Kate From the States How I Afford to Travel… And You May Not Like What I’m Going To Say

http://travelwithk8.wordpress.com/2014/12/05/how-i-afford-to-travel-and-you-make-not-like-what-im-going-to-say/

The honest truth – I never have the money I need to travel, but I buy the ticket anyway. I’ve realized that money comes and goes, but the more I make, the harder it is to part with it and weirdly, the less I have, the easier it becomes to budget.

I don’t do that saving account, checking account, travel account thing either. I am not rational. I am extreme. I want to travel and so I do. There is no in between. While I was working my first career job in public relations, I realized early on that it was going to take me forever to save all the money I would need to see the world. I come from a middle class family, I’m the middle child of five and I live in one of the most expensive places in America – Long Island, New York. I don’t have rich family members or know people that know people and I certainly can’t rely on inheritance to someday boost my dreams. So I focused on what I did have – a roof over my head, and the attitude that I can and will do anything I want.

… And I want to live around the world.

REWIND TO THAT PLACE IN TIME

I’m working seven days a week and I can’t even afford my own place yet. Five days at the PR firm and Saturdays and Sundays bar tending. For what? So I can slave away my 20s. Work 7 days a week to buy clothes for work and a $400 monthly train pass to get to work. I was literally working to afford working. And don’t get me wrong. I absolutely loved my job. I loved my clients, I loved my boss and I loved my interns. I was proud of where I was and where I was going, yet I still had something inside of me telling me that if I wanted to go all out for my career, I needed to give up that living around the world dream… and if I wanted to live somewhere else, I was going to need to give up my career.

And so the google search began. I have no money. But I want to travel for long periods of time. How do I do that?!

I’m going to need to work abroad.

Working while you travel is literally the smartest thing a person can do.

But you can’t do it forever. It’s only for the young. Sorry people. Not my rule. There are countries who will give you a year working visa but you have to be under 30. (Australia and New Zealand)

So with this information. It was now or never.

I mean, lets face it – If I moved into New York City when I was 24 years old, I’d be working to pay for my apartment. Once you leave the nest – rent till you die. Travel for me would not be likely for a very long time.

And even if I stayed home and kept working like I was – I wasn’t saving what I needed to get ahead. I was getting ahead in my career but financially, I was just getting by and some.

It was only when I thought about the life I was setting myself up for that I realized I was just fitting the mold, and the scariest part was that I liked it because I was used to it – it was the only life I had ever known.

If you tell people you work 7 days a week, they don’t see anything wrong with it. I didn’t. I was a champion. I was going places. If you tell them you work two jobs in one day, well then, you are a hard worker, a hustler, a person who is determined to succeed.

I hate that mindset now. Unless you know exactly what it is you are working for.

What’s up with our society that people are so proud to work so much just to get by? No. You are an adult. Working 40 hours should be enough to provide for your family and your home and everything you need. Especially if you are not working for your dreams. Working more should be an option. (You know for that iPad or pocketbook.) Not a must-do or you cant afford the rent. Or at least that’s how it should be. Kate for President, just saying.

Okay, but really – I understand that there are instances where you work a lot because you have a goal. Mine (at the time) was to afford an apartment in New York City so I could be closer to my job and break out of the nest. It was really exciting to think about – until I starting becoming excited thinking about where I would work on the weekends to afford this new life. Fall back. YOUR GOALS SHOULD NOT BE MATERIALISTIC. They should be focused on personal growth and just because your bank account is growing, it doesn’t mean you are. My mindset was all about money. Money for this, money for that. Bills, bills, bills, throw some money in the savings every month, go for drinks with friends, look for a husband – hey, everyone’s doing it – It’s called being responsible and having your head on straight. I can almost hear my parents sigh of relief when they thought I had lined myself up a successful future… but then I quit my career and crushed their dreams and I didn’t care because where was the room for my dreams? I had to break that mold.

