However, this doesn’t have to be the case, and with a few small alterations to how you prepare for your holiday, you can begin to view it as it should be seen – something to enjoy. Often, these preparations aren’t things you’d normally think of when planning a holiday, so their absence can lead to easily avoidable problems. The main reason for going on vacation in the first place is to relax, so it makes sense to make that aim as achievable as possible.

Prepare for the Quieter Times of Your Holiday

Contrary to what almost everybody expects before traveling, holidays are rarely constantly filled with distractions and activities – as, with all time, there will still be moments where you find yourself facing the prospect of boredom. For this reason, it makes sense to remember items you can always rely on in these times; a book, a means to listen to music, a sketchbook. Your smartphone is an invaluable tool in such times, allowing you to access games and online casinos like those found at meaning you’ll always have a wealth of activities to choose from while events around you are quieter.

It can be tempting to leave all this behind when you go on a vacation, but it’ll often be the case that taking them with you only means you have more options while you’re there. 

Be Thorough in Your To-Do List

This and packing are the main stages people think of when they think of when preparing to go on holiday, and as a result, they can also be the factors that cause people the most stress. Unfortunately, this step is somewhat unavoidable when it comes to vacations, and the best approach should be to streamline the process rather than to avoid it entirely.

Sometimes the pressure can surround even preparing what you’re going to take with you, it’s one thing to remember what’s on the list, but it’s another thing entirely if that item isn’t on the list at all in the first place. There are that can help you think of everything you’ll need to remember before you start your journey – with different considerations to be made depending on what kind of trip you’re taking.

Another thing to remember is that you’ll likely be wanting to check what you’ve already packed while also ensuring you’re as efficient with your luggage space as possible, meaning you’ll have to be deliberate.

We’ve climbed Mt. Fuji, motorcycled around Nepal, and road tripped Scandinavia together to name a few. 

All this time, you’ve always had my back.

Like that time I had no pen to fill out the customs form and you were there with yours. Life saver!

Or that time when I withdrew a 100,000 Rupees, and you opened wide and took it safely in your folds. Can’t believe it all fit! I know, I know, that’s what normal wallets say.

Or how about every time I worried I had forgotten my passport, and you looked up at me through my pocket, with that reassuring rectangular smile of yours, and I knew it was there, always there in your care. 

So I just want to say thanks Bellroy, We’ve explored 50 or so countries together. You’ve tasted countless, sometimes filthy currency.

It’s been real, but it’s time to let you go.

Bellroy Travel Wallet 2021

While my Bellroy of 8 years could have probably lasted another 8, I decided it was time for an upgrade.

Here’s Why

1. RFID protection

Have you ever wondered why the hallway from the plane to the immigration hall is often comically small and narrow? Radio Frequency Identification swipers (RFID). Governments and intelligence agencies around the world implement this tech in order to extract information from cell phones and credit cards that aren’t protected. 

Bellroy has coated its new wallet with RFID blocking technology. This helps keep your card information safe from both foreign governments and high tech thieves as well. Whether I’m at home or abroad, I appreciate the peace of mind this offers.

2. SIM card, pin holder, & Pen

Sim cards are notoriously easy to loose, and the little pin tool equally so. Being able to keep my SIM in a dedicated pocket is simply brilliant. Gone are those few stressful “O shit, I think I forgot my sim” seconds upon landing. It’s right there, at the top of your wallet.

3. Hidden Currency pocket

Having narrowly avoided being robbed more than a few times, I love the idea of showing an empty wallet to a would be thief while secretly knowing I had an emergency stash in the back. 

It’s not just perfect for any size currency, but you can also keep small documents, such as your registration or insurance back there safe and secure. 

4. More Robust Exterior Stitching

Only time will tell if this really makes a difference in terms of durability, but I like the look of the extended stitch work. It’s a little more refined yet rugged looking at the same time.

Overall

The Bellroy Travel Wallet allows you keep everything that’s important all in one place. Not only do you have your passport, your lounge pass, your first class ticket, your sim card, a pen, and al your credit cards in one wallet, but it’s also beautifully organized making everything easy to access.

If you’re walking down the street and suddenly decide to redeem some credit card points to catch a last minute flight to Kathmandu, you’re already ready to go.

It’s the freedom of knowing that you can go anywhere at any minute that makes the Bellroy the world’s best Travel Wallet, and my wallet of choice for life. 

For ladies or those who prefer a clutch style wallet, I definitely recommend checking out the Travel Folio by Bellroy.

It’s times like these that you need to decide. You either let your nerves dominate you, or you…

Boom. Game time. Spanish words that my subconscious somehow picked up from “Money Heist,” began pouring out of me like Euros from the Spanish mint. I was El professor & Denver combined. I even had a bit of that Spain Spanish lisp all of a sudden.

(If you haven’t seen Casa De Paper / Money Heist yet, I highly recommend it.)

“Si si, discuple, no tango mi papeles porque una hijo de grand puta fue a la ciudad la dia después yo compro mi moto. Hijo de grand puta! Se llama Nico!” And again, “hijo de grand puta!” One more time, “hijo de grand puta!” I yelled out, my hands more animated than a Sicilian public bus driver .

