HelpX: Working to Travel

Do you want to travel the world, but don’t know how to even begin? If you are at a place where a little less routine is desirous, the first step is to think about your resources and your purpose. There is no reason you need to have a large amount of money in the bank in order to move around the world, but a little helps. Even just a plane ticket and a $1,000 emergency fund is enough. Having as little overhead as possible — i.e. mortgage, credit card debt, student loans — will only make your time less stressful and more enjoyable.

Without these obligations dragging you down, you are free to move about and take on experiences that pay little, or even just room and board. Understanding your purpose for traveling long-term is also essential. Do you want to pair charitable work with a new experience? Or just check out what it is like to work on a sailboat for a month?

This is where HelpX and similar organizations can assist. HelpX pairs people with hosts creating a partnership that provides the helper with experiences in exchange for room and board. The activities are localized across Australia, Europe and North America, and range from working on farms and sailboats to even tending a ranch. Hosts and helpers must register for the site. A small fee of approximately €20 for a two-year membership is required.