How To Fund Your WanderLust: An Average Call Center Agent's Guide for a Nomadic Bliss

Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer. But not everyone do travel; because not everyone believes that anyone can travel.

Admit it or not, whenever we see people who pursue what they love to do, most of us would unconsciously and/or have the tendency to utter, “She can travel because she’s rich, she’s young, maybe, she’s single, she doesn’t have any responsibilities. And worse, we usually say, “She can (insert passion here) because she doesn’t bother to think for someone else, she doesn’t really care.”

Hmmm… Ouch!
So let me tell you a little bit of myself: I am Mich, an average Filipina in her 20 somethings. Obviously, I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth. Though, I am a Marketing Management Graduate, ever since, I honestly think that working in an office will kill me. During my 4 year course on making my professors believe that I’d love to see myself in a corporate suit, in high heels, to be money-driven, and to have power over people; I’d been secretly dreaming of being a globe-trotter, I always see myself smiling whenever I found myself daydreaming about me pulling a luggage bag.

A month before our graduation, in my attempt to follow what I love doing and to avoid the boredom of an office-like setting; I sent my application and resume to different Advertising Agencies and Graphic Studios. The offers were really not so good, I think, it cannot even shoulder my fare from Cavite-to-Makati for 5 days a week. Of course, I believe, its very embarrassing, if I’d still ask money from my parents. Practicality-wise, 2 weeks after graduation, I decided to reap money in the BPO industry.

I am your average Filipina friend. Since I worked, I never ask money from my parents anymore. Since, I started working, I also decided to start my manic pursuit of becoming a good daughter – I pay utility bills, buys groceries for the house, gives a part of my salary to my parents, and sends my brother to school. Believe it or not, the tuition fee alone eats up my whole salary. So, the big question is, ‘How Do I Fund my Passion for Traveling?’

Let me give you some tips. The following is not from any book nor from a financial adviser’s point of view. But hey, it works for me. You might love it too. 🙂

1. Make your D-I-Y Central Bank.
Yes, I love seeing my earnings and assets in front of me. Putting my money inside my favorite things adds up to the fun and excitement of saving.

2. Do good at work!
Though some of my friends thought I’m a real bum. Hell no, that I will never be. I have my regular job – I work 5 days a week, 8 hours per shift (sometimes, even more).

Hmmm… this second tip is a huge factor since your main income will come from your regular job. This would also include being present at all times. Yes, you got it right! Avoid filing for unnecessary Vacation and Sick Leaves. Use them only if NECESSARY and BADLY NEEDED. Anyways, 100% attendance also means more cash and incentives for you. 🙂

3. Be Healthy!
Being healthy also has something to do with Tip No. 2. If you’re healthy, you’re not gonna get sick, therefore, no Sick Leaves will be used and no need for you to buy expensive medicines. As a popular TV ad says, “More energy, mas happy! More energy, mas happy!” 🙂

4. Plan your trips ahead.
Planning your trips ahead saves a lot of money, time, and effort. Instead of buying the airfare tickets in their regular prices, I patiently wait for seat sales. And… RESEARCH – it will be a great help for you not to spend extra on fares and unnecessary activities.

5. Cut down your expenses. Live simply.
During weekdays, at work, instead of eating in a fastfood or in those 24-hour-restos nearby such as McDonalds, Mang Inasal, Chicboy, Jollibee, etc., I would rather eat somewhere more homey. In Makati, “Pares”, and Jollijeeps are emerging like mushrooms. These small eateries offer Filipino food which are around 70%-90% cheaper.

Warning:Depression might be felt at times you smell Jollibee Chickenjoy. But in times like these, Keep in mind that there are a lot of local foods you can try in different provinces.

Living simply also means learning to say “No” to Starbucks. Okay, at least, I am more gentle and nicer now. I have nothing against Starbucks, I myself, drink mocha frappes at times. But always remember that needs are totally far different from wants, from cravings, and from going on with the trend that Starbucks cups and mugs are used as status symbols.

Again, you don’t have to be rich to be a traveler. You just have to live simply. Maybe now you know why my motto is “Work Hard, Travel Harder, Don’t Stop.”

This is my entry for Pinoy Travel Bloggers’ Blog Carnival
for the month of June with the theme
‘How to Fund Your Wanderlust‘
hosted by James of Journeying James.

Check out the past topics of PTB’s Blog Carnival, click the logo on the left.