The Expat Chat

The Expat Chat

By Tony ArgyleSociety & CulturePlaces & Travel
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The Expat Chat episodes

  • Getting vehicles for free (and other handy travel budget tips)

    If you think you don’t have enough money to set off traveling then you’re going to enjoy todays show. Ted and Jen Avery sold up all their home possessions and vehicle raising $11000 in the process and hit the road back in 2012 using the funds to sustain themselves through Central America and beyond. For Ted it was a big move, particularly as he’d never left Canada or taken a flight before 2010!

    After a period of time in Sydney, Australia during 2013 where Jen studied and the pair put in a claim for residency, they again hit the road.

    We caught up with them in Florida where they shared the secrets to finding vehicles for nothing, how they downsized their life, why the Galapagos islands are easier (and cheaper) to get to than you might think and how airline mistakes can be the source of unbelievable deals if you act quickly.

     

    What I learned from Ted and Jen:

    1. Relocatable vehicles are a great way to get free transport while traveling. These guys have used it to travel right across Canada. Relocatables are hire companies who need their RV’s and cars moved from point A to point B but don’t want to pay for staff to do it. There are websites like http://www.imoova.com and http://hittheroad.ca which provide vehicles that need to get from A to B and sometimes they even throw in the petrol. Nice!
    2. The Galapagos is not as expensive as I thought. These guys were able to easily get to the island reasonably affordably from Quito Ecuador and then booked a cruise at half the going rate from on the island.
    3. If you can travel anywhere and anytime then you might be able to take advantage of airline mistakes to pick up some great fares. Computer glitches and human error do happen and although sometimes the airlines will renege when they find it they will often honor the deal. Much like the Economical Excursionists these guys love to find travel deals!
    4. You have enough money sitting around you right now to go traveling. These guys raised $6000 from just selling their home possessions that they didn’t need which was enough, along with $5000 from their car sale. This was enough to live comfortably on the road for 6 months.
      5. 46 min
    5. How To Minimize Your Daily Accommodation Cost

      In today’s interview we catch up with Sean and Jen Boyle who left the sunny San Diego area in early 2014 to hit the road. They’ve have since covered much of Central America and Southern Europe and have recently arrived in Thailand. They don’t believe in roughing it but have comfortably kept to an annual budget of around $US40-$US50000 during the last 12 months.

      We caught up with them to discuss Air BNB (where they book 80% of their accommodation) and the pros and cons of house-swapping.

      You can follow their journey (and try some of the delicious recipes they have included) at their blog http://venturists.net

      What I learned from speaking with Sean and Jen:

      1. Sean and Jen like to spend a short while in each place they visit and have recognized that staying for a month not only gives them a good look around but helps them keep their accommodation costs to a minimum. Air BNB offers a better rate when staying for 30 days but they can often negotiate the rate down to 22/25 days with the renter while keeping their daily costs the same.
      2. Renting out a property versus house swap is always a debate for travelers with a property. If your own property is in a place where higher net rents can be achieved over where you’re staying then you may be best to rent your own place rather than swap. Do consider tax with this though – you might want to talk to your accountant about whether it will be deemed as income.
      3. Although the Boyles are comfortably within their budget and have stopped monitoring their costs to the same extent they do recommend recording costs in the first year so you can keep a handle on spending.
      4. Although their blog includes food they have added recipes from the countries they visit which helps attract a whole new audience of readers.
        5. 37 min
      5. Leaving the Legal World - Life as a Legal Nomad
        If you search the internet for travel bloggers it won’t take you long to stumble across Jodi Ettenberg. Her website Legal Nomads regularly ranks highly on the list of world’s top travel bloggers and has featured in numerous publications since she hit the road back in 2008 after 5 years working as a lawyer in New York. Her long form story telling style of blog has gone against the grain of standard blogging practice but has won her a huge following amongst a loyal group of followers who appreciate the depth and insightfulness of the stories she shares.
         
        Jodi’s travels aren’t without their challenges. As a celiac sufferer finding the right place to eat in a new town can be daunting. Her website includes useful advice and tips from those suffering from this disease or gluten intolerance generally and her attitude and spirit shows that you don’t need to let major health challenges stand in the road
        of being a fulltime travelers.
         
        We caught up with Jodi in Chiang Mai where we discussed her attitude to blogging and how street food can be one of the best ways to monitor what you eat. You’ll find details of her stories and her food guide at her website www.legalnomads.com
         
        What I learned from Jodi’s interview:
         
        1. Jodi is absolutely right when it comes to travel blogging. You can rank well with posts about 10 best things to do in Penang but in reality you are only providing your readers with information they can gain elsewhere. If you’re serious about developing a blog then you need to inject some of yourself into the story and provide a perspective they would not find elsewhere. This will make you unique and draw a true following over time. Jodi writes long form blogs which her audience appreciates and it’s not unknown for her to write 5000 word posts or longer. Much like The Uncornered Market she has focused on quality over quantity.
         
