How to travel the world with almost no money | Tomislav Perko | TEDxTUHH

Summary

Tom from Croatia shares his extraordinary journey of global exploration, traveling on a shoestring budget. He recounts his adventures hitchhiking, sailing, and working odd jobs, all while embracing local cultures. Tom's experiences with Couchsurfing, volunteering, and creative ways to save on food and drink reveal the true spirit of travel. His story challenges common fears and prejudices, encouraging others to step out of their comfort zones and explore the world with an open mind.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Tom from Croatia has been traveling the world for years, experiencing diverse cultures and modes of transportation.
• 🚍 He has utilized various means of transport like hitchhiking, walking, cycling, and even working for rides, often at no cost.
• 🏡 Accommodation was often free through Couchsurfing, which also provided a local perspective on his destinations.
• 🍲 Food expenses were minimized by buying from supermarkets, cooking with hosts, or dumpster diving for discarded yet edible food.
• 🎸 Tom earned money while traveling through activities like busking, blogging, and temporary jobs, including a unique role as a 'professional traffic diverter'.
• 🌱 His travels taught him not to trust media horror stories, to preserve the environment, and to break down prejudices by experiencing the commonality among people worldwide.
• 📚 He discovered that travel can be cheaper than living in one's own city when transportation, accommodation, and other expenses are minimized.
• 💡 Tom's experiences illustrate that fear of the unknown and financial constraints can be overcome with a bit of courage and creativity.
• 🏡 Post-travel, he suggests finding a balance between settling down and maintaining the intensity of travel by exploring locally and engaging in new activities.
• 🧳 The decision to travel extensively is personal and should be driven by an inner desire for adventure, despite potential loneliness and hardships.

Q & A

What was Tom's profession before he started traveling?

Before Tom started traveling, he was a stockbroker working a 9-5 job.

How did the 2008 financial crash impact Tom's life?

The 2008 financial crash led to Tom losing his job, his money, and his sense of purpose.

What is Couchsurfing and how did it influence Tom's travel?

Couchsurfing is a website that allows users to host travelers in their homes and stay in others' homes while traveling. Tom hosted over 150 travelers, which inspired him to travel and later used the platform for free accommodation.

What were Tom's initial fears about traveling?

Tom was initially afraid of the world being a dangerous place, leaving his comfort zone, and traveling without money.

How did Tom overcome his fears and start traveling?

Tom overcame his fears by listening to the experiences of the travelers he hosted, who told him that he didn't need to be brave or rich to travel.

What are the three major categories of expenses Tom mentioned for traveling?

The three major categories of expenses Tom mentioned for traveling are transportation, accommodation, and everything else such as food and drinks.

How did Tom manage to travel with almost no money?

Tom managed to travel with almost no money by hitchhiking for free transportation, using Couchsurfing for free accommodation, and minimizing other expenses like food and drinks.

What alternative methods did Tom use for transportation while traveling?

Tom used alternative methods for transportation such as walking, cycling, and working in exchange for transportation, like sailing across the Indian Ocean.

What are some ways Tom found to minimize accommodation costs?

Tom minimized accommodation costs by using Couchsurfing, camping, sleeping in parks, and volunteering in exchange for a place to stay.

How did Tom earn money while traveling?

Tom earned money while traveling by busking, writing a blog, and working odd jobs such as a 'professional traffic diverter' in Australia.

What life lessons did Tom learn from his travels?

Tom learned not to trust media horror stories, to preserve the earth, to tear down prejudices, and that people around the world are fundamentally the same despite cultural differences.

What advice does Tom give to those who want to travel like him?

Tom advises those who want to travel like him to follow their gut feeling, forget their fears, disregard being broke, and just start traveling, as he believes the regret of not doing it will be greater in the long run.