I get the question often... "How can you afford to go on so many vacations?"

I would like to take the opportunity to talk a bit about that question before answering it. 

The word vacation is defined in the dictionary as 'freedom or release from duty, business, or activity'. This implies, to me anyway, a state of physical and mental inactivity - or relaxation as it is referred to in our culture.

To me, travel is anything but physical and mental inactivity.  In fact, when I travel, I move much more than when I am home and my mind is constantly stimulated by the challenges that travel presents. Navigating roads and communication in a country where you don't speak the language, figuring out the public transportation system in a city you've never been to - these are but a few mind expanding activities that occur when you travel.

Everyone has their own way of escaping the demands of jobs and other obligations - some read, some do physical exercise, some lay on a beach - all are fine. But as Jason Mraz sings in his song Everything is Sound, You don't need a vacation when there's nothing to escape from, the true difference between vacation and travel is just that.  Vacations are to escape and Travel is to seek.  

As for the question of how I can afford to travel as much as I do... It's really not that complicated - I make it happen. What I mean by that is I make it a priority, plan for it, and live my life accordingly.  For example, I drive a car that is older and paid off, my home is a small duplex that I share with a tenant to help with the mortgage and I don't own much 'stuff'. I realize that my financial picture puts me firmly in the middle class and that those less fortunate than me would have difficulty making it happen regardless of the priority they made it in their lives. But for me, the choice to make it happen