As full-time travelers, my husband and I get asked this question all the time, “How do you afford it?” Simple answer, we do it on a budget. When we decided that we wanted to travel around the world, at our own pace, whether this would take two years or 10, the first thing we did was look at our finances.

We are not independently wealthy, and we definitely fall into the “budget traveler” category. Since we both retired early, and are not yet collecting Social Security, we do not have a monthly income to rely on, so we had to make a realistic budget we could stick to using our savings dividends until that time.

For many years, we made small sacrifices that helped us save money to travel with. Luckily, we have also discovered that we spend less money per month traveling the world than we did staying at home.

Taking the Leap

As our list of all the places we want to visit grew longer and longer, it became clear that it would be detrimental to our finances if we continually had to fly back to the U.S. just to check up on something that we had no sentimental attachment to.

We had only been in our house about five years, so it was not a generational family home that everyone gathers to for holidays and reunions. Our family is scattered across the U.S., and it has always been easier for us to take trips to visit them.

We could have turned our house into a rental or an Air BnB, these are very viable options many people use to help fund their travels. Frankly, we just didn’t want the hassle. By selling our house we were able to put that equity into our travel fund. This eliminated a monthly house payment, homeowners’ insurance, taxes, utilities, and maintenance.

We also eliminated car insurance, gasoline, and mindless shopping for items that we don’t need or really even want. So, for us it was a no-brainer. I actually felt a weight lift off me as one by one, we got rid of our cars, furniture, and all the things that take up space in a house.

I felt new possibilities and adventure just around the corner every time another item was gone. Of course, we do have a closet size storage unit for our sentimental items. There are a few things we just can’t part with.

Living on a Budget

We have always lived debt free (outside of our mortgage). Paying our credit card bill monthly and not having any extraneous loans made planning our travel budget easier. Of course, this number will be different for everyone depending on the individual set of circumstances.

Are you drawing a monthly retirement, using your 401(k), have you started collecting Social Security yet, or do you want to sell your house or use it for income, etc.

We set a daily budget for ourselves that includes travel insurance, accommodation, food, transportation, cell phone, the cost of our storage unit, plus a small portion for miscellaneous. Some days we are under budget, which means we can splurge a little and be over budget in the coming days because we always find a nice restaurant we want to go to or a sight-seeing tour we want to get in on.

We also spend less time in really expensive areas and slow down in the budget friendly places. This is what is so nice about slow travel. You can pace yourself, see new places, have fun, and still be able to manage your money. Please check out our YouTube Travel channel, Over the Hill and Far Away to see where we’ve been so far.

Accommodation

Places to stay can vary greatly depending on your taste and budget. We use Air BnB for our longer stays as this allows us to book a house or apartment that has a kitchen and a washing machine. Preparing one meal a day ourselves and doing our own laundry are both money savers. If we are only going to be in a place 10 days or less, we’ll usually book a hotel with good reviews.

Food

This is another thing that can vary greatly. It is also one of the fun parts of travel, discovering new foods and flavors. We always read up on what the local dishes are when going to a new place. There are always Western food options available, but they do cost more than the local cuisine.

We ate in local and western style restaurants until we became comfortable eating street food and learned what to look for. Just like at home, gravitate to the places that are very busy. This means they are local and a tourist favorite and when a restaurant, food truck, or stall has a steady string of customers throughout the day their ingredients are sure to be fresh.

Don’t be afraid to try something new! There are some street food stalls that have earned Michelin Stars! Eating local food has been a huge money saver for us, and we’ve discovered great cuisine. Taking a cooking class to learn to make local dishes has become one of our favorite things to do in a new place. It can also be a great introduction to the local cuisine.

When we stay in an accommodation with a kitchen, we usually fix our own breakfasts of oatmeal and fruit. Not only does this save us a lot of money it also helps us stay healthy. The longer we stay in a place, the cheaper our food costs become as we discover the best places to eat and to shop for food.

It Takes Planning

Currently, we are in Cambodia and are staying in the capital, Phnom Penh, for a month. A few years ago, we took a sabbatical and lived here, which means we know where to shop and eat, and where to stay. This makes our stay here much less expensive. That’s one reason we’re staying a whole month, to slow down and spend a little less money.

