Travel Jones

Funding Travel through Socializing and Problem-Solving

This post isn’t so much about traveling as it is having money to do the things you want to do. Allow me to explain. So when I travel, a lot of times it’s for little to no money. How is this possible you might ask? Like everything you do and own, it costs money. Generally speaking you have a job that generates money. Some people have businesses that generate money. What I’m saying is that whatever it is you want to do (for me is travel), it has to be supported financially. What I do specifically to support my perpetual adventures is sell skincare products. I also offer a bit of IT support here and there. A few years back I started my own line of skincare. The interesting thing about this is that I don’t fancy myself as some charismatic salesman closing deals left and right. That’s not my thing… To be perfectly honest, I don’t “sell” to people at all. What happens, actually, feels like magic to me. I lack the words to explain this but bear with me as I try.

Leveraging your leisure time

“The ability to influence a system, or an environment, in a way that multiplies the outcome of one’s efforts without a corresponding increase in the consumption of resources. In other words, leverage is the advantageous condition of having a relatively small amount of cost yield and relatively high level of returns.”

I’m an introvert with extrovert tendencies and habits. I like to go out and socialize… rather, allow people to socialize with me. You may find me at a bar/ lounge (sipping wine), salsa dancing, rock climbing, practicing Taekwondo at a nearby Do Jang, let alone traveling. While I’m out and about doing things, people tend to spark conversation with me. Allow me to preface the following with the fact that the introvert in me HATES surface talk. The depths of my conversation go much deeper than basic topics like the weather. Otherwise, I don’t want to talk at all. That being said, when people approach me, we typically have conversations of a deeper substance. During these conversations I’m often asked what it is that I do. While I do many things, sometimes I mention that I own a skincare line. Then more questions come about the line and if I have a product that helps with some random skin ailment. Mind you, I’m still not “selling”. I’m only answering questions. During these conversations, the people become interested in my product and usually follow up with a purchase! What is this magic?? I didn’t set out to “sell” anything. Maybe someone can explain it to me? Anyhow, this has happened so many times that I keep a few products on hand and have a card reader in case people want to use a credit/ debit card (just so I’m prepared for a transaction). And all of this while I’m leisurely hanging out, doing my thing.

Problem-Solving

“The process of finding solutions to difficult or complex issues.”

Earlier I mentioned that I also offer some IT services as well. While I haven’t specifically turned that into a business, it does offer plenty of opportunity to make some extra money. Just how I said before, when I go out, people tend to strike up conversation with me. On the other side of the coin is observing issues and problems. Many of us, including business establishments utilize the internet & computers. There are times when I go into an establishment, while they’re seemingly having issues with network connectivity via their point of sales devices. When I notice these things, I typically offer a helping hand because through conversation, I’ve mentioned that I know a bit about IT.

This usually results in a cash payment to me or at very least, a deep (free) discount on whatever product or service I’m requesting in the first place. The Joker said it  best! “If you’re good at something, never do it for free.” So ladies and gents… find out what you’re good at and monetize it. It’s easier than what you’d initially believe!

Fully funding travel amongst other things…

Now that you have the “how”, it’s time to combine that with application. Did you see the screenshot of my email (See my post on when is the best time to fly)? Expedia sent me a notification for round trip tickets to Hong Kong for $195… down $991. That’s a good price any way you slice it. When these deals show up, I’ll typically buy them right away. The window for how long those prices are available usually don’t stay open very long. So imagine fronting the money for a trip around the world for very little money. Then recovering those same funds and more by simply hanging out, enjoying life’s activities and having random conversations with people. The synergistic revelation here is that you’re essentially booking trips for free. Traveling can be exceptionally easy if you allow it to be. The key is to setup the framework that makes it easy.