The Hidden Costs of Budget Travel
Everyone knows that travelling in Southeast Asia is cheap. But, budget backpacking in the region is such a cliché that it has become far too easy for bloggers to oversell the point.
Everyone knows that travelling in Southeast Asia is cheap. But, budget backpacking in the region is such a cliché that it has become far too easy for bloggers to oversell the point.
Continued from Part Four
I could have spent less money than I did. But I don’t budget, and it’s hard to be frugal when you’ve got $30K sitting in an account. I don’t believe I wasted money, but I did make a few mistakes that cost me, such as pre-booking expensive accommodation in Goa and chasing Lady Luck in a Singapore casino. But, I still think I’m a budget traveller because I stay in hostels and self-cater when possible, I couchsurf, I take public transit when possible, I make use of discounts and free activities, and I choose budget accommodation when hostels aren’t available. Here’s a sample of what my adventures have cost me, in average daily costs.*
Continued from Part Three
Now that you know how I did it (passive savings, frugal habits, cutting expenses), here is a summary of how my savings built up over the five years before my departure.
Continued from Part Two
Since beginning my career as a freelance editor in late 2007, I have religiously directed about 50% of every cheque into my savings account. Now, before you freak out, you must understand that a freelancer’s gross is not her net:
Continued from Part One
I’ve never been a goal-focused person—whenever a teacher or seminar leader or manager inflicts SMART goals on me, a part of my soul dies. Consequently, I did not institute an aggressive or disciplined savings plan. People don’t believe me when I tell them this, but the proof is that in 2011, I took four vacations and had elective eye surgery! Not really things you do when you’re trying to save as much money as you can.