        2. Even if you suffer from food allergies or a reaction to certain foods it’s no reason to avoid travel. Jodi is a celiac which means certain foods can have an effect on her. She needs to spend more time researching where she will eat than most people but to a large extent she would still be having to do this even if she wasn’t on the road. She has gluten free food guides www.legalnomads.com/gluten-free on her website along with her book, The Food Traveler’s Handbook which is a great starting point for anyone suffering from gluten intolerance who is planning to travel.
         
        3. She finds street food a great way to deal with her celiac condition. It’s difficult in a
        restaurant to see what’s going on in the kitchen but when it’s cooked fresh in front of
        you, there is a much better chance to control what you’re receiving. Street food, contrary to popular opinion, is often a good way to avoid general sickness as it enables you to see the general cleanliness and how quickly the food is being turned over.
        34 min
      6. How Travel Has Helped Me Deal With Depression

        What do you do when you’ve left University with a degree in Theatre? Travel the world of course! For Chris Walker-Bush staying at home in rural Australia wasn’t an option – and when a friend suggested teaching English in Korea might be a career move Chris decided it was time to start traveling.

        After a further stint teaching English in China Chris found himself in the unique position of helping an African safari company develop their business in the Asia region and he has since been on over 20 safaris in places such as Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya.

        We caught up with Chris during a visit home to Australia where he discussed his travels and how they have helped him deal with depression. You can follow his journey (and his upcoming 2016 climb of Mt Kilimanjaro) at http://www.aussieontheroad.com

         

        What I learned from speaking with Chris:

        1. A name we associate with genocide has moved on so far in the last few years. The nation is developing well and has moved ahead of its neighbors, such as Uganda, in infrastructure development. The country has modelled itself on Singapore with a benevolent dictator who is unique – he wants to resign but the people won’t let him!
        2. Chris’s interview was very candid in terms of his battling with depression. For many travel might seem like a means of creating more stress for someone already with a lot to deal with, but he has credited travel with the ability to help him overcome it. It has a unique ability to heighten the senses and, as he rightly says, when you’re battling to make yourself understood in a foreign country you have little time for inward focus.
        3. You can turn your own unique talents to any opportunity. Chris credits his job opportunity to a unique combination of travel experience, English teaching skills and his theatre background that helped make him ideal for the position. There is certainly a benefit to making yourself unique when it comes to finding job opportunities on the road!
          4. 36 min
        4. Making it Up as I Go - 5 Years of Earning on the Road

           A travel agent, an English teacher, a horseriding instructor and now a copywriter. When it comes to making a living on the road Stacey Kuyf has done it all.

          The kiwi traveler left New Zealand over 5 years ago and has lived and worked in a variety of countries showing that you don’t need a clear plan in place to start traveling the world. She has always managed to find something she can turn her talents towards and her life has been richer for the experiences she has enjoyed along the way.

          We caught up with her in Guatemala where she has been spending the last 7 months and had the opportunity to discuss some of her more interesting working experiences including teaching in China (without a degree), setting up her copywriting business and what she loves about Guatemala.

          You can follow Stacey’s journey at http://onetravelsfar.com or contact her via her copywriting business at http://kuyfcopywriting.com

           

          What I learned from Stacey’s interview:

          1. You don’t have to know where your money is coming from to get going. After 5 years Stacey now realizes that something will always come up! There’s no harm in getting some travel funds behind you but there is a variety of work options out there to take advantage of.
          2. China appears to be one of the easiest countries to teach English in with Stacey getting work there even though she didn’t have her TEFL or the usual requirements of a degree. Be careful though – it only works if the school in question is willing and able to fund a blind eye being turned. You might not want to risk this unless you’re pretty relaxed about being deported!
          3. Guatemala is a beautiful country, especially if getting away from the capital. She has set up in the stunning town of Antigua with cobblestone streets and volcanoes on her doorstep. Safety can be an issue however as it’s not safe to be out at night. The town does have a digital hub with reasonable internet though so if you’re a digital nomad traveler with an urge to find somewhere new there is a strong expat community there.
            4. 40 min
          4. How I Got My Phd for 800 Euros (less than $US1000)

            There’s more than one benefit to having a second passport. Canadian expat Yvonne Ivanescu has used her Polish heritage to enjoy an extended stay in Belgium where she has been completing a Phd – for a very affordable price!