Basically, what I was saying was, the day after I bought my motorcycle 6 years ago, the dealership closed down and the owner ran off to the city. That, followed by lots of “son of a grand bitch,” the main phrase I learned from “Money Heist.” And that’s why I don’t have any paper work or a license plate for my bike.

“Ok ok, calma te,” responded the cop. “It’s fine just remember to wear your mask or you’ll be fined $1000.” He said as he ushered me to the next part of this new road block.

I pulled up, got my temperature taken, my motorcycle wheels sprayed with bleach, and was finally allowed to pass into the lakeside town Panajachel.

Chuckling a deep sigh of relief as I accelerated hard into 2nd gear, it was now red sea clear that Corona had arrived to Lake Atitlan.

So what’s it like being on lockdown on Lake Atitlan, Guatemala?

I feel a bit guilty saying this, but it’s actually not that bad. That is, it’s not that bad for me, and I’m extremely grateful for it.

I’m fortunate enough to be in e-commerce. Backpack Buddha is doing better than ever. People are at home, and seem to be online shopping with a passion.

One of my favorite cafes in town, Cafe Kitsch, is somehow open, most likely as a result of some kind of deal the owner made with the police. Here I take my morning muesli with yogurt, a watermelon smoothie, and an espresso. I shoot the shit for hours with the old guys. I’m really starting to feel like a pensioner, and I gotta say, I kind of like it.

Then I head over to Mister Jons for his burrito and double taco deal ($3), and stash it away in my backpack for later. Or some authentic Japanese soul food! Checkout this Katsudon and Yakisoba below!

After that, I sometimes ride over the river to Jen’s house, my old high school friend. But lately, It’s been my goal to discover all those little back alleys I’ve never been down before.

As much as I love Lake Atitlan, I’m really ready to leave now. Today is a week and 2 months since I’ve been here. I was only planning on staying a month. There’s something about being stuck in a place that makes you want to get out. I’m sure most of you understand this sentiment at the moment. Plus I want to get back to Sweden for the food, the the spring and my lady. The sun is already setting at 9pm!

Unfortunately, the airport remains closed. Not only does that mean I obviously can’t leave, but it also means no American or European tourists can come here either. A reality with severe consequences for a town that relies heavily on tourist dollars.

With most shops closed, the 6pm curfew, and the inter-town travel restrictions, many are out of work. Fortunately, Guatemala is a very fertile country. It seems many are returning back to agricultural to survive. However, despite a surplus of fresh and exceptionally delicious produce, those who aren’t in agriculture can’t afford to buy food, and are now dependent on government subsidies. This is a common occurrence in famines around the world. Food does exist, but people can’t afford to buy it.

As a result, many of the expats here, myself included, have been doing our best to help support the local economy. A friend of mine started an NGO called Think Twice, and has been collecting donations at the local supermarket. Together with the Fire Department they’re getting that money directly to those in need.

I’m also working on developing a facemask out of Mayan fabric. The goal here being to bring in money to Lake Atitlan, and also bring more masks to the US. If you’re interested, you can join the waiting list here. 90% of the profits go to local Mayan women, while 10% goes to cover shipping costs.

My love for Lake Atitlan not only lies in its natural beauty but in the solidarity of its communities. More than any place I’ve been, whether you’re a local or an expat, you feel part of a bigger family. Despite the hardships resulting from this virus, Lake Atitlan will survive. But if you feel so inclined and are financially able to make a donation and help us out, everyone here would definitely appreciate it. And when this is all over, definitely come down for a visit!

Looking back though, it all somehow makes sense. So many of my experiences have perfectly prepared me to be doing what I’m doing now. So many of the hardships I’ve overcome have empowered me to create a brand and products with the intent of empowering others.

Although it’s pretty difficult to find the positive when being forced into labor at a run down bus side hotel in Jordan, the result may just be an “8 Fold Path” inspired interactive coloring book for kids.

How Did All This Start?

To understand the origins of Backpack Buddha and Buddha Bear, we have to go back, way back.

When I was younger, I often hung out at my Great Uncle Bonchan’s house. Every weekend he would host dozens of Soka Gakkai practitioners. We would chant, Namyohorengekyo, over and over. Afterwards, Bonchan, in his Japanese accented English, would depart his always wise words of Buddhist wisdom. While I often couldn’t truly appreciate or understand what he was talking about, these powerful Buddhist concepts became ingrained within me.

Servitude In Amman, Jordan

Cut to July, 2004. After a failed attempt to snatch my passport back, and leave the hotel without paying, I found myself in the managers office with a police officer. There, I was sentenced to 1 month of unpaid work for my crime, a sentence that felt more like 1 year at age 16.

At first, the only thing on my mind was getting my passport back and escaping. The first night I tried to pick the lock to the safe behind reception. For a week this continued. But each time that blinding god awful fluorescent hospital light would flicker on and catch me. I resigned myself to my sentence.

