The world is your oyster when you travel, but keeping track of your money is very important
- Workaway
This site is a must for those who are considering volunteering to save money while traveling. There are workaways available for almost every country and some even offer payment in exchange for your services, although often the deal will be that you receive free accommodation and sometimes food and other amenities (think laundry, tours etc.).
There are multiple types of workaways you can select from, so there should be something for everyone. The interface is very easy to navigate, so you shouldn’t have any problems in narrowing your search down to find exactly what you want. Each host will have their own specifications and requirements for “workawayers” however, so make sure you read the description provided before applying, and do not be afraid to ask questions as well. I think it’s better to ascertain everything beforehand in order to be sure you know exactly what you will be getting yourself into before moving forward – this is a sure-fire way to have the best trip, and avoid any hidden nasties!
Cost: Annual fee of $44 for single travelers and $56 for couples
Another essential for saving money during your travels, while also having the benefit of being able to engage with locals in your chosen destination. The idea is that you basically crash at someone else’s house during your travels. Unlike some of the other sites listed here, you are not required to reciprocate anything to the host in exchange for their hospitality. So, never feel pressured into doing anything that you didn’t sign up for! (Although it is always good to show your appreciation which can be done in a multitude of ways without spending any money).
When searching for a host in your area of choice it would be a smart move to carefully read individual profiles thoroughly first. Make sure that the profiles contain enough information that you can fully grasp whether you and the host will be a good match. The last thing you want to do is stay in a stranger’s home whom you are not getting positive vibes from.
Make sure you try this one out if you are traveling on a tight budget. Depending on the host, they may also offer food and/or day trips with them to somewhere local – an added bonus! This should never be expected though, as this is entirely at the hosts discretion.
Lastly, it is worth noting that to other autistic travelers that rejections comes hand-in-hand with this site as you are unlikely to get accepted by every host you contact. I personally don’t take this personally (double whammy there), as I recognize it is the name of the game here and that expectations should never be placed on the other party for sites like these – though, I am the first to admit it can be frustrating sometimes. Something to bear in mind.
Cost: $2/month or $15/year (This varies by country, so I recommend double checking beforehand)
Another volunteer website that functions basically the same as Workaway. There are some differences, however. For example, they offer something called “experience insurance”, which is their term for helping you get on another experience nearby if things go sour or you get cancelled on.
I personally haven’t used Worldpackers (as of yet), so I cannot comment too much on this. I would recommend looking at both this and Workaway to compare what they both offer so you can make an informed decision on what might work best for you.
Cost: $49/year
- Messaging hostels/hotels directly
If you don’t happen to find any experiences available in your area of choice on any volunteering sites (or simply don’t want to pay for the signup fee), then it would also be a good idea to just message some hostels/hotels directly. Hostels usually operate primarily with the help foreign volunteers, and the turnover is very high due to the nature of backpackers moving on to new places. So, you should be able to find somewhere that will be happy to take you on as part of the team with relative ease.
Cost: Free!
Short for ‘Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms’. Wwoof is another volunteer website that focuses solely on agriculturally based opportunities. The aim is to provide those participating with first-hand experience in organic and environmentally friendly growing methods, to help the organic movement; and to allow volunteers to experience life in the rural setting of a different country.
Unlike the likes of Workaway, Wwoof is based unequivocally on the fact that payment is not permitted on their programmes. However, you will of course be provided with the usual amenities at no extra cost; lodgings, food, and possibly various opportunities to participate in cultural exchanges.
Cost: As stated on the Wwoof website, there is no international WWOOF membership, so you’ll have to buy a membership from each country’s organization. Annual membership usually costs around $30 per country.
Mind my house is for anyone who feels they are responsible enough to take care of another person’s home at the destination of choice. This is another great way to move around rent free, although the responsibility that comes with this may be greater than some of the other sites listed here. Tasks vary from looking after pets, to cleaning and gardening. Again, each homeowner will have their own specifications that you will have to read and agree to before committing yourself to anything.
Cost: $20/year
- Cambly
There are many language teaching sites out there, but Cambly may be the most accessible I have come across. Unlike most tutoring sites, Cambly does not require previous teaching experience, nor does it take any commission from your earnings. The site currently only offers English lessons, so you will have to be either native or fluent in English to succeed. Other than that, you will just need to have high speed internet and a good set-up, so you won’t have any distractions etc. The sign-up process is quick, and after a technical evaluation you should be good to go. Tutors earn a fixed rate of $0.17, or $0.20 for children. It’s a great way to earn a bit of extra cash on the road if you ever find yourself struggling. You will of course have to be confident onscreen and talking with other non-native speakers.
