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Top Tips For Travelling The World On The Cheap

Do you want to travel the world but think it’s expensive? Would you like to find a way to make full-time travel more affordable?

Money is often the first issue on the agenda when it comes to travelling. How can I start travelling the world when I don’t have much money? This problem and how to overcome it is probably the most frequently asked travel related question.

If you often find yourself asking this question, you need to know that you don’t have to be rich to travel. In fact, you can travel full-time on less than $14,000 per year! Let’s repeat that: YOU CAN TRAVEL FULL-TIME FOR $14,000 A YEAR (or Less!).

1. Save on airfare

Shopping online for cheap flight tickets can be a boon to your budget, but only when you know where to look for the best deals. Don’t just rely on major airfare search engines to book your flights. Many of these sites actually don’t carry the best airfare deals.

To find the cheapest airline tickets, airfares and discount air tickets, you should carry out a series of internet searches to find the different airlines that fly to your proposed route. Start by finding the website for your proposed departing and/or arriving airport to identify the airlines it caters to, including all of the budget airlines. Try to find airfare deals being offered by these airlines.

Other ways to save on airfare include: ensuring you don’t exceed the limit you for checked bags that you’ve pre-paid for, making sure that you’re arriving at and departing from the same airport when booking connecting flights, being prepared to fly from other airports or terminals entirely, and ensuring that you have enough time to hustle for airfare deals to your new departure point.

2. Work for accommodation

Accommodation is, without a doubt, one of the main factors in determining the cost of your travel. To cut back on this expense, consider taking on work-trade gigs available in your destination. Working in trade for accommodation will not only help you save money, but also get a chance to meet like-minded people, work with locals and immerse the culture, and make friends for life. A number of online platforms exist that you can use to find such work-trade gigs. These include: WWOOFing, Work Away, Help Exchange, Organic Volunteers, House Carers, and Caretaker’s Gazette. Some of these have a membership fee, which is negligible when compared to possible cost savings.

3. Take advantage of free accommodation

Aside from working in trade for accommodation, you can make use of hospitality exchange or accommodation sharing programs that connect you with like-minded travellers and allow you to stay as a guest in somebody’s home free of charge. This can be a great way to make and meet an instant local friend, but you’ll need to observe common etiquette like bringing a gift for your host, helping out with household chores and so on.

Some online resources where you can find hospitality exchange or accommodation sharing programs include: Hospitality Club, Servas, Global Freeloaders, and Couch Surfing.

4. Consider taking on travel friendly jobs

Depending on your expertise and experience, you can take on a travel-friendly job to finance part of your travel expenses while meeting new people. Some of the jobs you can undertake while you travel include: online jobs, freelance writing, photography, travel nursing, cruise jobs, tutoring, etc.

5. Take advantage of travel-friendly volunteer opportunities

Volunteering may end up making your getaway more expensive, rather than helping you cut costs, if you’re not careful. But there’s no denying the fact that you can volunteer inexpensively (or even for free), and get a once in a lifetime experience meeting local communities and making friends.

Only consider volunteer opportunities that are travel-friendly or those that come with packages. You can find such opportunities in volunteer travel resources like Transitions Abroad, Idealist, Voluntourism, Compathos, Personal Overseas Development, Conservation Connect, and Continental Divide Trail Alliance.

6. Try to Integrate into the local community

Remember you are not a tourist, but a full-time traveller. Try to embrace the place you are visiting and be proactive in making new connections and friends who can help you have fun, explore the local culture, and plan the next stage of your trip. There are many places where you can find an opportunity to interact with locals and make important connections, including local stores, pubs and restaurants, libraries, sports stadiums, and headquarters of international organizations like Toastmasters and Rotary (it can be more helpful if you’re a member).

7. Avoid splurging on souvenirs

Don’t waste your money splurging on multiple souvenir pieces; but you can buy one to remind you of the place.

Remember you aren’t a tourist!

8. Save money on food while travelling

Food and drinks are the other main factors in determining the cost of your travel. While it’s not advisable to limit yourself (since it can compromise the quality of your travel experience), you need to determine what is important to you in terms of food and drinks and budget for it accordingly. Are you a foodie or a beer person? Or, do you prefer self-prepared meals? Scrimp on those food items you don’t really need and so you can have money to treat yourself to your favourite meal or drink. Avoid those overpriced meals found in hotel restaurants, and choose popular local eateries. Apart from getting affordable meals, it will give you an opportunity to meet locals and explore local cuisine.