We have found that we need so much less now that we only have to meet our daily needs and not maintain a house and vehicles. There was a lot of planning before we started off on our around the world adventure.

It’s not just a one-time thing either, we constantly make tweaks and adjustments to our plans. Is it worth all this planning and budgeting? Totally! We are so happy, and so blessed, to be having the adventure of a lifetime. Although we are living our dream, we’re not special, if we can do it so can you. Whether it’s across your state or across the ocean, if travel is your dream, plan a budget and see how far it takes you!

Let’s Have a Conversation

Have you ever budgeted for travel or something else major? Do you have any budgeting tips that may be useful to others? Do you think you will feel comfortable to slow-travel? Let me know your thoughts or ideas.

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

I’m often on the fence about incorporating exfoliating treatments into my regimen—as someone with easily stressed-out skin, I have to tread lightly or I risk irritation, redness and dry patches. That’s why I tend to lean closer to resurfacing masks that only require weekly or bi-weekly use; it’s a great way to reap real benefits without potentially infuriating your skin on the reg. All the more better if said mask was formulated to remain gentle on the skin, like the Three Ships Superfruit AHA Exfoliating Mask, which has been my top choice as of late.

For starters, the mask primarily contains lactic acid, which is deemed one of the more forgiving alpha hydroxy acids out there. Don’t get it twisted though, the ingredient still provides visible results straight from the get-go, especially when paired with collagen-boosting fruit acids and antioxidant-rich rice powder. Within just five minutes (or two minutes if you have especially sensitive skin), the mask brightens dullness—one reviewer claims it gives a “nice refreshed look” after a long day or terrible nights sleep—removes dead skin cells across the face and softens and nourishes. 

Three Ships

You may or may not know the difference between chemical and physical exfoliants, that being, one manually buffs away the skin’s surface while the other sinks deeper within the skin’s layers to bring change from within. The Superfruit AHA Exfoliating Mask can be utilized in both ways; its exfoliating rice powders polish the skin physically while the combination of acids help encourage cell renewal. 

RELATED: Tula Has Launched a Brand New Holiday Gift Shop—Score Up to 42% In Savings Through December

Considering the mask has already sold out before, you may want to get your hands on it sooner rather than later. With dozens upon dozens of glowing reviews from shoppers, it’s safe to say I’m not the only one constantly reaching for this from their bathroom cabinet. One person referred to it as a “spa in a jar” after seeing “amazing results” from use, while a second person also claimed using the product “truly feels like having a facial.”

“I have not seen a product like this from other brands—the mask applies on smoothly and you can ‘feel’ the product working once you let it sit without irritating your skin,” raved another fan. “My face looks and feels brighter and more awake!”

“Absolutely LIVING for this mask,” wrote a different one. “I have dry, sensitive skin and always have trouble finding a product that works well for me. It didn’t feel like it burned or stripped my skin, like so many other exfoliators, which is a HUGE win. Seriously magical.”

The Three Ships Superfruit AHA Exfoliating Mask is available for just $25 on the brand’s website.

Robyn Dixon’s Black Shredded T Shirt at the Dance Class

Real Housewives of Potomac Season 7 Episode 2 Fashion

Robyn Dixon nailed the sexy look in her black shredded t shirt at the dance class. It looked like so much fun for the ladies and I was impressed by their moves! Not as impressed as I am with your moves though. Which def should be boogieing down to the Style Stealers to get a tee just like this.

Sincerely Stylish,

Jess

Click Here to See Her Lasula T Shirt

Originally posted at: Robyn Dixon’s Black Shredded T Shirt

Gizelle Bryant’s Shearling Trim Sweatshirt on the Phone

Real Housewives of Potomac Season 7 Episode 2 Fashion

Now this is something I did not know existed: a shearling trim sweatshirt. When I saw Gizelle Bryant wearing one I was like this I can get behind. It looks sooo cozy I don’t think I’d want to put anything else on! And sure to Gizelle there is a limit on affection when it comes to relationships. But I think we can all agree that there def is not on our love for this hoodie.

