Have you ever thought about whether you could afford to travel for extended periods? According to Nomadic Matt, who has explored over 100 countries in the past 19 years, you can experience the world for as little as $75 a day. This amounts to approximately $27,375 annually, which is less than the living expenses for many people.
Matt Kepnes, widely known as Nomadic Matt, is here to challenge prevalent beliefs about travel expenses. He clarifies that long-term travel might actually be more economical than remaining at home.
When you travel, you eliminate numerous regular costs that typically eat into your budget at home, such as car payments, home insurance, and utility charges.
The essential idea is to "travel like you live," as Nomadic Matt suggests. This involves taking public transport instead of taxis, shopping at local markets, and pursuing free experiences—similar to what you might do in your hometown.
It's not about residing in luxury hotels but rather about genuinely experiencing destinations while keeping expenses manageable.
Nomadic Matt also dispels several travel myths. For instance, the traditional advice to book flights on Tuesdays is outdated with the current algorithm-based pricing. The notion of using incognito mode for better flight deals lacks any supporting evidence.
He does note that booking round-trip flights generally costs less than one-way tickets, even if you do not use the return leg.
For those interested in credit card points, Nomadic Matt advises selecting cards based on your travel objectives rather than simply opting for the most popular choices. Think about which airlines you fly most frequently and which benefits you'll actually utilize.
The pandemic has significantly changed the travel landscape. Although prices have risen and some affordable travel services have vanished, new opportunities have arisen—particularly for remote workers who can now leverage digital nomad visas to live abroad while continuing to earn an income.
Whether you're planning a short vacation or aspire to be location-independent, Nomadic Matt's actionable insights reveal how international travel is more achievable than you may have imagined.
Timestamps:
(Note: Timestamps will vary on individual listening devices due to dynamic advertising durations. The provided timestamps are approximate and may be a few minutes off due to fluctuating ad lengths.)
(0:00) Introduction to Nomadic Matt and the $75/day budget
(1:00) Modern hostels are no longer run-down
(3:00) Origins of the $75/day travel budget
(5:00) The "travel like you live" strategy saves money
(8:50) Mix accommodations based on your travel needs
(9:40) Choose travel credit cards that align with your specific goals
(16:40) Utilize points before they devalue
(20:00) Optimal booking times for flights
(37:00) The influence of social media on global travel
(42:00) Easy ways to overcome language barriers
(48:30) Changes in travel costs and conditions post-COVID
(56:20) Remote work visas for long-term travelers
(1:02:40) Why travel can be cheaper than staying at home
(1:05:50) The shift from unusual to mainstream in location independence
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Have you ever thought about whether you could travel for several months? According to Nomadic Matt, who has traveled to over 100 countries in the past 19 years, it’s possible to explore the world for just $75 a day. That totals around $27,375 a year, which is less than what many people currently spend on living expenses.