1) My savings
Starting in elementary school, I was fascinated by the idea of earning my own money. I started working odd jobs (baby/pet-sitting, etc) as a little kid and kept going through my mid-twenties. By the time I left for college, I had thousands of dollars in the bank--that amount only increased when I graduated and found full-time salaried work.
2) Good fortune
My mom provided me with everything she considered a necessity: food, clothing, shelter and college tuition so that when I graduated I had zero debt to my name.
3) Being frugal
I'm a seasoned miser. In other words, the cost of almost all of my basic, everyday needs are probably much less than the average, middle-class American's. Back home, I found good roommates, lived a bike ride from downtown rather than in the heart of everything, loved cooking at home with friends/family, ditched my car/TV/latte/shopping habit and avoiding spending thousands of dollars a year in rent, bills and stuff. (I do admit that I have my indulgences, namely: gear, organic food, and of course, travel.)
My advice to aspiring-but-broke travelers...
Live simply, at home and abroad
From the big expenses in life down to the little things, it's amazing how much trimming here and there can amount to a lot in the long run. Those daily lattes really do add up! And of course, once you're out of country, the cost of living can drop dramatically depending on where you land.
Got more finance questions? Email me chegringablog(at)
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