Al Monzer Hotel, Amman Jordan

It was over the next few weeks that I adopted a monk like mindset. I realized I had two choices. I could either choose to suffer or choose to thrive. I chose the latter. I cleaned each room and toilet to perfection, and in doing so cleansed and concentrated my mind. I carried bags to the bus station with great care and efficiency, and garnered reputation as well as good tips. I ate hummus and pita 3 times a day with gratitude, and gained an appreciation for all food that wasn’t hummus and pita. Despite the constant food poisoning induced diarrhea, I kept my chin up, and my Buddhist ideals close to heart.

Through this experience and many others like it during my year on the run without money, I unexpectedly comprehended and adopted many of the Buddhist lessons imparted by my Great Uncle Bonchan.

Buddha Bear’s Enlightenment Coloring Book

With the success of my Everyday Enlightenment journal, I knew I wanted to make some kind of kids version. One day I noticed that celebrated author and cartoonist Guy Gilchrist had tagged my company, Backpack Buddha, in an Instagram post. I was thrilled that he liked my products, and decided to message him.

Guy Gilchrist & some of his projects

I told him I wanted to create a character that like me, learned and harnessed Buddhist concepts as they traversed the world. I wanted to create something that would, like my Uncle Bonchan for me, positively influence the emotional and spiritual growth of children and young adults. In no time, Guy sketched out a rough drawing of Buddha Bear, and some of Buddha Bear’s potential friends.

With decades of experience, Guy decided that the best way to test a new children’s book series was by starting with a coloring book. Alas, Buddha Bear’s Enlightenment Coloring Book was born.

As it turns out, writing any book for kids isn’t easy. Trying to incorporated concepts from Buddha’s 8 Fold Path into language that kids would comprehend, was even harder. But thanks to the writing expertise of Guy, we made it happen. Today, Buddha Bear’s Enlightenment Coloring Book is beginning to pop up in small book shops around the country.

I’m exceptionally proud of this endeavor, and grateful to Guy, my printing team in Nepal, and everyone who helped bring Buddha Bear to life.

The Lesson Learned

Whether you find yourself in a terrible job or cleaning toilets at a hotel in Jordan, your experiences now may have the potential to translate into a future you would never expect.

Whether that future is as a children’s book creator, or as a sanitation worker is up to you.

Fortunately, we all have the power to choose how we emotionally and spiritually manage and respond to hardship.

Take the bad and the good, and even the diarrhea, and choose to experience it all will gratitude, cause life is short, and possibilities endless.

After a scenic flight over the alps, our small plane taxied into it’s parking spot at Frankfurt Auf Main airport.

Out the window a black Porche pulled up beside the plane. “Jesus, look at that beauty of a car, it’s probably here to pick up the Prime Minister or something,” I whispered.

We walked down the stairs, onto the tarmac, and shuffled into the crowded old tarmac-to-gate bus. Suddenly the driver of the Porsche leapt into the bus and yelled out my name.

“Mr. Ha-rummmmm!”

My jaw dropped, eyes widened, and a wee bit of pee giddily let itself free.

“Please come with me sir, your Porsche is waiting for you,” the driver said with nonchalance.

All eyes were on me, and to be honest, I was a little embarrassed…but not enough to say no!

He drove us across runways and along side massive Airbus A380’s, and after 15 minutes, we arrived at the First Class Lounge.

And that’s how Lufthansa First Class began, like a G.

How To Book First Class On Lufthansa

Booking this flight was relatively simple. I opened my United app and searched for reward flights to Kathmandu. Why did I use United to book a Lufthansa flight? United is a star alliance partner, which means you can book Lufthansa or any of the 27 other airlines within the alliance. More, it was less points to book Lufthansa using the United Award Search Engine than it would have been to book with Lufthansa’s miles and smiles program.

First Saver Award tickets book quick, so book in advance. Somehow managed to book this flight though.

After a couple of searches, I found it; Turin to Frankfurt on Dolomiti, Frankfurt to Delhi on Lufthansa, and Delhi to Kathmandu on Air India. 55k points for Business class, or 65k points for First. The decision was easy.

Next I transferred the points, 130,000 from my Chase Sapphire Reserve card to United Airlines. You can do this on Chase.com or using Chase’s mobile app. The transfer was immediate, and I booked 2 tickets right then and there.

If you’re interested in this credit card, Chase is currently offering a 50k point sign up bonus. Although the annual fee is 450$, you get 300$ back each year for any travel related expenses, this even includes dining out in the US. You also get a Priority Pass lounge access at almost every airport in the world. To me, this is the best travel credit card available, and totally worth the annual fee.

Back To The Flight

After a delicious lunch buffet at Lufthansa’s First Class Lounge, the driver came back and delivered us to our plane, again by Porsche.

First Class Lounge Snack Bar

Before taking the elevator up to the plane, we got the chance to get a closer look of Airbus’s double decker A380. As an airplane enthusiast, this was a remarkable experience. The engines looked as though they could have fit 3 VW Beetles in them. The wings could have easily doubled as a tennis courts. I was in heaven, and the flight hadn’t even started!

