I was recently interviewed for a website that found me via social media. I actually post there, it's the blog that I shamefully neglect.. I decided to share the questions they asked and my response for anyone else who might be interested!
1. How did your passion for travel start?
2. Where was the first place you visited?
3. Favorite place you've been?
4. Least favorite place you've been/bad traveling experiences?
5. Do you speak any other languages? If not, how do you deal with that when traveling?
6. Do you have any traveling tips for our readers?
7. What inspires you?
8. You often post about your family, can you tell us a little about them?
9. Where do you currently live?
10. Do you have any goals that you would like to share with us?
11. Do you plan on moving?
12. How often do you travel? 13. Is there anything that you would like our readers to know about you?
1. I've always thrived while traveling, even when I was a younger. As an adult, wanting to move away but already having an established career has kept me from being able to do so. Traveling has been the balance in my life for the sake of my sanity.
2. I grew up snowboarding every year with my family, so I would say the West Virginia mountains during winter were my first experience out of state.
3. That's a tough question because I love everywhere I've been for different reasons. I don't think you can compare the snow covered mountains of Canada to the sandy beaches of Hawaii. They're both breathtaking in their own beautiful way.
4. Florida is honestly my least favorite place. Funny that's where I live.. I'm not one for the heat and I despise not having seasons. I don't think any travel experience is bad. The less smooth times teach you how to better prepare for your future adventures!
5. I took 2 years of Spanish in high school and still couldn't tell you anything except "Hello." I think research is key in this area. If you're traveling somewhere you know there will be an English barrier, decide if you're willing to wing it or if you need to hire a translator. I've done both in the past. However, I've found in a lot of foreign countries, they're almost as interested in knowing about me as I am in knowing about them. (Greece in particular) haha they bent over backwards to help me in every way they could! Being a young, American blonde has it's perks! :)😉
6. I think my biggest tip would be to take risks and don't be afraid of the unknown. I've found my most cherished moments were ones I almost didn't have because I was overthinking the risk or the unfamiliarity.
7. I'm inspired by go getters. People who do everything in life to the best of their ability. Who chase after their dreams no matter how big and refuse to settle for anything less.
8. My family will always come first. I think it's important to have a solid support system. They're the backbone to the life that I've created and while people come and go through all stages of life, I can always count on my family for anything and everything.
9. I'm currently a Lake City, FL resident.
10. I am constantly meeting and creating new goals. I think it's most important to have achievable goals. It's so easy to get caught up in life and if we set unrealistic goals we just end up discouraged. Start small and work your way big. You'll be surprised the progress you can make!
11. I have all intentions and hopes to move away. I'm just waiting for the Lord to open up the door of opportunity in his time.
12. I travel as much as physically possible. I work crazy hours so If I'm fortunate enough to have a break, I take FULL advantage.
13. I just want to encourage all of you to chase after what you want in life. Don't allow the worlds idea of how your life should be, dictate the lifestyle you live. You have to do what's right for you, no one else has to walk in your shoes! <3
XOXO - Kate
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
Monday, January 4, 2016
Travel Series part 2
Since my last post was such a hit, I was excited to get started on part two! I'm slightly nervous for this post though. Because it has everything to do with finance. Finances are such a personal thing. People also have a tendency to become very guarded about the subject. So I want to pre-address this post by saying this is not the only way of going about managing your money. I'm not saying I have my life all figured out, I'm just telling you how this particular method has worked for me when it comes to saving money and more specifically how we are able to travel.
*BUDGETING*- I feel like a budget is such a broad term that is often misused.
"Yeah, I budget."
"Oh really, what outline do you find helpful?"
"Oh, well I mean I write down how much I make."
Budgets are not meant to complicate things or to make you feel restrained. In retrospect they are used for the exact opposite. I personally don't know how anyone goes about a daily routine without one, but again, different people think differently.
I spoke briefly on living within your means in my last post and this would be where that would apply. It's important to not only know very specifically how much you make each month, but also how much you are putting out. I understand circumstances are different for everyone, so please don't misunderstand me. But more often than not people put out way more than what they are bringing in and that is where you can start to get yourself in trouble. Heck, credit cards have made it so easy! I know there are times in which using a credit card is necessary, however if you use this one simple rule, you might save yourself the struggle before it happens.
If you don't make it, don't spend it. If you want it, find a way to work harder for it. Only AFTER you have bridged the gap, should you do so. I know... so simple, right? You'd be surprised how many people think it's rocket science.
*SEARCH THE DEALS* - This is actually almost one of my favorite parts of traveling outside of the actual experience. You know that super rewarding feeling you get when you score a pair of designer jeans for a steal? Well, you can do the same thing with booking your vacations if you put in a little time for "couponing."
