Why Travelling is Worth the Price

“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.” – AnonymousYou’ve probably seen quotes like this printed on cute note cards and mugs, but how many of us really GET what these brilliant minds are saying?Travel became my passion in 1998 when I was at a soccer game in Asuncion, Paraguay and a riot broke out. Even amidst the chaos I thought to myself "THIS is what life is about." Perhaps slightly insane and dangerous, but now a cherished memory and a story I will tell for the rest of my life.When I started my first full time job, I committed to taking one trip a year and for 12 years I have been making my way around the globe. Some years I have been able to budget more for travel than others, but I always make it to someplace new, whether that means a trip to New Orleans or a last minute flight to Panama.I’m not going to be self-righteous and say money spent on material things is money wasted. Céline’s new Tri-Fold handbag is perfection and makes me consider selling a kidney, but I need a roof over my head and budgets have to be met. I also couldn’t justify any material item with the consequence of NOT experiencing sitting with a healer in Bali, gorilla trekking in Rwanda, sleeping in an olive grove in Spain, camping in the Sahara, going on safari in Tanzania, climbing Machu Picchu Mountain or swimming with sharks in the Galapagos.These days there are SO many ways to travel on the cheap. I have used Airbnb.com to affordably find a cave house in Spain and a stunning riad in Marrakech; I know a 60-year old lady who travelled alone across Europe without paying for accommodation using couchsurfing.com. House swaps are also a low cost way to travel.My best advice to you is to include “experiences” in your budget. These are the invaluable things in life.Article by Tracy Fu, MeVest Contributor