Having spent much of the last couple of years moving around (a lot) within Canada thanks to my remote job, I recently got to thinking about how much money I've spent on travel in the last six or so years. Then I got to thinking about where that money actually came from and how my spending habits have evolved over the years.
Long-term travel is not for everyone, but I feel that at least giving it a chance is something we should all do if we have the means. Until you experience the firsthand joys and pains of carrying around everything you own on your back, navigating different cultures and landscapes every few days, weeks, or months, and really challenging your own independence, you can't really know how you'll react or adjust. It can shake up your views of the world and yourself, and alter your course in life.
With that said, it can definitely get expensive. I'm saving up for a new camera right now and thinking back on the thousands I've spent on plane tickets in the past. But, at the end of the day, I sometimes managed on very little and never found myself penniless along the way. Here are a few of the ways I paid for long-term travel experiences.