How to Travel the World at Zero Incremental Cost to Your Normal Budget

Travel is expensive, and I’m often ask how I can afford to travel as often as I do. One of my favorite strategies since graduating college (because my parents will be quick to point out that I financed essentially 0% of my travel back in those days) has been designating my yearly tax refund or company bonus specifically for travel.

This year, I got a couple thousand back. I know, lucky me. Recognizing this isn’t the case for everyone, in years where I’ve received much less in a refund, I’ve opted to designate my annual bonus specifically for travel.

My first year out of college, I went to Colombia for two weeks with my mom. That was pretty special and adventurous.

Being able to use your refund or bonus for travel might seem like a no-brainer. Like, duh, I can definitely choose to spend that money however I want. But I would argue that this travel financing strategy does require some planning. In fact, data from the National Retail Foundation found that only 12% of Americans spend their tax refund on travel!

Many people rely on their annual income infusion to help pay off long-standing debt or count it as their yearly contribution to their savings account. To make sure that my tax refund or company bonus are eligible for me to use for travel, I make budgeting and saving part of my monthly, ongoing routine.

I spend about an hour every week using Mint.com to make sure that I’m staying on top of my budget and paying down my debts (credit card & student loans) regularly. I evaluate my savings strategy every time my financial situation changes, whether in accepting a new job or in getting a raise. I make sure that I’m saving roughly 20% of my income in mix of accounts, namely a 401K, discounted company stock, personal investment account, and personal savings account.

My second year, I spontaneously went to Bali with my (at the time) brand new boyfriend. Still haven’t broken up! ;)

This habit frees me up both mentally and financially to use my annual influx of cash as I see fit, rather than having to use it as a Band-Aid to poor financial planning.

Here’s how I used my refund this year:

• 4-day girls trip to Sayulita, Mexico

  1. Flights: Combo of airline credits & tax refund

  2. Airbnb: Tax refund

  3. Food/entertainment: Mix of personal monthly budget & tax refund

• 2-day romantic getaway to Paso Robles, California

  1. Gas: Personal monthly budget

  2. Hotel: Combo of hotel credits & tax refund

  3. Food/wine: Personal monthly budget

• 4-day bachelorette party in Charleston, South Carolina

  1. Flights: Credit card points (I have Chase Sapphire Preferred, which I love)

  2. Airbnb: Tax refund

  3. Food/drinks: Personal monthly budget

• 2-week trip to Scandinavia

  1. Flights: Tax refund

  2. Airbnbs: Tax refund

  3. Food/entertainment: Mix of tax refund and personal monthly budget  

Kev walking through the gates of our little oasis compound in Uluwatu, Bali.

I’m already three fourths of the way through these experiences, and I only got the refund about 3 months ago. So I’m not doing a great job at spreading out the travel love. But that’s not what matters at all.

I could have bought new clothes or home furnishings, two material goods that I’m a current sucker for, but the positive psychology offered by material gains are minuscule compared to the richness and joy that experiences and strengthened relationships brings us. Note to self: memories > clothes.

If you can, I would recommend using your refund or bonus to spread your travel throughout the year. If I hadn’t been beholden to the timing of others on these trips, I would have planned something for each quarter of the calendar year, so that I’d always have a little recharge from work (and wouldn’t be taking too much time off in a given stretch, which is sometimes more stress than joy).

My third year of tapping into the tax refund sent Kev and I to Cambodia, where our most magical moments were spent on the island of Koh Rong.

Here’s your blueprint for putting this strategy into practice:

1. Make a commitment to yourself that you will use your tax refund or company bonus exclusively for travel next year.

2. Share this promise with your favorite travel buddy to add accountability and potentially convince them to do the same (#MoMoney).

3. Recalibrate your savings strategy to make sure you’re saving about 20% of your income on monthly basis.

4. Find a budgeting tool or process that allows you to stay on top of your monthly cash inflow and outflow, thereby ensuring that you can comfortably pay off what you spend each month.

5. Collect your tax refund or bonus, usually in the February time-frame.

6. Keep track of how much you’ve used of your new travel budget, whether that’s through your new budgeting tool/process or on a pad of notepaper.

7. Travel stress-free, knowing you’re making zero sacrifices to your monthly spending habits, while still getting to enjoy the happiness boosts that travel brings!

