Vacations with a purpose: See the world and change it, on the cheap

Traveling the world and making a difference sounds appealing to most of us, but may seem financially out of reach. There are myriad "trips with a purpose" offered throughout the year from secular to non-secular, and mission-based to the purely educational covering almost every cause under the sun. Many colleges and non-profit organizations offer transformational trips around the globe.

With a little advanced planning and some creativity, however, it is possible to see the world and help make it a better place, for little to no money. Now is a good time to put a plan into action for a summer trip, with at least three months of fundraising time ahead.