Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Chat Forum > The HUBB PUB
How to travel long term when you're broke ??? How to travel long term when you're broke ???
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
The HUBB PUB Chat forum - no useful content required!

BUT the basic rules of polite and civil conduct which everyone agreed to when signing up for the HUBB, will still apply, though moderation will be a LITTLE looser than elsewhere on the HUBB.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Like Tree29Likes

Reply
Page 1 of 6 1 23456
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 27 Aug 2012
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
How to travel long term when you're broke ???
Long story short..

I lost my main job a few months ago then went to Canada and spent ALL my savings on an Epic Canoe trip... ! (worth it though )

So. All I have left now is my Triumph Tiger and about £500.

I'm having no luck finding work apart from sporadic bike repairs in the UK a so thinking of how far and for how long I could travel RTW for instead.

I'm 32 and too old for working holiday Visas in the obvious Commonwealth Economies and I like to keep moving.

I'm assuming finding 'Cash in hand' work in this recession is going to be pretty hard. On my recent travels I didn't talk to anyone finding easy work.

Couch surfing and wild camping are on my list for keeping costs low but what can pay for petrol, food and money ??????

I've sold a few articles but they don't pay too well and the work is few and far between.

Let the brainstorming commence !!
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 27 Aug 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: BC, sometimes
Posts: 578
Start your own business, get it up and running and then put in a manager and travel on the profit of the business or sell it and then travel with the proceeds.

I think cash in hand work in this economy is a total non-starter to be honest.

Self employed mechanics can do quite well in down turns as people try to save money on main dealers - what is your bike/marque specialty?

Scooter/small bike dealership?

Brake/tyre/exhaust/accessory fitting business?

Might need to relocate though - the economy down here (SE) is not too bad at all right now.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 27 Aug 2012
2499's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Yverdon Les Bains, Switzerland
Posts: 89
Sell your triumph and get a cheap 250 or another scrap bike . Then you should have plenty left for a good tour.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 27 Aug 2012
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2499 View Post
Sell your triumph and get a cheap 250 or another scrap bike . Then you should have plenty left for a good tour.
Yeah... A definite option. But it's only worth £2500 and that £2000 cash back won't last long in Europe.

I'm thinking more of ideas for a long term solution, but yeah.. Scrape it from where you can.

Already Ebayed everything else before my Africa Trip
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 27 Aug 2012
2499's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Yverdon Les Bains, Switzerland
Posts: 89
I thought it was worth around 5000.-
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 27 Aug 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: poole dorset
Posts: 148
Check out this site Ted, it could be the answere you're looking for.

Find Hosts in Europe - Help Exchange
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 27 Aug 2012
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Nieder-Olm, Germany
Posts: 144
Quote:
Originally Posted by jim lovell View Post
Check out this site Ted, it could be the answere you're looking for.

Find Hosts in Europe - Help Exchange
Jeez, this is amazing. Thanks for sharing.

Regards
Chris
__________________
Need to fix your Africa Twin? Check out my step-by-step frame strip pictures at
Google+ album: http://tinyurl.com/6u93yv2
Dropbox with zip-File: http://tinyurl.com/czj8qgw
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 28 Aug 2012
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Gloucester, England
Posts: 419
Lightbulb
Ted - you're a good looking boy - you don't need to ask this question.

Regards, Mick
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 28 Aug 2012
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
helpx is great. I'm a paid up member. Thing is, they dont pay anything. Great for accomodation...

Mick, I accept PayPal...
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 28 Aug 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: on the road
Posts: 174
this might be a longshot... is there an equivalent of "harvest trail" in europe or the UK?

Harvest Trail - Harvest jobs - Australian JobSearch

when you're paid by weight, hard work = good coin.

or, visit australia... the $ is ridiculously high against the major currencies. you might even go home with more in the pocket than you started with.

if you can repair small engines or use mechanised equipment you can rock up on a farm, let it be known to the owner that you have skills, and you'll quickly be out of the field and tinkering in the shed, or sitting on an air-con john deere with MP3 player (summer is coming).

Visa Options - Working Holiday - Visas & Immigration
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 28 Aug 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: West Midlands ,UK
Posts: 158
rent your home, sell your house or even buy a house sounds mad, but find the right property in the right area chop the place up to create more small rooms and rent to students , with the right place you could clear the mortgage and have a little left .
Go to an overseas employment agency, or contact one of the international charity's, see if there's some work there ??
The lottery or the 3.15 at haydock park !!!
I have chosen to put my house up for sale , so just sitting back and waiting now
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 28 Aug 2012
Big Yellow Tractor's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: England
Posts: 649
Ted, there are ways but I think you need luck to be on your side. Let me tell you a little story..........

A mate of my Brother's went on a tourist holiday to Thailand a few years back. He quickly got the dog with the resort so he got on a bus intending to do a day-trip. He ended up getting on another few buses and doing a bit of hitching. Eventually he arrived at a little village with nice beach and decided to stay for a few days. While he was there, he fixed a fisherman's outboard motor.
A couple of days later, another chap brought him a couple of "dead" outboards and he managed to get one running, keeping the dead one. As the weeks went by, he built up a stock of wrecked motors and started buying, selling and fixing all manner of stuff.
After a few months, he got permission from the village to build his own house and employed a couple of local lads to help him out with the build and the business.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 28 Aug 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 86
Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Yellow Tractor View Post
Ted, there are ways but I think you need luck to be on your side. Let me tell you a little story..........

A mate of my Brother's went on a tourist holiday to Thailand a few years back. He quickly got the dog with the resort so he got on a bus intending to do a day-trip. He ended up getting on another few buses and doing a bit of hitching. Eventually he arrived at a little village with nice beach and decided to stay for a few days. While he was there, he fixed a fisherman's outboard motor.
A couple of days later, another chap brought him a couple of "dead" outboards and he managed to get one running, keeping the dead one. As the weeks went by, he built up a stock of wrecked motors and started buying, selling and fixing all manner of stuff.
After a few months, he got permission from the village to build his own house and employed a couple of local lads to help him out with the build and the business.
Europe sucks for starting a business on a small budget. Been there, done that and I am glad that I only lost 2500 euros on it. There are too many regulations and laws here. Asia and Africa is a much better place in this respect.

For the OP: You could try teaching English or something. I've heard there are jobs in Denmark and Belgium... maybe someone here can tell more about that.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 28 Aug 2012
chris's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: GOC
Posts: 3,335
Sell a kidney? Become a male escort?
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 28 Aug 2012
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: London
Posts: 404
Brainstorming - how about this? But not up your street maybe.

I've known one or two people who have been drivers of those overland adventure trucks (Dragoman and similar).

As far as I know, there's a constant, if not very high, demand for drivers. And the main qualification seems to be "I've been there, and there, and there."
And, "I can mend that, and that."

Again as far as I know, most drivers only do the job for a while, maybe one season, another reason for the ongoing demand for new drivers.

So maybe a possibility for a year of earning? You'd be travelling, but on 6 or 8 wheels instead of 2.
And you must have tons of experience to offer.
__________________
TTR250 - London to Cape Town
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 1 of 6 1 23456

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Long term storage solution in montevideo uruguay jhoncooperworks South America 7 16 Aug 2017 20:32
Long term parking in South America? LC8Joe South America 13 4 Jun 2017 14:34
Uruguay, Montevideo, long term storage, advice and mechanical fixing. maja Sleep and Eat, South America 3 8 Oct 2014 16:14
Long term travel question stevedo Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 19 29 Sep 2012 20:22
Looking for secure long term parking in Barcelona, Spain Mervifwdc Europe 1 22 Feb 2012 00:26

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 06:51.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top