When to Save vs When to Splurge
A totally biased look at when I choose to be a little bougie, and when to be a total dirtbag.
There have been at least a few times in my life when I’ve said “I will never take a bus again.” Like the time armed men boarded our bus in Colombia, shouting in Spanish that I couldn't understand. Or the time police escorted me off one while crossing into Chile, then cut open the seat I was sitting in to find bricks of cocaine stuffed inside. (And no, it wasn't mine.)
But two weeks ago I went to Chicago, and I took a bus.
Why? To be completely honest I just didn't want to drive.
I’ve come to realize that I really only enjoy driving west of the Mississippi, so the whole idea of driving the congested, construction-lined route from Toledo to, and in Chicago, just sounded annoying. Then I looked at the costs: two tanks of gas would run me about $120, plus tolls and downtown parking, vs $70 for a nonstop RT bus ride, where all I had to do was show up with noise-canceling headphones and plenty of snacks. No-brainer.
While on the bus, I started to think about other areas I save and splurge. Obviously one woman's save is another woman's splurge, but I think the most important thing is saving on what you don't really care about, and splurging on the things you do. The things that will stick with you, and make your experience all that much more enjoyable or memorable.
I don't have any set rules, but there are areas I tend to skimp on, and others where I tend to go nuts. As a Bougie Dirtbag, here are some of mine.
TRANSPORTATION
SAVE: Most Flights I have preferences, but no airline loyalty, and I'm not usually picky on flight times. Most of the time I'm booking whichever one makes the most sense for my itinerary, but it is likely one of the three lowest-priced options. And yes, I'm fitting everything into a carry-on. One of the only perks of being 5’2” is that I'm tiny enough to fit comfortably most places, so as long as I get my window seat on any long-haul flights, I curl up in the corner with my headphones and pass out until I arrive at my destination. On shorter flights I won't even pay extra for a seat if it costs extra.
SAVE: TSA Pre-check/Global Entry
This is probably more about laziness than saving money—I mean, my credit card reimburses the fee, I just haven’t gotten around to setting up an appointment. Since security is usually only about a 5-10 minute wait at my home airport, and they no longer require us to remove things from our bags, I haven't really felt a need to get it.
SPLURGE: Direct Flights, Especially When There's Gear Involved I will, however, pay extra for a direct flight over a connection, especially when I have to check a bag full of gear that needs to make it to my destination in order for me to hike.
ACCOMMODATIONS
SAVE: Overnights That Are Just a Spot to Sleep Transit days, trips where I'll rarely be in the room anyway, crash pads before hikes, and when scouting photography locations. I don't over-pay for rooms when I won't be spending much time in them. Sometimes it's even easier to sleep in my car so I can wake up, walk outside and shoot sunrise, rather than drive. And to be honest, I absolutely love sleeping in my car.
SPLURGE: When The Stay is Part of The Experience
The first time I stayed in an overwater bungalow I thought it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I've now stayed in five, and I'm kind of obsessed. If I'm staying more than a few days in one place, and part of the experience involves relaxing or recharging at the hotel, you can bet I'm paying extra for comfort and luxury. Usually I look for locally-owned boutique stays, with thoughtful touches and overall convenience, but I definitely value finding unique stays that can only be experienced in that location.
FOOD
SAVE: The Number of Meals I Eat Per Day Some places just don't have great food, or the logistics of acquiring it are more of a hassle than they're worth. That's when I'll save, and I’ll do any number of things to cut back on how many meals I consume, just so I can splurge on the ones that count. I'll pack snacks to replace meals, swipe a lunchtime banana and muffin from the breakfast buffet, split one dish across multiple meals or people, and eat at awkward times so that I only have 1-2 meals per day. If I'm on a trip that's more about the experience than the food, I'm cutting back on the number of meals I pay for each day.
SPLURGE: Most of the Time I'm also going all out for the meals that are worth it. One of the best parts of traveling for me is the food. Good food is not always expensive, but whenever something looks or sounds delicious, interesting, or unique, the word "budget" goes out the window. I've taken culinary trips that cost 5x more than my first car, because there's nothing like exploring a country's flavors from people who actually know a thing or two about food. Learning to cook alongside them is the ultimate souvenir that I can bring home and recreate forever.
