Hello! This post is written by my wonderful sister from her blog FITnancials. She’s getting ready to leave for a summer volunteer trip to Peru. I’m a proud sister!
Hello, I’m Alexis, the author of Fitnancials.com and Michelle’s younger sister.
Michelle encouraged me to start my own blog because I’m passionate about fitness and personal finance. On my site I write about healthy living, budgeting, travel, and how to earn a living while exploring the world.
Our father passed away from lung cancer several years ago (it will be seven years this Saturday). He was just over 50, yet he spent much of his life traveling. His love of exploring the world inspired my own wanderlust.
That adventurous spirit lives on in me, and I know he would be proud of the travels I’ve been doing. I hope to pass this love of travel on to my future children.
Over the past months I’ve been traveling more than ever, and people often ask how I manage it. I want to emphasize that what I do is possible for others too—if you truly want it. It takes effort, but mostly it requires careful planning and good time management.
Below I answer the most common questions I get, with practical tips to help you travel more too.
How can you travel while staying in school?
I moved to Chicago to attend university but later realized it wasn’t the right fit. I’m transferring to a different university that offers online courses, so I can continue my degree while traveling. This option isn’t right for every major or every student, but it works for mine, and the program is properly accredited.
Choosing an accredited online program lets me finish my degree without putting travel on hold. If you want to travel while studying, consider using school breaks for trips or arranging a more flexible course load. Always confirm accreditation so your degree remains valuable.
How do you travel on a college budget?
There are many ways to travel affordably. Beyond common strategies like using credit card rewards, booking budget accommodations, and choosing off-season travel dates, I use Couchsurfing to save a lot on lodging.
Couchsurfing connects you with hosts who offer a place to stay for free. The experience is often more rewarding than a hotel because you meet locals and learn about the destination from those who live there. I’ve met incredible people while Couchsurfing, and it’s consistently helped me cut costs.
If you’re open to meeting new people and staying in a local’s home, Couchsurfing is worth trying.
Would you ever try Couchsurfing?
How do you plan to earn a living while traveling?
To fund my travels I work as a behavioral therapist for children with autism. I’ve held roles in this field and related areas since I was 16, which has helped me save money for travel.
I also recently completed a TEFL certification, which qualifies me to teach English abroad. Teaching English is a flexible way to earn an income in many countries and to immerse yourself in a new culture while saving money.
If teaching isn’t your preference, other options exist. Programs like Workaway and WWOOF connect travelers with short-term work opportunities—everything from helping at hostels to working on organic farms—in exchange for accommodation and sometimes meals.
With so many remote and location-independent opportunities now available, earning while traveling has never been easier.
Why volunteer? Why travel long-term?
I want to make a positive difference, even if it’s small. I wish I could solve the world’s problems, but since that isn’t possible, I choose to help where I can. Volunteering in places that need support allows me to combine meaningful work with my love of travel.
Traveling solo has helped me grow and discover myself. Getting lost in a city while finding my way to a destination often leads to personal insights. I believe everyone should try solo travel at least once for the perspective it brings.
This summer I’ll be in Cusco, Peru, volunteering at a special needs orphanage. The facility cares for about 50 children but has only a few staff members, so additional help is needed. I’m looking forward to contributing and learning from the experience.
Thank you for reading.
How do you travel affordably? Have you tried TEFL, volunteering, Workaway, or similar programs?