She Strengthens

The Art of Hustling: How I’m Funding My Dream Trip to Norway

Impulsive Decisions and Tight Budgets

I’ll be the first to admit it – I have a weakness for booking plane tickets on a whim. My latest impulsive purchase? A round-trip ticket to Norway for a steal at $369. The catch? I only had a month and a half to save up for the trip. With my modest income from a full-time Americorps job and a part-time gig at a music venue, I knew I had to get creative to fund my adventure.

Breaking Down the Costs

After adding up the expenses, I was faced with a daunting total of over $1,400. To ease my anxiety, I broke down the costs into manageable chunks and assigned each expense to a specific income source. This mental trick helped me feel more in control of my finances.

The Hustle Begins

To cover the remaining costs, I’ve been hustling in various ways:

1. Picking up Extra Shifts

I’ve been taking on additional shifts at my part-time job, earning an extra $250 to cover my plane ticket and accommodations.

2. Pet-Sitting and Dog-Walking

I’ve revived my old pet-sitting gig, using Rover.com and word of mouth to find clients. With two gigs lined up, I’ve earned an extra $290 to cover my train tickets and weekly expenses.

3. Production Assistant Gig

A one-time production assistant job has netted me an extra $150 to cover my Airbnb costs.

4. Extra June Paycheck

Thanks to my bi-weekly pay schedule, I’ll receive an extra paycheck in June, providing a welcome boost of $436 to cover my car rental and other expenses.

5. Credit Card Points

My trusty credit cards have come to the rescue, with points redeemable for travel-related purchases. I’ve used them to cover $147 worth of expenses, including my Airbnb and flight to Boston.

The Takeaway

While I’m still short $100 for my weekly expenses, I’m confident that I’ll be able to make up the difference. This experience has taught me that with determination and creativity, it’s possible to earn money quickly when you need it most. So, if you’re like me and love to travel, don’t be afraid to take the leap – just be prepared to hustle!