Bhutanese Prayer Flags
Since I retired three years ago I have had a lot of people ask how much it costs to fund my travel lifestyle. I have always been hesitant to answer that because what a person “needs” is a very personal thing and the way I live may seem, depending on where you are coming from, either extraordinarily extravagant or miserably deprived. I truly am fortunate because most of the choices I make regarding travel are lifestyle decisions and not ones of finance. Finance is, of course, important but because for now because I choose to live very simply it isn’t much of an issue.
Also, living my life with what is — from my previous perch anyway — a minimum of possessions, I have given myself to a lot of freedoms that I didn’t know existed. The time and money that I used to spend acquiring, maintaining and housing all of my stuff is now mine to spend on other priorities. I don’t worry about property insurance because I have no property to insure. I don’t worry much about fashion because I only have a few suitcases. I don’t buy big screen TVs or home-entertainment systems because I don’t have time for them and just the act of owning them would restrict my mobility and my freedom. Below is an example of how I am living now — it could change tomorrow. That is another freedom I am giving myself; the right to change my mind.
Temple in Mrauk U, Burma
I am currently based in Chiang Mai, Thailand. My fixed living expenses; including water, electricity, and Internet are around $350 USD a month but I know people that spend less than that. For this, I have a simple but newly remodeled 15th-floor studio apartment in the center of town with city and mountain views that is a five-minute walk to most events and many restaurants. For transportation I rent a late model Honda PCX 150cc motorcycle for $120 USD a month that I turn in to the rental agency when I am traveling so I don’t have that expense or worry when I am away. I could save a little money by cooking at home but, because Chiang Mai is such an affordable and diverse food town, I choose to eat most of my meals out. Even so, it is rare when my food costs exceed $15 USD a day; including a beer or a glass of wine with dinner. If I wanted to be a bit pickier and only eat local I could easily keep my food costs below $5 USD a day. Entertainment is generally free or inexpensive but to give you an idea, seeing a first run movie (in English) in a modern theatre with reserved seating costs about $3 USD.
10,000 Monks Thailand
Also, I usually a travel lifestyle that is “close to the bone” and experience life a little bit closer to the way the majority of people on the planet do. That is not to say that on occasion I don’t indulge in, and completely enjoy a little extravagance and luxury. My main objective is to live a lifestyle that is outside of the mind-numbing bubble of perceived entitlement, privilege and convenience that I used to spend most of my time in. I want to expand my comfort zones — not devote my time and money to making them more plush and constrictive. Because of my semi-nomadic lifestyle, my costs of living a life of travel “on the road” generally don’t change that much except for transportation costs. For example, see “What Does it Cost to Live in Bali for a Month?”
See also:
- For a Happy Retirement, the Riskiest Risk is Avoiding Risks
- Life is Either a Daring Adventure or Nothing
- Why I Decided to Sell Everything and Travel the World
I have never intended this blog to be an accounting of costs or a self-indulgent, “You Must Live the Way I Do” screed. Everyone’s situation is different and I am just hoping to tell people my thought process regarding my traveling lifestyle, help them look at different possibilities and see some alternatives to how they are doing things now. I also enjoy sharing my experiences and showing what is available to anyone looking for something different. Next week I may be sleeping on the floor of a homestay in remote Indonesia or spending a few days back in the bubble of a six-star resort, but whatever it is I will be trying to make the most of my most valuable asset — time.
I really enjoyed this post! How people choose to live and travel–particularly when travel begins abroad–is so much a matter of personal taste, like you say. But it also has to do with what you prioritize and how you choose to spend the money you have.
My early travel experiences also taught me the benefits of traveling “close to the bone.” It often means you end up close to the “real people,” and has what I see as an overwhelmingly positive impact on my experiences. Street food, public transportation, and non-tourist passtimes lead you to a whole range of new opportunities. And they make the lifestyle much more affordable.
Thanks for this post! I really liked it.
-Katie
Hi Katie,
I took me a while to learn the lesson but it is one I now fully embrace. IN the end all we have are our adventures. Everything else is just borrowed while we are here.
Lucky you!! Living in a great place like Chiang Mai!! I REALLY enjoyed it there, a few years ago.. Really looking forward to going back there
Thanks Bernie! It really is an amazing place to be. Growing quickly though.
It’s so funny, I see people asking that question of others all the time…well, a lot. Two things strike me and you mentioned them both. One, it’s not really anyone’s business. Two, it all depends what you consider luxury or bare bones. I know people ask because they cannot figure out how someone can travel for so long. The usual answer is “He must be rich”. Anyone who has done any real travel knows the most expensive part is the flight; after that it’s a fraction of what it would cost if you stayed home. Great thought provoking post and good luck with everything. Tim
Thanks Tim. It really is simple: live below your means a “luxury is sacrifice”. http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/sunday-commentary/20131220-how-luxury-is-draining-our-vacations.ece
I couldn’t agree more! Experiences are worth more than possessions. Freedom is the grandest thing to have!