Sincerely Stylish,

Jess

Click Here to Shop Her Ugg x Telfar Sweatshirt

Originally posted at: Gizelle Bryant’s Shearling Trim Sweatshirt

With the arrival of October, it’s not hard to let the mind wander to visions of fires, pumpkin spice, the jittery excitement of the holidays right around the corner.

If you’re already making your autumn plans, don’t miss these clever ideas for activities to do with your grandkids that will benefit your health, too.

Attend Their Fall Fundraiser

Whether you’re donating your time as a volunteer at the fall carnival, or simply taking the grandkids around the fall festival to play games and visit rides, supporting their school will benefit your body and spirit.

Giving back has been shown to help alleviate stress and promote positive moods. In addition, the naturally aerobic exercise you’ll get while chasing the kids as they run around to all the different games and activity booths will do your muscles and joints good as well.

Be careful about fall fundraiser foods though – oftentimes carnivals and festivals are rich with fatty, salty and sugary snacks. They seem like a tasty idea but are an all-around bad choice for your health. Not to mention that they can negatively impact existing conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.

When it comes to snacking at the carnival, avoid the funnel cakes and caramel apples, and opt for bringing your own healthy snacks like blueberries, whole grain tortilla chips, dried fruit and nuts, or granola bars.

Get Crafty

Autumn offers some of the most fun and creative craft inspiration. Maybe it’s due to the fall staples of pumpkins, colored leaves and cornucopias, or simply the fun and vibrant Halloween symbols of jack-o-lanterns, cute monsters, bats, cats and ghosts.

Crafting requires precise hand-eye coordination practice as well as the use of the fine motor skills. It might not even seem like exercise, but crafting activities can play an important role in helping you maintain dexterity well into old age, as well as prevent cognitive decline.

Exercising our fine motor skills has been shown to help reinforce critical communication pathways in the brain. Fun craft ideas that involve your grandkids may include:

• Helping to sew or construct your grandchild’s Halloween costume
• Making wine cork pumpkin decorations
• Constructing a garland strung with leaves cut out of different patterned fabrics
• Painting acorns with fun colors for displaying in a clear bowl
• Carving or painting pumpkins together

Go On a Hike

Soak up the beautiful colors of fall as the leaves start to change, and go to an inspired hike with your grandkids. Hiking is one of the best low-impact activities in which older adults should take part.

It is great to strengthen muscles and bones as well as work out the heart and exercise balance and coordination skills. When hiking with your family this fall, don’t forget to:

Wear Layers!

It’s easier to remove a sweater when you warm up than to get caught outside in a cold snap without something warm to put on.

Stay Hydrated!

The cooler weather of fall might make you seem less overheated and sweaty, but staying hydrated while you hike is a must. Take a reusable water bottle or canteen with you.

Protect Yourself from the Sun!

Be smart about sun protection. Even under a lush tree canopy during the fall, the sun’s UV rays will find you. Wear a hat and sunblock where appropriate.

Take a Map!

Chances are, your hike up into the mountains may be out of cell service area. Take a paper map and closely follow trail markers to avoid getting lost.

Wear Good Shoes!

Hiking involves traversing uneven terrain strewn with natural trip hazards like tree roots, rocks and slippery leaves. Wear a proper fitting pair of hiking boots to help stabilize and reinforce your balance and movement.

Take Pictures!

Hiking with grandkids is always a memorable treat, but nothing beats a photo of the lot of you beaming at the top of a summit. Ask a fellow hiker to snap a shot with your smartphone or bring your own camera along. A framed photo from your outdoor excursion could make a great holiday gift down the line too!

Sign Up for a Charity Walk

Do something good for your health and for your community by signing up for a charity walkathon or other athletic event with your grandkids this fall.

In addition to getting exercise, you can help raise money for a cause you care about. Check out athletic charity events near you with a helpful search tool at Active.com.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What are other fall activities you like to do with your grandkids? What do you most look forward to in fall? Please join the conversation!