Now go forth and practice financial responsibility so that you can travel a bunch of places for basically no money next year. Keep in mind: there’s power in mindfully asserting to yourself that your annual refund or bonus is used for travel, non-negotiable. This will reorient the way that you think about your finances all year round. Good luck, and let me know if you have other travel budgeting tips in the comments!

Summer In London Is Magic. Here's Where To Eat, Drink & Be Merry

I opened my last blog post about London by saying I’m in love, and I’ll do it again. I’m in love with this city! What is it about London that is so incredibly compelling to me? Is it the familiar Western Culture mixed with alluring European distinction that combines to make me feel like this could be my home, yet an endless source of adventure & joy? Is it that both times I’ve been, I’ve encountered not one drop of rain? It’s hard to say.

All I know is I love the grand history mingled with the modern and varietized. I love the energy of walking home at midnight on a Wednesday, the streets still filled with young people talking and laughing and drinking beers outside of the pubs. I love the fashion, all pretty ruffled dresses and white tennis shoes right now.

How fortunate for me that I got to visit this place for four whole days (compared to my last trip was a whole 48 hours) with some awesome people that I happen to work with. 

Although it was a short trip, there were still many memories made & recommendations to be given. My trip in a bottle below:

London Drinks Situation

This was a focal point of the trip, as are most socially-oriented gatherings in my life. I’m actually really trying to cut back in terms of the amount that I drink (and kind of failing miserably). There’s just so many outings that revolve around it. If anyone has advice as to how to create a social life that is less dependent on alcohol for fun, I’m all ears. In the meantime, here’s some of the pretty awesome places that we enjoyed a beverage or four:

• The Coral Room: Located within the Bloomsbury Hotel, this has to be one of the most beautiful interiors in London. True to it’s name, the walls and furniture are all coral or salmon pink, accented with antique details and gold. Drinks are not cheap but nothing really is in London. Probably why this San Francisco girl feels right at home!

The beautiful Coral Room interior.

• Aqua Kyoto: Cute rooftop situation near Oxford Street. It’s also pretty massive in terms of bar space, so big groups work well here. I ordered Paloma after Paloma, as tequila is my new spirit drink (& helps immensely with the jet lag!).

A perfect Paloma at Aqua Kyoto's rooftop bar. Pardon the grown out nails, which are colored in my new favorite: OPI Cajun Shrimp. 

• Archer Street: We were in this bar for a total of 5 minutes, but I’m positive that if I lived here, I would be a regular. It was full of good-looking young people, jam packed at 11pm on a Wednesday, famous for its Broadway-theater actors who bartend on the side and take turns standing on the tables & belting out crowd-pleasers like Journey.
• Lamb & Flag: This is the spot if you’re looking for a traditional British pub that still has a ton of life. It’s picturesque in it’s quaintness, but still has a hoard of people drinking beers and smoking cigarettes on its doorstep. Aka fun. 
• The Shard: The Shard is the tallest building in all of London, and anyone can go to the top for the views if you’re willing to order an(other) expensive drink. We went to Hutong’s on the 32nd floor, which isn’t the highest (52nd is as tall as it gets), but we still felt pretty pleased with the view.

Sunset view from the 32nd floor of The Shard. Drinks ain't cheap, but the view is -- priceless. 

• London Eye Champaign Experience: If you’re going to spend a low key crazy amount to ride the London Eye for 20 minutes, you may as well get the Champagne Experience. You don’t have to wait in line (which can end up taking much longer than the ride itself) and you get a glass of champagne to enjoy as you look down upon the peasants. Roughly $50 per person.

Looking down from the top of the London Eye (champs in hand, bc life is worth celebrating).

• Brewdog: This was a cool, funky little spot in Covent Garden where we stopped to get beers. On a nice day, their upstairs is full of sunlight and the guy who started the place actually started and sold his microbrewery for the largest sum in microbrewery history. Then he started Brewdog. So the beers are pretty good! They also sell hot dogs.

A quick visual recap of where to get your good times on.

London Hotel Situation

• St. Martin’s Lane: I stayed here and was very pleased with the experience. Very modern hotel, much like The Standard or a Virgin Hotel with its funky oversize furniture pieces and retro décor. The rooms are beautifully white & modern, though a bit teensy. Nice & quiet at night and in the cutest area.

My bright, minimal room at St. Martin's Lane Hotel in London.

