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How I Learned to Afford Travel as a Single, Childfree Person: The 7 Steps I Took
- Angela G.
- Sep 18
- 13 min read
Updated: Oct 23
For a long time, the idea of traveling felt completely impossible. For decades, I was drowning in debt, bills stacked high like little towers I couldn’t knock down, and living paycheck to paycheck just to make it through the month. Every time I thought about getting on a plane, even to a different state, let alone another country, it felt like staring at a wall too high to climb. The thought of airfare, hotels, and everything else added up into a mountain I couldn’t imagine scaling. I was stuck in a life that felt smaller than my dreams, trapped by my own finances and my own mindset. A big 'ol hamster wheel of defeat.
But here’s the truth: if you want a different life, you have to do something differently. You can’t keep doing the same thing—paying the same bills, thinking the same thoughts, living in the same patterns, spending money on the same shit—and suddenly expect to be anywhere else.
Change only comes when you’re willing to face the numbers, face the fear, and make choices that might feel uncomfortable now but will set you free later.
Here’s how I went from broke and scared to someone who can travel, explore, and live a life on my own terms.
Step 1: Educated myself about money
I come from a long line of skeptical Italian immigrants who hid money under mattresses and in secret spots around the house. Talking about finances was uncomfortable. Planning? That was a luxury. I had zero financial acumen and a horrible money mindset.
And when you realize you don't know what you don't know, you have to start somewhere. And for me, I saw people who had the life I wanted. And I was like: how do I get THAT? I reached out to people I trusted—friends in my business groups, financial mentors, even a few self-proclaimed money gurus—and I cried. Embarrassed, humbled, and completely exposed at 42 years old. Broke. Zero savings. Experiencing housing insecurity. It was one of the scariest moments of my life, but I knew I couldn’t do it alone. I needed guidance.
I started reading books. Two that really shaped how I saw money and educated me on not only how money works but what I could do with it to live the life I wanted were: The Childfree Guide to Life and Money, by Jay Zigmont, who was a guest on the podcast. This book is great because it directly supports our lifestyle and values sets. We don't have to think about passing down generational wealth or we can do it in a way that works for us.
And the other is: The Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins. Definitely worth the read and a kick ass book to start thinking about the best ways to understand and invest your money. This one goes really hard into retirement planning, too. Something to pick up again when we are at that phase.
Another part of that old school Italian mindset is: we don't talk about our problems. And well, if we don't talk about it, it doesn't go away. it festers and explodes. I had to understand my mindset that money was something to fear, something to avoid, something you didn’t trust was truly the biggest roadblock. So, I need to do something about getting new information.
But if I wanted to leave the cycle of struggle, I had to understand it. I had to face the numbers—the debt, the bills, the interest I was paying just to keep the lights on. They ways I saw money and the ways I was spending. Seeing it all laid bare was disgusting. It was a punch to the gut. I realized I had been pushing sand around the beach, working tirelessly but never moving forward.
This was my turning point. Once I understood exactly where I stood, I could start making real choices. Knowledge became freedom.
Your move: Don’t shy away from your finances. Face it. Learn and SEE the numbers. You can't tame what you won't name, baby. Track your spending. Learn your debt and interest rates. Reach out for guidance—even if it’s uncomfortable or humbling. Knowledge is the first step toward reclaiming control and building the life you want. And if you join The Single and Childfree Network, we offer workshops and chats around your finances so you can not only get information but see what has been working for people like us.
Step 2: Got Out of Debt
Seeing the full picture of my debt shocked me, but it also gave me direction. I had to decrease expenses and increase income—the scorched earth approach that Dave Ramsey talks about. Now, most of what he chats about is from a very male centered, christian perspective. Take it with a grain or 12. But ya know what, who has the wealth in this country? I'll listen and play the game so I can party, too and then dismantle it. You have to be able to enter the spaces first ya know?