On board

Gracious German flight attendants ushered us to our seats. We were immediately served Champaign with caviar, which was followed by meal after delicious meal. How they can cook a medium rare steak on a plane is beyond me.

Little bit of smoked salmon to get things started!

Comtes Champagne Rose. A beautiful thing.

Changing into Lufthansa pj’s in the bathroom.

What A Flight

Although I’ve only flown first class once before, from San Francisco to Hong Kong on Singapore Air, I feel confident saying that Lufthansa’s First Class is definitely among the best in terms of hard product and service. The Porsche pickup, the bubble bath, and buffet in the almost empty lounge, to the A380 walk around, the huge seats with red roses, the finest campaigns and wines, and the service all made this a flight I’ll not soon forget.

With so many accommodation options in Thamel, it’s difficult to decide where to stay. If you’re on a super tight budget, there are plenty of grungy hostels with dorm beds for just a few bucks a night. But if you’re looking for comfort, convenience, cleanliness, aesthetics, and a social atmosphere, Yakety Yak Hostel is where it’s at.

The Rooms & Dorms (5 Stars)

Opened in July of 2018, this hostel is sparkling. The dorms are spacious and the dividers really give you a sense of privacy.

The mixed dorm

The private rooms are beautifully designed with lots of wooden shelfs and fixtures, giving the space a rustic and calming feel. The beds and linens in both the dorms and privates are excellent as well.

Rustic private rooms

Dorms go for 12-15$/night and a private room will cost you 40$. While these prices are somewhat steep for Nepal, as my Japanese grandmother always says, “What you get, what you pay.” And at Yakety Yak Hostel what you get is comfort, convenience cleanliness, and ultimately a restful slumber. To me, it’s worth the extra cost.

Ps. Shower pressure strong enough to blow the socks off Sienfield’s Kramer. Best shower in town!

The Common Area & Bar (5 Stars)

One of the main reasons why I stay at hostels these days is to socialize with other travelers. Yakety Yak’s common area makes socializing easy. There’s a long bar with decent priced beers. Right next to that is huge chill out area, with cushions all around. It’s perfect for watching TV or even doing Karaoke. Finally, theres a massive patio overlooking the courtyard.

Chill out heaven

Big comfy leather chairs all over the hostel

Pine topped bar

The patio

The Location (5 Stars)

Yakety Yak is located just off of Amrit Marg road. It’s about a 5 minute walk to anywhere worth going in Thamel. More than it’s central location, what really makes this hostel stand out is the quiet and lush complex it resides in.

Go one floor down and you’ll find Karma Coffee, a cozy joint with coffee that won’t disappoint even the most hardcore Swedish coffee addict. It’s the perfect place to both socialize and write. In fact, I’m writing this here now! 

Best coffee and cafe atmosphere in Thamel

Head another floor down to the garden dining area of Melrose Restaurant for a chicken Cordon bleu or Mezze platter. This restaurant is a serious gem, especially if you’re after proper western fare at really reasonable prices.

Perfectly cooked grilled Norwegian salmon, 1200 rupees

Need a supermarket, bike rental, or ATM? It’s all right downstairs!

And if you’re craving proper pizza, well that’s just 2 blocks away. If you want to go swimming in a rooftop infinity pool, just another 2 blocks away at Hotel Mulberry.

In terms of convenience, Yakety Yak can’t be beat.

The Staff

The owner/manager is a friendly guy named Girish who lived in New York City for 13 years. His English is perfect, and he’s dedicated to helping everyone feel at home and have fun. He’s definitely your insider guide to all things Thamel and Nepal.

Overall, the staff is super friendly, courteous, mostly English speaking, and the epitome of Nepali hospitality.

Nepali-New Yorker Girish in the white

The Verdict

Yakety Yak Hostel is for people who want the comfort and cleanliness of a high end hotel but also want to meet some awesome likeminded travelers. It’s for people who appreciate soothing interior design, above par coffee and food, and a quiet place to escape the bustle of Kathmandu. After 10 years and dozens of hostels in Thamel, I’ve finally found my new base in Nepal, Yakety Yak…don’t talk back!

Life is something remarkable. One day you’re a homeless vagabond sitting up against a building getting pooped on simultaneously by two birds. The next day you’re on the 119th floor of the Ritz Carlton Hong Kong eating petit fours.

It’s been almost 20 months since I made my first sale on Shopify. There’s not a day that goes by without feeling immense gratitude for the incredible fortune given to me.

Of course, it wasn’t just given to me. I worked my ass off, researched products & marketing strategies for hours, and put all of my energy into its success.

Today, my Shopify store has generated over 1 million in sales. Although at first I was extremely skeptical of Shopify and e-commerce in general, I always kept moving forward despite my fears of failure.

The Fear Of Failure

I know what you’re thinking. It’s the same thing I was thinking when my friend Tom introduced me to Shopify.  E-commerce is the domain of big retailers. It’s dominated by eBay, Amazon & Etsy. How could I ever compete? I’m not technical enough to run an online store. He probably just got lucky.

Fears of failure helped fuel my skepticism, and excuses kept piling up. That is until one day, after paying over 300$ in overdraft fees, I decided I had nothing more to loose. I was going to give it a shot. I figured I couldn’t get more broke than I already was, so what the hell.

