One woman has revealed she quit her 9-5 job to travel the world – and now she's shared her tips for anyone thinking about doing the same.

Samantha Oppenheimer, from New York, walked out of her job five years ago and has never looked back. She initially worked in marketing, but since leaving has travelled across 23 countries, with some pretty epic experiences from watching the Northern Lights in Lapland to Mt. Haleakala in Maui, Hawaii. She also runs her own travel blog where she shares gorgeous snaps and her insider guides to heaps of destinations.

Working with travel booking site Omio she explained: "I was working in marketing for Canon USA in New York before I decided to quit my job in 2018. It’s been five years now, and I have no plans to stop travelling or return to my corporate role. It’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made because, by quitting, I was able to open my eyes to the world and explore new landscapes and experience new cultures."

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As for funding her travels? Samantha says "it is possible to have a steady income while on the road", whether she's pet-sitting, volunteering at hostels, or even running an online store selling rooftop tents.

Check out her top tips on how to make money while travelling, save on hotels and get the most out of each and every new destination…

Travelling during off-season to save money

"The most cost-effective way to travel is to plan your trip ahead of time," said the travel influencer. "For example, booking accommodation at the last minute can be pretty expensive so make sure to plan out the route that you would like to take and where you will be staying.

"This especially applies if you are visiting a country during its peak tourism season, for example, New York at Christmas. If you plan to stay in one country for a long time, then purchasing bus and train passes will prevent you from spending money on transport every single day.

"Also, plan the activities you would like to do and book tickets online. Sometimes the website will offer additional discounts that you would not receive if you just turned up on the day. Popular cities also often offer city passes that give you discounts on top attractions. My last tip is to consider travelling during the shoulder months (off-season). We do this often to save money and enjoy the destination with fewer crowds."

Space-saving travel bags are top packing hack

"Packing light can be tricky, but you need to make sure you only pack the travel essentials that you can’t go without," commented Samantha. "Also, limit the amount of clothing that you bring and select clothes that are made of a light material.

"I personally believe you can fit anything into a carry-on bag and a backpack. I currently love using space saving travel bags that you roll up. These are my #1 travel hack to fitting a lot of things in a small space!"

Do your research

Samantha noted: "I do a lot of research before visiting a destination, including asking friends in my field and searching the internet. This will help you to plan your route efficiently. On our first big travel leap, we booked tickets to Iceland, Paris, Athens, and Thailand with no return ticket. Once we reached Thailand, we did some further research and also went to Kuala Lumpur, Bali and Singapore before heading back to the States."

Trains and buses are the best

"If I’m in the US, I often find hiring a car is the best mode of transport as you can explore the State at your own leisure," commented the traveller. "However, outside of the US, I find that trains and buses are the cheapest and best option. That being said, I try to walk around the destinations that I visit as much as possible – it’s the best way to take in all the sights!"

• You can read more on her blog findloveandtravel.com

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