…
…we get to climb up TOGETHER!
There will be a day when traveling will be more luxurious, but until then I love eating the least expensive thing on the menu, staying in a shared 24 bed smelly dorm-style hostel, and not buying souvenirs… ALL so I can go to the NEXT place.
Here’s to traveling with little, but gaining much,
-Shawna-
Please comment below: How do you save money so you CAN travel? How do you save money WHILE traveling?
Angela
It has taken me a little while to absorb yesterdays blog, today was easier because I knew what to expect. I love the idea of living each day new, being adventurous, traveling, challenging yourself and all of the great things you two are experiencing. But I need more financial security. Is that because I have always had it and it is my comfort zone, because we have children? I would become physically ill if I didn’t think the bills would get paid and the stress of when money will arrive. Also, I am almost 50 so I come from a different time and I’m in a different time in my life. What impresses me the most about the two of you is you are a team, you are experiencing life, and you do have time to plan for your future. When you are older and look back, I don’t believe you will be looking back at regrets but great memories. love you and thanks for being so open.
shawnameyer
We have worried so much about finances, and that worry has never really taken us anywhere, so we try not to worry. We take our financial obligations seriously, however we know that if we stress about them it’s only going to hurt us. For us, stress is like a illness. When we know we need to cover upcoming finances we just kick our “money making” in the butt and work harder for it. I love that Chais and I are creative people that nearly always make ends meet. We have little, but live much. We have a few things ‘up our sleeves’ that will hopefully make our future a bit more ‘easy’ when it comes to finances. As always, thanks for reading Angela! Love is being sent your way!
nicki
I liked what Angela has to say…..:) We thank God everyday for those oppertunities to live & travel the world….India changed us for the better…..make us realize how much less to can live on…Live simple so others may simply live…!!! Thank you for sharing, i love your outlook on life…have fun & learn about life together:):):)
shawnameyer
Nicki, thanks for reading. Yes, Angela had some great insight! Chais and I made up our minds months ago that we would, “live simple”. Many, in our country and other countries, HAVE to “live simple to simply live”. We choose to live simple to simply have a blast.” Too many people are tied down by having ‘stuff’; we just don’t want to be those people. Someday we may choose to have more, but right we have little, and live big! We certainly are having fun, and are learning about life TOGETHER! This has been the best experience, even when we don’t have much – I feel so very blessed to be experiencing this life.
Mary
It’s very humbling reading your story, and as much as our society talks in the media about finances we truly do need to discuss it more openly with friends and family to potentially prevent less debt by having support. We will keep praying for you and that your settlement comes through soon to help you guys out. You really are an inspiration for bearing it all and following your dreams. I admire both of you with your will and ambitious drive. I am glad to you guys have life insurance as that is deinitely something people don’t do and need it most when they have nothing. Thanks for being an inspiration and sharing your stories with us. Have you ever thought about pitching your vegabonding journeys to the travel channel or TLC, who knows that could be a money maker for you too, good luck!!!
shawnameyer
Thank Mary. We do need to discuss finances more, however for many it’s an unsettling feeling when someone talks about how little they have. Unfortunately, too many people don’t want to know if their friends have more many than them, or vise versa, they don’t want to know if their friends are struggling financially. The main point I was trying to make with this blog post is that, you don’t have to have a lot of financial backing to make your dreams come true. Also, too many of us calculate our life value on how much money we have in our bank account. Just days after I posted this message, our account dropped to $200. I didn’t much care, because I knew we’d live just fine off that $200. Sadly, the majority of Thai people, according to statistics, make $200 in a 4 month time frame. Chais and I calculated out that we could live very comfortable off of $7,000 a year, living in Thailand! I’m sure there will be a day that we live more glamorously, however we are happy living simple today. We live off very little, to most people standards, but look at how much we are experiencing. It kind of shocks me! We did get our settlement a couple days ago. I’m going to choose to keep the amount to myself, however lets just say, our account has never seen that amount of money before. We are going to be just fine for a very long time, however we were also just fine with $200 as well! Thanks for reading Mary – I love seeing responses from you. I hope you and your beautiful family are doing amazing!
angela
I appreciated reading all of the comments. I’m glad you rec’d the settlement; one more thing off the list. Have a great day!!
Mom
I remember when I was growing up it was considered rude to ask someone how much something cost that they’d pruchased let alone how much money they made. I, too, need the security of coming home nightly to my home and knowing apporximatly how much we will be bringing in monthly – both of our jobs vary depending on how much work we do – but I have a good idea of what it probably will be which is helpful to me. I think because of the inconsistancy of how I grew up – I need consistancy. So glad to hear your settlement came in. Love you guys.
Jason Stearns
Hey guys, this is a great roundup of expenses and really gives other travelers a good sense of costs. Even though money can be tight, travel is the greatest thing you could be doing and I know it will get better as you go along!
When I first arrived in Chiang Mai I was worried about expenses too. I find that just being more cognizant of what I am spending my money on helps. I also find I don’t need or want as much while I’m here, which also really helps.