Laid off? Can't find a job? It's a great time to travel the world

Most people think round-the-world trips are only for the super rich, or contestants on Amazing Race. In fact, many Americans can afford an extended international trip with a little forethought, creativity and a willingness to rough it.

Stay home and job hunt, or enjoy the Cambodian beaches? Your Call. (Photo: Leslie Koch)

A bad economy is a great time to travel

This is a great time to be a backpacker and escape the daily stress of the US economic crisis. If you are out of work, why not take advantage of your unlimited vacation time to see the world? You may actually save money in the process (considering outrageous rents and the cost of living in the New York metro area). You can stay in comfortable guesthouses, eat out for every meal, and enjoy an occasional activity in northern Thailand, Laos or Cambodia for $33 a day. That's less than $1,000 a month... you may be paying that much in New York for your rent alone.

Long trips don't cost much more than short vacations

The largest single cost for an international trip is the airfare, and you usually pay the same rate whether you are going on vacation for one week or six. The longer you spend in a country, the more value you get out of the airfare, and the cheaper the per day cost. So if you travel frugally in a developing country where the living expenses are low, you may only spend a few hundred dollars more in a month than you would for the typical week-long vacation.

But don't I need a trust fund to afford a round-the-world trip?

This is a common misconception, and keeps many Americans from exploring a long-term trip. When I tell people that I have spent a year traveling around the South Pacific, Asia, Africa and South America, the most common response is, "I wish I had the money to do that." My response? "You probably do, you are just spending it on something else."

We all have our priorities in life, and long-term traveling requires a trade-off. You can choose to spend your savings on a down payment for a house, a lavish wedding, or your child's education-- all worthy causes, I might add-- or you can use your cash to travel around the world. Your decision depends on your ties to your community, job situation, family responsibilities, and goals in life. Do a little research on round-the-world trips, and see if any of the options make sense for you.

How much does a round-the-world trip cost?

The cost of a round-the-world trip varies greatly, depending on where you go, how many stops you make, and how much you want to "rough it." You can travel comfortably through Southeast Asia for three months and spend under $5,000; for a year-long trip across several continents (mostly in developing nations), with an occasional splurge hotel or expensive activity, $20,000 is a fair estimate. If you do have a trust fund, of course, then the sky is the limit.

What if I can't travel for a year?

Whether you have the resources to travel internationally for one week, one month, or one year, take advantage of the opportunity. Traveling is a great way to learn more about other cultures, and to gain perspective on your own.

Consider taking a few weeks or months to travel around developing nations in one region, like South America, Southeast Asia or Southern Africa. You save money by honing in on one geographic area, since you will only have to pay for one trans-continental flight (round-trip from the US). Once you have arrived in the region, explore the area by less expensive means: bus, car, boat, and one-way regional flights.

You might also enjoy these articles:

* How to travel around the world, step 1: Find cheap flights to exotic destinations

* How to travel around the world, step 2: Discover your dream destinations

* The dirtiest toilets on Earth: Read this before you travel the world

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