Doing it Wrong

Budgeting

So lets begin here. When I first arrived in Siem Reap I was exhausted, hungry, and had no place to stay. So I did what you do when you go shopping with no clear plan and you're rushing. You binge buy things you don’t need right. Well I jumped into the first hotel that said, “Swimming Pool”. Don’t get me wrong it was amazing! I had it to my self, full size room, walk in shower, beautifully maintained pool with a waterfall free food etc., but it was 25$ a night. Cheap right!? Well three days in, I realized the average stay at a hostel was $4, pool included. Remember that learning curve I talked about? Well there is point and case number one. It didn’t put me over the edge but I did realize $25 could have been stretched a lot further had I walk ten less feet.

No harm done. Navigating budgets abroad is difficult. It’s constantly converting and haggling for everything. At some point you just cave. But what I learned about budgeting thus far is simple: Ask. Take your time when you are out and shop around. No just for your nightly accommodations, but for taxis, food, shopping, everything really. Chances are if you take an extra couples steps or ask a couple more people you’ll find what you need for a fair price, just because it is cheaper than home doesn’t mean it is what is fair in comparison.

Reaching out and Utilizing Your Resources

This was huge for me. I was so nervous all the time concerned that if I asked for directions or walked up and back a street two times that I would make myself a target, but that’s not the case. I found that asking for directions from a taxi driver, shop owner or passer-byer was actually the best way to navigate. Of course there are always language barriers but typically if you are in a touristy town taxi drivers and shop or restaurant owners speak enough English to get you to your destination. Or hand signals and patience are welcome (Just know which hand signals are rude in a culture before you start waving your hands about).

Another great way to reach out if that makes you nervous is ask a fellow traveler. People are typically from all over the world doing the same thing you are and probably are going to some of the same places you are or have already been, don’t be nervous about asking them. Fellow travelers want you to enjoy your time just as much as you want to enjoy your time.

Utilize free apps on your smartphone! Apps like Maps.me are great for travelers because they don’t require Internet or Wi-Fi to be used. Convert Free is another great one that converts just about everything from currency, to temperature to distance measurements all Wi-Fi free! (I can talk more about travel apps if anyone wants an article on it just let me know).

Some of my other favorites apps for funsies are, Skyscanner – for booking flights, checking airfare and setting up notifications about cheap flights in my area and for places I have been looking for an excuse to visit. TripAdvisor- especially for food but I like to read comments for tours and restaurants so I can make educated decisions about where I am going to spend my money. And Hostelworld- for literally all of my bookings. I check here first, its very popular among travelers and there are really good reviews plus you can check vacancy for hostels. I use these five apps almost everywhere I go, the last three do require Wi-Fi so check before hand.

**I am not endorsed for any of these companies or their affiliates, I receive no compensation for mentioning their names at this time. All above statement are my own personally expressed opinions.