A man who embarked on a global journey with no money in his bank account has unveiled some little-known money-saving travel hacks.
Jaromir Cabla, who goes by Jaro online, and hails from Prague, Czech Republic, was staying on a friend’s floor without a job or steady residence when he opted to sell his few possessions. Using the proceeds, he bought a one-way ticket to New Zealand in February 2020.
Since then, he’s been traveling the world full-time – and he’s visited a whopping 35 countries over the last five years.
But how did he get by with barely a penny to his name?
He shared some of the methods he used to cut down costs so he could travel despite having no money exclusively with the Daily Mail.
His approach involved securing ‘short-term jobs’ that offered food and lodging as compensation, utilizing platforms like WorldPackers and Workaway.
‘For those keen on traveling globally full-time but lacking initial funds, I recommend using [these platforms],’ he advised.
‘[It’s short term] that way you could live in a new place every couple of months if you wanted too!’
Jaromir Cabla, known as Jaro online at 26, has explored over 35 countries while earning hundreds of thousands annually as a renowned travel influencer.
But he first began his adventure when he barely had a ‘penny to his name’ – so how did he start traveling the globe without any earnings at first?
WorldPackers is explained as a platform that enables travelers to connect with welcoming hosts worldwide, facilitating transformative experiences.
‘You help your host for some hours per week and in exchange, you get accommodation and possibly other benefits, such as meals and local activities,’ its website states.
Jaro said he also saved money by splitting accommodation costs with friends he made along the way.
‘It’s always cheaper to travel with friends over traveling solo so you could split everything that you’re doing, rather than having to pay for things on your own,’ he added.
In addition, he suggested using a SIM card rather than paying for international fees on an American phone plan – but don’t buy them at the airport.
‘Look for local SIM card stores on Google Maps instead of using airport kiosks, you’ll pay 70 percent less,’ he said.
But most importantly, Jaro recommended moving at a slower pace and living like a local rather than a tourist if you want to save money while traveling.
‘You’ll build deeper connections and spend way less money when you’re not just hopping around from place to place like a tourist, but really immersing yourself in the culture through slow travel,’ he explained.
Thankfully, he shared some of the methods he used to cut down costs so he could vacation on a budget exclusively with the Daily Mail
He said he started by landing ‘short-term jobs’ in exchange for food and accommodation in the areas he was visiting through platforms like WorldPackers and Workaway
When asked about his go-to travel essential, he said he doesn’t go anywhere without activated charcoal and electrolytes.
‘They’re total lifesavers for food poisoning or fatigue when your body’s adjusting to new places,’ said the social media star.
Jaro explained that his love of travel was ignited after he moved to Oahu, Hawaii, at age five.
He explained that growing up on an island that’s so small you could ‘drive across it in just one hour’ resulted in him feeling ‘very boxed in’ throughout his childhood.
‘I had this itch to see more of the world at a very young age,’ he said.
In November 2019, Jaro hit the ‘lowest point of his life’ after years of feeling ‘overwhelmed, anxious, and completely stuck mentally.’
He had just broken up with his girlfriend and moved to California, where he slept on a friend’s floor with no job, income, or permanent home.
Then, in February 2020, he decided to sell all of his belongings and use the money to purchase a one-way ticket to New Zealand to ‘chase the feeling of freedom,’ and he hasn’t looked back since.
But most importantly, Jaro recommended moving at a slower pace and living like a local rather than a tourist if you want to save money while traveling
Jaro (seen as a kid) explained that growing up on an island in Hawaii that’s so small you could ‘drive across it in just one hour’ resulted in him feeling ‘very boxed in’ throughout his childhood
‘After buying a one-way ticket in February of 2020, I’ve been traveling the world full-time for the last five plus years,’ he explained. ‘Since then, travel has been my greatest treasure.’
First, he spent eight months ‘hitchhiking’ around New Zealand by himself with nothing but a ‘backpack and his surfboard.’
While he said he barely had a ‘penny to his name,’ he said it was the happiest he had ever been.
‘It was the first time I experienced real freedom in my life, the freedom of the road, the smiles you’d meet, the experiences that you just couldn’t make up,’ he gushed.
Jaro has now been to over 35 countries, and has turned his passion into a lucrative business.
He explained that he started documenting his adventure for fun on social media with no plans to become a travel influencer.
But about a year into his travels, one of his videos unexpectedly went viral and sparked his first brand deal.
‘That was the moment I realized: I can build a life around storytelling, and inspiring others to pursue their own passions by choosing a different sort of lifestyle,’ he dished.
Before he started exploring the world full-time, he was sleeping on a friend’s floor with no job, income, or permanent residence. He’s seen during his travels
In February 2020, he decided to sell all of his belongings and use the money to purchase a one-way ticket to New Zealand to ‘chase the feeling of freedom,’ and he hasn’t looked back since
He now has over 1.2 million followers on Instagram and said he earns between $15,000 and $40,000 per month depending on the brand deals he gets.
He also recently launched his own coaching service called NoMoreMondays, which is dedicated to helping others ‘pursue their passions as creators on social media’ – and it brought in over $100,000 in its first month alone.
He said his favorite places he’s visited so far were Nepal, Bali, Indonesia, and New Zealand.
‘When you step into Nepal, it feels as if you’re entering an alter-reality. This place is like no-other,’ he gushed.
‘The people, the culture, The Himalayas. It’s a place that has taught me humility and presence.
‘Bali became [like my] home. There’s a spiritual frequency there that aligns deeply with me.
‘I have gone in and out of Bali over 20+ times over the last few years, each time I enter the island, it comes with a new set of lessons.
‘Whatever you’re searching for in your personal journey, you can find it in Bali.’
As for his least favorite, he revealed, ‘Honestly, I believe every place offers something.
‘But if I had to choose, some parts of Western Europe felt too structured for the kind of raw, immersive travel I deeply crave.’
