How I Afford to Travel: Real Talk

In La Sagrada Familia 2023

Being able to travel is a luxury and a privilege, and it’s taken a lot to get me to the point where I can afford to do a bit more of it. People ask how I make it work - if I’ve got a secret fund, a remote job, or a bottomless savings account - the truth is bit less glamorous. I juggle a few different roles, make the most of opportunities, and build my adventures around realistic goals. Here’s how TravelChickFrom76 keeps the travel dreams alive without breaking the bank.

Balancing Multiple Jobs to Fund My Travels

Right now, I work three jobs and manage a holiday let on the side, yep, you read that right. My main day job doesn’t pay particularly well, but it’s consistent income and stability in a tough market (and believe me, I’ve done the interviews, second interviews, presentations, and had some ghostings to prove it).

One day a week I work freelance with a company I love, handling their digital marketing, I could do most of it from home but I choose to go down to site once a week. It keeps me connected to the team, gives me fresh content for their socials, and, honestly, it’s nice to be part of something creative.

At weekends, I pick up event work which can be anything from serving at festivals and running retail stands to one memorable day spent changing kegs at Everton Football Club. No two weekends are ever the same, but the mix keeps life interesting and funds my next ticket abroad. If you’re looking for event agencies there’s plenty to choose from covering different parts of the UK, I’ve worked with Hospitality Recruitment Heads and Mint this year.

Why I Work This Way

Having multiple income streams isn’t easy, but it gives me flexibility, if one slows down, the others keep me going. The freelance work fuels my creativity, the events work tops up my travel fund, and the day job covers the essentials.

I’m also studying for a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) qualification, something that could open new doors for earning and travelling in the future. My formal education stopped at the equivalent of first-year of a degree, which limits some work-abroad options, and at 49 (on the day of writing this), I don’t always qualify for certain visas. But there are still opportunities if you know where to look.

Planning Ahead Without Burning Out

My longer-term plan is to grow the casual event work I already enjoy. There was a recent opportunity closer to home that I’d have loved full time, but it wasn’t to be, I wasn’t at the point with the regular day job that I could leave it to be a part of this event team full time for a couple of month. Still, that’s the dream; to eventually ditch the day job, replace it with flexible, enjoyable work, and free up time to travel when it suits me.

In the meantime, I balance things carefully: enough shifts to build savings, but not so many that I forget why I’m doing it. It’s a juggle, but it’s mine.

Saving for Future Adventures

Right now, I’m lining up trips to Cuba (because 50!), possibly Cádiz, Berlin, and maybe Tallinn for 2026. They’re not luxury breaks; I book early, watch for deals, and plan routes that combine adventure with affordability.

I’d describe myself as a mid-level traveller: I’ve done the hostels and would happily do them again - as long as there’s a private room and I’ve packed my noise-cancelling earbuds. I’ve tried the all-inclusive route once, but I quickly realised I’m not built to stay by the pool. While the rest of the family relaxed, I was wandering off to explore the town, the markets, and, inevitably, the one craft beer bar.

My next trip to Iceland is a bit of a treat, a reward to myself for landing my freelance contract, but it’s not my usual travel style. Most of the time, I’m usually booking independent lodges (one of the ones’ in Cuba is £18 per night!)

Whether it’s a weekend exploring closer to home or a long-haul escape to somewhere I’ve dreamed of for years, the trick is simple: keep working, keep saving, and make sure what I do to earn a living is something I enjoy. But always have a little extra put aside for that fancy meal or a “date night” special experience if I’m travelling as part of a couple.

Final Thoughts

I travel because I’ve built a life that makes space for it. I’m the middle ground between a backpacker and a luxury traveller, and I’m completely at peace with that. It’s not perfect, but it’s real, and it works for me.

If you’ve ever looked at someone online and wondered how they afford it, the answer might be less about money and more about mindset and graft.

Follow @TravelChickFrom76 on Instagram for practical travel stories, money-saving tips, and proof that you can live a full, adventurous life - even while juggling a few jobs back home.