A constant misconception in the general public is the notion that traveling is expensive – and that round the world travel is reserved only for the wealthy. That is simply not the case – it doesn't matter how much money you make, you have the ability to save up and realize your dream of traveling around the world. RTW travelers need enough funds to travel for a year – and you can actually save up those funds right on your current income level.

It's actually sad to say that one of the biggest reasons that round the world travel is out of the question for many dreamers is because of a Western obsession with materialism. As a society we buy so many products and services that it's crazy to consider how much money is spent on material goods instead of on the memories that are created from treasured experiences. Many travelers only dream of these amazing spots all over the world because they are busy spending their cash instead of socking it away in savings.

The "gimme" syndrome is huge in children, they want all of the latest toys and gadgets, that sticks with us as adults and we buy materialistic goods instead of funneling money into our true goals and dreams. All of the materialistic goods are hindering the ability to put a consistent amount of money into your travel savings fund – stopping the constant acquisition of new products is a key part of initially prepping for round the world travel.

Once you've made the commitment to limit materialistic purchases beyond the necessary it comes time to downsize your current possessions. The biggest step here is purging all of the little knickknacks and unnecessary extras that are cluttering up your living space. Purging is key to long-term round the world travel because otherwise you're paying pretty large fees to keep items in storage while you're out exploring.

Saving up for a round the world trip – or even just long-term travel is going to take time. Although travel is incredibly affordable in developing countries, remember that most RTW tippers spend two and sometimes even three years plotting out their trip, downsizing their possessions, and funneling savings into a travel-specific fund – it's affordable but takes time!

Looking to find the best tips for traveling around the world, then visit www.alittleadrift.com to find the best advice on RTW budgeting, packing lists, and backpacking stories, all aimed at motivating your next trip.