In part one of this four part travel tip series we went into some detail about what is a "Pay More Get Less Country" here in part two we talk about the other side of the spectrum, "Pay Less Get More Countries". These are mostly second and third world countries. In these countries your money goes much further. Being from one of these places means it's much harder to earn a lot of money, that is the challenge and downside. Fortunately for many of these "Pay Less Get More" countries, the economy is set up where everyone can still afford the basic necessities of life.
Most of the developing world lives on $10 dollars a day. That means they "live" on that tiny amount of money often in a similar standard of living people from first world countries do; holding onto cultural values and traditions much more closely, they often keep the problems that we suffer from in the west at bay. I'm talking depression, obesity, high divorce, broken families, drug addiction, suicide, gang violence, etc.
Basic necessities are often met at much lower costs. Public transportation can be as little as 15 cents in places like Nicaragua. Medicine can be just three dollars over the counter compared to the exact same medications in places like the US requiring an expensive doctors visit and the prescription sometimes costing hundreds.
Going off topic a bit but worth sharing. I suffered from Asthma for years and I stopped buying inhalers in the US over a decade ago as they would cost me about $100 dollars to see the doctor with no insurance, then about $50 for each inhaler. Last time I bought one was in Ecuador a few years ago over the counter for $5 dollars, it was the same exact thing I'd get in the US, and there isn't even a "wait" to have your prescription filled. It's like buying a bottle of water. I've bought inhalers like this in Korea, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Thailand, Mexico, Vietnam, Bali....all over the place. Average price $5-10 dollars. Back home, ten times that. Go figure.
I give 100% credit to myself in taking matters into my own hands, I recently did something no western doctor could do, I cured myself of this inflammation related chronic illness called asthma just by changing my diet and taking some herbal supplements. It's inspired me to start a "travel pro" health series which will begin soon. All western doctors have done for me is push drugs to cover the symptoms while making the money go round leaving me sick huffing harmful drugs my entire life, I don't hold them in very high regard.
Back to what makes a good "Pay less Get More" Country.... cheap rent! It can be as little as $50 dollars a month for a lower/mid end apartment here in Thailand in the Capital city of Bangkok. My hippy friends from Argentina rent a rustic two bedroom house in Vilcabamba Ecuador. It's far from fancy with no hot water but they do have electricity and a roof that doesn't leak. They are two couples with three children total.
They have a nice garden, a dog, a lovely patio and and it's in front of a small river too! They've made it cozy and it's their home. They pay $40 a month and split the rent four ways! Their rent is $10 a month per person! Almost hard to believe, but I've spent many hours hanging out at their $10 a month rental home! I asked if he spent over two hundred a month for a family of four, he laughed. Said about $100 dollars a month! He buys raw organic milk from his neighbor at 50 cents a gallon, and so on. Just unreal, yet so normal to so many around the globe. If it wasn't for my Spanish skills I would never have known. He is a good friend to this day, I'm looking forward to meeting up with him in Ecuador next month!
These same friends were spending about $10 dollars a week on local organic groceries for the whole family. I lived in this town Vilcabamba Ecuador for a year too. I was buying grass fed organic filet mignon and pork chops for $3.50 a lb as well as gourmet mushrooms, honey, and chocolate; my x girlfriend and I at the time were spending maybe $30 a week on groceries all together. I had friends up the road with huge avocado trees in the yard. They would give me all the avocados I wanted for free. Some of the best I've ever had too. These are great lifestyle characteristics of "pay less get more" countries that I personally have enjoyed.
To feel pity for people from less wealthy countries I often find backwards as in many cases their money goes so far they often have better more wholesome, happier lives than people living in the west. Something I wouldn't have said 15 years ago, but I've seen it and lived it first hand. This applies to so many countries around the world, from Vietnam to Guatemala, not everyone or every country, but often people are happier and healthier living on $300 dollars a month vs $3,000 back where I am from in the states.
Being American and being taught that the US is the best country in every way, it's often hard to believe what I just stated, but just look at the depression and suicide statistics, or how little quality food you come back with from the grocery vs how much you spent, or just start traveling and see for yourself.
I'm not going to say to be from one place is better than another, I'm very proud and happy to carry a US passport and be American, it's been my ticket to ride and boy have I done so. One should understand that people from second and third world countries are not in a constant state of suffering like many believe. Sure there are some hell-hole countries on this planet, where people are suffering, but those are not what I'd consider "Pay Less Get More Countries" but we'll get into that a bit more in the next post.
In part three of this now four part travel tip series, we'll go into more detail about "Pay Less Get More Countries", review one of my favorite "Pay Less Get More Countries", I'll list some of the best of these countries I've found around the globe. I'll touch on some budget strategies when traveling these countries and more. If you enjoyed this article please take a look at some my other work and consider following. Thank you! -Dan "World Travel Pro"
Not To be Missed!
Travel Pro Hang Out Hot-Spot #2 :Hom Coffee in Chiang Mai Thailand
With over 10 years of travel experience I answer travel and international lifestyle questions. Leave a question in the comments and I may make a video just for you!
