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steve2470

(37,473 posts)
Wed Nov 12, 2025, 06:41 PM Wednesday

Travel lovers, can you relate to money-related frustration ?

As some of you know, I do love to travel. I always have.

I know you can backpack, sleep in tents, stay in hostels, and do other measures to cut costs significantly. I have stayed in hostels twice, and it's a bit hard to get used to the lack of privacy, if you really want to save money. However, I've never had any problems with the ones in Chicago (downtown) or Berlin (tourist district Mitte).

I just prefer to fly, stay in a hotel (even if only one star), eat at affordable restaurants, etc. Nothing extravagant. Lately I've gone overseas from my home in Florida, and it is, bare minimum, about $2,000 for a week for airfare, hotel, food, etc. Could that figure be cut more ? Yes, if necessary. Going to Canada or Mexico or The Bahamas, etc would cut those costs.

Anyway.... $1500 to $2000 (to my modestly retired self) does not come easily. I am glad I have this frustration, instead of relying on SNAP and having to endure the unspeakable cruelty of Trump and his Republican lackeys (nuff said).

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Travel lovers, can you relate to money-related frustration ? (Original Post) steve2470 Wednesday OP
Colombia kcoates Wednesday #1
wow 61 countries steve2470 Sunday #4
I'm a sheltered stay-in-place-cause-poverty type of gal berniesandersmittens Wednesday #2
Yes. Before I met her, Mrs Surfered traveled with Eurail pass, backpacked, staying in hostels. surfered Wednesday #3

kcoates

(44 posts)
1. Colombia
Wed Nov 12, 2025, 07:29 PM
Wednesday

I'm 72 female single and love traveling. Been to 61 countries, sometimes with money sometimes without. I was in Bogota Columbia last September and feel in love with the area. Could easily live there for a year and not see everything. It was incredibly cheap and safe. Just an idea!

berniesandersmittens

(12,847 posts)
2. I'm a sheltered stay-in-place-cause-poverty type of gal
Wed Nov 12, 2025, 08:09 PM
Wednesday

I saved up 6k a few years ago for a dream vacation to Ecuador (or close by). I've always wanted to see the Amazon, the Galapagos Islands, and put a foot in both north and south hemispheres.

Alas, my a/c went out, along with my vacation.

I've become a hermit. But I'm still grateful that I have a home and a working a/c during the southern hot summers.

surfered

(10,347 posts)
3. Yes. Before I met her, Mrs Surfered traveled with Eurail pass, backpacked, staying in hostels.
Wed Nov 12, 2025, 08:27 PM
Wednesday

We have been lucky to be able to travel a lot. It has become a lot more expensive, even in the states, especially since Covid. Sadly, our traveling is diminishing because of it.

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