Why it’s cheaper to travel than stay at home

Have you ever stopped to think of what it really costs to travel and instantly thought “I cant afford that”

I know I used to think like that. Now that I’ve done a bit of travelling I’ve got to the point where I ask the other question

“How can you afford to stay in one place for your entire life?”

Travelling is far cheaper than most people realize. He’s my thoughts on why.

When you live in one place you have a very narrow view on the world. you believe what ever the media portrays on TV and since you really cant form any other opinion you are led to believe what is popular opinion.

When you’re stuck in one place you tend to want to be socially accepted, so to do this you start to imitate those by whom you want to be accepted.

You decide to buy a house because everyone else has one and it seems like a good investment (been there).

Now that you have a house (and a 30 year debt with interest added) you decide that it needs personalizing and you go off on a buying spree for the next few years. You decide to install a new kitchen and bathroom. You buy the latest entertainment gadgets and outdoor furniture for your friends to admire…oh, and don’t forget pay TV and internet!…well done, your now part of the consumer system, but wait there’s more! We still have to buy a new car that depreciates every couple of years (and we’ll pay that off too).

I haven’t mentioned all the add ons that most people take for granted when going down this road. With purchasing a house it comes with these nifty little extras such as power and water bills, rates, home and contents insurance and the ever popular maintenance.

With all of these so called luxuries comes a huge price tag, it’s called time. This is what you need to pay for your lifestyle. Most people would say “I need money to pay for my lifestyle”, but in order to get money, you need time. You can earn as much money as you like to pay off your lifestyle, but you’re only allocated so many days, hours and minutes.

It’s usually only after buying all the trappings (have you ever wondered why they’re called trappings?) that you decide to take a holiday. You think, wow I wish I could live like this every day… going to new places and seeing the world. Well our ancestors wandered the globe, what’s stopping you? Oh that’s right…. all of your “Trappings”.

Here’s a strange thought, why don’t you sell your Trappings and go travelling?

When living on the road you don’t have all the so called luxuries but you do have experiences and enjoy meeting like minded travellers and making global friends. You get to know cultures and hear all sides for their countries struggles. You become more sensitive to your surroundings and care for your planet (it’s the only one we’ve got).

After a while you’re more content with a travel pack weighing 10kg than a mortgage that weighs you down for 30 years.

Here’s my challenge. Work out what a day in your current life costs you. You might be surprised how much you are actually spending every day.

Don’t forget to include all your monthly payments divided down….

Now which do you think is cheaper?

Here’s our personal breakdown…

Car Payments (30K)$20Scooter Hire$6