Cost: Free!
- Working Holiday Visa (WHV)
Certain countries have arranged visa partnerships with other countries that allow individuals below a certain age (usually 30) to work abroad for a predetermined period of time. Australia is perhaps the most well-known but there are numerous countries that offer similar visas. In total there are currently around 60 countries offering these bilateral agreements.
The current full list of countries are as follows:
Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Japan, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Uruguay, Ukraine, UK, Vietnam
Unfortunately, there are some hurdles that you may be presented with in such programmes. Firstly, your citizenship will dictate which countries you can apply for a visa for, as does your age. Every country has its own set of application rules, so make sure that you read through all the important information to see which countries, if any, you will be eligible for.
Next, in my own experience during my time in Australia (pre-Covid), I had a serious problem with countless companies declining my job applications based on my citizenship status despite meeting the skills requirements and holding a valid WHV. Should this be acceptable? No, it should not, but unfortunately this might be a reality you are faced with. It seems that many companies view such visa holders as cheap labour which of course means that you probably shouldn’t have a problem finding work in the service industry, or farm work but you will struggle to find any office based jobs or anything of a professional nature. It is important to note that farm work is a compulsory aspect of the visa conditions in Australia if you want to extend your visa beyond 12 months, although there are a small number of countries exempt from this rule.
Cost: Varies by country
- Digital Nomad Visa
Another option that is new is a Digital Nomad Visa for your chosen destination. Like a working holiday visa, this allows individuals to work and reside legally for a set period of time. However, unlike a working holiday visa this specifically targets people who already work remotely and engage in a digital nomadic lifestyle.
There are currently 24 destinations offering a ‘Digital Nomad Visa’ in some form or another:
Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Croatia, Curaçao, Czech Republic, Dominica, Estonia, Georgia, Germany, Iceland, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Montserrat, Norway, Portugal, Seychelles, Taiwan
As you can see from the list, the majority of what is on offer are small island nations. So, if like me your idea of paradise is being somewhere warm all year round then this might be something worth considering. Most, if not all the participants also have the infrastructure already built-in for digital nomads, with many now boasting high speed internet/telecom providers.
On the other hand, in most cases it is a prerequisite that you already be in a remote job before you apply. Proof of income seems to prove a hurdle, as some visas have set the threshold for this insanely high – so simply having a remote job itself is not enough. On top of that many of the visa application fees are also quite high. So, unless you are already in a high paying remote job with plenty of cash to spare then you might find most of these options out of reach.
Cost: Varies by country
Certain countries now require you to have a return flight out booked for you to enter the country. This can prove problematic if you are traveling long term and/or being spontaneous in your travel plans. I’ve heard several stories of people being forced to buy a return ticket on the spot at the airport to avoid refusal, with that ticket often going unused in most instances as it didn’t fit in with their plans.
One solution I learned during my travels was this super handy site. After paying the fee of $12 you are sent a ticket based on your specifications (if any) almost immediately, that you can use if asked at the airport. The ticket is valid for only 48 hours from your purchase, after which point it expires. It is a real valid ticket, so there are no legal qualms. This is an essential website if you want to avoid paying unnecessary amounts of money for a return flight that you might not use.
Cost: $12
Another great site to use if you’re on a budget is Numbeo! Numbeo allows you to search for the standard prices of typical products and
services available by any city across the globe.
Such information can prove invaluable when working out a budget before making a trip, as it will give you a fairly accurate idea of where exactly your money will be going during your time away. It can also prove useful in working out if you are overpaying/being ripped-off for something.
Cost: free!
- Get a Starling, Monzo or Revolut debit card
If you’re traveling on a regular basis, then one of these will prove indispensable when having to change currencies between countries. Both are debit cards that follow the same basic concept of allowing for fee-free bank transactions anywhere in the world! This is great for avoiding those annoying card fees every time you pay by card or withdraw at an ATM. I would recommend weighing up both and seeing what works best for your travel needs, as there are several key differences once you get down to the nitty gritty.
It’s also worth noting that even though there are no ATM fees associated with these cards, some banks and private ATMs charge their own rates that are still applicable. The best thing to do is do a quick search prior to your travels and find out which ATMs/banks at your destination have no transaction fees.
Cost: Free!
Disclaimer: All information and costs correct at time of writing.
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