Travel Tips

Welcome to 2022 everybody and happy New Year.

I’m currently sitting in my hotel room in Scottsdale, Arizona. It’s New Years Day and I’m contemplating what the next year may hold. I came down here to ring in the new year and do some research for my blog.

I decided last year that I’d write a post about my goals at the beginning of each new year. I figure publishing it on my website is one way to hold myself accountable. So, here we are at it again.

I’m going to start off with a recap of my goals from 2021 and how I did. Then I’ll get into both my blogging goals for 2022 and my personal goals for 2022.

Ready? Let’s get into it.

Recap and Outcome of 2021 Goals

I was relatively successful in achieving my goals for last year but did fall short on several of them. If you’d like to see my goals for 2021 you can find that post here.

Here is a quick recap of my blogging goals for 2021:

1. Build Rock a Little Travel to 65k sessions per month. (Nope)
   • I did not make it to 65k sessions per month last year. My best month was 26k.
2. Obtain at least one brand or destination collaboration. – (Yup)
   • While I did not get paid for any collaborations, I did work with tourism boards from Madison, WI, Park City, UT, and Lawrence, KS.
3. Average two posts per week for the year. – (Nope)
   • I was pretty far off from this goal. I wrote just 24 posts in 2021, so I averaged 2 per month instead of two per week.
4. Begin earning at least $500 per month from the blog. – (Yup, sort of)
   • In October, November, and December, I earned over $500 per month. However, I am unsure if I am able to sustain this income level. Time will tell.
5. Learn to edit video and start a YouTube channel. – (Yup)
   • I started my channel and published my first YouTube video on October 24, 2021.

Here is a quick recap of my personal goals for 2021:

1. Improve my photography skills. – (Yup)
   • While this isn’t exactly something I can measure, I would like to think I got a little better this year.
2. Visit 8 new countries. – (Nope)
   • Due to several cancelled trips, I only visited 4 new countries last year including Belize, Ireland, Sweden, and Spain.
3. Read a book a week. – (Nope)
   • I was close on this one, but instead of reading 52 books I read 43.
4. Make new friends. – (Yup)
   • This is a big yes.
5. Learn to Freedive. – (Yup)
   • This is also a big yes. I got my Freedive certificate in November 2021 in Cabo.
6. End the year debt free. – (Nope)
   • Not this time. My French Polynesia trip was quite expensive, so I have a little left to pay that off.

Overall I’m pleased with my successes last year. Even the goals I did not achieve were at least helpful in moving me forward.

Blogging Goals for 2022

I’ve decided on 5 main blogging goals for this year. These are mostly similar to my goals from last year, but here we go.

1. Get to 65k sessions per month.

I want to be able to apply for Mediavine this year, so I’m really hoping to at least double my current traffic.

2. Build affiliate income up to $500 per month.

I’m currently focusing on just a handful of affiliate programs with the hope of getting better at figuring out what works and what doesn’t. I currently average anywhere from $50 – $100 per month, so I believe this goal is attainable if I stay focused.

3. Average 3 blog posts per month.

I believe I can stay consistent with three posts a month this year, so that’s the goal.

4. Continue improving photography and video editing skills.

I plan to continue pushing myself to get better working with my Sony Alpha camera. I also plan to continue editing with Adobe Premiere. Considering where I’m at with video editing, it would be impossible for me not to get better. As for my photography, I need to use my phone less and my camera more.

5. I would like to publish at least 12 YouTube videos next month.

I chose 12 as the goal so that it’s one each month, but I’m honestly hoping to publish a lot more than that. I’m just unsure I’ll have the time I need to achieve this goal. Ultimately, I’d like to work towards monetizing my YouTube channel this year. We’ll have to see how close I get.

Personal Goals for 2022

I’ve also decided to go with 5 main personal goals for this year. Some of these goals are kinda big, so I think 5 is good. Wish me luck with these.

1. Buy a house/condo by the end of the year.

This is my biggest goal for the year. I’m hoping to purchase my first property by the end of 2022. Most likely looking for a condo due to the ridiculous cost of housing in California, but I’m not ruling out the possibility of a house.

