Up for the Down Turn: Riding out Economic Trouble in The Inexpensive Parts of The World
October 6th, 2008 Feature, MethodTags: Adventure, Budget, Finance, Planning
Creative Commons picture by René Ehrhardt.
If “a penny saved is a penny earned,” now may be the perfect time for your trip around the world. Economic facts have intervened and made earning pennies more difficult. Luckily the dollar can still go a long way in many parts of the world, and saving pennies is just a plane trip away. This downturn may be the perfect time to explore the planet, especially the inexpensive parts, for less money than it costs to chill back at home. With a little luck the US economy will be on the upswing again when you return.
Budget travel may be the most exciting way to save money; After a two dollar bus ride up the Ganges you might find yourself dancing in the shimmering moonlight or facing a disgusting toilet in candle light. One dollar you spend next to the Mekong may buy you one of the best meals you have ever had or a night battling bed-bugs. For less money than it costs to buy strir-fry in the States you can spend a day on a Thai beach.
If you are interested, the following are the three basic steps.
1) Settle Your Accounts
Even when you are away there are bills to pay. From health insurance to monthly payments on your storage unit, money usually still needs to keep flowing back home. Some people convince a very trustworthy friend to keep an eye on things. I prefer to have things directly deducted from my checking account. Either way, make sure your health insurance payments are made on time.
2) Wander The World
South America and Southeast Asia are long-time favorites of the budget traveler. You may find a vibrant, colorful, delicious world…that happens to offer a very good exchange rate. But, no place is perfect for everyone. Plan to wander. Then linger in the places you really enjoy.
Creative Commons picture by judepics.
3) Learn
Learn how to speak Thai. Try your hand at organic farming. You could even do field research on sea turtles.
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December 2nd, 2008 at 1:28 am
Recession, gives a bad impact for tourism. Especially for those who has budget travel. Im working as a freelance tour guide in my country, Indonesia. Nowadays people will think not twice, but a hundreds time to spend money on traveling abroad. Hundreds of reservations are cancelled, they postpone the trip until everything is back to normal. But I dont think there will be “normal” words since, we all facing constant changing.