Key Takeaways
- There are a lot of ways to fund your travels. I’ve met readers who’ve taken odd jobs, worked on yachts, volunteered, saved for their trip, and many mo
- What I love about reader success stories is that they highlight the diversity of ways to make travel a reality. It doesn’t always have to be “have a g
- Today, we’re talking to Emily, a 25-year-old Canadian who moved to South Korea with her boyfriend to teach English. South Korea pays English teachers
There are countless ways to fund your travels. At Route for Less, we’ve spoken with travelers who’ve taken seasonal jobs, worked on liveaboard vessels, volunteered abroad, saved diligently before departure, and more.
What makes reader success stories so valuable is how they showcase the creative, adaptable paths people take to make travel possible. It’s rarely about landing a high-paying corporate job, saving for years, then booking a single trip. More often, it’s about aligning skills, timing, and opportunity — and having the drive to follow through.
Today, we’re speaking with Emily, a 25-year-old Canadian who moved to South Korea with her partner to teach English. With competitive salaries and low living costs, she saved over $14,000 during her contract — enough to launch a multi-month round-the-world journey.
Route for Less: Tell everyone about yourself!
Emily: Hi, I’m Emily! After finishing university in 2012, I moved to South Korea with my boyfriend to teach English. Though my degree wasn’t in education and I don’t plan to teach long-term, I knew teaching overseas offered financial stability and mobility — perfect for funding extended travel.
I left my hometown of Toronto, completed my teaching contract, traveled through Asia, returned home briefly, then set off again for a four-month independent trip. I’ve since returned to South Korea to work and save for future adventures.
What inspired you to pursue this path?
I believe deeply in designing a life that feels meaningful and joyful. Teaching English abroad had always been on my radar because it offers solid pay and visa sponsorship — especially in countries like South Korea. Once I experienced firsthand how affordable life there was and how much I could save on a modest salary, committing to long-term travel after my contract felt like a natural next step.
It wasn’t a dramatic decision — it evolved organically. I was fortunate to have supportive family and friends who shared my curiosity about the world and encouraged me to take the leap.
How did you save for your initial trip?
Before leaving Canada, I lived at home to minimize expenses and consistently saved at least 20% of my income while working at a nonprofit focused on financial literacy. But the real turning point came once I started teaching in South Korea: I was able to save over 70% of my monthly paycheck.
While my salary wouldn’t be considered high by North American standards, South Korea’s low cost of living — combined with disciplined spending — allowed me to accumulate nearly $14,000 by the end of my contract.
What money-saving advice would you share with others?
Research — thoroughly and early. One of my biggest oversights was underestimating activity costs in certain destinations. While street food and local transport in Southeast Asia are incredibly affordable, skydiving in New Zealand or sailing the Whitsundays in Australia adds up quickly. Knowing approximate costs for major experiences ahead of time helps avoid budget shocks.
You don’t need to lock in every detail, but estimating big-ticket items — like transportation, adventure activities, and accommodation types — makes a real difference. For example, my friend and I assumed renting a camper van in New Zealand would be economical — until we realized fuel averaged $100 per day and campsites were $20 nightly. That alone pushed us $1,500 over budget.
Had I researched car relocation services like TransferCar earlier — where you drive vehicles for free between cities — I could’ve cut hundreds from my transport costs. It would’ve required more planning, but the savings were worth it.
How did you stay on budget while traveling?
The single most effective habit was tracking every expense daily — hostels, meals, drinks, even small souvenirs. I logged everything into a custom Excel spreadsheet with categories like “food,” “accommodation,” and “activities.” If you’re offline, a simple notebook works just as well.
Seeing the numbers visually helped me spot spending patterns and adjust quickly — like switching from cafes to local markets or opting for free walking tours instead of paid ones. And don’t overlook rewards: my travel credit card and airline miles program covered flights and upgrades, stretching my budget further than cash alone ever could.
What made you decide to teach in Korea?
For years I’d known I wanted to teach English overseas, the primary reason being to