2. Go on at least 3 Freediving trips this year.

I currently have one trip planned for April 2022 where I’ll be diving in the Maldives. Hoping to dive in Central America this year and the Caribbean as well.

3. Visit 9 countries this year.

Here are the countries I’m hoping to check out next year:

• Cuba
• Qatar
• Maldives
• UAE
• Honduras
• El Salvador
• Nicaragua
• Jordan
• Oman

4. Learn a new aerial skill.

I’ve had this goal for several years but never seem to stick with it. My specific goal for 2022 is to sign up for and complete at least 25 aerial classes over the course of 2022.

5. Stay focused on my health this year.

For this goal I’d like to develop a better exercise routine and eat out less during the week. I currently do yoga twice a week, but struggle to make time for workouts during the week. I also order delivery way too often. So basically, I’d like to add two additional workouts per week, and refrain from ordering takeout most days.

That’s what I’ve got lined up for my main goals for 2022. I hope you found this post at least a little interesting and maybe even inspired to set some goals of your own. Cheers.

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Eden Fite

Part-time Traveler | Dog Lover | Avoider of Crowds

I help busy people find creative ways to travel more.

Happy 2021 everybody, we made it! Like so many of you, I love to make New Year’s Resolutions and have been excited to set goals for 2021. I’m always inspired by the opportunity for a fresh start and enjoy reflecting on how the previous year went for me.

I normally have my New Year’s resolutions all sorted out by New Year’s Eve, but these last 12 months have been anything but normal. So for this year, I spent a little more time reflecting on what I want my goals for 2021 to look like.

In this post I’m including both blogging and personal goals for 2021. I think putting them in writing and on the internet is a healthy (and fun) way to hold myself accountable.

I hope you enjoy this window into my priorities for the upcoming year and that you’re inspired to set some goals of your own.

Blogging Goals for 2021

Listed below are my top 5 blogging goals for 2021. To be honest, I have many more I could list here but I want to stay really focused this year on just a few important things.

1. Build Rock a Little Travel to 65k sessions a month

So with “you know what” still around and impacting international travel, this may be easier said than done. But I’m putting it out there anyway.

In order to achieve this lofty goal (I’m currently closer to 5k sessions a month thanks to “you know what”), I plan to focus on USA based and outdoor content this year.

This is my biggest and most important goal so there is where I will invest the majority of my time over the next 12 months.

2. Obtain at least one brand or destination collaboration

I hope to work with at least one tourism board or brand this year. I am currently in contact with one destination already, so we’ll see how that goes.

In order to achieve this goal, I will reach out to one destination or brand each week. I will thoughtfully select brands or destinations that I believe would be a good fit for my own brand and align with where I’m currently at with my blog.

3. Average two posts per week for the year

This is my writing goal for the year. This goal is intended to keep me on schedule in meeting my traffic goal mentioned above. It will also ensure my blog is consistently updated with fresh content.

4. Begin earning at least $500 per month from the blog

If I am able to get my sessions up to 65k per month, I believe $500 would be a reasonable income goal. This income would be generated from ad revenue and affiliates.

5. Learn to edit video and start a YouTube channel

I recently purchased a new camera and intend to learn to make and edit video this year. I will use my new YouTube channel to add additional value and content to Rock a Little Travel.

This goal is also just for fun. I’ve always wanted to learn to make and edit videos, so this is really a personal goal as well.

Personal Goals for 2021

Listed below are my top 6 personal goals for 2021. All of the goals below are intended to make sure I am having fun this year and doing things I love. But I also hope to learn new skills and challenge myself.

1. Improve my photography skills

My photography skills have been getting better over the past few years but I know I have a long way to go.

I just purchased my first camera, a Sony Alpha a6000, that I’m very excited to start using. I plan to take a few trips this year and just focus on my photography.

2. Visit 8 new countries

This one may be a bit too ambitious, but I like to dream big. I’m scheduled for at least one international trip in the fall, so hopefully I can add a few more in the next several months.

If all goes well, I’m hoping to visit Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, Russia, Peru, Spain, Portugal, and French Polynesia in 2021. Again, we’ll have to wait and see what happens on this one.

