Why Can't I Find Long-term Travel Budget Templates Online?

Many people planning long-term travels believe that having a detailed budget template is essential. However, the idea of finding a one-size-fits-all template for long-term travel costs is a misconception. As an experienced traveler who has sustained such a lifestyle for over a decade, I can attest to the fact that every individual's travel expenses can vary drastically and greatly.

The Importance of Personalized Budgets

When I was working on the book 'Working on the Road: The Unconventional Guide to Full-Time Freedom,' my editors pushed me to provide long-term travel budget spreadsheets. The thought was that these tools would offer a clear understanding of how to manage travel expenses. However, I opted to refuse this suggestion. Why?

Travel, especially when it becomes a way of life rather than a brief vacation, is highly personal. The idea that there is one template for this kind of budget is simply not feasible. Life is full of uncertainties and variables that can affect travel expenses. My own travel expense fluctuations over a nine-year period illustrate this point:

2011: $18,000 2012: $28,000 2013: $44,000 2014: $28,000 2015: $25,000 2016: $23,000 2017: $21,000 2018: $28,000 2019: $35,000

As you can see, the expenses fluctuated annually due to a myriad of factors, including personal, financial, and life events.

Life's Unpredictability

Every adventure comes with its share of surprises. In 2013, for example, there was a significant $20,000 in erroneous expenses as a result of unforeseen events: A house thief near a passport theft, A near-fatal accident, Financially supporting a partner. While these events are not specific to traveling, they do affect the budget. Similarly, in those same years, I made other expensive choices, such as paying for accommodation instead of getting it for free, and splurging on Europe.

Income and Expenses

Despite these irregularities, my income consistently supported my travel expenses. For instance:

2011: $22,000 per year 2012: $39,000 per year 2013: $43,000 per year 2014: $31,000 per year 2015: $34,000 per year 2016: $28,000 per year 2017: $22,000 per year 2018: $30,000 per year 2019: $51,000 per year

Despite income variations, I consistently spent less than I earned, proving that financially sustainable travel is possible.

Varying Budgets by Income

The example of a $300,000/year traveler versus a $10,000/year traveler demonstrates the immense variety in long-term travel budgets. The higher-income traveler can choose to live more opulently, while the lower-income traveler must be more thrifty.

Financial Case Studies

To further illustrate, my site features a series of interviews in Financial Case Studies, which profile different long-term travelers with varying incomes. These travelers earn from as little as $6,000/year to over $1 million, yet they all find ways to sustain their travel within the means of their income.

Conclusion

Given the complex and unpredictable nature of long-term travel expenses, a one-size-fits-all budget template is impractical. Each individual traveler's experience is unique, influenced by income, personal choices, and external circumstances. Therefore, finding long-term travel budget templates online is a challenge because there is no universal solution. Instead, travelers should tailor their budgets to their specific circumstances and goals.

For a more detailed discussion of these topics, you can read my article on financially sustainable travel and long-term travel budgets.