How I Afforded to go on a European Vacation After College Graduation

Going backpacking through Europe after college was something I had always wanted to do. I think this stems from Rory Gilmore and the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants paired with being an immigrant's daughter. I got the travel bug at a very young age, starting to travel internationally before I could walk or talk. After studying abroad in Italy two summers prior to graduation I had every intention of going, until life and lack of money got in the way. I identify with the typical broke college kid.

I started looking in December for flights in May, and prices were very reasonable. The fact that I had no job and no clue where I would be in the country put a halt to my dreams and plans until finally I said fuck it and made it happen.

How I Afforded to go on a European vacation after undergrad:

1. eBay
eBay always sketched me out not going to lie. But again with everything on the internet, it takes two seconds to make an account, so I did. After six days I sold my prom dress for 90 percent of what I paid for it.  Another big seller for me, jeans. If you have heard of Poshmark do not waste your time, because I have. I sold three pairs of worn American Eagle jeans for just under 15 dollars each. 45 bucks just got me a three-night stay in Santorini - thank you eBay. Other things I have had luck selling are Pandora Charms and name brand items.

2. JoyRun (Similar to UberEats)
JoyRun is an app similar to Uber eats concentrated on college campuses. People order food and someone simply picks it up, McDonald's, Taco Bell, Qdoba. There is NO application, you can make money the second you download the app. I have and had thought about Ubering for a long time but as a smaller woman it creeped me out. Delivering food to people?  Next best thing. If I was bored between classes or anytime at all, I would make a trip to Taco Bell and deliver to three or four people. Sometimes I would drive less than a mile and make ten dollars. Over the course of a couple months doing this casually I made just over 700 dollars. From referring friends alone (give 5$, get 5$) I was able to eat out with my friends for next to free.

3. Interviews
While interviews can suck, fortunately, they can be profitable. Find the right companies in specific fields and you will be comped for your gas and mileage. I was going on about 2 longer drive interviews a month for several months. The rate in Michigan is .56 cents for mileage. Drive 120 miles or roughly two hours on the freeway, make 67.2 dollars, and another 67 back totally 134 dollars. Gas is barely a third of the cost. It became more profitable for me to take an interview and to take OFF work. Good practice for the future and I was making more than I would at my minimum wage job

4. American Airlines
If all else fails and you are diligent about paying your bills on time. American Airlines has a 6 month no interest credit card. I have this type of Credit Card with Best Buy - bought my laptop on the credit card (no interest for 12 months) and pay monthly. I make sure to pay more than enough so I will incur no interest after the promotional period is over with.

5. Ebates
This year I really got into Ebates - the online plugin that gives you cash back for shopping. It takes probably two seconds to sign up and if you ever book flights/hotels on sites like expedia.com or travelosity.com, Ebates gives up to ten percent back on bookings. Booking spring break for the squad? Get ten percent of that money back just in time for graduation. 2000x.10=200$. 

6.Working
Of course, my good old part-time job as a Barista helped facilitate my European vacation.