If you missed the Google+ Hangout about How to Travel the World for under $1k, download the full transcript here. While we had a ton of fun on the live video chat, we also had a ton of unanswered questions. Scroll below to find some answers to the questions we missed. If you couldn’t make the Hangout, click the play button above to get started!
Anthony, Zim, Jelisa & Jessica chime in on your unanswered questions below.
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1. What’s considered a low season when traveling? I hear it’s way cheaper.
Anthony: From the US, flights tend to be cheaper in the fall and winter (barring holidays periods). The summer is vacation season so the higher demand drives up prices. Hotels prices depend on when traveling to that specific destination is most popular.
Jessica: Traveling during low-season is a great way to save money when visiting certain locales. But keep in mind that destinations have low periods for a reason. Sometimes it’s due to unfavorable weather, i.e. excessive rain, flooding, excessive heat, or when major attractions are closed to the public for restoration. Low season varies from city to city, so it’s best to research the best times to go before booking travel.
2. Do you all travel for work or are you just extremely blessed to travel so frequently for leisure? If leisure, what job industry supports this lifestyle?
Anthony: I travel for work and tend to tack on a personal trip directly before or after. There are a lot of roles that require travel as part of the job. From what I’ve noticed, my friends management consulting travel the most.
Zim: I’m a full-time entrepreneur (Travel Noire), so traveling is what I do! Most of the times, I’m traveling to discover new destinations and working to forge exciting new partnerships for the brand! In college, I was the VP of an Anti-tobacco organization that allowed me to lead trainings all over the US. After college, I landed a year-long all-expenses paid (including salary) position in India that allowed me to travel throughout Asia for 14 months. I’ve found a way to incorporate travel and flexible scheduling into every aspect of work that I do.
Jelisa: I plan my life around traveling, not around working. I make sure to take jobs that understand that I am a person with outside interests, and I’m looking to make money not have a company take up all of my time. When I lived in the United States, I worked part time at a very flexible bar/restaurant. They didn’t care if you took off work for 3 weeks or 3 months, as long as you are responsible enough to come in for your shift and work hard while you were there. I do remember having to fly back home early from Portugal to work a 4 hour shift. That wasn’t fun at all.
Jessica: When I traveled multiple times a month, it was for work. I also lived abroad as an expat. However, when I travel now, I take advantage of friends living and working in other cities. I stay with them and save money on accommodations, food, and activities. And I make sure to find the best possible airfare deals.
3. Would you suggest taking advantage of Groupon Getaway deals? (Including flights and accommodations)
Jessica: I’ve never used Groupon for travel. I’m afraid of the fine print. But I’m sure they are a great option.
4. Hey Jessica, Which flight websites do you subscribe to again? I heard 3
Jessica: I subscribe to TheFlightDeal.com, AirfareWatchdog.com, and Travelzoo.com (Travelzoo’s Top 20 and Travelzoo Airfares to be specific).
5. Whats the best way to save money in advance for trips that you’re planning in the future?
Jessica: There’s a few money saving methods out there. My suggestion is, for every discretionary purchase you make, set aside 10% of that bill for travel. Put the money in a fund you are not able to access easily. So not a debit account. When you buy a pair of shoes that costs $70, put $7 in your fund for future travel. You’ll be surprised how quickly it adds up.
6. Do you all work full time? Are most of your travels for work?
Jelisa: I work part time as a marketing coordinator, and I am a freelance web designer. Freelance sounds like you have a lot of free time, but a lot of it is spent in front of a computer screen. Most of my travels are for leisure.
Jessica: I have a full time office job. I rarely travel for work. And I don’t have a ton of vacation. For me, traveling is a matter of prioritization and planning. I’ll say no to a lot of things every day if it means I have more time or a bigger budget to travel and see the world.
7. Whats the best way to save money in advance for trips that you’re planning in the future?
Jelisa: Great question. The best way to save money in advance for trips is to open a new checking account specifically for Travel. We previously shared our itineraries for an international getaway that all cost under $1,000. So here comes the fun part – saving up! If you cut out a few insignificant luxuries in your daily life – cable, Starbucks, eating out more than 2x a month, unnecessary shopping etc – that money can be redirected into your Travel account. If you can discipline yourself to save just $100 a month, then 10 months later you will have enough cash to go on one of our international getaways! Or you can make up your own itinerary which could come in even cheaper than ours.
8. If not too difficult, are you be able to provide us with a list of the online resources that have been mentioned in this webinar?