A scorched earth approach, from Investopedia, is a strategy that involves systematically destroying resources, property, and infrastructure to deny them to an enemy, rival, or opponent. While it originated as a military tactic to starve an advancing enemy of supplies and shelter, the term is now used metaphorically in business, law, and personal conflicts to describe any ruthless tactic that creates widespread destruction or makes a target or situation undesirable to all parties.
Dave Ramsey's "scorched earth approach" is a strategy for eliminating debt where you cut all non-essential spending and put your funds toward paying off debt. It's a pretty freaking aggressive "work first, play later" philosophy that focuses everything on seeing that debt decrease before spending on the non-essentials and even investments.
And since I am a go big or go home, lemme learn my lesson by getting hit by the whole cement truck not just the bricks, kinda gal. I put my head down, rolled up my sleeves and went to the scorched earth version of debt repayment hell.
I will not lie to you: the scorched-earth approach is brutal. You have to do the things you don’t want to do. And it’s not just the emotional discomfort of admitting you have to change, of facing the shame and fear of being broke in your 40s. It’s the real, tangible sacrifices. I cut out everything I didn’t need: no nails, no hair treatments, no new clothes, no dinners out. I even went five years without buying new underwear. My computer overheated constantly, keys falling off, but hey, that wasn’t the priority. I was 43 years olf at the time sleeping on the floor on a memory foam mattress topper because I couldn't afford a bed or a real mattress. Humbling FOR SURE.
The priority was freedom.
And yes, I worked multiple jobs (seven at one time, if we were counting). I said “yes” to every opportunity that came my way: bartending at a Trump bar, begrudging yes for four months. Teaching fitness classes for $35 when I used to charge $250 for private sessions, no problem. Taking tickets at trade shows for $20/hr, where do I sign up? Go back to teaching again? Let me at it!
I sacrificed present comfort for future freedom. You cannot want the end result more than your present comfort if you want to change your life. They can’t coexist.
There is a Tom Brady quote (I know, so Boston, but it truly landed for me when I was ready to hear it) "To be successful at anything, you just have to be what most people aren't: consistent, determined and willing to work for it."
Being able to go to this scorched earth place, to be temporarily inconvenienced, uncomfortable and frustrating is NOT EASY. I had to put lots of things on the back burner, not just stuff. I prioritized working over socializing and connection. So, was it a lonely year? Sure. Do I still have friends, the ones who allowed me to live and exist in a way that worked for me, you bet. I even questioned if working to the bone was helpful for my mental health. And at the same time, had to ask what was worse: a temporary mind fuck of working so hard or the constant chronic financial stress I was under and would be under if I didn't change? And for me, knowing myself and my own mental fortitude and capacity, I knew that a grind was what I had to do.
So please take this all as information for you to do what you wish and know that this is what worked for ME and you may find a path that works for you in your own way. Hell yes!
Your move: How uncomfortable are you willing to be in the short term for comfort in the long term? Cut unnecessary spending ruthlessly. Take every opportunity to increase your income. Get uncomfortable. Sacrifice now so your future self can thrive, travel, and live fully on your own terms. Think about all the discretionary income you will have for plane tickets when you don't have to make debt payments?? That's GOLD.
Step 3: Invest Wisely
Once I got a handle on debt and expenses and the debt was paid off. I had like, money at the end of the month. Now, it isn't F YOU money, but it was extra nonetheless. And I didn't want to just repeat the same patterns of carelessness as I had been. With the knowledge I gained from step 1 and the perspective of clawing out of debt from step 2, I was never going to do this or be here ever again.
I knew saving alone wasn’t enough. I couldn’t just stash money in a regular, low-interest savings account at Bank of America and hope it grew—because it wouldn’t. Pennies don’t compound fast enough to take you anywhere. I had to learn how to make my money work for me.
I started small. I opened a high-yield savings account (HYSA) and put some cash in CDs. Then I took the leap into a brokerage account. I didn’t (and don't) have it all figured out—I’m still learning every day—but I began to understand how investments grow over time, how compound interest works, and how to make money grow instead of sit stagnant. I devoured books, podcasts, and advice from people I trusted. Every dollar I invested became a soldier working toward my bigger goals: travel, freedom, and eventually moving to Europe.