• The Bloomsbury: Most of my coworkers stayed here, so I became very familiar with it. Home to the gorgeous Coral Room and other beautiful spaces, it’s classic charm is pretty sumptuous & irresistible. I may try to stay here next time.

London Shopping Situation

• Covent Garden: Candles, tea, restaurants, other quirky shops. Very lovely setting, fun to wander.
• Seven Dials: Upscale boutiques, some big brand names (Vans, Urban, etc.), buncha shoes, fairly spendy. I loved this one little novelty shop called Magma. They had a bunch of stuff from this company called The School of Life that seeks to develop emotional intelligence with their products. An obvious fit for BSM.

Seven Dials inner courtyard. Saw some definite IG models doing their photo thing here.

• Oxford & Regent Street: All of the big brand names. Crowded and chaotic streets in the summertime. Didn’t spend much time here but would if I needed to do a legit shopping expedition.

London Food Situation

This was more of a social/professional trip than a cultural/foodie trip, so there weren’t many super notable culinary experiences. I don’t actually love traditional British food anyway, so it didn’t feel like too big of a miss. A few stick out though:

Classic English food just doesn't rev my engine. That's fried cheese on the plate & this is a healthy item!

• Bombay Bustle: Incredible Indian food & “Derailed” tequila-based drink. I went with a group of 13 and has 6 delicious courses. London is famous for their Indian food.
• Shake Shack: I know this isn’t even local to Europe, but as someone from San Francisco where we don’t yet have our own, it felt right to get this for lunch two days in a row.
• J. Sheeky: I wont say I had the best meal in the world here, but it is something of a London classic and clearly so, because we saw both Stella McCartney & that actress from Three Billboards finish their meals while we were eating. It’s on the spendier side.

J Sheeky, the apparently esteemed London eatery (movie stars eat here).

Mindful Travel Situation

Traveling for work is both an enormous blessing (one that I’ve wanted my entire life) and an exhausting lifestyle. In order to accept the yin with the yang, I try hard to maintain some sort of mindfulness practice while I’m traveling for work. That means finding time for my brain and body.

• Innerspace Meditation Shop & Space: I stumbled on this little gem while exploring the Seven Dials shopping area near my hotel. The first floor is a bookstore on all things mindfulness and meditation. The basement has a free, public meditation space, as well as a classroom where they run workshops. I took some time to leaf through a few books and felt inspired by the positive energy in the words.
• Insight Timer meditation: With all of the drinks and socializing that come with team offsites, it’s extremely important for me to get away, get some alone time to clear my head and find myself again. I found on this trip that meditating helped me feel more alert when I was crazy jet-lagged and also helped me pull back on the drinking once I’d realized it was just making me feel worse, not more fun.

It's not about what you're doing, it's about who you're with. But doing cool things helps!

• Gratitude journal: Just a few words at the end of the night about all there is to be grateful for really enhances my experience of life, no matter where I am. I have a naturally down disposition, so practicing gratitude helps get me up and stay up.
• Morning run: Part fitness, part plan to beat jetlag. I woke at 5:30 am on Tuesday morning, so decided to go on a run to explore the city and do something good for my body after the 10 hour plane ride. It felt really good to sweat, and it was such a fun way to explore the city.

Casual architectural sighting on my morning jog around London.

• 10K steps or bust: When in a new city, there is no excuse not to get at least 10K steps every day, because you should be exploring! If you’re fortunate enough to find yourself on vacation in a city that is not your own, you owe it to yourself and the place you’re visiting to give 10,000 steps to these new streets. Fill your eyes and your heart and your mind with the new experience. Absorb it through your feet as you walk. I know this sounds corny, but I believe this wholeheartedly. Try taking everything in with your whole being, rather than just your eyes and your mind. Feel the experience physically, viscerally. Walking helps me do this.
• Only indulge in what’s worth it: For me, that was Shake Shack. It used to be that when I would go on vacation, I would stuff my face at any and all occasions because I was on vacation, okay? It would leave me feeling overly full & lethargic, to the point where I was no longer enjoying the new experiences and just feeling guilty about pigging out. Now, I try to prioritize fruits, veggies, & protein while traveling, until the fancy dinner or delicious dessert opportunity. Even then, I try to eat mindfully and only indulge until I start getting full. Try being the operative word here, but that’s all being mindful asks.

After my second successful trip to London, I think that if I were to pick up and move anywhere tomorrow, it would be here. Where would you go if you had to do the same? What city in this big ol world calls to you? Let me know in the comments.

