What creates that desire in an individual to want to travel? If I could think of one moment in my life that left me with the intense desire to go places, it would be during an experience that took place when I was five years old. My two older sisters and I had packed a sack lunch with various snacks including chocolate chip cookies, an apple, ants on a log and a pack of juicy fruit gum. Our intentions were to "run away from home". I had been ecstatic about the adventure because of the mystery of what we would do, where we would go and what we would see. Unfortunately my sisters decided that I should not go. I saw them disappear down the driveway leading behind our big red barn. I situated myself under the three story pine tree in the front yard with my back propped up against the massive trunk...and imagined what was happening on their adventure. I imagined how far they had gone. I imagined them walking in the tractor ruts leading back to the pond. I imagine them taking their hands and running them through the long grass that grew at their sides. Then finally taking out their well prepared lunches and snacking...without me. So I decided to eat mine imagining that I was eating with them. After I ate my lunch, I stood up and looked down the driveway past the barn hoping to see my sisters coming around the corner. Soon they would return I thought. This was a moment of discovery for me. I enjoy going places and seeing things....even if they may be unfamiliar to me. Why should I wonder about a destination when I am able to experience the destination? If I wanted to make this desire to travel happen, I needed to take action, even if it was only my back yard!
Make a List-Where do you want to go? What do you want to see? Do you have a desire to see the largest ball of twine? Have you seen pictures of places you want to see? My list consists of goals I have in my life. Most of them being places I want to go and things I want to see.
Save, Save, Save-Although there are many tricks to lowering your expenses to travel, having a slush fund to tap into has been a lifesaver for me. Take twenty, thirty or fifty dollars each month and place it in an envelope that you are not allowed to touch for any reason, except to travel. Many times I have been able to tap into my cash reserve for last minute trips or adjusting to changes with a countries economy.
Cut corners-Every penny counts! From clipping coupons, mail in rebates, conserving energy around the house, carpooling with coworkers, never paying full price for anything, share the Sunday paper...and the cost with your neighbor and the list goes on. How could you cut corners in your everyday life to save one, ten or twenty dollars every week?
Use Your Knowledge to Your Advantage-Make a list of the skills you possess. Are you a computer savy individual? Could you provide your talents playing an instrument? Are you an organized individual? Many times I have found gigs on Craigslistthat are short term and typically pay fairly good. Also network with family, friends and coworkers. There could very well be a need that you may be able to fulfill. One day a coworker approached me about teaching her sixty-five year old mother how to organize her finances on the computer, burning CD's and learning about new features on her computer. Being a Technology Education Teacher these were skills I possessed and was able to assist with questions that I had a solid knowledge base about.
Research-Use your resources. From newspapers, internet sites, the library, bookstore or unveristy classes, there are a variety of resources available to the Destination Traveler. Keep checking back to this blog for updates on sites to visit and books to read. The more tools you have in your toolbox...the better prepared you will be!
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