3. Read a book a week

Lately I love reading nonfiction books on personal growth and mindset. I find these topics both educational and inspiring and they just make me feel good.

I’ve set the goal of reading 52 books a year every year for the past three years. I’ve fallen just a few short the last two years. I’m hoping to exceed this goal this year. Wish me luck.

4. Make new friends

I’m always looking to make new friends. I feel like one can never have enough friends, especially friends with similar interests that you enjoy talking to.

I plan to make new friends by engaging in new online activities and networking events. These will most likely be travel or blogging related.

5. Learn to freedive

At the end of last year I signed up to get my PADI certification for SCUBA diving while I was in Playa del Carmen. Unfortunately, I was unable to finish due to an ear infection, but was also pretty nervous about the open water dives I needed.

So I am hoping to try freediving this year in order to get more comfortable in the ocean. I’m hoping this will help build my confidence to complete my PADI diver certification.

I’m also scheduled to swim with whales in French Polynesia next year. So the freediving will definitely come in handy then as well.

6. End the year debt free

I make this a goal for myself every year. I do this because I travel a lot, which I love, but it also costs money.

Essentially, I want to make sure I’m staying financially responsible and not piling on a bunch of debt just to travel around the world. Ending the year debt free holds be accountable to stay within my means while still doing the things I love.

How about you? Have you set goals for 2021 or put together some New Year’s resolutions?

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This post will help you identify the highest currency in the world based on current valuation as of December 2020.

These valuations are based on the United States Dollar exchange rate and Eurozone Exchange rates against the Euro.

But why is a travel blogger writing about currencies and exchange rates? Two reasons.

Number One. Because I find it interesting and want to understand the value of money better.

Number Two. Because it impacts how much things cost when we travel. The stronger the currency in the countries you visit, the more expensive things will be.

Of course there are many other considerations when budgeting a trip, but it is important to be aware of the currency value of the country you are visiting.

According to the United Nations, there are a total of 180 currencies in the world.

Currently, the highest currency is the world is the Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD). One KWD is valued at $3.28 USD.

Below, I will identify the top 10 Highest Currencies in the World as of December 2020.

Highest Currency in the World

Disclosure: I am not a financial analyst, stock trader, currency expert, currency trader, or anything else related to money and currency. I am not giving financial advice and this article is for informational purposes only.

The information for this article was obtained through my own research and verifying currency exchange rates at XE.

Before you take a trip, make an investment, or make any other decisions related to foreign currency, you are encouraged to do your own research and confirm current exchange rates at the time you are traveling.

10. United States Dollar (USD)

The United States Dollar (USD) is the tenth strongest currency in the world. The USD is the official currency of the United States.

• 1 USD = 0.82 EUR

9. Swiss Franc (CHF)

The Swiss Franc (CHF) is the ninth highest valued currency in the world. The CHF is the official currency of Switzerland.

• 1 CHF = 1.12 USD
• 1 CHF = 0.92 EUR

8. Cayman Islands Dollar (KYD)

The Cayman Islands Dollar (KYD) is the eigth highest currency in the world. The KYD is the official currency of the Cayman Islands.

• 1 KYD = 1.20 USD
• 1 KYD = 0.98 EUR

7. Euro (EUR)

The Euro (EUR) is the seventh highest currency in the world. The EUR is the official currency of the Eurozone. The Eurozone consists of 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union that use the Euro as their official currency.

1 EUR = 1.22 USD

6. Gibraltar Pound (GIP)

The Gibraltar Pound (GIP) is the sixth highest currency in the world. The GIP is the official currency of Gibraltar.

• 1 GIP = 1.36 USD
• 1 GIP = 1.11 EUR

5. British Pound Sterling (GBP)

The British Pound Sterling (GBP) is the fifth highest currency in the world. The GBP is the official currency of the United Kingdom.

• 1 GBP = 1.36 USD
• 1 GBP = 1.11 EUR

If you’re planning on traveling to the UK, or London in particular, hotels can be extremely expensive. Be sure to look for deals ahead of time if you’re trying to stick to a budget.