9. Be flexible, open minded and ready to allow your travel plans to evolve with you

Be adaptable and try to go with the flow to save money. Opportunities of many ilk tend to crop up when travelling, including volunteering, work and free accommodation; and being flexible with your travel plans will allow you to take advantage of such opportunities.

10. Make use of travel planning tools and apps

Apart from using these tips, look at your possible expenses and budget carefully before finalizing your travel plans. Travel planning tools and websites, such as Trip Cost Calculator, Tripbase, CompareTravelMoney and others, can help you with budgeting, particularly when it comes to estimating the cost of accommodation and food.

11. Travel slow and see more

Since travelling is a part of your life (and not an occasional undertaking), travel slow so you can have enough time to make lasting connections that can come in handy in your future endeavours. Choose a few destinations and try to stay at each place for a while getting to know people, the language and the culture. The longer you stay, the more you’ll learn about surviving and travelling on a budget in that particular destination.

August 2, 2016
7 Signs You’re Ready to Buy Your First Home

For most people, purchasing a home is their first big investment. You likely haven’t bought anything as expensive or as big of a commitment as a house before you purchase your very first home. Which means, if you’re like most, you’ll be hesitant to do so. Maybe the purchase makes you slightly nervous, or you might be unsure if you are ready to transition from renter to homeowner.

However, everyone is different and has varying situations. There is no standard “right time” that one can use. But, if you’ve been pondering the idea of homeownership, there are several signs that tell us you might be ready.

Below you’ll find 7 telltale signs that you’re ready to take the leap and buy your first home.

1. You’re ready for the big commitment.
If you believe you’re ready to become a homeowner, consider if you’re ready to essentially be your own landlord. All home maintenance now falls in your lap, and, depending on what they are, they can be costly.

Also, with homeownership comes more financial responsibility in terms of paying property taxes, possible HOA fees, and mortgage and loan payments, not to mention the additional costs, such as inspections, moving fees and the time/money you’ll spend if you end up selling in the future.

If you’re ready to take on all of this, then you’re at least one step closer to buying your home. However, if you’re not ready for all this commitment, it’s not a great idea to buy a home.

2. You have adequate funds.
Secondly, while you might be ready for the commitment, you obviously need adequate funds to purchase a home. This means, at the very least, you need to have enough money for a down payment.

Oh, and an expert tip for your loan is to get pre-approved by a mortgage broker. Look for one with excellent reviews and try to stay away from banks, as independent brokers are more motivated to help you with all of your specific needs.

Let’s take a look at the big picture for a second. The less you owe on your house, the less you’ll have to pay off. Which, in return, means less interest will be added to your loan payment. But the loan is separate from your down payment.

If you can put a large amount of money toward a down payment on a home, you’re starting off on the right foot. While a lot of people find it hard to use a large lump sum for a down payment, rather than a nice car or fancy trip, think of it as an investment. That money will go toward your equity, and you’ll see it when/if you sell your house at some point in the future.

While a good starting point for your down payment is about 5 percent of the total cost of the home, ideally you’d like to have at least 20 percent of the total cost saved up for you down payment. This is because if you make a down payment of 10 percent or lower you will have to pay a monthly private mortgage insurance fee, which protects the lender in the event you default.

3. Owning could cost the same or less than renting.
In some cases, renting can cost just as much as a mortgage and associated fees. You may be tired of paying high rent and believe it’ll be more beneficial to own at the same costs. If you’re paying high rent prices, it is better for those payments to go toward your own home equity. Look up interest rates and the cost of mortgages, and talk to a financial advisor/bank to look at your options.

4. Low interest rates are available.
It’s a new homeowner’s dream to have a low interest rate on their mortgage loans. In the long run, it can save you a ton of money. If you’ve been considering buying a home and the interest rates are low – as they are currently – that’s a great time to take the plunge.

5. You’ve created a budget.
A budget is the number one way to keep track of your finances and clearly illustrate what you can and cannot afford. Even if you think or know that you have money for a down payment, be sure to take a good, hard look at your finances.

Then create a budget that you plan to stick to. Be sure you include the amount that the household brings in, and subtract all the bills and necessities. That number is where your down payment and housing expenses will come from.

6. You plan to stay in the area.
Perhaps you’re ready to commit, you have the funds for a down payment, and the price of renting is about the same as a mortgage payment would be. Great! But, if you don’t plan to stay in the area for about five to seven years, you might want to reconsider buying a home.

