Claire Sturzaker took her first solo backpacking trip for free. Now, she's been to 40 countries and has tips for other budget travelers like her.
"When I went on these backpacking trips, I really couldn't afford it," Sturzaker, a self-proclaimed nomad, told Business Insider of her early travels.
Sturzaker, known on Instagram as Tales of a Backpacker, is a full-time traveler who blogs about her experiences while sharing her tips with the world.
Originally from the UK, Sturzaker typically travels solo. She took her first solo trip to a ranch in Wisconsin when she was 19. She spent a summer exploring a new country, working on a ranch, and getting paid.
"I'd never worked on a ranch before. I was really excited by the idea of riding some horses in this cool country and earning money while doing it," she said. "So, in theory, it was basically a free trip. I earned enough money to pay for it, and I really enjoyed it."
Twenty years later, Sturzaker is still traveling the world — and saving money while doing it.