Someone really tell me WHAT THE FUCK life is about? My generations economy sucks. Yet for some reason, everyone has nice things. A lot of us have two jobs, or are working overtime at our one job or even have three gigs going on – And if you don’t fill those categories – get off my page. (Just kidding, but really.)

SO I looked into it. PEOPLE DON’T HAVE MONEY FOR THE LIVES THEY ARE LIVING.

We finance almost everything. Your car, your house, your new big screen TV. OMG I am going to be poor for the rest of my life. But I won’t look poor. Because I’ll have credit cards.

LIGHT BULB.

Have you heard of 0% APR? Of course you have. Well it’s literally the only reason I can travel.

No I don’t have a rich family who funds my travels. Sorry to ruin your day.

When I moved to Australia on a Work and Holiday Visa I had $800 in my bank account. Crazy I know. I literally told my parents, ‘Okay I’m going to Australia. I only have $800 so if I don’t get a job in the first week, I’ll see you next Sunday.”

BLANK STARES

I was taking a risk I know. But what did I have to lose? Money? My whopping $800. Which is why having less money makes it easier to take chances. I was prepared and willing to fail for a dream I wasn’t sure would work. But lets be honest, I was NOT going to lose. I was on a goddamn mission and I don’t understand the word “no”.

SO

UNITED MILEAGE PLUS EXPLORER CARD – They gave me 50,000 miles for signing up and 5000 for adding someone to the account (which I did) and miles after spending $1000 in the first month (which I did because I put my plane flight on the card.)

This means, I basically racked up enough points (and by basically I mean, I had enough points) for a free flight home. I’m A GENIUS — And yes, I planned that out.

[NOTE: They have slightly changed the card. Look for deals and offers.]

THEN

CHASE SLATE - Boom! 0% APR for 15 months and free balance transfers in the first 60 days.

ARE YOU FOLLOWING ME?

I transferred all of my credit card balances to the CHASE SLATE CARD for free and set up the minimum monthly payment to automatically come out of my checking account every month.

I also set up my student loan to automatically be deducted every month as well.

NO WORRIES MATE – remember, it’s just money. (And it’s for my dream – Not a sweater and shoes.)

FROM THERE… I put a weeks stay at World Square Hostel, in an 18 bed dorm room (the cheapest bed they had) on my credit card.

WHAT ABOUT FOOD?
PB and J my friends. Not even J, just PB and the cheapest loaf of bread I could find in Sydney (which was $1, SCORE).

AND REALLY THE REST IS HISTORY

I found a job within the first three days. Applied for a tax file number. Set up an Australian bank account and after my first Australian paycheck I never had to touch my American credit card ever again. I was making $1000 a week in Australia and working 35 hours a week. My rent was $150 a week. Eventually I transferred some money over to my American account just to keep paying the minimum payment on my CHASE SLATE card. But that was the last I had to worry about my American bills. I ended up SAVING $10,000 in six months working in Australia. And I used that money to travel Australia with. Never having to touch an American dollar.

I used this same strategy when I moved to Thailand. Except I started with $2000 as my backup if I didn’t get a job. (But I did.)

I may just be a master budgeter but I’m pretty positive this tactic can work for anyone who is as ambitious and money savvy as me. Don’t just go get a credit card and put everything on there. And don’t spend more than you can make. The most I ever put on the card was $3000. The point is to use it as a little loan to help you pursue a dream you may not have the money for right now, while keeping some money in your bank account for emergencies.

Good luck and be smart. (but not too smart – leave some space for risks!)

OH! AND AS FOR MY DREAM – In case it’s unclear… I want to live and work around the world. I want to experience culture. I want to be a local. See what it’s like to be someone from somewhere else. It’s not just about money anymore. It’s about life and challenges and doing things I never thought were possible for me.

I don’t know why I was so lucky to have been born in America – to have all these opportunities – to not even be close to being the richest person in my town but to still have so frikken much. I don’t know why I got to be born here and not somewhere else, but I know I won’t take it for granted.