Winning Product(s)

My friend Tom found incredible success selling animal rings. As tempting as it was to create a shop focusing on animal jewelry, I wasn’t about to start competing with the friend who introduced me to Shopify in the first place.

So I spent weeks trying to find a winning product and a compelling niche. Based on Tom’s advice I knew that what ever it was, it needed to be small, unique, and something that fell into a niche that had yet to be fully catered to.

After browsing through thousands of products on google and Alibaba, I came across a Green Sandalwood Mala (Buddhist prayer beads). It was relatively small, not something you could find in a Walmart, and based on my research, few others were selling it online.

As I stared at this Mala, my mind wandered toward memories of my Japanese great uncle Bon Chan who had passed away just two weeks earlier. He was a Buddhist community leader, and I joined him for mantra chanting on many occasions.

As I thought and stared, I just felt it. I was going to create a shop that not only sold Buddhist prayer beads, but also help spread the Buddhist ideals that my uncle Bon Chan imparted on me. Miss you uncle Bon Chan and Obaachan!

Shopify Store Creation

Now that I had a product I felt confident about, I needed to create an online store, and more importantly, a brand around it.

So what is Shopify exactly and why did I choose it?

Shopify is simply a platform like WordPress. While WordPress is for blogging and optimized for creating content, Shopify is for e-commerce and optimized for driving sales.

I ultimately decided to use Shopify not only because Tom swore by it, but after testing two other options, Square Space and Woocommerce, I found Shopify to be the most user friendly and have the most options for customization.

So I signed up for Shopify’s free 14 day trail, and created a Shopify hosted domain called Backpack Buddha.

Backpack Buddha, as I imagined it at the time, would be a medium where people could find authentic Mala beads, meditation tools and resources from countries with strong Buddhist traditions.

It wouldn’t be a major company like Lululemon or Gaiam, it would be a small operation focusing on karma based customer service, fair trade, and supporting livelihoods.

With these ideals in mind, I created an about page. I decided on a simple theme, and uploaded my first 3 Malas, Malas that I had found on Alibaba. The whole process of setting up the basic online shop was painless and took less than 3 hours.

But if you do need some assistance I highly recommend my friend Edward. He’s really knowledgeable, offers fair prices, and can customize your Shopify site any way you want it!

My First Sale

The following day I created a Facebook page. I watched 5 hours worth of Facebook advertising videos and spoke with Tom at length about strategy.

The first thing I found out I needed to do was upload a Facebook pixel from my Facebook page to my Shopify store, which was, after a short google search, as easy as copying and pasting. The pixel would track who visited my store and thereby optimize who would see the ad in the future. 

The second thing I had to do was create an ad with three audience interests. I chose the Dalai Lama, Tibetan Buddhism, and Buddhist prayer beads. In other words, my ad would be shown to everyone on Facebook that had expressed interest in any one of these three interests.

With 35$ in my account, I decided to create an ad for 5 days spending 5$/day.

Within the 5 minutes of creating my ad, I the heard the very first “Cha-ching!” It was my first sale of 19$. Two minutes later, another “Cha-ching.”

Needless to say, I was so excited I had to run to the bathroom. “I did it! It works, it really works!” I yelled to nobody from the pot.

Product Sourcing & Shipping

In the beginning, I did what is known as drop shipping from China. I ordered the product directly from the wholesaler, manually entered customer information, and had it shipped directly to the customer. Although this is a great way to test out new products, as you do not have to take a chance by buying in bulk, it is not ideal for growth.

When I started getting over 50 orders a day, I decided I needed to buy in bulk and use a fulfillment center in the US. Not only would the price per product be cheaper, but customers would receive their order in 2-3 days as opposed to 7-10 days.

Backpack Buddha Today

I soon realized that sourcing products solely from China through Alibaba was not sustainable. Other shops kept springing up selling my Mala beads. So I decided to visit one of my favorite countries, Nepal, and create Mala beads and meditation tools that no one else could copy. I decided to create a unique brand.

Today, Backpack Buddha has over 40 unique products, the majority of which are created by hand by my team in Nepal. The business supports the livelihoods of countless Nepalese, has donated over 4000$ to various charities, and largely uses eco-friendly material such as Himalayan hemp for our backpack collection.

Conclusion

I had always thought that my path to success would be through this blog, The Runaway Guide. I was so obsessed with this blog, that I limited myself from trying out anything new.

When Tom introduced me to Shopify, I never even considered I could sell things online, let alone create a proper business and popular brand. So I was skeptical and scared at first.

But I took a chance, and I’m so grateful I did. Backpack Buddha provided me with the location independence and financial security I so desperately sought. More, it taught me about branding, marketing, product development, and networking. Most importantly, it has afforded me even greater confidence to endeavor into the unknown.

If a 16 year old runaway can do it, so can you :)

If you’re interested in starting a Shopify shop or want to move your existing retail shop online, let me know and I’ll do my best to help. Email me at TheRunawayGuide at yahoo.com.