            Her tourism course has cost her a total of 800 euros having completed her original degree in Canada and adding on a masters thanks to some hands on experience in Chile.

            Yvonne has benefitted from the opportunities of being an international student but her passion for travel has seen her visit much of South America. In our interview we discuss responsible tourism, living in Chile and travel safety which is an area dear to her heart.If you're interested in studying affordably overseas then you'll want to listen to this interview.

            You can follow Yvonne’s travel journeys at her blog   http://undertheyewtree.com

            What I learned from Yvonne’s interview:

            1. Educational options in Europe can be cheaper than North America, Australia and other countries. Yvonne took advantage of her dual citizenship (she has a Polish passport as well) to access her education in Belgium. It also sounds like Scandinavia might offer some interesting student opportunities if you’re willing to do the research.
            2. Yvonne has written a lot about safety and as a young single woman traveling in South America she has had her fair share io issues regarding this. Her suggestions are to be vigilant, make sure you have proper travel safety bags, do your homework and don’t just rely on locals as to which areas are safe, and beware in bars and getting in taxis on your own.
            3. Responsible tourism. We first heard about this when talking with Diana Edelman. There is a big movement amongst travelers towards ensuring that the countries they visit benefit from their travels. Responsible tourism isn’t just about environment it is about economics and making sure that the local culture derives the financial benefits from the tourists they receive.
              4. 33 min
            4. Two Cats and an RV; How We Travel Through Europe (and Where to Stay For Free)

              There are lots of reasons why people don’t travel; jobs, money, children, health. We’ve managed to make myths of most of them with the interviews we’ve done so far… but the one we hadn’t found an answer to was pets…until now!

              Andrew Matheson and Alison Cornford Matheson are a Canadian couple who have spent the last 10 years living in Belgium where Andrew had a corporate position. Inspired by friends they decided they needed a life of less stress and more travel – but with two mature cats how would they manage?

              The solution for them was long term RV’íng ( motorhomes) which provides them with transport, cheap accommodation and a home for their pets. With estimated costs of around 20000 euros per year (around $US22000) they get to see much of Europe for considerably less than the cost of staying in Belgium or returning to Canada.

              We caught up with them both 4 months into the journey where they share the mistakes they made getting started, where you can stay for free and the benefits of traveling slow (plus the fun of two cats in a confined space!). You can follow their journey via their website http://cheeseweb.eu where they have just released their book on how to appreciate food in Belgium http://cheeseweb.eu/foodie-guide-brussels-local-tips-restaurants-shops-hotels-activities/

               

              What I learned from talking to Andrew and Alison:

              1. Pets don’t have to be a problem. The Matheson’s discovered a travel plan that worked well for them; they didn’t want to rough it, they still wanted to control costs and they wanted to bring their pets with them. RV’íng in their motorhome was the answer.
              2. Try before you buy. They did jump in to purchasing their RV / motorhome and hitting the road without testing it first. It all worked out well but they would suggest you discover if you really like to RV before making the commitment
              3. You need to be very conscious of space if traveling this way. Not only do you need a home for everything but you need to secure it before moving on! It does make you think seriously about what you do and don’t need and is an enforced form of minimalism that they are both comfortable living with.
              4. They highlighted the benefits of cheap accommodation for RV’ers motorhoming especially in France. Aires are free stopping points for RV campers often in great locations that let you stay a night or two before moving on. France Passion is also a website they and friends of ours have used where you can camp on farms for free in return for checking out the farmers local produce (and hopefully buying). They have enjoyed everything from cheese “farms” to Angora rabbits and even buffalo farms during their stays.
                5. 39 min
              5. Lessons in Couchsurfing

                If hitchhiking through Iran, joining the Arab spring or camping (accidentally) in a minefield in Bosnia sounds like your idea of fun then you’re going to love today’s episode.

                Growing up as a West German living in East Germany was a strange experience for Josh Cahill. The wall had fallen but much of East Germany was still stark and oppressed. He felt like the odd one out and developed a desire to explore the world and discover the realty of things for himself.

                The 29 year old has been on the road now for 7 years exploring many exciting places along the way – in fact he often makes a point of seeing the places that the media will often tell you not to go to (Kabul, Afghanistan anyone?) and his experiences have always been enjoyable.

                We caught up with Josh in China where he is currently teaching English and he shared his experiences of life there (including how to get around the internet restrictions) , how couchsurfing works for him, and much of the wonderful journeys he has had so far. His website http://www.gotravelyourway.com details much of his journey.