While you certainly can purchase a home for the short term, it’s not the best move financially. With the exception of a plan to keep the property and rent it out, that is. When you consider all the costs that go into the home – your down payment, mortgage payments, repairs, maintenance, and renovations – to turn around and sell it after just a couple of years doesn’t make much sense. You are very unlikely to break even.

7. It’s a buyer’s market.
Just as when interest rates are low, when the market you’re looking in is experiencing a buyer’s market, that is another great time to take advantage of. A buyer’s market refers to a time when the demand for houses is low, and there is plenty of inventory in the market. Homes in a buyer’s market don’t tend to move too fast and, while they are often priced high, buyers can usually negotiate a lower price.

Purchasing a home is a huge milestone in your life. As exciting as it is, it can also be nerve-wracking and confusing. There are many parts of the home buying process that aren’t as fun as shopping for the perfect property to call yours. For inexperienced buyers, it helps to have the professional help of an experienced real estate agent on their side.

If you’re looking to take a permanent residence in the Atlanta and surrounding metro areas, rely on Janet Elliot for all your first-time buying needs. With over 28 years of experience, she offers insider knowledge of the area and its neighborhoods. Plus, she uses her expertise to make the home buying process as stress-free as possible.

August 2, 2016
5 Effective Ways To Get A Fair Price on Home
There is always one thing in common when it comes to real estate investment – the PRICE. A good and fair price has a direct impact on the buyer’s and seller’s side, considering nobody wants to be at the disadvantage. Who would, right? Yet as we all know, pricing decision can result in an important consequence. It can make or break a good deal. That means, setting the right price level matters the most.

However, just because you can afford the price, that doesn’t mean you’re getting a good offer. Investing in a property such as Alveo condominium Tayagay is not just about the purchase. There must be a smart judgment to get a fair price. But how do you really know if you are getting a fair deal on the price? Here’s how:
1. Research recently sold, comparable properties
Comparing properties is not just about how similar or different they are in terms of their sizes, condition, neighborhood and their amenities. When you compare, you basically include all the aspects of the property – not just the features but also the prices. Generally, most home investors gain their interest in the comparison of prices in different properties. Is the property less expensive than larger or nicer properties? Or is the property more expensive when it’s smaller? This will give you an idea on which of the properties has a better offer than the other.
1. Check out comparable properties that are currently on the market
Aside from the properties that are recently sold, you can also try visiting other homes on the market. Perhaps, there are home features that you can find on a certain property that you want to have. Also, checking such will give you a big difference when it comes to comparison in many aspects of the property. With that, you can then start comparing prices and see if that particular feature is worth the offer.
1. Look at comparables that were on the market recently but didn’t sell
Just because the property didn’t sell, that doesn’t mean it is no good at all. In fact, you can have a better option when it comes to their prices. There are even properties that are on sale with an affordable price without compromising its quality. If you are interested, then you can check out the unsold inventory index for the information about the current supply and demand in the housing market.
1. Consider market condition and appreciation rates in the area
Whether you realize it or not, there are sellers who tend to overprice the property. There are also for sale properties especially when it’s urgent, sellers go for an underpriced rate. If you are not keen when it comes to its price, you may not get a desirable offer. That is why it is important for you to consider the impact of interest rate. Of course, this all depends on where the market is currently situated in the real estate curve.
1. Are you buying a for-sale-by-owner property?
There are actually different ways of purchasing a property. One is through the for-sale-by-owner property (FSBO). It is when selling a property without the use of real estate agents. Investing in this kind of property should be discounted since there is no seller’s agent commission. However, this is one of the things many sellers don’t take into consideration when setting their prices. There are also possibilities that sellers may not have an agent’s guidance in setting a reasonable price, which may result in a bad deal. As a home investor, you have to be keen when it comes to its price.

