Own only what you can always carry with you: know languages, know countries, know people. Let your memory be your travel bag. – Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

Being a global budget traveler or backpacker of more than three years has not only been a milestone that I never would have imagined, but, I wanted to share that it is not all roses all the time. You still need to find a fine balance between hostel life–socially interacting and meeting others–and finding, often creative ways, to extend your travels by not just saving money, but actually finding ways in the ability to save money! I've found many ways to reduce my daily costs (i.e. accommodations, food, drinks, excursions, and several others) for days or weeks at a time through bartering or volunteering, and while this is all been great, it still does not solve the inevitable imminent fact that money is a necessity, period. I know one of my more recent blogs regarding this situation, but I wanted provide some more clear directions.