4. Jordan Dinar (JOD)

The Jordanian Dinar (JOD) is the fourth highest currency in the world. The JOD is the official currency of Jordan.

• 1 JOD = 1.41 USD
• 1 JOD = 1.15 EUR

3. Oman Rial (OMR)

The Omani Rial (OMR) is the third highest currency in the world. The OMR is the official currency of Oman.

• 1 OMR = 2.60 USD
• 1 OMR = 2.13 EUR

2. Bahrain Dinar (BHD)

The Bahraini Dinar is the second most valuable currency in the world. The Bahrain Dinar is the official currency of Bahrain.

• 1 BHD = 2.66 USD
• 1 BHD = 2.18 EUR

1. Kuwait Dinar (KWD)

The Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD) holds the highest currency value in the world. The Dinar is the official currency of Kuwait.

• 1 KWD = 3.28 USD
• 1 KWD = 2.69 EUR

Top 100 Highest Currency in the World

This partial list is current as of December 28, 2020. Be advised that currency rates fluctuate frequently so you should always check for yourself as well.

I’ve used XE for current foreign exchange rates. (This list is in the process of being updated.)

1. Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD) = $3.28 USD
2. Bahraini Dinar (BWD) = $2.66 USD
3. Omani Rial (OMR) = $2.60 USD
4. Jordanian Dinar (JOD) = $1.41 USD
5. British Pound Sterling (GBP) = $1.35 USD
6. Gibraltar Pound (GIP) = $1.35 USD
7. Euro (EUR) = $1.22 USD
8. Cayman Islands Dollar (KYD) = $1.22 USD
9. Swiss Franc (CHF) = $1.12
10. United States Dollar (USD) = $1.00
11. Canadian Dollar (CAD) = $0.78 USD
12. Australian Dollar (AUD) = $0.76 USD
13. Bruneian Dollar (BND) = $0.75 USD
14. Singapore Dollar (SGD) = $0.75 USD
15. Libyan Dinar (LYD) = $0.75 USD
16. New Zealand Dollar (NZD) = $0.71 USD
17. Bosnian Convertible Mark (BAM) = $0.62 USD
18. Bulgarian Lev (BGN) = $0.62 USD
19. Azerbaijan Manat = $0.59 USD
20. Dutch Guilder (ANG) = $0.56
21. Belizean Dollar (BZD) = $0.50
22. Barbadian Dollar (BBD) = $0.50 USD
23. Fijian Dollar (FJD) = $0.49 USD
24. Samoan Tala (WST) = $0.39 USD
25. Belarusian Ruble (BYN) = $0.39
26. Israeili Shekel (ILS) = $0.31 USD
27. Georgian Lari (GEL) = $0.31 USD
28. Brazilian Real (BRL) = $0.19 USD
29. Croatian Kuna (HRK) = $0.16 USD
30. Turkish Lira (TRY) = $0.13 USD
31. Macau Pataca (MOP) = $0.13 USD
32. Norwegian Krone (NOK) = $0.12 USD

I hope you’ve found this post about the strongest currencies in the world useful in planning your future travels. Thank you for reading.

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Eden Fite

Part-time Traveler | Dog Lover | Avoider of Crowds

I help busy people find creative ways to travel more.

It’s that time of year again. The time when we all start setting goals and New Year’s Resolutions and you’re wondering how to invest in yourself in 2021.

Well you’re in luck because I’ve got a few ideas. Since most of my travel plans evaporated in 2020, I had to come up with new ways to spend my time. After a few weeks of frustration, I decided to use the money I was saving from not traveling (or having a social life), to invest in learning new skills

I’ll admit, this was harder than I’m making it sound. There’s nothing like plummeting blog traffic to take the wind out of your sails when you’re a blogger. But like everyone else, I had to accept that things were not going to go well for a travel blogger like myself, for quite some time.

So what did I invest in?

I invested in education, coaching, gear, and my health. All things I’d been putting off over the years, mostly due to the cost. Honestly though, while the cost of some of these items seemed prohibitive, it was really just my priorities. Had I prioritized these investments, I could have saved money elsewhere.

