How to Travel the World for Almost Free!

I have always wanted to travel the world. In fact, that's all I've ever wanted to do. And while I have done some traveling I haven't traveled nearly as much as I would like. However, the problem with this is that I have very little money and I'm not 20 or 30..OK we'll stop there! What to do, what to do, what to do?

I have discovered several ways one can go about traveling the world on the cheap. Here are a few: you can work your way around the world, couch surf,or house sit. All are viable ways to circumnavigate the globe on very little money.

Working your way around the world has never been so easy. I'm sure everyone has seen the ads for English Teachers around the world. That is one route but there are also Nanny, positions, maid positions and temporary work on Kibbutzes that would also fit the bill. This method allows you to actually make money, travel on the cheap and really get to know the natives. Unlike just flying to some far off destination, staying in some overpriced hotel and visiting a thousand churches and museums, this way you actually get to know the people and experience the life in your chosen country. Here are a few websites if you are interested in this route:

• http://www.teachabroad.com/

• http://www.soyouwanna.com/soyouwanna-teach-english-abroad-1099.html

• http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/work/shortterm/au_pair_jobs.shtml: (This is for younger people).

• http://www.lifeinitaly.com/life/au-pair.asp

• http://www.expatica.com/

• http://www.spainexpat.com/spain/information/jobs_in_spain/

Couch surfing involves signing up on their website:

http://www.couchsurfing.org/

You stay on someones couch for free and when you are able you offer your couch for someone to stay for free. Although this seems like it's mainly for the young, I don't see why the young at heart can't take advantage of it as well. This is a worldwide network so just check out the website and see if there are accommodations for your destination. The accommodations may be just a couch and a shower in the morning or sometimes they may have an extra room for you to stay in, but the price is definitely within anyone's budget..free that is, free baby! Not only will you save a ton of money but you will most definitely meet some very interesting people.

Also, a lot of people just travel to their destination and set up shop once they get there by advertising in the local paper for English students. This might work for some of you so I thought I'd at least mention it.

Finally, there is house-sitting. Don't have very much money, too old to run after a bunch of toddlers? Why not house-sit around the world? People do this and it seems to me a great way to travel on a limited budget. You have to register and some house-sitting may involve pet sitting as well. The advantages of this are that you will probably be able to stay more than a day or two but not as long as if you were working on a kibbutz. So you could house-sit in Germany for a week and then easily move on to Italy for two weeks. Also, you don't have to offer to put someone up later. In my opinion this might be one of the best ways for an older person to travel for very little money. Once you've done it a few times and have acquired some excellent references your set.

Here are are few websites for house-sitting travelers:

• http://www.housecarers.com/retirees_travelling.cfm

• http://www.housesitworld.com/

Whatever method you decide upon I hope everyone that wants to travel can travel at some point in their lives as nothing surpasses visiting a foreign land when it comes to gaining knowledge, wisdom, understanding and best of all life long friends!

Bon Voyage!