You’ve already decided that you want to be as cheap as possible. After all, if you can save money then why not? Well, that’s the ideal mindset, at least. But, there are a couple of things that I would be willing to put in the extra $$ while traveling. Yes, the cheaper options are initially going to sound more attractive, especially when you’re trying to conserve your funds, but sometimes it’s okay to make small and simple splurges.

1. Security
   • The cheaper option is usually going to be the less secure option. That’s just a fact and while I want to save money, I definitely value my safety more. So, spending a couple of extra bucks for a hostel that has better security, like locks on the doors and lockers available, is a no-brainer for me. It is especially important to make sure you are safe when traveling to certain dangerous locations or when you’re traveling solo.
2. Location
   • If you’re not planning on staying in one place for long, then I highly suggest you pick a good location for your accomodation, so that you aren’t spending most of your time in the city wandering around. I’ll pitch in some extra money if it means that my hostel isn’t too far from all the major sites of the city. Plus, you’ll want to find a location that is safe, especially at night time. Even a few more dollars could save you from finding yourself in a terrible situation.
3. Special Meals
   • Deep down I’m totally alright with blowing all of my money on food. Unfortunately, that isn’t very practical considering I have to pay for shelter and transportation. But, I mean come on. You’re traveling. You’re in a foreign country with loads of foreign foods! While I’m sure you’ll be able to find great food on the streets, one tiny splurge at a world renowned bakery isn’t going to hurt. When in Rome, right?
4. Major Attractions
   • This one really depends on what you want to see when traveling. Sometimes I’m just not in the mood to be walking around a museum when I could be walking down the beach, sipping on some sangria. But, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t things you should spend the money to see. For example, my life long dream has been to visit the set of the Lord of the Rings in New Zealand. So while it may have cost me a good amount of money to go see it, it is a memory I will both never forget nor regret. Figure out what you want to see, how much it’ll cost, and work around it. You’ll regret not visiting the one place you truly wanted to go, trust me.
5. Certain Transportations
   • Think about how much time you have getting from point A to point B. Sometimes it is just impractical and inefficient to be spending 13 hours on a bus for $10 when you can fly there in 45 minutes for $40. You’ll be able to get more out of your trip if you aren’t cooped up in a bus, anyways. If I can fly for cheap, I will probably choose that option over long and laborious train/bus rides.

Broke Backpacking isn’t about being stingy while you’re traveling, but rather it’s about getting the most for your money, knowing when you can save, and investing in things you really want to see or do. When done properly, you can still save yourself thousands of dollars and have a great time. Traveling should be fun and exciting , so treat yourself!