The price is a big factor in the investment. If you want to have a smooth sailing process, then start your search with a good deal. Check if the property is worth the investment. Moreover, never forget to be keen when it comes to having a fair price.
May 18, 2016
Earning Money Online Has Never Been Easier – Top 10 Ideas
Today, there are millions of people who earn their money online. According to a 2015 report published by Freelancers Union, there are about 54 million people in America only that work as freelancers. Some decide to start their own online business, which is no easy task. Great business ideas and a well-designed marketing plan is what you need to learn how to make money online. You can turn your ideas into reality with some basic skills, a domain and hosting. The niche you choose will be your combat arena, so choose your weapons and dive in.
1. Translate
If you are fluent in two or more languages, then earning money by translating would be no problem. Whether it is translating various texts and documents, replying to company emails, or negotiating deals for an import-export agent – there is work out there. You can set up professional translation services or work part time via freelance websites.
1. Become a Virtual Assistant
Depending on the job role, a virtual assistant can charge $20-30. The most common tasks that virtual assistants deal with are: product listings, responding to emails, research, and blogger outreach. It’s a flexible job that allows you to maintain multiple clients at once. You can easily work overtime or fill gaps in your week whenever you wish.
1. Outsource
The outsourcing industry is heavily on the rise, and there are new business opportunities in the international marketplace, thanks to the intersection of globalization and technology. Companies, small or big, all outsource their workforce today. So, why not start a business that focuses solely on outsourcing? Everybody needs external help at some point, so outsource the work and take a profit margin instead of doing the work yourself.
1. Social Media Marketing
Business leaders recognize the importance of social media presence, and they pay people who know how to take all the advantages and manage social media profiles. They employ other people to do it because usually they do not have the time to get involved with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Build up attractive social media profiles, attract potential clients, and raise brand awareness.
1. Run an Ecommerce Store
Creating a fully functional and easy-to-use online Ecommerce store has actually never been easier. You can have it designed for as little as $500-600, get a domain and hosting, and invest in good marketing strategies such as: networking, SEO (Search Engine Optimization), PPC (Pay-Per-Click), print media, and event sponsorship. Set up an online store, utilize a secure ecommerce payment gateway, and start selling.
1. Train and Mentor
There are various skills that can be taught online, with free services that Skype or other messenger programs provide. You could help people improve their writing skills, teach a language, offer marketing training, or teach/mentor in other skills you mastered in. Offer a freemium model – free accounts with limited features, and then charge for account upgrades.
1. Paid Blogging
Companies and individuals who own their websites are always in search of high quality content. If you are an experienced writer, you could offer blog posting services. Rookies can usually charge about $1.5 per 100 words, but after you prove good and start working on more complex projects, you could charge $5-15 per 100 words. Check out sites like Upwork and People Per Hour for freelance writing gigs.
1. Web Design
No smart business owner would make that crucial mistake of not having a well-designed and user-friendly website. Those who have skills in web development need practically no investment in order to start designing logos and websites for those who need it. Build up your skill set by taking online web design courses and learn the basics of coding, start building your portfolio, and offer your services.
1. Build apps
If you are already upgrading your skills in coding, you can also use them to build apps. You would have to go through an extensive 12-month training (in CodeAcademy) before being able to build high sales apps. The market is quite large, but so is the competition. However, if you have an idea for a great and interesting app, you should definitely try to realize it.
1. Sell on eBay
Now, it is not that easy to sell successfully on eBay. What you should do is to target a niche where the competition is low and profit margins are high. After you find a supplier and choose the right product, you can import items and make a big profit.

These are just some of the most common ways of earning money online. Find something you are great at, upgrade your skills, and offer your services or products online. When there is a huge demand for something, then you can get paid by giving a good offer, right? Good luck!
April 29, 2016
5 Devastating Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make Blindly

A new business has an addicting feel to it, especially if you are right in the thick of it and managing it. That’s the life of a CEO right? You’re not quite at the CEO level of things but the feel of starting your own act is a step all of us dream about. Sadly, the buzzword alone is not enough if you are looking to succeed with your own business. Studies give a disturbing number if you are one of those who are sitting within the time frame where your business can be labeled as a “startup” and that is exactly what needs to be addressed.

As Moz often puts forward the question, why do so many entrepreneurs end up falling flat on their noses despite having capital and ideas by the trunk load. There is no easy way to answer this of course and superfluous answers such as lack of resources or a mistimed investment do not help us. In fact those answers are also ready by the trunk load on the internet, but the entrepreneurs are still getting something wrong. What is it?

Not setting up an “edge”

Many call this as the “unfair advantage” that can get you up and running with a business idea, I want to build a more holistic and less hostile word around such an idea. Your business edge is nothing more than what you can do best, but takes note saying that you can work really hard or innovate is not enough. Do a quick Google search and you will figure out that those words are popularly used by lots of “up and coming “brands. It’s easy to say that you innovate: it’s quite another trick to actually pull it off.

The problem is the word itself, it’s putting serious consumers and businesses off. If your model is anything close to resembling a B2B then avoid using such things. Define your edge properly and stick to it in the initial times. It can be something as simple as knowing animations that flow well with the website but it needs to be something which you know you are extraordinarily good at.