*Shopify is the medium by which I was able to create Backpack Buddha, and completely change my life. I am grateful for and believe in Shopify, and highly recommend it to others for this reason. As a Shopify affiliate, all Shopify link clicks generate a small commission at no cost to you. 

When I turned 28, I had to make a change. I was tired of sleeping on the street and eating leftovers from the dumpster. Most of all, I hated the stress of having to borrow money from friends, constantly check my account, and pay countless overdraft fees. I could not live on the edge anymore.

So I did what anyone in my position would do for some fast cash…I sold both my kidneys, started smuggling drugs, and became a pimp in Southern France. Just kidding, no.

I decided I was worthy of success, & I worked harder than I ever had before. I stepped up my blogging game, started an online store called Backpack Buddha, and took advantage of travel credit cards.

Although part of me misses surviving on scraps (after all, it is what defined me and this blog for over 12 years), the freedom to go from Kathmandu to Timbuktu whenever I want, treat my family on a tour of Japan, and eat as much sushi as I want is, though cliche, a dream come true.

If you want to run away and take your travel game to the next level, below is exactly how I did it, and one way you can do so too.

How I Monetized The Runaway Guide

For a long time I made money through this blog by selling sponsored posts. In short, travel companies would pay between 300$ – 400$/year to host their link on my site. While these links allowed me to survive for years, I never had a constant flow of cash coming in.

So I decided I needed to monetize through a few new strategies.

First, I became an affiliate for two companies offering remarkably high commissions. World Nomads, a travel insurance company & Bluehost, a website hosting company. Since I’ve been using both companies for years, it was easy to create compelling and informative content around them. The result, a steady flow of affiliate commissions every month.

Second, I decided to write my own eBook, “Run Away Now.” I featured it on my homepage and also created a Facebook advertising campaign for it, which now generates between 10-15 sales a month.

Thanks to affiliate commissions and the publishing of my own eBook, The Runaway Guide brings in a relatively steady income of around 2,000$/month.   

If you’re interested in starting a travel blog or any kind of blog, check out my guide, How To Start A Travel Blog & Make Real Money.

The Online Store That Changed Everything

Although 2,000$/month was definitely enough to travel on, I wanted to take things to the next level.

So I decided to network with fellow travel bloggers and ask them what else they did to make money abroad. One blogger told me they offered translation services, and another freelance website design. While these were both endeavors I could potentially embark on, I wanted something bigger.

That’s when Tom, from TuneUpAndTravel.com, introduced me to Shopify.com. Tom, like me, was an ultra budget travel blogger. In fact, he told me that it was The Runaway Guide that inspired him to create his own blog. So in the fall of 2016, when I told him I was struggling with finances, he was happy to guide me into the lucrative realm of e-commerce.

When Tom first sent me a screen shot with sales of $16,000 in one week, I was extremely skeptical. But as broke as I was, I decided to give it a shot. I created an online store called Backpack Buddha, and within the first 5 minutes of Facebook advertising, I sold 2 Buddhist meditation Malas.

Today, BackpackBuddha.com has generated over 1.5 million in sales in the past year and a half, and is quickly becoming one of the leading brands for Buddhist meditation tools.

Needless to say, this changed everything. (I can’t thank you enough Tom. You’re a brilliant writer, musician, and entrepreneur my friend. Let’s brainstorm at my place on Lake Atitlan soon!)

For more info about how I created Backpack Buddha through the Shopify platform, check out, “How Shopify Changed My Life: The First Million In Sales.” (Coming soon!)

(By the way, if anyone wants to purchase something from Backpack Buddha, use “Runaway25” for 25% Off everything)

The Credit Cards That Put Me In First Class

“Credit cards are evil, schemes developed by rich bankers designed to leech money from the poor.  Why spend money I don’t have. I don’t need credit. I don’t want a mortgage. I’m not going to enslave myself to the banks. I’m going to make enough money to buy everything in full,” I often thought to myself.

However, once I started Backpack Buddha, and had more than the usual average of $100 in my checking account, I began researching cards. The more I researched and crunched the numbers, the more I realized that it was my turn to get even with the banks.

The first card I got was the Chase Sapphire Reserve. 50,000 points as a sign up bonus,3x points on all travel related expenses, access to hundreds of airport lounges, and a free Global Re-entry Pass or TSA pre-check in. Although the price was 400$ / year, the 300$ travel credit, essentially made the card just 100$ annually. Learn more about Chase Sapphire Reserve. 

The second card I applied for was the Chase Business Ink Preferred. 80,000 points sign up bonus & 3x points on all business related expenses, including shipping and online advertising. If you run any kind of online marketing campaign or are a small business that pays a lot for shipping, this card is ideal. Learn more about Chase Business Ink Preferred.

Between my life of travels and tours, and daily advertising spent on Backpack Buddha, these cards have earned me enough points to fly from LA to Tokyo in Singapore Air’s first class many times over. 

Credit cards are an excellent means to experience luxury travel. But just be sure not to spend money you don’t have, and to pay them off daily to avoid incurring 24% interest rates.

