How to Travel More with a Full Time Job

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I’m commonly asked how I afford to travel all the time. Folks, I have a full time job like the most of you. I find myself envious of teachers that are off for the summer or full time travel bloggers. Well, pretty much anyone that isn’t working when I am. 🙂 But, I have to work to pay my student loans, provide for my family, and, oh yea, live.

It can be difficult to find time to travel frequently, but if you make it a priority in your life, you can travel often, too. Here are some tips on how to maximize travel and still have a full time job.

I understand that everyone needs a mental health day every now and then. However, instead of making a habit of calling out of work and then feeling guilty, plan some time off work. Did you know a large portion of the American population never use their paid time off to go on vacation? Use it folks! You will feel better and be more efficient at work when you take a break. Plus, that great attendance record will look good towards you getting your next raise (hello more travel!).

If at all possible, work longer days or try to schedule your days together so that you have more time to travel. For example, if you are a nurse, you may be working 3 days a week. Just travel the other 4. Some careers allow you to work every other week. I used to have this schedule where I worked Thursday through Sunday of one week and Monday through Wednesday of the next. It makes for a tough week but it’s easy to get in the groove of work and then relaxation (when you might not want to return!).

Maximize your travel time by using your weekends to get out and explore. You can get to just about anywhere in the US with around a 4 hour flight. If dealing with airports and flying isn’t your thing, explore a destination close to home. I am always surprised at how many places in my home state that I haven’t visited. Go be a tourist in your own town or nearby city. 

Don’t forget holidays are an opportunity for an extended weekend getaway. Many of the US holidays are on a Friday or Monday allowing for long weekend in which you can travel. While it may be more expensive to travel around the holidays, you may find a good deal on a flight at the times most people don’t want to travel, like during the New Years Eve celebrations or the Fourth of July fireworks shows. (I like to use Skyscanner to look for cheap flights.) Using your holiday time for travel brings me to my next way to travel more with a full time job.

If possible, work on a holiday so that you can defer it to another time. Your coworkers may love you for working so that they can stay home on the holidays (right, nurses?!) and you may get holiday pay for working the actually holiday. If this option is available, it is a benefit you should be proud of! One of my favorite trips was a spontaneous, solo trip to Alaska to see the Northern Lights in which I worked Martin Luther King Day and deferred to the following week (cheaper, too!).

Make sure to check with your place of employment to figure out when it is expected you make up the deferred day.

It doesn’t have to be a week. Take a Thursday, Friday, or even the dreaded Monday off work for an extended weekend to maximize your travel time. 

Leaving right after work for your trip allows you to get the travel portion out of the way so that you can enjoy more time at your destination. Flying back on a red eye will also allow you more time and more likely be a cheaper flight.

One of the perks of working a salaried job is the ability to work your hours within a short time frame allowing you to use less paid time off. This is one way I maximize my travel time fully. I avoid calling in sick and if I am out, I try to make up my hours as much as allowed.

This may not be realistic for everyone, but there are jobs in which you can work from home. I have friends who work as a nurse from home doing insurance work. I also know people who teach English online. There are billing/coding jobs, consultants, and photographers that make it more flexible for travel.

While not everyone wants to travel and work, I love doing this! Your place of employment foots the bill for the necessary transportation and lodging, then you just add time to the trip before or after for your own enjoyment. Of course, you are responsible for costs during the extra time spent at the destination, but you save some time and money. 

Some jobs requires training and education to maintain your status. This is a great method to be able to work full time and travel. Simply google a conference in your specialty that you may benefit from attending. 

As a nurse practitioner, I’m required to have a certain amount of yearly continuing education. A few years ago I enjoyed a cruise that held a CEU conference (tax deductible!). I spent some time while at sea in a classroom (which wasn’t where I really wanted to be!), but I also was able to explore new destinations. I actually did this on our Mediterranean cruise and combined it with airline miles (first class tickets to and from Spain) and credit card points (hotel 2 days prior to cruise) for an almost free vacation! Plus, I got PAID!!!

ALERT- BEST KEPT SECRET ALERT! Another option that I love is an online continuing education class from American Seminar. I’ve used this company several times to get the credits I need. The best part is that you can do the classes on your own time (pre-travel!) and then travel anywhere you want for the time that you want. 

For example, last year I completed a CEU course in neurology and then went to Florida to the Don Cesar Hotel (LOVE btw) for specific days that were listed on my invoice. Just tell them where and when you want to do your CEU and the company provides documentation of cost and earned credits. I love that the company has up to date education available in written and audio (from an actual conference) form. I’ve actually listened to the audio on my way to work and while getting to my destination for a CEU trip.

(Check with your tax professional to see what can be tax deductible!) If you do decide to use this company, I would greatly appreciate you putting me down as a referral (It will ask for my name- Rebecca Edington and city- Crossville, Tennessee).

Like many people who work full time in America, there’s just not enough paid time off. With so many amazing places to visit, I feel as though I will never have enough time to visit all of them. I tend to travel fast paced that requires advanced research of the destinations so that I don’t waste time trying to figure out how to get wherever, what to do, or where to eat or stay. By planning in advance, it gives me more time to talk to the locals and take part in some of the advice they give. Just make sure to leave room in your schedule for whatever may come up. Personally, I don’t like to stay in one place for more than a few days, so by combining nearby destinations, I see more of the world while I can. Check out my itineraries for ideas.

The most important time to negotiate paid time off is during the hiring process at a new job. Maybe look for a job with a better benefit package (we all know that’s what really makes a job!) If a new job isn’t in your future plans, see if you can negotiate more paid time off in place of a raise.

I understand that not everyone can benefit from all of these tips on how to work full time and travel more. But, many of these do allow you to travel and it’s up to you to make the decision whether you are going to get out there and travel or not. Remember, there’s never a perfect time to travel!