If you are in a country where you can read this – Please don’t take it for granted. xx

Australian Work and Holiday blog post to come.

Have a baby by me, be a millionaire

It's really pretty self-explanatory as I explained my line of reasoning as it follows the law.

The fact is that if you have a child with a man who makes $1,000,000 a year, you are entitled to $350,000 a year of his income at a minimum.

So, I mean, imagine you get paid 35% of whomever knocks you up's income... at what point should you be pursuing motherhood as a career instead of that thing called a job?

Well, say you make $50K/year. You'd be better off if you got knocked up by a man who makes $150K a year if you preferred raising a child to going into work.

There's only upside from there. That's one way to look at it. My view is really a function of the nature of the money earned. If I did not work for it, I don't mind giving it away. The problem with entitlements are when people are entitled to your future work. That might suck if those people were never worth it.

So, make sure they're worth it to you if you're going to go for it.

Hey

But first, It's great to hear from you! I wanted to say sorry for being such an idiot and that I have not forgotten what I've said last and that I'm out of do-overs.  I love you. You're a great person and I'm glad you thought it would be fun to say hello again. I like great people. I love you a bushel and a peck a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck a hug around the neck and a barrel in the keep a barrel in the keep and I'm walking in my sleep with you. I've been thinking about you since when and you're talking to me now, what have you been up to since you've been home? I'm determined to stay on my side of the fence, you can call me Wilson from Home improvement and be the first, but I'm just glad that you've called my attention. How can I help?

I could stay awake just to hear you breathing.

Hey,

I just wanted to say thanks so much, for everything. I'm sorry about a lot but I wouldn't trade those memories and experiences with you for anything... anything at all. Except... yeah... maybe to meet my grandfather again, but I'm not sure. He'd be really disappointed in me for seeing him if that's what I had to trade to see him.

Keep your chin up,
Glen

Don't ever let life pass you by

I will buy the first one to message me back willing to come tomorrow a day to hang out with Glen and possibly meet Rebecca, the woman that I proposed to a few hours ago for practice because I still need to get better at proposing, like everything in my life I need to get better. You would stay the night. Call me. Lines are open.

I'll get her someday.

and she's worth it

so that's my situation

5 minutes ago

yeah

I proposed.

I am going to keep proposing to get better at it.

Is she waiting to play hard to get to not appear promiscuous

I don't think so.

Lol

Why won't she be exclusive with you?

I don't know, according to money.cnn.com I'm a billionaire.

Wha wha what??

Yeah.

https://twitter.com/DoNotLose/status/534526541246386176

And this information is grossly incorrect, incorrect, or correct? Lol

$20,500*64,064

The truth is that I probably am worth only tens of millions once they figure it out and not billions, but with more trades I will be a billionaire, not sure when, that's another 100x from where I should be just on this tens of millions from a hundred thousand trade.

a few hundred thousand

And it will be called

I love you. The problem with mistakes is not making them, making mistakes is healthy. Letting them define you is not. I want to express that I think our relationship has turned manipulative as my existence often seems to be. I guilt trip you into continuing to engage with me. I’m sorry. These are not healthy things in a relationship, and I deserve the blame for letting them go on for so long. I’m walking in my sleep with you and you’ve been trying to wake me up. You deserve to feel free to do the things that you want to do and this is me recognizing that I am still holding you back. I am delighted to let you know that you are the best and that I understand. My involvement at this point amounts to a distraction from what you know you should be doing instead. Just don’t put anything at the end. Put things where they go. This is the greatest time on earth to start new beginnings and try different things. Take care with you and keep living like there aren’t any when you feel you must. In yourself, trust. It was nice talking with you. Don’t be too strange or else you’ll end up like me.