Conclusion

Although I sometimes miss the confidence and pride earned while surviving on the smallest of budgets, drinking champagne in first class en route to Tokyo is just too damn good.

I realize now that I needed to spend 12 years traveling the way I did. I needed to suffer and survive. It taught me to trust myself and the universe. It gave me the confidence to take chances without fear of failure. Ultimately, it has allowed me to truly appreciate and be grateful for everything I have today.

(This post is dedicated to Ashby Ashby & Sonya, who always deposited money into my account when I went into the negative. It’s dedicated to Tom who introduced me to Shopify. And it’s dedicated to my mother who, despite always nagging me to get a proper job, always knew I would figure things out my own way.)

Most people either don’t believe it’s possible or feel that they lack the confidence, computer skills, and writing ability to begin.

In the beginning, I had held a similar skepticism, and complete lack of confidence.

But today, I’m making enough money through this blog to travel the world indefinitely.

This is exactly how I did it and you can do so as well…if you’ve got the guts.

Step 1) Overcome Your Fear

Starting anything new, especially something like a blog is nerve-racking. You’re worried that you won’t be able to learn the technical aspect of blogging. And you’re worried that no one will even care what you write.

But who cares. So what if only your friends end up reading your blog and your only fan is still your mom. So what if you don’t make a single dime.

In the end, you will have learned about blogging, practiced your writing, and come out stronger from the whole process.

You really have nothing to loose and everything to gain; a potential new voice, hobby, income source and travel filled life. And you’ve got me to help you do it. 

So put away your fears, and let’s get cracking on what could be a life altering endeavor.

Step 2) Chose A Title / Domain Name / Web Address

Your website title and domain name is the most important aspect of your blog. Below are a few questions to consider when choosing a name:

• Is your title memorable?
• Does is describe you and your niche?
• Is it easy to type in?
• Is it a title that people often search for?

Step 3) Register Your Domain With A Hosting Company

A hosting company will both register your domain name and keep your site alive on the web. So, which hosting company should you choose?

Having tried more than a few hosting companies, I have found Blue Host to be one of cheapest, most supportive and easiest to use. It costs just 2.95$/month and domain name registration (around 15$) is free, which means you can get your blog ideas started quickly and inexpensively.

Here’s the simple way to do it.

3.1) Click the Get Started Now button

Blue Host home page

 3.2) Choose A Plan

Choose a plan

I recommend choosing the starter plan to begin with as you can always upgrade to Plus should you need more space or want to add new websites in the future.

3.3) Register Your Domain Name

Register your domain

3.4) Choose Your Account Plan & Add On Options

Starter Plan for 12 months is recommended

If you can afford it, I would choose the 36 month plan as it will work out cheaper in the long run. In terms of ad ons, I would only recommend adding the site backup pro, should save your blog should you accidentally delete anything.

Step 4) Install WordPress

Blue Host makes it extremely easy to install WordPress. WordPress is a free software that all bloggers use to create and publish posts. Working on WordPress may seem overwhelming at first but you will quickly get the hang of it.

Simple WordPress installation through Blue Host

Step 5) Decide On Your Theme

A theme is a unique design for your site that can be uploaded onto WordPress. Although you can chose from hundreds of free themes, I highly recommend StudioPress . These themes are clean, simple to use, very fast to load, and search engine optimized. If you want to start your blog off right, this is a necessary investment.

An investment but definitely worth it.

Step 6) Create A Brand / Quality Content

Your primary goal is to create a brand that’s easily recognizable, entertaining, informative and trustworthy. In order to do this, you need to ensure that everything you publish is of the highest and most relevant quality. Think of what your readers or future readers want and then give it to them. This is the most important aspect in creating a successful blog.

My office on Koh Phangan, Thailand

Step 7) Social Media & Networking

In order for people to see your awesome articles you need to share it and network with others.

The best way to share your content is through Facebook, Twitter, Stumble Upon, & Google Plus. I recommend that you create an account for all of these social media platforms.

Another way to get your posts to new readers is by networking with other bloggers in your niche. By doing this, not only will other bloggers read your posts, but if they like them, they’ll share them with their readers as well.

Step 8) Build Back Links

In order to rank higher in Google search returns, it is important to build back links. Back links are links on other websites that point to your homepage or individual articles. The more links pointing to your site, the more google trusts you and the higher you rise in search results. Your main goal is to create quality content that people want to share and link back to. However, you can also actively build back links by:

• Commenting on other blogs
• Guest posting on other blogs
• Doing interviews with other blogs
• Asking friends for a reciprocal link

Step 9) How To Make Money

I wouldn’t recommend monetizing your blog until you have at least a few thousand page views/month. Doing so may hurt you and your brand’s reputation.. But when you’re ready, below are the methods I use to earn over 2,000$/month. 

• Google Adsense
• Donation Page
• Affiliate sales: Ebooks, Travel Insurance, Flights, Accommodations

There are a few more ways to make money through a travel blog but you’ll figure those out along the way.

10) Start Your Blog Now

Starting a travel blog or any kind of blog requires considerable effort, time, energy, and unwavering conviction. But once you get it started you only need to work 10-15 hours a week to keep it going.