SPLURGE: Coffee I'm a full-blown coffee addict, to the point where I’ve bribed hotel staff to sneak me cups before the breakfast opens. I've also traveled to Panama City just to try geisha coffee (I actually don't love it, but I did love Casco Viejo, so win). I now travel with instant coffee in the same case as my passport, just in case.
SPLURGE: Room Service
If they have it, I’m getting it at least once during my stay. And I’m going to eat it in a robe, after taking a bath and doing a facial, preferably outside on a deck/balcony. My absolute favorite experience to have, no matter where I am in the world is a delicious breakfast full of fresh juice, coffee, fruits, pastries, eggs, and whatever else they have, brought directly to me to enjoy during a slow morning.
Seven years later and I still think about this one in the Philippines at least once a week, no joke. If you ever want to know the way to my heart, it is through breakfast in a beautiful place.
GEAR
SAVE: Good-Enough Gear Some gear is worth the splurge, but most of it I just make do with whatever I have. I layer up for more warmth, and keep using things until they're literally no longer functional. My running shoes have had a hole in the toe for two seasons, but they still have several miles in them (I think). And I learned I don't need to invest in a bunch of hiking pants. Even on an 8-day hike, I’ll wear the same pair of Gnaras every day, no shame.
SAVE: Toilet Paper At first I was skeptical, but I picked up a Kula Cloth anyway and I'm sold. If you're not familiar, a Kula Cloth is a reusable cloth you can use to wipe after you pee. The outside is waterproof, the inside is antimicrobial, so when you're done you just fold it back in half and snap it to your bag until next time. It doesn't hold odor, and it can certainly be a conversation starter. But it's kept me from using and packing out tons of toilet paper on multi-day hikes.
SPLURGE: Feet and Sleep A good night's sleep and footwear that fits make a huge difference in how much I enjoy multi-day treks. When it came time to invest in a sturdier, warmer, more supportive boot than my go-to Merrell’s, I tried several pairs until I found the ones that fit like a glove right out of the box. They weren't the most expensive pair but they also weren't the cheapest. Paired with a good liner and merino wool sock, I've trekked hundreds of miles in them since, without a blister or even a hot spot. Definitely worth the time and effort it took to find them, and the $300.
Some other gear I won't leave behind now that I'm in my 40s: a cushioned sleeping pad, down pants for camp, a sleeping bag liner, and a warm sleeping bag.
SPLURGE: Bose Noise-Cancelling Headphones These are 100% my most necessary splurge item. I initally bought them so that I could actually work in an open floor plan office, but now I cannot navigate through a crowded airport, or in any public place, and stay sane, without them. Definitely worth the money.
SPLURGE: Toiletries I guess this is a splurge/save, because my toiletries aren't bougie and expensive (my face wash is from a drugstore), but when it comes to packing they are non-negoitable. I will always wash my face and brush my teeth at camp, both morning and night. Face wash, moisturizer, a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, wipes, nail clippers, and my Invisalign are going in the pack, I don’t care how much it already weighs.
SPLURGE: Air Tags I'm not the most tech-forward person, but I randomly got some AirTags and have become a bit of a stalker whenever I have to check my bags. There's something nice about landing in a new city and immediately being able to check your phone to know if your bags have arrived with you, or if a stressful experience is waiting for you at the customer service desk.
PEOPLE & EXPERIENCES
SAVE: Staying In At Home
I'm actually a bit of homebody when I'm home. But it helps me save money for going out on the road. I'd much rather indulge in one epic road trip up the California coast than have 10 mediocre nights at the bar back home. SPLURGE: Meeting Up With People Every time. Even when I'm exhausted and my social battery has been depleted, I'm extending the trip, cramming in one more day, spending the extra travel money, and going out of my way to meet up with someone simply because I'm in their city.
SPLURGE: A Good Group Trip I'm very used to traveling solo, but there's something amazing about traveling with a group of like-minded travelers. I've started traveling regularly with a few groups I keep going back to, year after year.
SPLURGE: When I’m Treating Someone Else Traveling and spending time in other places with strangers is one of my favorite ways to experience life. When the people I love are willing and able to come along for the ride? You better believe I’m making sure they have the most amazing experience, catered to their preferences and needs. In 2019 I took my mom to Tahiti and Bora Bora, and we stayed in two overwater bungalows and another beachfront cabana for two weeks. Still one of my favorite, and most expensive trips to this day. But worth every penny.
