I find it interesting how most people don't think twice when parting with their money. They have an attitude of "well, I have it I mind as well spend it". That's fine if you want to live that way, get back to your normal life, stay on that hamster wheel and keep working forever.
I find this attitude towards money a killer for the long term traveler. It's fine if you've accepted travel as your annual week vacation and look forward to the other 51 weeks of the year; but looking for the deals, being smart with your travel decisions, knowing the bargain travel destinations, and negotiating your hotel rooms can extend your one week a year into weeks or even months of exciting, enjoyable, travel.
Last month I spent about 3 weeks in Koh Pha Ngan a beautiful Island in the gulf of Thailand. I ate at nice restaurants on the beach, I got a message about every other day. I stayed at a beach front resort with a swimming pool and lovely people to socialize with it. I did an island tour, I visited many beaches and cool places. I had a great time.
I was initially paying 15 dollars a night for a air-conditioned room, but soon moved to a fan room, which was better as the AC was not needed at night, and it was giving me a soar throat. The online Agoda.com special was 245 baht after taxes. That's about $7.50. A great savings of %50. I should have done that right from the start.
During my three weeks in Koh Pha Ngan, like always I kept track of my spending. Living an incredibly high lifestyle including maid service, laundry service, massages and eating out 100% of the time; I spent on average $23 USD a day.
If you back out the few drinks I bought, the massages, the couple fancy restaurants, the AC room for five days and the tour. It would have been easily been under my normal travel budget of 20 dollars a day. But you only live once, and at $23 a day it was a splurge, and well worth it!
I'm now in Vang Vieng Laos, I flew here from Bangkok and took a bus for a total of $29. I write this from my balcony at my river front hotel with great views, AC, Wifi, breakfast, flat screen TV with my HDMI cable hooked up to it that I travel with, and a king size bed! I negotiated down to $12 dollars a night. This is how you spend less, travel more, and not sacrifice on quality of life! Until next time- Dan "World Travel Pro!"
Not To be Missed!
Bangkok Street Food Extravaganza. Inside Look at What's Good! (24 food photos and descriptions)
Walking Tour of Bangkok Thailand and Steemit Meet-Up! (25 photos and historic description)
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!
