“Road Tripping on a Dime”

This article also appeared in the March issue of the “iCoach Magazine”. The theme for the month was money. Lots of  other juicy money related articles there. Here’s the link to a FREE subscription:  http://www.icoachnetwork.com/online-magazine.html

The theme for this month’s magazine is money. So what does travelling have to do with money, you might ask, other than the fact that it takes money to travel. Bingo! How many times in the past did you not go places, because you didn’t think you could afford it? If you’re like most people, the answer is probably ‘plenty’. I’m here to talk about a slightly different way to travel. I call it road-tripping.

Just over a year ago I packed up my car, and set out on my first road trip…alone. It was my very first road trip, and my very first trip alone…ever! There, I said it. Did I lose my mind? Nope. What did happen, though, was that I had a sudden urge to do something extraordinary I’ve never done before, something that would challenge me, and scare me half to death. The road trip ticked all those boxes.

I didn’t have a clue what I was doing, and I didn’t have a solid plan, but now that I’ve figured it out, I want to share my experiences. First of all, I want to show you that you can travel much more cheaply than you think is possible, and secondly, to tell you that it’s not as scary as it looks. Once you’re on the road, you just deal with things as they come, the same way you deal with things in your everyday life. If I can do it, so can you.

What I’m about to say is not for everyone, but if you’re a diehard like me, you can do it. In order to make the road trip truly affordable, you need to plan ahead, and eliminate your rent/mortgage expense. This means either giving up the place you’re renting, subletting it for the duration of your trip, or renting out the place you own. Next step is putting your stuff in storage. Make sure to pack your basic camping gear in the car, as once you get to warmer places, camping is definitely an alternative. Another way is to use the airbnb, or couchsurfing websites. I’ve used airbnb a lot on my trip, and met tons of great people in the process. Always remember, though, to use your intuition when choosing these places, as not all hosts are great, and I’ve certainly heard some horror stories. Always bring your own food, it’s a heck of a lot cheaper than eating out!

One last, but very important point. To make your trip truly affordable, it’s great if your job is somewhat independent, and internet based. My trip last year lasted five months, and even though I didn’t work full time, I definitely managed to do some work.

So let it rip, let it take you where you’ve never been before. You’ll be blissed beyond recognition, and your life will never be the same again!

What’s your favourite way to travel? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

Julia Maria Lloyd.

“I’m not a saint or a guru, but I am a master healer.”

Author of the forthcoming book, ”Pray and Move your Feet” (A tale of soul-tripping, road-tripping, and living your bliss!)

 I’d love to help you follow your dreams:  https://www.juliamarialloyd.com/work-with-me/