Mean monthly sunshine hours vs average snowy days

You don't like me, you just want the attention

I'm not your toy. thanks to mom for the shirts

Blank Post

I count over 1000 with my fingers

My fingers:
left hand
1 - thumb
2 - pointer
4 - middle
8 - ring
16 - pinky

right hand
32 - thumb
64 - pointer
128 - middle
256 - ring
512 - pinky

Counting up to 16 ... go:

1. thumb
2. index
3. thumb, index
4. middle
5. middle, thumb
6. middle, index
7. middle, index, thumb
8. ring
9. ring, thumb
10. ring, index
11. ring, index, thumb
12. ring, middle
13. ring, middle, thumb
14. ring, middle, index
15. ring, middle, index, thumb
16. little

$lthumb = false;
$lpoint = false;
$lmiddle = false;
$lring = false;
$lpinky = false;
$rthumb = false;
$rpoint = false;
$rmiddle = false;
$rring = false;
$rpinky = false;
$i = 0;
for ($rpinky == false; $rpinky <> true; ){
  for ($rring == false; $rring <> true; ){
    for ($rmiddle == false; $rmiddle <> true; ){
      for ($rpoint == false; $rpoint <> true; ){
        for ($rthumb == false; $rthumb <> true; ){
          for ($lpinky == false; $lpinky <> true; ){
            for ($lring == false; $lring <> true; ){
              for ($lmiddle == false; $lmiddle <> true; ){
                for ($lpoint == false; $lpoint <> true; ){
                  for ($lthumb == false; $lthumb <> true; ){
           $lthumb=true;
     i+=1;
     echo 'Left Thumb ' && i ;
      }
         $lpoint=true;
       }
       $lmiddle=true;
     }
     $lring=true;
      }
         $lpinky=true;
    }
       $rthumb=true;
  }
     $rpoint=true;
      }
   $rmiddle=true;
    }
 $rring=true;
  }
  $rpinky=true;
}

it's true I crave you

They stare at me while I stare at you

I walk into the room dripping in attention

stand with me, it's truth being found

must proceeds let's just, unforced

A wave breach, echo's gaining, it's time

hi feather me with bunny kisses floating down a river

just wanted to say that I love you and am thinking of you pretty much all the time... where all the time is defined as the time that i feel alive..

we all have a weakness, some of ours are easy to identify, look me in the eye

we all have something, some of us only have what it takes, and that's all it ever takes

and while we are busy taking, we may overlook that which is giving

i heard you say. i can't help but ask myself. lately I've beginning to find that i should be the one behind the wheel. whatever tomorrow brings i'll be there with open arms and open eyes.

i cannot do a lot of things. I'm immediately aware of all of the things that i cannot do. thus is the source of my confidence. there's something about the look in your eyes, something that i notice when the light is just right... it reminds me that I'm alive.

could you show me something that I'm not seeing

something about the way you move.

feather me with bunny kisses floating down a river

maybe we could meet again further down the river and share what we both discovered

Leaning is easier, this is leaning out

http://thoughtcatalog.com/tim-hoch/2014/06/10-ways-youre-making-your-life-harder-than-it-has-to-be/

10 Ways You’re Making Your Life Harder Than It Has To Be

Tim Hoch

 

92 Comments

 

• 640.6k
• 92

Alex Dram

1. You ascribe intent.

Another driver cut you off. Your friend never texted you back. Your co-worker went to lunch without you. Everyone can find a reason to be offended on a steady basis. So what caused you to be offended? You assigned bad intent to these otherwise innocuous actions. You took it as a personal affront, a slap in the face.

Happy people do not do this. They don’t take things personally. They don’t ascribe intent to the unintentional actions of others.

2. You’re the star of your own movie.

It is little wonder that you believe the world revolves around you. After all, you have been at the very center of every experience you have ever had.

You are the star of your own movie. You wrote the script. You know how you want it to unfold. You even know how you want it to end.

Unfortunately you forgot to give your script to anyone else. As a result, people are unaware of the role they are supposed to play. Then, when they screw up their lines, or fail to fall in love with you or don’t give you a promotion, your movie is ruined.

