So I’m in Thailand now. Yay, right? Well, it would be better if I didn’t have to deal with getting disconnected over and over again trying to figure out how the hell to get my money from my credit card company. Turns out this card I got does indeed work abroad. Everywhere, in fact. Apparently when they meant “everywhere” they were really trying to say “everywhere but Thailand”! Fuckers. So now I’m stuck on my first day in Thailand trying to figure out how to get un-fucked by this credit agency. I took every precaution for this shit not to happen and yet here I am.

See. Money is satan.

Being the last cast-member selected, I have to admit is a little befuddling.  When I first received the news that I was the newest cast-member I was more than ecstatic, but after the initial shock wore off I had a million thoughts stampeding through my head. “Where is Thailand? I’ve got to get immunizations. Where am I going to come up with some money?” And to top off all of the excitement, my computer decides to go on the fritz. So who else to call but my lovely grandmother. I ended up having to borrow $500.00 from my grandmother to buy a new computer. Needless to say I am stressing out! It looks like someone is going to have to work the streets in Thailand. NOT!

Data entry job in L.A. = hella baht in my pocket

I got a job! Saving money for this trip just got a lot easier.

I’ve said from the start that this whole experience is an act of fate. The money hasn’t exactly been flowing on high for me for years, really – certainly not since I graduated from college. And my apartment burnt down. And I got my license suspended. (I digress.) But something always told me that everything would work out. Even as I ranted expletives about my dire straits, something still told me it would all be okay. Better than okay, it would be amazing!

Enter my dear friend Leslie King. She’s amazing. An inspiration, really. She got me a job at a production company and now I can diligently savor the sweet relief of employment (above). Also, I got a $525 traffic ticket talked down to, how much? $300? $200? Um… try $0 baby!

But it’s not all about money. As much as I can worry about it, it isn’t until I relax and allow myself and my circumstances room to breathe that things really start to work out. I elect to work with time, not against it. And I vow to not let the “zero” get in the way of my “jet set”, because if there’s anything I’ve learned it’s that with an open mind and heart, it doesn’t matter how hollow your pockets are. If you can take time to just be, fate will remind you just how sweet it is.

Special thanks to Leslie, Commissioner Alan Rubin, and my Mom. I’ll try to cuss less in future video blogs. (Try.)

By now you’re all aware of the Jet Set Zero model of travel. If not, refer to Episode 2 (and find out about the dead guy on our doorstep) as the job hunt begins in Quito and see how we fare when Episode 3 airs this week.

Jet Set Zero goes like this: 1 country. 90 days. 4 soon-to-be-friends.

Problem: No money.

Solution: Find job.

I caught the traveling bug long before I joined Jet Set Zero. How did I foot the bill for my wanderlust before?

Soaking it up in Rio de Janeiro

I’ve financed my travels in different ways, including working both stateside and abroad. A fellowship in Tokyo during university landed me a job in asset management in Singapore post-graduation. Like Freddie and previous Jet Set Zero cast members, I also taught English in Korea, which offers some of the best paid ESL jobs coupled with a high standard of living. We at Jet Set Zero are living proof that working while abroad is one of the most rewarding ways to sustain a life overseas.

My favorite street meat stand in Busan, Korea

Whenever I’ve returned home to Los Angeles between trips, I’ve spent time working short-term contract jobs to replenish my bank account – anything from assisting the CEO of a hedge fund to conducting research for a consulting firm. I’ve also freelanced for my alma mater, writing economic forecasts on the real estate markets in Southern California for USC’s Lusk Center for Real Estate.

Catching up with friends back home

Working in this way – on my own terms – has given me the ability to save money for traveling and the freedom to travel as needed. And yes, for me, travel is a need.

A few weeks ago I was interviewed by freelancing guru Michelle Goodman, author of My So-Called Freelance Life and the inspirational blog The Anti 9-to-5 Guide. Her book and website should be some of the first stops for anyone aspiring to break free of the bonds of cubicledom. Michelle was interviewing people who, like me, resist the security of a permanent job in favor of the perks – ahem, freedom – of contract work or consulting.

Check out what I have to say in her article on ABC News Money column.

Time to fill these empty wallets!

