So, here’s the deal – I’ve been getting all hyped and saving up for my first big solo trip, and in the meantime, I’ve been following some content creators who are in my age group. But let me tell you, it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster. These three girls I’ve been keeping tabs on have been traveling since they were practically babies – okay, maybe not that young, but you get the idea. And of course, everyone’s curious about how they’re funding these jet-setting adventures. The usual story goes like this: they saved up some cash and now they’re raking it in online, mainly through TikTok.
Now, there’s this one girl from Austria who caught my eye. She doesn’t have access to the Creators Fund, so she claims she’s making money through “photography” while she’s out on the road. I mean, seriously, how lucrative is photography when you’re bouncing around different countries? Oh, and get this – before she started trotting the globe, her original plan was to study at NYU. That right there tells you something about the kind of financial backing she’s got. But here’s the kicker – every time these girls head back home, it’s to a fancy house. The Austrian girl, for instance, decided to jet back because she “missed her horses.” I mean, come on now, how self-sufficient can you really be if you’re living it up like that?
As I kept following their adventures, especially the Austrian girl who isn’t pulling in cash from TikTok, yet somehow manages to afford trips to places like Papua New Guinea, it all started to feel a bit off. It’s like, are they really as relatable as they make themselves out to be? Let’s face it – being able to work and save every penny to fund your travels is a privilege in itself. The only solo travel creators who seem to be genuinely self-sufficient are the ones who are 24 and up and are upfront about having a remote job or a legit business or have a massive following on social media.
I can’t be the only one who’s noticed this, right? It’s like, are these young travelers really out there hustling on their own, or are they getting a little boost from somewhere else? And let’s be clear – I’m not talking about those YouTubers who roll out polished videos with insane experiences and food tours.