Being stingy on “resources”

To be brutally honest, by resources I merely mean the working employees or the teams. Too many startups go on the track of hiring low costing employees or consultants and that ends up hitting them. I have always maintained that if you have to choose between a fancy office and skilled workers then invest on the workers first. Low end employees end up costing more in the long run, which as we all know is when the start up starts to shrivel up. Take an example of the fact that some companies despite being relatively new, offer new hires loan repayment schemes as part of their incentive benefits. It goes a long way in not just ensuring quality but also in having happy members in your team.

Inconsistent Marketing

Notice I am talking about the marketing being inconsistent and not absent. It’s an important tip to pick up if you pay attention to Inbound in any form. You see online traffic can be exceedingly fickle at times: they do not have a specialized memory about what’s so special about you so they tend to forget. Consistency in your marketing means two things: being regular on when you post and being constant in what you post.

The regularity bit is easy right? If you are maintaining a blog then, post regularly at least twice a week. Social media needs to have posts going viral at least daily and so on. Constancy in “what” you post is a bit tricky. People take it to be being repetitive but let me assure you that it is the last thing you should do. Your business line follows a certain strategy so if your business is all about catering to yacht dealership and offering great values in that domain then your marketing will focus on varying values of different kind of yachts or what the perfect price range and make for a particular buyer. You will not be jumping to comfort and luxury settings because that is not your zone as far as your strategy is concerned.

Tax avoidance

This bemuses me because running a business typically means you understand government policies about taxes and expenses. The problem with “entrepreneurship” being a buzzword is that many people tend to gloss over the not so minor detail of taxes and loans. What does that get them? Penalties and that leads to? Well bankruptcy if you are not controlling your expenses.

Not controlling miscellaneous expenses

As someone running the business you need to be aware of the investment you are putting in your venture and the returns you are getting. One can argue that these expenses are part of the investment but that’s not my job to do so. The point here is that you need to keep track of them. If you are throwing the entire office a pizza party out of the office cash then that needs to be kept track of.

Now that’s point one, the problem is that because these amounts tend to be relatively small you end up spending quite a lot accumulating these “mini” transactions that have little to do with your business. Result? A potential loss figure showing up at the end of your month and we all know where that can go.

April 13, 2016
Things to Consider Before Purchasing an Investment Property

With the real estate market becoming such a popular way to make money, you might be interested in getting involved with it yourself. This can result in making quite a bit of money to supplement your income, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy. Making money in real estate involves a lot of challenges and will ultimately require a strong willpower to make things work. If you’re ready to buy your first rental property and become a landlord yourself, then take a look at the tips below:

1. Location, Location, Location

You’ve likely heard this before, even if you haven’t invested in real estate. Location is important, especially when it comes to a rental property, because renters want to be close to shops, restaurants, bars, schools, and other local businesses. You should also consider whether or not the home is in a good school district and what the crime rate is like, as a home in a safe area and near a good school will be much more likely to rent.

2. Maintenance

Being a landlord requires you to cover unexpected expenses, such as repairs or landscaping, in a timely manner. You should have enough money to cover issues that renters want fixed right away, such as roof leaks or plumbing issues, without making them wait. The last thing you want is to make renters mad by having a poorly maintained property, so always make sure you cover problems as soon as possible.

3. Understand the Responsibility

It can be easy to be drawn into a rental property when other landlords tell you how much money they make. However, it’s not always going to be as easy as collecting a check from the occupants. Just like with any home, maintenance and repair issues will pop up over time. This could be the middle of the night or while you’re at work, so it’s important to always be available. In addition to this, you may end up not renting for a while, which means having to cover the mortgage yourself. Another unfortunate reality is that some tenants don’t work out and have to be evicted, which can be a long and expensive process for the property owners.

4. The Tenant Is Important

When you’re eager to have a monthly rent check you might be tempted to take any renters you can find, but it’s important not to overlook any details. If possible, use a property management company that will not only show the home to prospective renters, but also screen them to ensure they are the right fit. This will be incredibly helpful in the long run and ensure you find a tenant that will provide you with a reliable check every month.

5. Is the Property Going to Make You Money?

Just because a property looks nice does not mean it’s going to be a desired spot for renters. There are many things you should consider in order to make sure you will generate income from this investment. Mortgage payments, repairs needed, taxes, walkability, etc., are all details that will help you determine if you’re likely to generate income (and how much) from this buy.

Investing The Right Way

Purchasing a rental property can be a wonderful way to make more money, but it’s important not to go into this blind. Consider your options, weigh the pros and cons, work the numbers, and then make the decision based on facts rather than anticipation.

April 11, 2016