So how can this help you? Short answer, the same way it helped me.

When you rearrange your priorities to put your goals and ambitions first, you can change the course of your whole life. You just have to be willing to take steps in the right direction.

Let me show you how.

How to Invest in Yourself in 2021

My suggestions below for how to invest in yourself in 2021 are based solely on my own experiences. These are the things I invested in to make my own life better, and I believe they’ll have the same effect on you too.

As you’re reading through my suggestions, be sure to think about how these ideas can be implemented in your own life to get you closer to your own goals. Any investments you make in your life should be personal.

1. Invest In Your Health

It would be silly to talk about other investments if we don’t start with your health. Without your health, none of the other investments will matter.

I’m not a doctor or nutritionist, so I won’t be giving you advice on how to be healthy. But I will say this, you probably already know what you need to do.

If you’re over weight, you need to lose some. If you never eat vegetables, you need to eat some. If you never exercise, you need to work out your body. You get the picture.

For me, that means making healthy meal choices by prioritizing fruits and vegetables and reasonable portion sizes.

I personally use Daily Harvest to keep smoothies stocked up in my freezer that I can grab anytime. This has been insanely beneficial, especially since I travel so much. I don’t have to worry about fresh produce going bad while I’m away. Plus, I’ll still have healthy meals stocked for when I return.

I’ve also been taking my dog for longer and more frequent walks, it’s a win for the both of us.

If you have health insurance, be sure you visit the doctor at least once per year for your annual check up. Get your blood work done and ask questions about anything that’s bothering you.

2. Read Books

One of the easiest ways to level up your skills is to read more. Find books on topics that excite you so that you’ll want to read them.

Even better, select books on topics that will help you reach your goals. For me, I’ve been reading books on personal finance, small business, and goal setting. Why? Because I want to learn how to run a successful business.

For you, find books that inspire you and challenge you to do better in the things you love.

I like to listen to audio books when I’m driving or walking my dog. I’m trying to stay away from Amazon, so I use the Libby App to rent free books from the library.

This app is free and easy to use. You will have to put a hold on the more popular books, but there is plenty of inventory to keep you busy. Seriously, just try it. You’ll save so much money, I promise.

For when the Libby App doesn’t have a book in stock that I want to read, I use Libro FM to purchase audio books. Libro FM is an app that allows you to purchase audio books from Bookshop.org, which in turn supports local independent bookshops.

3. Listen to More Podcasts

This one is more of an investment of time, not money since podcasts are generally free. But I’ve found tremendous value in a variety of podcasts this year. I personally enjoy podcasts about blogging, business, personal development, and finance.

I listen to podcasts to get a variety of perspectives on the things I’m interested in. There’s never just one way to do something, so I like to see how others approach the same problems I’m having. I always learn new things when listening to the right podcasts, you will too.

Here are my favorite podcasts:

• Don’t Keep Your Day Job
• Screw the Nine to Five
• Divine Living
• Goal Digger Podcast
• The Glo Show

I encourage you to check out the ones I mention above, but to also seek out podcasts in a genre you’re interested in. I find podcasts to be educational, inspiring, and motivating. I think you will too.

4. Join a Live Coaching Program

Yes, that’s right, a live coaching program. This doesn’t mean in person, it just means that you meet live either virtually or telephonically. In most cases, live coaching programs take place via Zoom.

But why live coaching? Because it forces you to show up and be accountable. Coaching programs will help you set goals, identify steps to achieve your goals, interact with others in your industry, and be mentored by someone who has achieved success already.

I personally joined a group coaching program for bloggers called Travel Blog Accelerator. It’s run by Kristin Addis from Be My Travel Muse. I love this program. I’ve learned more than I ever thought I would, I’ve met some awesome ladies to network with, and it’s just fun.

If you’re a blogger, check out my favorite blogging courses for 2021. No matter where you are in your blogging journey, there’s a good option for you and both options include live coaching.

I encourage you to seek out a similar program in your niche or area of interest. If you find the right group, you’ll be so inspired and motivated by it.