But investing wasn’t just about numbers. It was also about mindset. I had to stop seeing money as a finite, scary resource that I wasn’t worthy of. Growing up working class, money was always scarce. We weren’t “those people.” Wealth felt disconnected from people like me—good, hardworking people who scrimp, save, and just get by. My parents, my grandparents—they had no example of intentional financial growth. They were surviving, not thriving. I had inherited that scarcity mindset, and it was keeping me small.
I had to untangle myself from the story that money = greed or badness. I had to let go of the identity that I am someone who struggles. I had to internalize that being financially empowered didn’t make me a bad person—it made me free to live boldly, take risks, and see the world. Having money to spend doesn't make me a crap sack! It is a reward for being consistent, driven, and focused. And letting go of the fear and scarcity of money, means I can use it to take a trip!
Your move: Start small. Open a HYSA. Learn about CDs. Dip a toe into a brokerage account. Read, listen, and absorb. But most importantly, work on your money mindset. Believe that financial freedom is possible for you—and that you are worthy of it.
Step 4: Travel Smarter—Leverage Points, Loyalty, and Skills
Traveling as a single, childfree person doesn’t mean being wealthy: it means being strategic. One of the biggest hacks I’ve discovered is using credit card points. I put nearly everything on my card: groceries, bills, even small purchases like a protein bar at the gym, so I accumulate points with every swipe. Those points turn into miles for flights, hotel stays, or upgrades. It’s amazing how fast those small daily decisions add up.
Another key strategy is loyalty. Whenever possible, I stick to the same hotel chain when I travel. Why? Because loyalty points translate into free nights, upgrades, and even exclusive discounts. Over time, you build perks that make travel easier and more affordable, without sacrificing comfort or safety.
But there’s more than just points. If you have a skill—like teaching fitness classes, leading workshops, photography, or coaching—you can use it to travel too. For me, teaching fitness classes is a pathway to travel the world and earn an income while exploring new destinations, all while sharing your expertise. Other people teach yoga, lead retreats, or offer workshops in creative fields. Your skill can become your ticket to seeing the world without draining your savings.
Your move: Use every dollar to earn rewards. Build loyalty with travel programs. And think creatively about how your talents or skills can fund your adventures. Travel isn’t just a dream—it’s a strategic plan when approached with intention.
Step 5: Change the Money Mindset
Like I said, this generational mindset is DEEP and it takes time to unlearn and relearn. I grew up working class, in scarcity, always worrying about whether there would be enough—enough money, enough security, enough stability. Money wasn’t something I felt entitled to; it felt like something reserved for other people—wealthy people, people I wasn’t. That mindset didn’t just limit my spending—it limited my vision. I had to disentangle the deeply ingrained belief that wealth equals greed, selfishness, or moral failing. I am a good person, and good people can have enough, can grow their resources, and can live fully without shame.
But it wasn’t just about money, it was about identity. For years, I clung to being “someone who struggles.” It was familiar, even comfortable in a strange way. It gave me an excuse for not going after bigger dreams and protected me from risk. The problem? It also kept me trapped, small, and fearful. To travel, to dream bigger, to claim experiences that felt out of reach, I had to shed that identity. I had to step into the mindset of someone who can afford the life she wants and truly believes it’s possible.
Shifting this mindset wasn’t a one-time event. It was a daily practice of recognizing scarcity thoughts, questioning them, and choosing to believe in abundance. I had to repeatedly remind myself: wanting financial freedom and the ability to travel does not make me selfish—it makes me intentional about my life.
Your move: Reflect honestly on your beliefs about money. Identify any shame, fear, or guilt you carry about wealth. Challenge those thoughts and consciously decide that abundance is not just for “other people”—it is possible for you, too.