If a travel sustaining and location independent lifestyle is your dream, definitely go for it. It can be done. Start your  blog now! If a 16 year old runaway can do it, so can you!

Feel free to connect with me on Facebook if you have any questions.

*Some of the links included in this guide are affiliate links. These provide me with a small commission at no extra cost to you that helps me maintain this site and do what I love doing most, traveling the world. 

Having motorcycled through parts of the USA, Canada, Egypt, Thailand, Laos, & Guatemala, I can honestly say that Nepal presented some of the most challenging but most spectacular riding of my life. Although the roads were rough, and the traffic comically dangerous at times, nothing beats riding among the Himalayas, meeting it’s gracious people, and immersing oneself in the ancient Buddhist traditions born in this land.

The Good

1) Nepal is cheap! And so are motorcycles for rent. If you’re interested in a 220cc Pulsar, you can rent one in Kathmandu or Pokhara for just 15$/day. But, if you’re looking for something a little more classic and powerful, I highly recommend the 350cc Enfield Bullet for 25$/day. Remember, if you’re planning on renting for more than a week, definitely haggle down the price. The rental includes a helmet, but you can easily buy a new one for 20$.

Although I’ve only worked with one rental company, BS Motor Bike in Thamel, based on their English skills, commitment to their customers, competitive prices, willingness to negotiate, and collection of well maintained rentals, I feel confident recommending them.

2) If you’re addicted to lentil soup (Ashby Ashby) you’re going to love Nepal. New York has its pizza, Ethiopia its Injera bread, and Nepal has Dhal Bhat. It’s a simple and delicately spiced lentil soup that is usually poured over rice for just about every meal. It’s delicious at first but monotonous overtime. Nevertheless, as the locals say…Dhal Bhat power 24 hour!

The Bad

1) Traffic in Kathmandu is on par with Mumbai, Cairo, Hanoi, and all cities where road rules are considered suggestions, and you gotta do what you gotta do to get from A to B. It’s butt clench-ingly terrifying at first but after a few hours you start to go with the flow; the flow being every man for himself.

2) Pollution and lack of emission standards necessitates covering your nose and mouth most of the time. In big cities, car fumes mix with wood burning stoves to create a suffocating smog. On the single lane highways that define the infrastructure of Nepal, getting stuck behind a truck will paint your face with soot. Definitely invest in a face mask.

3) Some roads in Nepal are unpaved, which makes for some pretty precarious riding, especially when you’re going down a one way towards side by side trucks. It was the closest I ever came to dying on a motorcycle. If you want to know more, check out Riding From Kathmandu to Chitwan National Park.

The Spectacular

1) Nepal’s roads can be dangerous & challenging, but that’s exactly what makes them so fun. I’ve never felt more in focus with myself and the world then while dodging oncoming traffic on that 30 mile stretch of sand, dirt and gravel.

2) The 10 hour ride from Lumbini to Pohkara was the best riding of my entire life. All day long I carved up and down the foothills of the Himalayas. The closer I got to Pohkara, the more the snow-covered peaks of Annapurna range revealed itself. The entire day made life feel like a dream within a dream.

3) Although the people are relatively poor, they are honorable, humble, proud of their cultures, and infinitely friendly, whether you’re in the largest city or the smallest town. Family structures are strong, family honor is foremost, and there is a great sense of community within villages. It’s a simpler way of life, and it’s beautiful to witness.

4) The first stop on my adventure was a small village an hour west of Kathmandu called Panauti. Here I got to experience village life while at a homestay. The mother cooked us true Newari fare. Her friend took us on a tour through this historic temple filled town. At the end of the night, we all had a dance party in her garage. It was delicious, awkward, and enlightening all at once. If you’re interested in doing something similar, check out Community Homestay.

5) Chitwan National Park is a jewel of a jungle nestled on the border of India. It’s known for its Bengal tigers, rhinoceros, leopards and elephants. Although we didn’t get to see any tigers, we did get to see some rhinoceros, and loads of deer and elephants during a 2 hour safari through the jungle. It was like Disney Land’s Jungle Cruise but for real. It’s no wonder the UN deemed this park a World Heritage Site. If you’re looking for a place to stay that’s luxurious yet authentic, check out Tigers Top’s Thauru Lodge.

6) Whether you’re into Buddhism or not, you need to visit the birth place of Buddha in Lumbini. The actual site where Buddha is born isn’t much more than a collection of ruins and prayer flag covered trees but it seems to emanate an indescribable energy. More than the birth site itself, Lumbini consists of dozens of Buddhist temples. There’s one built by China, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, and even Germany and France. In no other place of the world can you discover so many types of Buddhist temples in one place.

The Verdict

Ride Nepal! From the people and the Himalayas to the Dhal Bhat and the prices, riding Nepal is budget friendly and simply spectacular. If you’re a little hesitant about riding alone, there are plenty of epic affordable (and not so affordable) group motorcycle tours available. Whichever you decide, you’re going to push yourself and you will suffer, but you’re also going to discover this incredible land from a perspective only a motorcycle can give you.