Jelisa: Resources I used:
Flight:
www.Theflightdeal.com
www.kayak.com/explore
www.skyscanner.com (the same as the kayak explore tool)
www.norwegian.com (the third largest low-cost carrier in Europe)
Accommodations:
www.hotels.com
www.hostelworld.com
www.airbnb.com
Activities:
www.thelonelyplanet.com
www.expatica.com
9. Which international locales have you witnessed “unexpected black culture” and are there any specific places were you did not feel like you were black but just an American?
Jelisa: I was amazed at the Jamaican subculture in Berlin. It definitely surprised me. But where I live now in Spain, the general reaction is that my American background surpasses my black heritage. I get all of the interesting questions that come with being an American, and not too many comments on my blackness – besides people asking me if I know Barack Obama or Michael Jordan of course.
10. Are there any cities you recommend that can be visited over a weekend?
Jelisa: Being a long-term traveler, I like to take my time and get to know a new place by immersing myself in the local culture. Popping in and out in 3 days is hard for a sleepy person like me, so I always kept my weekend getaway locations pretty close. Once you are already in Europe, Prague, Oslo, Copenhagen, Milan and Seville are all great cities that can be explored in a weekend.
11. How can you be sure your accommodations are both cheap and safe?
Jelisa: Airbnb is the way to go. Homeowners rent out their extra bedrooms to travelers to meet new people and make a bit of money to help with the rising living expenses all around the world. They get more out of showing you a nice time and receiving your great ratings, repeat business and referrals than they would from stealing your stuff and murdering you in your sleep. If you aren’t sold on renting a room in an apartment, booking a room in a reputable hotel can be affordable if you book it far enough in advance.
12. Get TMobile, int’l roaming charge is an extra $10 a month
Jelisa: Or just turn off your data roaming! If you’re coming to Europe, you’d be amazed with all of the free wifi offered all over major cities. Not just coffee shops and bars, but outdoor plazas, restaurants, markets, lounges and libraries all offer free wifi. Trust me, disconnecting in a new country feels exhilarating. Having internet in your hand all day will lead you to be 10 steps away from the most breathtaking, life changing sight that you are unaware of because you are on Facebook scrolling through your timeline. But for first time travelers I understand the need to feel connected. Get that extra roaming charge. Download Skype, Whatsapp and WeChat to stay connected with your family and friends at home. Just promise me that you will limit your internet time to 1-2 hours a day while traveling. Ok? Promise!
13. What are some of the cheapest places to travel for under $1000? What recommendations do you have in terms of accommodations? Hostels? Hotels?
Jelisa: Europe in the off season – specifically Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Berlin, Prague, Croatia, The Netherlands etc. If you choose anything outside of the usual London, Paris, Barcelona you will be amazed with how cheap and lovely everything is. Daily life in a lot of Asian countries is also cheap. After you pay for your flight and hotel everything else is amazingly affordable. You could eat authentic pad thai every day for $1.33 USD in Bangkok. The same pad Thai that you pay $12 in your hometown in the United States is $2.14 in Thailand.
14. Any tips on saving money when traveling to the French Riviera?
Jelisa: To save money in a popular destination like the French Riviera, you have to think outside of the box. Definitely use Airbnb to find your accommodations. I stayed in a beachfront condo in Nice for 44€ a night while the hotels just across the street were priced between 240-400€ per night. Here, I found you a great place with excellent ratings in Nice : https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1014251?checkin=03%2F17%2F2015&checkout=03%2F23%2F2015&s=lXv-
Eat at home at least once a day, and save your money to treat yourself at a few top rated restaurants. Be sure to check the menu with their prices beforehand. It’s best to go in knowing a ballpark of how much the damage would be and to plan for it in advance. Kayak your way to the Calaniques, hike to the top of Castle Hill where you can see the whole city of Nice below you and take a low cost ferry from city to city up the coast. Theres one from St Tropez to Cannes for 79€. Also be sure to check out the famous La Ponche neighborhood in St Tropez for free.
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Participants
Anthony Kerr: @thinkgoodthoughts // @anthonyesque on Twitter
Modupe Sonuyi: @superdupersleepy
Zim Ugochukwu (moderator): @zimism // zimism.com
Quinn Russell: @Travellersbazaar // travellersbazaar.com
Jessica Belle: @wealthlovebeauty
Jelisa Mone: @standbytraveler // standbytraveler.com