Up Next: Read Dealing With Travel Setbacks

10 Questions With A Badass Female Solo Traveler: A First Timer's Guide

I have some really incredible friends who motivate and inspire me every day. There are chicks that kill it in the workplace, rays of sunshine who touch everyone they encounter, and deeply thoughtful individuals who give me perspective and a sounding board when needed.

But perhaps the coolest thing that any of my friends has ever done is take a three-month solo trip to Southeast Asia to spend some time with herself and the world.

Meet Linda, Your Solo Travel Inspiration

Linda Hsu is a talented product + visual designer living in SF. I’ve known Linda since we were freshmen in college, and over time, it seems our molding minds have grown toward the same sun. We have both gravitated toward the mindfulness community in the years since college, trading in partying and drinks galore for yoga, meditation, and more time outdoors. She’s also one of the most talented artists I know and has such an incredible eye for photography (which you'll see in this post).

One thing that hasn't wavered in all of these years is our mutual love of travel. You might remember seeing her on the blog back when I was studying abroad. I visited Linda in Paris where she was studying, and we also traveled to Dublin together!

Linda here! This is me getting SCUBA certified on Koh Tao island in Thailand, which is famous for its many affordable dive schools.

When she came back from her adventure in SE Asia, I knew I had to get her story on Blue Sky Mind. If I learned anything in my time studying abroad, it’s that solo travel can be a life-changing positive experience.

Yet it can be so dang uncomfortable that we seem to avoid it at all costs. I hope this post opens your eyes to the benefits of traveling solo and helps you feel like it's just a little bit more achievable than you thought before. 

Linda’s Solo Travel Tips

1. Can you describe your solo travel experience?

Linda: In early January, I left for a 3-month backpacking trip throughout Southeast Asia. I started off in Bangkok, made my way north through Thailand, crossed over to Laos, travelled down through Laos and Cambodia, then crossed over to Vietnam, made my way north from Ho Chi Minh City, then flew back to Thailand where I spent a week in the South of Thailand before going back to the states.

So in three months, I traveled to:

• Thailand

• Laos

• Cambodia

• Vietnam

Water buffalo are sacred in Southeast Asia. This photo was taken at a peppercorn plantation in Kampot, Cambodia.

2. What have been your favorite destinations? Why?

My favorite places in each country tended to be in the north. The landscape tended to be more green and lush and there’s a lot of gorgeous, untouched nature to be seen.

I loved Chiang Mai and Pai in Thailand; there's so much to do and see, but it still has a relaxed vibe, great cafes and restaurants, along with beautiful surrounding scenery. I also loved the laid-back atmosphere of Laos. It’s population is quite small and very spread out across villages, rather than concentrated in the “big cities,” so it never feels too crowded. I really enjoyed Luang Prabang in Laos, similar to Chiang Mai with a chilled vibe, great eateries and lovely nature reserves just a short motorbike ride away.

Elephant Waterfall, near Da Lat, Vietnam.

My favorite country I visited was Vietnam. It’s just so diverse and rich in culture, and the people are truly resilient -- man have they been through a lot. The landscape is absolutely stunning and the food is delicious. From the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh city, filled with seemingly more motorbikes than people, to the quiet rolling mountains in the center, beaches all down the eastern coast, the colorful ethnic tribes in the north, and endless rice paddies with the most vibrant green you’ve ever seen, Vietnam has got it all.

One of my favorite places in Vietnam was Phong Nha, a national park. Seriously jaw-dropping landscapes. Best seen by motorbike.

With my lovely homestay Mama in Sapa, Vietnam.

3. What inspired you to take this trip?

It’s been something I’ve wanted to do for a while, but the biggest trigger was coming to a crossroads in my life where it felt like it was going to be now or never. I had gone through a really hard time the past few years and was about to transition back into the “real world” with a full-time job in a new career in the Bay Area. I figured if I didn’t take the trip now, I might not be able to take it in the future.

During Thanksgiving, my cousin was talking about Southeast Asia with my sister’s mother-in-law. They both traveled there by themselves for months. Hearing them talk about it, I felt like it was calling me to do the same. I booked my flight a week later.

4. What were the highest highs of traveling solo?

Being on your own schedule and having the freedom to do whatever you want, whenever you want (of course, this can also be a double-edged sword). I love the sense of independence and openness you have to meeting new people and having new experiences.

