Hi I'm Kay-Mar

Salt-soaked Caribbean girlie on a part-time travel mission

Hi, I’m Kay-Mar—yes, like my middle names got together and said ‘let’s mean me by the sea.’ I’m a saltwater-soaked Caribbean island girlie trying to leverage my extensive experience as a full-time employee and part-time explorer to help folks like me feel motivated (and financially semi-coherent) enough to chase freedom—one flight, bus ride, or spontaneous detour at a time

Read my travel resume

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

Full-Time Worker, Part-Time Traveller

 By “part-time,” I mean I have two weeks—10 days—of vacation per year. That’s barely enough time to absorb the world, let alone escape capitalism’s chokehold. But I make it work, and so can you.

If you like this resume so far, stick around—I’ll help you build travel budgets, plan smart, and break through that constant feeling of “I never have enough money or time.”

BEACH BUM!
Emphasis on bum

 Yes, I live in the Caribbean—a little bit blessed, I know. But remote work is hard to find, and flying off this rock costs more than just your PTO days.


 This blog is for anyone who’s stuck in the rat race, working hard for that paycheck that barely covers bills, and wondering if joy is a luxury reserved for the rich or remote workers on Instagram.

Tight pockets
loose dreams

 My mission: show you how to travel anyway. Even if your free time is scarce and your bank account whispers, “Absolutely not.”


 Together, we’ll work on budgeting your time, coins, and courage so you can build travel experiences that reflect you—not your income bracket.

Now let me show you the receipts…

SNAPSHOT OF MY FINANCIAL REALITY

  • Wages in the Caribbean = low
  • Cost of living = high
  • Flights? Not cheap. Not direct. Still booked.

MONTHLY BUDGET BREAKDOWN

62% – 72% of my income = bills. The rest?

Compromised categories:

  • ⛽ Gas

  • 🌿 Groceries

  • 📱 Prepaid phone plan

  • 💰 Savings/ Investments/ Travel (with limited resources allocation is a nightmare)

  • 🙏 Tithes, Giving + Miscellaneous

Important Note: I have no kids. I do, however, have dreams and a carry-on suitcase.

SKILLS
YOU ACTUALLY USE

Underrated Talents from a Life of Juggling Work and Wanderlust

time mangement

Every minute counts when you’re squeezing the most out of life. Whether I’m balancing lab deadlines or scouting flight deals, my planner and I are in a committed relationship.

strategic planning

My dream trips start 1–3 years in advance. With limited funds and PTO, I have to play the long game—mapping destinations, calculating costs, and chasing seat sales.

That said… I still end up booking last-minute flights more often than I’d like—because surprise! The money from my various side gigs doesn’t exactly come on a set schedule. Oh yeah—did I mention that you HAVE to seek extra work?

Want the full process? Read: It’s oKay to Want to Travel…but Not Know Where to Start

flexibility

Travel doesn’t always go as planned. Neither does life. When a trip gets canceled or I get called in for an extra shift, I adjust the sails.

self-discipline

When your brain craves other people’s experiences and cultures (yes, sometimes that’s beach… other times, it’s back-road mountains), but your budget says “absolutely not,” self-discipline becomes a lifeline.

I’ve learned to focus, set boundaries, and delay gratification without losing joy.

encouragement

Sometimes I’m the one saying “go for it.” Sometimes I need that reminder myself.

This blog is both pep talk and proof:

it’s oKay to pursue freedom on your own terms.

education

A degree doesn’t define you, but let’s not pretend it was easy to earn either.

Medical Technologist, degree-hustler edition

 I work in the lab—and no shade, but your doctor needs me.  It’s kinda symbiotic.

Before you assume I went straight to college, let’s clear that up:

  • I worked for 5 years post–high school

  • Applied for a huge scholarship (and won!)

  • Left my island to study abroad

  • Navigated the complex maze Caribbean students face when studying overseas
    I earned my Associate’s Degree and built a career that can grow as much as I’m willing to.

Other Notable Certifications

Because not all education happens in a classroom

M.A. in Making It Work Anyway

Specializing in: travel dreams with a $12 balance.

Certified Flight Risk

Field-tested in: overbooked, underfunded last-minute trips.

PhD in Procrastiplanning

Awarded for excellence in booking flights at 1 a.m. when payday hits.

Accredited Fed-Upologist

Known for turning burnout into boarding passes.

Minor in Magic
(and Microbudgets)

Conjuring travel joy from tight pockets.

it's okay
to reach out

You made it all the way down here — either you relate to the chaos or you just like a good underdog story. Either way, you’re my kind of people.

Why not stick around for:

  • Travel updates

  • Budget breakdowns

  • Real-time adventures from a full-time worker figuring it out

  • The occasional, “I booked a flight I probably shouldn’t have” moment

No spam. No fluff. No vibes curated for aesthetics alone.

Sign up for the
soKay Files

A monthly-ish newsletter with behind-the-scenes chaos, budgeting, trip updates, travel confessions and encouragement from a full-time worker, part-time explorer.

It’s oKay
to Ask for Help, Too

Questions? Collab dreams? Need someone to confirm that you’re not *totally* off your rocker for wanting to see the world on a minimum-wage paycheck?

I’m all ears and inbox.

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