When I was five years old, my parents would have to pull me home from yet another painful English vacation. I still didn't want to leave. I want to be away from home. I wanted to go somewhere new and exciting. This became the theme of the next twenty years. I'd spend the whole year counting down to my next holiday, and then as soon as I left I'd begin todreadhaving to return home, year after year.
Ten years ago, I decided to build a life that I didn't want to escape from. I knew I wanted to travel in the long term, but I didn't have a lot of money or savings, and there is no one paying for my adventures. For five years, I did three jobs while studying full-time at university. I didn't eat out and I didn't buy anything I didn't need. I even moved in with my parents. I was able to save $16,000 over those five years, which was enough to keep me on the road for a couple of years.
But what if two years wouldn't be enough? Before leaving, I began to spend my time in making plans that would allow me to work anywhere that had an Internet connection. At the time, I was studying for a master degree in physics. While studying, I came up with a list of my interests and skills and began researching into a way to do these anywhere. If I could make money from it and if I could do it online, then it was something worth going after.
I created a writing file that would help me to find free writing jobs. I researched English and physics teaching online, and built travel websites to earn income through sales and advertising. Most of these failed, but I didn't give up.
The work I do has changed over the years and it's still changing now. Now, I pay my traveling through several different things. I'm the Student Travel Expert for About. com, and a senior writer for Too Many Adapters, a travel technology website. In addition, I will have my first book published this summer. I also offer a travel planning service to help readers prepare for their travels abroad.
To reach this point, where I can cover my expenses and travel full-time, took many, many years of hard work. For me, the freedom makes it worth it. With everything set in place, finally my dreams came true.