Some people are better off financially than I will ever be and can afford to book 5 star hotels in the ritziest of places for every occasion. However, I'm not above admitting I am NOT that person. Don't get me wrong, I don't put myself up in roach motels... but I also know that when I'm traveling I'm not there for the hotel experience, ya feel me? I want to feel safe and have a clean place to shower but come sunrise, I'm not going to be there so why spend an absurd amount? Matt and I are huge believers in AirBnB. If you haven't heard of it before, leave my blog right now and check it.. because YASS. There are trips that we do choose to book a hotel just for the simple fact of convience... however, AirBnB has saved us HUNDREDS of $$$$ and I highly recommend.
*MINIMALIST* - Again, this may not be feasible for everyone depending on what your travel plans are but we are big on being outdoors and have zero need for the glitz and glamour. SO we opt out of checking bags. Something some people don't even think twice of doing, however for two people, depending on what airline you use, checkin one bag per person each way can end up adding $200 to your trip before you even realize it.
We also MAXIMIZE the time on our vacations by booking flights that leave at absurd hours in the night/morning and you'd be surprised how much you can save just by being flexible. Sky miles are another super nifty thing to take advantage of.
9/10 we rent a vehicle where we go. We stray away from using public transportation and rent a small sedan for usually no more than $20- $25 a day. That right there is less than one single cab fair. Depending again on location that can vary, but we have found through our many experiences that not only is the convenience of having a vehicle nice, but we have saved a significant amount of money that way.
*PRIORITIES* - Honestly, that's what everything boils down to is what are your priorities. Are you in it for the fancy meals that cost more than a car payment? Because if you are, by all means, you do you boo. Is that window view overlooking downtown worth the $600 + a night?
Because I rather eat from a food truck while walking the streets completely submerged IN the town than eat gourmet food I can't pronounce while looking at the town through a window. Everyone is different. I'm just here to tell you that traveling can be done affordably. I have experience to show for it and the freedom from debt to continue doing it. I can only hope everyone who has the desire to travel can say the same.
Thank you for reading!
*BUDGETING*- I feel like a budget is such a broad term that is often misused.
"Yeah, I budget."
"Oh really, what outline do you find helpful?"
"Oh, well I mean I write down how much I make."
Budgets are not meant to complicate things or to make you feel restrained. In retrospect they are used for the exact opposite. I personally don't know how anyone goes about a daily routine without one, but again, different people think differently.
I spoke briefly on living within your means in my last post and this would be where that would apply. It's important to not only know very specifically how much you make each month, but also how much you are putting out. I understand circumstances are different for everyone, so please don't misunderstand me. But more often than not people put out way more than what they are bringing in and that is where you can start to get yourself in trouble. Heck, credit cards have made it so easy! I know there are times in which using a credit card is necessary, however if you use this one simple rule, you might save yourself the struggle before it happens.
If you don't make it, don't spend it. If you want it, find a way to work harder for it. Only AFTER you have bridged the gap, should you do so. I know... so simple, right? You'd be surprised how many people think it's rocket science.
*SEARCH THE DEALS* - This is actually almost one of my favorite parts of traveling outside of the actual experience. You know that super rewarding feeling you get when you score a pair of designer jeans for a steal? Well, you can do the same thing with booking your vacations if you put in a little time for "couponing."
Some people are better off financially than I will ever be and can afford to book 5 star hotels in the ritziest of places for every occasion. However, I'm not above admitting I am NOT that person. Don't get me wrong, I don't put myself up in roach motels... but I also know that when I'm traveling I'm not there for the hotel experience, ya feel me? I want to feel safe and have a clean place to shower but come sunrise, I'm not going to be there so why spend an absurd amount? Matt and I are huge believers in AirBnB. If you haven't heard of it before, leave my blog right now and check it.. because YASS. There are trips that we do choose to book a hotel just for the simple fact of convience... however, AirBnB has saved us HUNDREDS of $$$$ and I highly recommend.
*MINIMALIST* - Again, this may not be feasible for everyone depending on what your travel plans are but we are big on being outdoors and have zero need for the glitz and glamour. SO we opt out of checking bags. Something some people don't even think twice of doing, however for two people, depending on what airline you use, checkin one bag per person each way can end up adding $200 to your trip before you even realize it.
We also MAXIMIZE the time on our vacations by booking flights that leave at absurd hours in the night/morning and you'd be surprised how much you can save just by being flexible. Sky miles are another super nifty thing to take advantage of.
9/10 we rent a vehicle where we go. We stray away from using public transportation and rent a small sedan for usually no more than $20- $25 a day. That right there is less than one single cab fair. Depending again on location that can vary, but we have found through our many experiences that not only is the convenience of having a vehicle nice, but we have saved a significant amount of money that way.
*PRIORITIES* - Honestly, that's what everything boils down to is what are your priorities. Are you in it for the fancy meals that cost more than a car payment? Because if you are, by all means, you do you boo. Is that window view overlooking downtown worth the $600 + a night?
Because I rather eat from a food truck while walking the streets completely submerged IN the town than eat gourmet food I can't pronounce while looking at the town through a window. Everyone is different. I'm just here to tell you that traveling can be done affordably. I have experience to show for it and the freedom from debt to continue doing it. I can only hope everyone who has the desire to travel can say the same.
Thank you for reading!
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