Here's Some Fabulous Budget Ideas!

 

Who doesn't want to travel?  I've spent my life seeing as much of the world as I possibly can.  Most of the time, that means budget.  Today, I'm sharing some of the fun ways I've found that you can travel for much less.  Have I tried them all?  No, but I want to.

1.    It's called WWOOF.  World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms.  That's right.  You help out on any of the farms in the network, and you get free lodging and meals.  Sometimes more, but that's from place to place.  This was created in the 1970's.  Over 50 years and counting.  They operate in over 130 countries.  There are over 12,000 hosts.  It's an amazing network and also a great way to learn about the area you're visiting and meet some wonderful people.  It leaves you with only travel expenses from place to place, because hosts normally feed the help too!

https://wwoof.net/

https://wwoofusa.org/en/

https://wwoofinternational.org/

https://wwoofindependents.org/en/

https://www.facebook.com/WWOOF/

2.    House Sitting.  I was shocked and you would be too.  There are a lot of people who don't want to leave their houses empty or their pets in a kennel.  There are numerous ways to set up a housesitting situation where you want to travel.  Do you like dogs and cats?  Pet sitting is a great way to get around.  You help someone out while they travel and you get free accommodations.  

https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/house-and-pet-sitting-assignments/

https://www.mindmyhouse.com/

https://www.housesittersamerica.com/

https://www.nomador.com/

https://www.housesittersites.com/?c=2&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw5v2wBhBrEiwAXDDoJYBH06M2Uvehcwp5Tefkg-TBg_yP2WwEMe0cY4T6NNmlc6IwDmdSZRoCZasQAvD_BwE

3.    House Swapping.  Are you sick of looking at the same four walls and need a temporary change of view?  There might be someone out there in the same shoes.  As long as you don't mind someone coming to stay in your house, you can look into staying in someone else's house.  It's that simple.  

https://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/tennessee/east/trade?locale=en_US&siteid=9001001&semcid=VRBO-US.UB.GOOGLE.DT-c-EN.VR&semdtl=a112250888680.b1136810776411.g1kwd-296649452393.e1c.m1CjwKCAjw5v2wBhBrEiwAXDDoJVn-qlUQgT4Y7EFxxfhU-lms9dKmpVNCw-9VraKH6bnmHZJnjzXlkBoCWSoQAvD_BwE.r101b639fa29dd994cfaee20463da4dc90e14882bc5cb5827010893c7a48295565.c1-uuQ7RoPI0Vjvw8X_P1aew.j19003419.k1.d1569794701018.h1b.i1.l1.n1.o1.p1.q1.s1.t1.x1.f1.u1.v1.w1&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw5v2wBhBrEiwAXDDoJVn-qlUQgT4Y7EFxxfhU-lms9dKmpVNCw-9VraKH6bnmHZJnjzXlkBoCWSoQAvD_BwE

https://www.homeexchange.com/p/house-swap?esvt=-e&esvq=house%20swap%20websites&esvadt=999999---1&esvcrea=660033096130&esvplace=&esvd=c&esvtg=kwd-1925329168&esvaid=50179&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw5v2wBhBrEiwAXDDoJaiVI2hokIHIDNVjZPH--kRYt1MSYIi8GCoJtvArd7Ax2hoacweljRoCoGIQAvD_BwE

https://www.lovehomeswap.com/

https://peoplelikeus.world/en

https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/sleeping-eating/house-swapping-tips

4.    Couch Surfing.  This is a unique way to travel, my friend.  This means staying with people.  If you like company and meeting people, this could be a money saving and travel experience enhancing venture.  I don't know it this one's for me, but it does sound interesting.

https://www.couchsurfing.com/

https://www.instagram.com/couchsurfing/?hl=en

https://www.halfwayanywhere.com/travel/budget-travel/how-to-never-pay-accommodation-couchsurfing/

https://travelladies.app/couchsurfing

https://www.save70.com/hotels/?campaignid=19243937451&adgroupid=141304741381&lpage=k&lb=alpha&marvel=1&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw5v2wBhBrEiwAXDDoJaaMfEM3wAVEArrfWfaB3sI--4O9JkzKvYp8jenVhbSuuz18A5nTjxoCqHoQAvD_BwE

5.    Volunteer.  That's right.  One of the most rewarding vacations you can take, and I've done this one, is to volunteer.  There are so many ways to do it.  You can do anything from cleaning trails to tagging animals to working in clinics and on and on.  There are many ways you can help all around the world and get a unique look at the places you'll visit!

https://discovercorps.com/landing/volunteer-vacations-11-50-percent/?utm_source=google_search&utm_medium=search_text&utm_campaign=dc_volunteer&utm_term=volunteer_vacation&creative=613575674091&keyword=volunteer%20vacations&matchtype=b&network=g&device=c&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw5v2wBhBrEiwAXDDoJQkM6uZJApsgnl6ygdNW7zoAphSAAvHUJmqFe6FeF8zTc9AGcwSYEhoC-AAQAvD_BwE

https://wvtourism.com/remote-work-extended-stays/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw5v2wBhBrEiwAXDDoJcKW31kDSLMpg_Tnx885_R6cY9E353djOYl7Hs7g9Jb4S4rVXIFpLhoCUgkQAvD_BwE

https://www.volunteerworld.com/en

https://americanhiking.org/volunteer-vacations/

https://www.gooverseas.com/blog/meaningful-volunteer-vacations

6.    It's called Harvest Hosts.  If you joined the trend during the pandemic of travelers who bought a van or an RV of some kind, this might appeal to you.  As long as you have a self contained vehicle, you can make arrangements to park at locations within the network.  Primarily wineries and breweries, the visitors have a chance to taste product, shop at the store on the property and have a peaceful and oftentimes scenic stay.  Locations are mostly in the United States, but they are ever expanding into Canada, Mexico and all over.  It is a membership club, just so you know.

https://www.harvesthosts.com/

https://www.facebook.com/HarvestHosts/

https://www.cruiseamerica.com/trip-inspiration/harvest-host

https://www.instagram.com/harvesthosts/?hl=en

https://blog.campingworld.com/campgrounds-travel/how-to-camp-at-a-harvest-hosts-location/

So, there you have it.  I've said for years that travel doesn't have to cost a lot of money.  I've also said that traveling isn't tourism and that the adventure is what makes it memorable.  These are some of the ways you can travel for less and have a full experience.  These are some ways to travel that will make great stories to tell when you get home and they will be stories that none of your friends can match.  So, consider taking an adventure, pack your bags and enjoy!