Thrifty Thursday: affordable overseas travel

Traveling overseas to places like Australia can be affordable, if you are willing to do a little work!  Jamie Matczak, also known as The Traveling Baker , has traveled to Australia and New Zealand in exchange for a little house work!

Click the video to hear Jamie's stories and to see her pictures.

Here are some of the websites Jamie uses when planning her trips.

Volunteer sites:
International Volunteer Headquarters (IVHQ)
Cross Cultural Solutions
Globe Aware
Global Volunteers

Exchanges for Help/Hospitality-
Help Exchange
HomeExchange
 

Jamie says you can also save money when it comes to packing your bags and buying souvenirs.

Packing Money Savers

- Plastic bags instead of a waterproof bag
- Snack bars/chex mix/nuts instead of expensive airport food/vending machine
- Swiss Army knife (only if checking in a bag)
- Bottled water or water bottle
- Clear bottles instead of toiletries
- Travel towel instead of beach towel
- Laptop/netbook/device for keeping in touch (Skype, Facebook, blogging)
- Money belt

Purchasing/Souvenirs

- Native wine or beer
- Native food, sauces or candy
- Jewelry/minerals common in that area
- Shot glasses, magnets, keychains are fun, inexpensive momentos
- Enlarge and frame your favorite photos you took
- Street art
- Bowls, glasses, spoons, items you would find in that country's home