Before I left the U.S. I feared ACLE didn’t really exist.  We move to Italy, live in a different city every week, stay with Italian families who feed us all our meals AND we get paid a salary in Euros??  In return for teaching English??

Fortunately the ACLE benefits are all legit or I’d be pan handling for airfare home in the Rome terminals right now.   I have no savings and my parents have made it clear that they will not be bailing me out of any financial crises.

The other Jet Setters have tight purse strings as well.  Courtney still shares an apartment with her boyfriend back in New York so every Euro she makes will go towards her rent, bills and college loans.   Lynne  doesnt where  know where she will be working after her summer with ACLE so she is putting away money as she plans her next life move.   Perrin has been saving for the past year to travel round-the-world, but she is still being careful so she can extend her journey for as long as possible.

It turns out that no matter how many college degrees we obtain, being born with an American tongue will always be our most internationally marketable skill.  English pays.  We could literally get by here spending zero dollars.  Here is a breakdown of our budget:

Plane ticket: Out of your own pocket.

Orientation fee: £150.  That covers a TOEFL certification (usually two to three times this cost!) and hotel and meals for the one week orientation.

Wages: Perrin and Sarah (newbie tutors): £225 per week.  Lynn and Courtney (returning tutors): £255 per week.  We get a £50 stipend every Friday but ACLE holds on to the remaing salary until the last day of tutoring.  This is fine by me since I tend to spend any money in my possession.

(more…)

The first major hurdle in Quito was finding a place to call home which we did in a very short amount of time, I arrived on a Wednesday night and we were moving into the the 3 bedroom on Carrion Street that Monday afternoon. Job hunting has not been easy for us in Quito. I have been pounding the pavement on foot, by taxi and on the public buses. I have gone to 4 or 5 schools where I have been asked to fill out an application and leave my resume, then I’m usually told “Thanks for stopping by. Someone will be getting back to you shortly.” This is the time to hustle and keep our noses to the grindstone. I did go to an elementary school this weekend in a very colonial part of the old town where I met with the principal and he seemed very receptive and loved my CV. One issue I am finding is not physically having my degree with me in Quito is apparently closing some doors for me as schools need this to verify your education. After the last interview I got on the horn with my family back home in Chicago and hopefully they can send it my way this week. My goal is to have a job before the month is out.

(Version française plus bas)

Funds on Dec 14th: 294 093 Dong + $50 ($65.92) ( 46€)
Cash input: 2 000 000 Dong ($108.28) ( 75,57€)
Current funds, on December 20th: 907 000 Dong + 5 dollars ($54.10) (37,76€)
Spent: 1 387 093 Dong + 45 US dollars for rent 
($120,10) ( 83,82€)


Where did the money go?

- One week of rent (7 nights): $45 + 76 000 Dong ($49) ( 34,2€)

- Activities: 1 ticket to swimming pool: 12 000 Dong ($0.65) ( 0,45€)


- Meals and drinks: 587 000 Dong ($31.78) (22,18€)

- Groceries: 141 015 Dong ($7.63) (5,33€)

- Cosmetics 154 900 Dong ($8.39) (5,85€)

- Transportation: 36 000 Dong 
 ($1.95) (1,36€)

- Miscellaneous (haircut, post office…): 328 700
Dong ($17.80) (12,42€)

This week, I went to internet cafés more often. I had a haircut because I couldn’t stand my hair anywore. I bought some cosmetics that I’ll need during my Christmas holidays. And I sent some stuff in the mail.

* * * * * *

Cerre semaine, je suis allée dans les cyber cafés plus que d’habitude. Je suis allée chez le coiffeur car je ne supportais plus cette balayette dans mon cou. J’ai acheté des produits d’hygiène en prévision des vacances de Noël. Et j’ai envoyé quelques trucs par la poste.

(Version française plus bas)

Funds on December 7th: 1 319 000 Dong + 99 US dollars =3 128 720 Dong ($171.15) (115,29€)


Current funds on December 13th = 1 108 583 Dong ($60.70) ( 41,67€)

Spent: 1 124 907 Dong + 49 US dollars for rent (895 230 Dong) = 2 020 137 Dong
 ($110.60) ( 75,95€)


(more…)