Personally, I love being outside of my comfort zone, because I think that’s when you grow the most. When you’re traveling solo, you’re constantly out of your comfort zone, but in turn, you’re constantly learning and growing.

The Gibbons Experience in Laos, where you zipline everywhere & live in a treehouse in the middle of the jungle!

5. What were some of the lowest lows?

There have been times of loneliness and some situations where I wished I was with another person. For example, having to take a night bus from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville in Cambodia where you literally have to share a bed with someone, and if you’re by yourself you’re going to get stuck with a stranger. I was really lucky with that one and ended up having the bed to myself, but that could have been bad.

A lot of shitty things happened (lost my GoPro, got $300 stolen from me, got left at the border from Cambodia to Vietnam), but you live and you learn and the highs definitely outweigh the lows.

And sometimes you are so taken aback by the kindness and generosity of strangers or of new friends that it warms your heart and renews your hope in humanity.

6. How did you stay safe as a female traveling alone?

You just have to have your wits about you. Don’t do anything stupid and stay aware of your surroundings.

Southeast Asia is pretty safe as far as solo female traveling goes, so I felt pretty safe while I was there. There were times when I felt a bit scared walking home alone at night, but I think it was mostly all in my head. Oftentimes you'll sync up with another person or group of people and travel together for a few days or maybe even longer. You're never really alone for long.

Our 9-person motorbike gang from all over the world, doing the Thakek loop together in Laos.

7. What are your top tips for traveling solo?

Be open to meeting people! Don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation with a stranger. Plan ahead, but don’t plan too far ahead. As much as you try and plan your trip it will always change and it's better to be flexible.

Say yes to (almost) everything; you never know what unexpected surprises are around the corner.

New friends from Israel in the treehouse we stayed in for the Gibbons Experience!

8. People often cite money as a reason why they can’t travel; do you have any advice on how to navigate that piece?

Of course, traveling is a huge privilege, and you do need to have some baseline needs covered before you can think about spending money on travel. But there are so many ways to travel on a budget, and if you really make it a priority, you can save for it.

Travelling also opens your eyes to the many extraneous purchases and material things we have in the western world. Why not forgo a few of those purchases for a while and use them somewhere where your dollar can go a lot further?

Kao Sok National Park, Thailand.

If you travel somewhere cheap like South East Asia and get a great deal on a flight, you can easily make it affordable. I probably spent less traveling in one month in Southeast Asia than some people spend on rent for two weeks (at least in San Francisco). I met a lot of people traveling who don’t have a ton of money or high paying jobs; they worked hard and saved their money.

There was one girl I met who spent a year saving up for her big world trip -- she said she basically didn’t go out with her friends or eat out for months, but it was worth it.

9. What’s your advice for someone has been thinking about trying solo travel and just hasn't pulled the trigger due to discomfort with the idea?

Try taking a smaller trip on your own, practice being independent and being by yourself in new and different situations.

Wat Arun, a temple in Bangkok. The temples in Thailand are magnificent and insanely elaborate.

If a 3-month Southeast Asia trip is a bit too much, try going somewhere closer to home for just 1 or 2 weeks and see how you like it.

I don’t think it’s for everyone, but I definitely think everyone can benefit from it.

10. As you end this trip, what are your parting thoughts about the experience? Are you a changed woman?

The experience was unlike any other -- some of the happiest and most fulfilled times of my life. It was a period of serious growth and learning. I feel like I expanded my mind and my worldview and I met some of the most incredible people along the way.

Traveling -- and really traveling, not just vacationing -- makes you realize how myopic your understanding of the world really is.

The very famous Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

Some friends you just make in passing for one day, but they can be more meaningful than the relationships you have with people you have known for years.

You realize how enormous -- and at the same time -- tiny, the world is. I can safely say it was one of the best decisions of my life, and I can’t wait until my next trip. I’ve already planned it all out!

Time To Book Some Solo Travel

Linda decided to go on this trip to find something of a fresh start after a tough time in her life. Maybe that’s what will motivate you. But whenever you feel that pull toward experiencing the world on your own, don't let the fear of discomfort or financial limitations stop you. The world is waiting to be explored! 

For more of Linda, visit her portfolio for some awesome design work or follow her Instagram for more stunning photography. For more content like this, you can always subscribe to Blue Sky Mind.