Comments on: The Cheaplympics

By: Alex

Alex — Sat, 06 Feb 2016 06:01:19 +0000

In reply to Aria s.. Why not indeed! Treat yourself ;)

By: Aria s.

Aria s. — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 23:05:51 +0000

Totes agree! In Croatia this hitchhiker was so sassy to me because I stayed at the nice hotel instead of a hostel.. it was off season and about $10 more a night to stay at a fancy luxe hotel WHY NOT! Psh..

By: Alex

Alex — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 04:05:48 +0000

In reply to Amanda Burger. Aw, thank you so much Amanda! That means a lot :)

By: Amanda Burger

Amanda Burger — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 03:19:44 +0000

Omg I loved this post! It’s funny because it’s true! I always cringe when I feel the compare-olympics coming on. To each his own, I say! Also: you are hilarious and I love your blog. 🙂

By: Alex

Alex — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 18:33:01 +0000

In reply to Maria. So glad you enjoyed this post, Maria :) In the end, travel budgets are a personal thing and no traveler should ever make another feel bad about what they are or are not spending! Enjoy your birthday month on the road -- that sounds like the best gift you could ever give yourself!

By: Maria

Maria — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 06:03:24 +0000

Alex! I am loving your blog. I am about to travel in June, my birthday month, and my first stop would be Thailand. I am reading this post right now as I was busy searching online ideas about budgeting and all. And everything you said here – the whole truth. I know a bunch of travelers who love to compare with others and its getting tiring. Just as much as we all want to budget on our travels, but we can definitely spend and get whatever we want right? It’s our money anyway 😀

By: Alex

Alex — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 11:00:42 +0000

In reply to Martina Donkers. I'm with you on spending priorities -- I always spend on experiences over stuff. And your time vs. money sentiment is spot on. By the way, ballet ticketss in St. Petersburg sounds fantastic!

By: Martina Donkers

Martina Donkers — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 23:42:56 +0000

Hey Alex 🙂

Ugh, I completely agree with you!! They way some people get about money is FRUSTRATING!!

I think everyone needs to remember is that everyone does things a little differently, and values things in a different way. One of the most important distinctions is time – someone on a quick one week jaunt has got to use their time very differently to someone travelling with no end in sight, and that often means they need to pay more to get somewhere quicker. It’s not an indication of their failing as a human being, it’s just that they value their time more than their dollars in this particular instance.

Likewise with private rooms, or plush hotels. Know yourself, know what you need – sometimes a private room will keep you sane, and some people need that more often. And anyway, it’s fun to splurge a bit, when you have the means.

The thing that gets me most is that I’m always willing shell out for experiences, such as dog sledding in Siberia or ballet tickets in St Petersburg, and people seem to deride me for spending so much money on transient things. Those same people can’t understand why I would stay in a $6 hostel rather than a $100 hotel – isn’t in uncomfortable and dirty? Well, no, not usually. And the thing is, I value experiences and so that’s where I spend my money, and I make up for it in my accommodations where I can. And I’ll travel for a shorter time if that’s what I have to do, but I won’t skimp on what matters to me – experiences.

Anyway, great post, rant over, lol.

Martina 🙂

By: Alex

Alex — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 06:44:24 +0000

In reply to Angela. Amen, Angela! I understand some people don't have the flexibility to be more relaxed with their budget but they do have the ability not to be smug about it :)

By: Angela

Angela — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 18:14:16 +0000

I totally agree with you on this one! I pick and choose and honestly I don’t worry about a few extra dollars for certain things. Or even a few extra hundred dollars on certain things! Life is too short! I understand if you’re on a super budget, traveling the world though. Every penny counts. I’ve just never been very good at penny pinching while traveling. Thanks for the article.