                What I learned from talking to Josh:

                1. Going to China doesn’t have to be a problem if you’re a digital nomad. Josh gets around Facebook and other restrictions by using a VPN server to cover his location and whereabouts.
                2. Again Iran gets a mention. This is the third time now (after Uncornered Market and The Crowded Planet) we have had travelers tell us how much they have enjoyed the experience of visiting there. Access is getting easier with visas now being available upon entry and even Americans and Canadians can find it relatively easy to gain access. It sounds well worth a visit.
                3. Josh is a couchsurfing master having done it almost since the concept was created. He talks about building up your credibility and the benefits that couchsurfing meeting groups can bring when you’re new to a town, not only in finding accommodation but discovering the things to see and do.
                  4. 40 min
                4. 95 and Counting - My Journey to Visit Every Country in the World

                  Here’s a question for you… if you could travel the world or spend the equivalent on a one bedroom apartment in Harlem which would you do? For architect Norbert Figueroa it was no brainer decision.

                   Having become addicted to travel the Puerto Rico native spent 18 months building up his blog while downsizing and cutting costs ahead of his trip.

                  Over the last 4 years he has visited 95 countries on his mission to see every one of the 195 countries recognized by the United Nations – his biggest challenge will be getting to Antarctica!

                  We caught up with Norbert where he shares how to get started as a worldwide wanderer, some of the good and not so good experiences of being on the road and how he lives his travel lifestyle for less than $US20000 per month.

                  You can check out his blog at http://www.globotreks.com where you can find his book The Ultimate guide to Travel the World.

                   

                  What I learned from speaking with Norbert:

                  1. You may need to make sacrifices if you want to choose this lifestyle. Norbert spent a good period of time prior to traveling building up his war fund and was willing to make sacrifices like leaving his apartment to move in with friends, cutting out cable tv and eating in more. He paid himself first by committing up to 50% of his income towards his travel fund. You just need to decide how badly you want it
                  2. Norbert has become a master at managing his expenses thanks to his handy tip about the Trail Wallet app. He averages around $US20000 per year of travel, with 2 of the 4 years so far costing him the equivalent of his rent back in Harlem!
                  3. He has learned to not sweat the small stuff and has had to learn to lose some of his attention to detail mindset so carefully developed as an architect. Travel really can put everything into perspective.
                  4. He has had more than his fair share of scary experiences showing you still need to be careful out there – but the good has outweighed the bad and his faith in humanity has only been heightened by what he has done.
                    5. 38 min
                  5. How We Earn More Than We Spend on the Road

                    To many, being a BBC producer sounds like the dream job. It certainly gave Dave and Carmen Allan-Petale a good bragging story at cocktail parties. But deep down, neither of them were happy with their high flying career jobs in London.  While at a seminar in Portugal, the two Aussie natives heard some travel bloggers talking about their lifestyle and it ticked all the boxes…could they do it too?

                    With some savings to their name, they headed off 2 years ago to start their journey. They’ve travelled through North and South America, the Caribbean and a good chunk of Asia, saving money along the way…yes you heard me right, these two make a living while copywriting along the road and are able to live comfortably on around US$2000 per month! You’ll enjoy their sense of humor on this interview, and can find out more about their travels on their blog www.double-barreltravel.com where they have recently launched their book  “ Make Your Travels Appy” where Carmen reviews 50 of the top travel apps that can save you time and money while you travel. (Check out the book here on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0166JPL8E )

                    What I learned from speaking with Carmen & Dave:

                    1. If you’re building business, Linkedin can be a great tool to help. You can find out who has been looking at your profile and follow them up. Something most other forms of social media don’t give you the opportunity to do.
                    2. Always carry business cards, even if you work online. There are lots of times where you can pick up business face to face so miss the opportunities when they come along
                    3. If you planning to go travelling, get some savings behind you to take the pressure off This provided Carmen and Dave with a buffer to enable them to choose their work when the time was right
                    4. Remember there are plenty of hubs you can work from in the world when you travel. These guys spent a period of time at Hubud in Bali and have seen nothing but growth happening in this type of working environment. Don’t forget we’ve also got we’ve got a link to the interview with Steve Munro from Hubud on this podcast page so you can check out more about them.
                    5. Travel can be lonely. Attending Travel Conferences can provide you support from like-minded people who get what you do. It can be a lonely world for the perpetual traveler. If you are looking to develop your travel blog, conferences like TBEX can be a great way to learn and grow.
                      6. 45 min

                    About The Expat Chat

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                    The Expat Chat is a weekday podcast where we interview inspiring expats who have thrown off the constraints of western congestion to enjoy their dream lifestyle in other parts of the world. If you…

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