Practically, it is dullard to roam around the world when you are out of work. Of course, this is the crucial time to think about finding a new job to bounce back as soon as possible. Although you must have a lot of savings to back you, and you will probably receive unemployment benefits, you cannot afford to sit back.
Unfortunately, most of the people are seen slipping into a lackadaisical attitude and being at a loose end. Still, as the savings begin to shrink and unemployment benefits seem to stop receiving, they quickly want to hop into a job. Unfortunately, having no clear idea about your future goals makes it harder to land a new job soon.
However, there are some people who do not mind planning their trips and tours despite having no job. People often have excuses that they want to wind down before landing a new job. Well, if you are also one of those people who are looking to plan a trip despite having little savings, you should ensure that this will be within your budget.
Tricks to travel the world when you are out of work
Here are the tricks you should follow when you are looking to travel when you are unemployed:
- Find out if it is OK to travel when you are on unemployment benefits
Do not bury your head in the sand; aid the excitement of running away from jadedness. You must have been receiving unemployment benefits. The government offers these benefits to help you fund your essential expenses, including those you incur to find a job.
Travelling is not an essential expense, so you are not allowed to utilize these benefits for your travelling expenses. If you do so, you are breaching a serious clause. You should ask the state office if you can use that money for your trip. Otherwise, you will have to stay at home until your benefits expire.
Just because you are unemployed, it does not mean that you are eligible to receive unemployment benefits. You will have to meet the eligibility criteria to qualify for unemployment benefits. If you have a good amount of savings, you should ponder over your financial circumstances. Find out if you can manage your expenses despite a trip.
Check carefully if you can cover the essential expenses, which include lodging, transportation, food, entertainment and miscellaneous expenses. Make sure you do not have to rely on loans for the unemployed for bad credit to fund a shortage in cash reservoir.
- Have a side gig to earn some money
Even though you have rich savings, you should have a side gig so cash keeps coming in. Savings will not grow unless you have a constant source of income. Since travelling is very expensive and you do not know how long it will take to land a new job, you cannot manage to live off just savings. They will quickly drain, primarily if you use up a significant portion of your savings.
You can find a lot of freelance jobs online. Loads of platforms are out there, like Fiverr and Freelancer, where you can open your account and bid for multiple projects from the field you have picked. You do not need a professional qualification to take up a project as long as you can complete the task efficiently and on time.
Writing, editing, proofreading, online teaching, graphic designing, data entry, translation, web designing, and web development are some fields you can target based on your skills. Having a side gig is beneficial as you can replenish what you withdraw from your savings. Moreover, if any emergency crops up, you should have a side gig income or unemployment benefits in order to qualify for doorstep loans.
- Look for an affordable accommodation
Accommodation can suck a lot of your money. It is advisable that you carefully look over your options so it does not put a strain on your pocket. Book your flight a couple of weeks ahead so you can get a good bargain.
There is no need to stay in a luxurious hotel. Those that provide Wi-Fi, gyms, waterparks and swimming pool facilities charge a lot of money. You can use your own Wi-Fi. As far as it is about basking in the sun, you can go to the nearby beach. Compare the prices of half-board and full-board hotels.
If you are rich enough that you have a caravan, you do not need to have any concerns about anything but a parking lot. You can even decide to stay with your friends if you do not find cheaper or affordable accommodation.
For instance, if you are going by road and you need to stay somewhere at night, you can ask your relative or friend if they allow you to stay in for a night. This is how you can save a lot of money on accommodation.
- Save money on food
Staying at a full-board hotel will cost you a lot of money, so that might not be an option for you, but you will need some food when you are on a trip. As you have no job, your budget will be quite tight.
Try to go to a local food pantry where you can get canned food. Buy something to munch throughout your trip. It is not necessary to eat food at a restaurant. You can save your money if you cook meals at home by using things available in your house.
The bottom line
It can be pretty difficult to travel the world when you are unemployed. You should practically avoid doing so as you can brutally hit your finances. If you are receiving unemployment benefits, you cannot use them for travelling. If you have a lot of savings, you cannot guarantee that you will be able to stretch a penny until you land a new job.
If you still decide to spend your savings on travelling, you should find out if it makes sense to do so. Will you be able to manage your other expenses? Find out the ways to cut back on your travelling costs. Have a side gig so as to keep afloat. Save money on food by buying munching food and carrying home-cooked meals to eat while being on the way.
It is always suggested that you avoid planning a trip when you are jobless. You should instead spend this time in finding a job. Travelling is frivolous spending at this moment, and if you still do not refuse to roam, you will end up taking a toll on your savings. As a result, you will have to keep borrowing money to meet essential expenses, and eventually, you will fall into debt.