how to travel for 6 months (or longer!) Stephanie Langford & - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

how to travel for 6 months (or longer!)

Stephanie Langford & Tsh Oxenreider

links:

theartofsimple.net/travelresources

Why travel longer?

• cheaper than multiple shorter trips
• logistics are easier in one chunk
• better cross-cultural immersion
• longer journey has deeper impact
• easier to acclimate to travel lifestyle - hardships get easier

Why travel with kids?

• fun doesn’t end when you become a parent
• early global exposure forms a healthy worldview (= good parenting)
• kids open doors in many cultures
• they’re not a burden in life; they’re a joy
• unparalleled educational benefits
• develop your family culture and create memories together

Our personal favorites - Tsh

• Hong Kong
• Thailand
• New Zealand
• Kenya
• Zimbabwe
• Italy
• Croatia
• Bavaria

Germany Italy

Thailand New Zealand

Our personal favorites - Stephanie

• France
• Argentina
• Rwanda
• Cambodia
• Turkey
• Japan
• Australia
• Jordan

Australia France

Japan Jordan

JOURNAL BREAK

The true key to affordable long-term travel

cut expenses back home + earn as you travel + live frugally on the road = long term travel

Ways to earn money as you go

• work remotely with your current job
• run an online business
• teach English (school, conversation classes, private tutoring, etc.)
• au pair/nanny for a family
• seasonal work - waitressing, bartending, construction, hotel or resort

work

• farm hand
• work as a consultant in your field of expertise
• freelance work (graphics, writing, coding, etc.)

Ways to save money in advance

• cut down on recreational spending (fancy coffee, concerts, eating out,

cable tv, etc.)

• declutter and sell your stuff
• tax returns, overtime hours, work bonuses, etc.
• temporary part-time or seasonal jobs
• simplify Christmas and birthdays (save the $ instead)

Ways to save money on the road

• sprint through expensive countries; linger in cheaper countries
• rent apartments or houses (Airbnb)
• cook for yourself (and eat like the locals)
• avoid group or guided tours - stick to self tours
• spend more time just being and exploring instead of tourist activities
• travel off-season

Ways to manage money on the road

• online banking and debit cards
• say no to traveler’s cheques or exchanging money in advance
• use apps for tracking expenses
• have multiple cards and multiple accounts as backups
• add a family member to account (power of attorney)
• carry it safely (and split it up)

JOURNAL BREAK

Planning

• five stages of planning and preparation
• how much time do you need?
• how we planned our trips
• travel insurance
• a checklist for you

Packing

• backpacks - buy early, practice
• capsule wardrobes for adults & kids
• try to look nice/culturally appropriate
• you can always buy more on the road; harder to get rid of excess
• tech and work stuff - take only what you need (laptop, camera, phone)
• toys - kids don’t need much, they’ll make a toy out of anything

JOURNAL BREAK

Worldschooling

• not the same as homeschooling
• less is more; use where you are as the ultimate field trip
• for younger kids, stick to the basics
• look at your trip as a whole; don’t get lost in the day to day
• they’ll be okay!

Worldschooling: reading, writing, math

• use e-readers synced to your local library
• read books based on your location
• keep a personal journal of your travels - writing practice AND the best

unique souvenir

• bring simple handwriting curriculum to keep up practice
• stick to math curriculum that works for you - open & go is best

Worldschooling: other stuff

• sketchbooks for drawing
• Story of the World (history audiobook)
• games for math practice (UNO, dice, etc.)
• iPad apps for practice; YouTube for answers to the day’s questions
• museum scavenger hunts & guides

Personal growth & relationships: our experience

• you’re together all the time (good and bad thing)
• little to no babysitting for adult time
• travel brings out the worst in people
• marriage issues already there bubble to the surface
• you question your cultural assumptions (theology, etc.)

Personal growth & relationships: what you might expect

• in stress, the hard aspects of relationships will surface
• prepare in advance for relational support - when it gets hard, who will you

go to? What will you do?

• create strategies with your kids for when they feel homesick
• culture shock doesn’t happen just once; it’s a constant ebb and flow
• your trip might disappoint you

Personal growth & relationships: “landing the plane” well

• benefits of debriefing - don’t skip this part!
• logistical craziness of re-entry (housing, vehicles, etc.)
• not everyone will care or understand; find those who will
• expect your kids to be as out of sorts as you are

Q&A

where to find us...

Stephanie Langford: Tsh Oxenreider

• entrefamily.com
• ultimate-bundles.com
• IG: @entresteph
• theartofsimple.net
• thesimpleshow.com
• IG: @tshoxenreider
• Twitter: @tsh

theartofsimple.net/travelresources