Lose your script. Let someone else star once in awhile. Welcome new characters. Embrace plot twists.

3. You fast forward to apocalypse.

I have a bad habit of fast forwarding everything to its worst possible outcome and being pleasantly surprised when the result is marginally better than utter disaster or jail time. My mind unnecessarily wrestles with events that aren’t even remotely likely. My sore throat is cancer. My lost driver’s license fell into the hands of an al-Qaeda operative who will wipe out my savings account.

Negativity only breeds more negativity. It is a happiness riptide. It will carry you away from shore and if you don’t swim away from it, will pull you under.

4. You have unrealistic and/or uncommunicated expectations.

Among their many shortcomings of your family and friends is the harsh reality that they cannot read your mind or anticipate your whims.

Did your boyfriend forget the six and a half month anniversary of your first movie date? Did your girlfriend refuse to call at an appointed hour? Did your friend fail to fawn over your tribal tattoo?

Unmet expectations will be at the root of most of your unhappiness in life. Minimize your expectations, maximize your joy.

5. You are waiting for a sign.

I have a friend who won’t make a decision without receiving a “sign.” I suppose she is waiting on a trumpeted announcement from God. She is constantly paralyzed by a divinity that is either heavily obscured or frustratingly tardy. I’m not disavowing that fate or a higher power plays a role in our lives. I’m just saying that it is better to help shape fate than be governed by it.

6. You don’t take risks.

Two words: Live boldly. Every single time you are offered a choice that involves greater risk, take it. You will lose on many of them but when you add them up at the end of your life you’ll be glad you did.

7. You constantly compare your life to others.

A few years ago I was invited to a nice party at a big warehouse downtown. I was enjoying the smooth jazz, box wine and crustless sandwiches. What more could a guy want? Later in the evening I noticed a steady parade of well-heeled people slide past and disappear into another room. I peeked and saw a large party with beautiful revelers dancing and carrying on like Bacchus. Suddenly my gig wasn’t as fun as it had been all because it didn’t appear to measure up to the party next door- a party I didn’t even know existed until just moments before.

I do this frequently. Those people are having more fun. Mary has a bigger boat. Craig gets all the lucky breaks. Ted has more money. John is better looking.

Stop it.

Always remember what Teddy Roosevelt said: “Comparison is the thief of joy.”

8. You let other people steal from you.

If you had a million dollars in cash under your mattress, you would check it regularly and take precautions to insure it is safe. The one possession you have that is more important than money is time. But you don’t do anything to protect it. In fact you willingly give it to thieves. Selfish people, egotistical people, negative people, people who won’t shut up. Treat your time like Fort Knox. Guard it closely and give it only to those who deserve and respect it.

9. You can’t/won’t let go.

These are getting a little harder aren’t they? That’s because sometimes you have to work at happiness. Some hurdles are too difficult to clear by simply adjusting your point of view or adopting a positive mindset.

Do you need to forgive someone? Do you need to turn your back on a failed relationship? Do you need to come to terms with the death of a loved one?

Life is full of loss. But, in a sense, real happiness would not be possible without it.  It helps us appreciate and savor the things that really matter. It helps us grow. It can help us help others grow.

Closure is a word for people who have never really suffered. There’s no such thing. Just try to “manage” your loss. Put it in perspective. You will always have some regret and doubt about your loss. You may always second guess yourself. If only you had said this, or tried that.

You’re not alone. Find someone who understands and talk to that person. Reach out for support. If all else fails, try #10 below.

10. You don’t give back.

One way to deal with loss is to immerse yourself in doing good. Volunteer. Get involved in life.

It doesn’t even have to be a big, structured thing. Say a kind word. Encourage someone. Pay a visit to someone who is alone. Get away from your self-absorption.

When it comes down to it, there are two types of people in this world. There are givers and there are takers. Givers are happy. Takers are miserable. What are you?