Step 6: Surround Yourself With the Right People
One of the hardest lessons I had to learn was that the energy around you shapes the life you can create. For years, I was surrounded by people who were stuck—financially, mentally, and emotionally. They weren’t bad people. They were just living in survival mode, and I was too. Being around them reinforced scarcity, doubt, and small thinking. I realized that if I wanted to travel, grow financially, and live boldly, I had to choose my circle differently.
I began seeking out people who could take the trips, who dreamed big, and who acted boldly to make those dreams a reality. I reached out to mentors, business peers, and friends who had the mindset I wanted. I listened, I asked questions, and sometimes I just watched and learned. I didn’t do this to show off or compete—I did it to elevate my own thinking and my own trajectory.
And let me be clear: I’m not a millionaire nor am I independently wealthy: I am in the building stages of my financial journey and learning so much as I go. But by surrounding myself with people who had the energy and focus to create opportunities, I absorbed their mindset. I learned what’s possible and began believing it for myself. It’s the people you spend time with, the conversations you have, and the examples you follow that make you see bigger possibilities for your own life.
It wasn’t about leaving people behind; it was about intentionally choosing the energy I wanted in my life. If I wanted freedom, travel, and abundance, I had to step into spaces where those things were normal, not impossible.
Your move: Evaluate your circle. Who inspires you to dream bigger and act bolder? Who challenges your scarcity mindset instead of reinforcing it? Make space for those people—mentors, peers, friends—who lift you toward the life you want.
Step 7: Celebrate Your Way Forward
Once I had faced my debt, educated myself, shifted my money mindset, and surrounded myself with people who inspired me, I realized there was one final piece: celebration. For too long, I had minimized my wins—big and small—because they didn’t fit the “traditional” script of success. I wasn’t getting married, having kids, or hitting societal milestones. But that didn’t make my accomplishments any less meaningful.
I started creating my own celebrations. A business baby shower. A Bark Mitzvah for my dog’s 13th birthday. Solo trips I had long dreamed about. Each act of celebration was a declaration: My life counts. My achievements count. My joy counts. And let me tell you—it feels incredible. There’s power in marking your own milestones, in rewarding yourself for your resilience and your ambition.
Celebration is not frivolous. It’s a reinforcement. It solidifies the choices you’ve made, the sacrifices you’ve endured, and the life you are intentionally building. I still spend wisely—I focus on what I need, not what’s trendy—but I make room for moments that remind me why I work so hard. Travel, experiences, and even small treats become part of a bigger, intentional narrative of abundance and freedom.
Your move: Identify one milestone—big or small—that you’ve accomplished recently. Create a celebration around it, even if it feels unconventional. It could be a solo trip, a dinner with friends, or simply taking a day off to honor yourself. Celebrate yourself, unapologetically. This is how you reinforce the life you’re building and fuel the next chapter.
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I still don’t spend frivolously. Every dollar I earn has a purpose, and I make sure it’s working toward the life I truly want. I focus on what I need, allow myself to spend a little when it serves me or brings me joy, and invest the rest in my bigger goals—travel, seeing the world, and eventually moving to Europe. Every choice I make is intentional, aligned with the life I’m building, not the life I was handed.
And here’s the thing: if you’re reading this, I want you to know—you can do this too. You don’t need to wait for the “right time,” for permission, or for someone else to validate your dreams. Start by educating yourself about your finances. Face your debt and create a plan. Shift your mindset from scarcity to possibility. Surround yourself with people who elevate you, inspire you, and hold space for your ambition.
This is why I can travel, and this is why you can take that trip to Morocco—or anywhere your heart has been longing to go. Life is too short to wait for someone else to hand you permission. You are in control of your life and finances, even when it is hard and you are doing it on one income. I am proof of that.
So, my friends, I hope this inspires you and helps you create a better financial pathway for your epic, single and childfree life! Claim it. Plan it. Book it. Go. And maybe come with us to Morocco in April 2026???
Make your adventure non-negotiable, and let your life be a declaration that you deserve joy, freedom, and the experiences you’ve been dreaming of.
You got this.
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