5. Invest in the Equipment You Need

No matter your career or area of interest, there is likely some equipment you need to start investing in. If you’re a travel blogger, that can be a computer, a camera, or any number of other things.

Take some time to identify the equipment you need to fully participate in, and engage in, the activity or interest you have. Once you’ve identified that equipment, make it a priority to obtain it.

In many ways, you’ll always be a step behind if you don’t have the right gear or equipment you need to achieve your goals. This is not always the case, but most of the time its just easier to have access to what you need.

If the equipment is expensive, you can save money by looking for used gear or making your purchases around the holidays when things go on sale.

Once you own the equipment you need, spend time learning how to use it. Sometimes learning to use new equipment is like learning a new language, but its a great way to immerse yourself in something you love.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this post about How to Invest in Yourself in 2021. If you’d like to support this blog please consider sharing this post. Thanks for reading.

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Eden Fite

Part-time Traveler | Dog Lover | Avoider of Crowds

I help busy people find creative ways to travel more.

Yes I know, 2020 wasn’t the year for travel. But despite the majority of my 2020 travel plans being sidelined, I was able to squeeze in a few trips here and there.

Some of these trips were taken prior to March 2020 and some were taken when things appeared under control here in the United States. In all cases, rules and guidelines were followed.

So here is what I was able to squeeze into 2020, starting with my favorite destination of the year.

1. Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza is spectacular, fascinating, and beautiful all at the same time.

I joined a group tour from Cancun to Chichen Itza back in November. It was hands down the coolest thing I saw all year.

The tour itself was excellent. I learned a ton about the history of the Mayan people and about the various structures at Chichen Itza.

If you’re ever in the Yucatan or Cancun area, Chichen Itza is a must see destination. It’s worth the drive, I promise.

2. Maui

The bf and I jetted off to Maui just before the lockdowns started here in the United States. We spent five beautiful days driving around the island, snorkeling, and sampling all the delicious food.

Maui had been on my travel wish list for quite some time, so I’m very happy to have had the chance to visit this year.

My favorite moment was seeing whales breaching off the coast from our hotel. It was such an amazing thing to see in person. It looked like a mom and her calf were waving at us and it’s a memory I’ll never forget.

3. Miami Beach

I spent about a week in Miami Beach in early fall of this year and I gotta say, Miami really surprised me.

I’d heard a lot of negative things about Miami from others, but ended up really enjoying my time there. The beaches are pretty, Little Havana was incredible, and the restaurants in Miami Beach are fantastic.

4. Georgetown

At the end of September I traveled to Washington DC for the Ruth Bader Ginsburg memorial. The work she has done for women in this country is inspiring and I wanted to be there in person to pay my respects.

While in DC I decided to spend some time exploring parts of the city I’d never seen before. This led me to Georgetown.

As you’d expect from an affluent east coast neighborhood, it’s beautiful. The old architecture really lends character to the neighborhood. I spent a morning and afternoon just walking around the area.

I made my way along the Potomac River and up into the local residential neighborhoods. I tried to imagine what life would be like living there. I imagine it’s pretty great.

If you’ve ever in DC, I highly recommend an afternoon in Georgetown. There’s loads of great restaurants in the neighborhood as well, making it the perfect place to get lunch or dinner.

5. Yosemite

I know, I know, I’m always raving about all my favorite things to do in Yosemite. But it’s because I love it so much and I think everybody should visit at least once.

But, Yosemite was extra special this year since most of my trips were cancelled. It made the ones I did get to take all the better.

Plus, Yosemite without the normal crowds is just amazing. I’m planning to return again in January if fate will have it.

6. Tulum Ruins

Similar to Chichen Itza, my expectations when visiting the Tulum Ruins were far exceeded. The location itself is worth visiting, but paired with the ruins and the history, it was just incredible.

If you’re planning a visit to the ruins in Tulum, you must take a guided tour. It’s worth your time to learn about the history of the site.

Be sure to arrive very early to beat the crowds. Get your pictures along the coast first, then join a tour.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about my favorite destinations in 2020. As always, thanks for reading.

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Eden Fite

Part-time Traveler | Dog Lover | Avoider of Crowds

I help busy people find creative ways to travel more.