Budget Biyahera was born after recognizing the need to share past trips that were arranged according to a specific budget while traveling with different types of people and gears. Everyone has their own financial perspective on things, whether you’re a big spender or the economically-conscious type. But as a constant wanderer, I’ve managed to keep my previous trips budget-friendly by allocating my resources.
When I decided to end an almost 3-year relationship, starting over felt like the most difficult thing to do. It took me almost a year to finally start dating again. I mean, it was the hardest thing for me to go through, knowing that I got used to being with just one person all those years. But God was kind enough to find me someone who easily took away the “dating inhibitions” out of me.
As I was reading through a book that my Kuya gave me (The Secret by Rhonda Byrne), a lot of meaningful concepts were discussed about seeing everything on a positive note. Skeptic as I was at life at that time, I read and eventually followed each principle. And quoting from the book, “the essence of The Secret is the Law of Attraction."
Most smartphones and tablets today are already equipped with apps that you can use whenever and wherever you may be. And for the last two years, I've heavily relied on my phone whenever I travel around the Philippines or Asia. It has been a great device when it comes to checking the weather, consulting interactive maps and nearby landmarks, scouting for cheap flight options, taking and editing photos, and making free calls and SMS. Here's a few of the apps that actually help enhance my travels.
1) VIBER - Viber works as long as you have an Internet connection. Most of the accommodations that I've stayed in would usually offer Free Wi-Fi, so my Viber app stays open and connected. It has proven very cheaply on my end, especially when I travel abroad. I get to use it for either voice or video calls whenever I call my loved ones in the Philippines. It saves me from having to spend on international calls or SMS.
I have to admit. I've never really bought anything expensive for myself. So if you were to ask me, most of my pricey stuff were given as gifts by my family and friends. So if it's not food, all of my savings goes directly to my travel fund. Believe it or not, I've graduated from obtaining and/or keeping 'material things' as investing on trips and journeying off to different places has given me more fulfillment in life than the former.
So what have I graduated from since I started traveling extensively? I've marked off...
My Inhibitions
“Cities were always like people, showing their varying personalities to the traveler. Depending on the city and on the traveler, there might begin a mutual love, or dislike, friendship, or enmity. Where one city will rise a certain individual to glory, it will destroy another who is not suited to its personality. Only through travel can we know where we belong or not, where we are loved and where we are rejected.”
― Roman Payne
I am an introvert. Well, I still am. But I've managed to control it through the years. I mostly travel with my family and close friends. So meeting new people on the road wasn't an option to me from the very beginning (due to personal reasons). But all that's changed when I finally broke free from my shell. That's when I gradually pushed myself to meet and talk to new individuals, which lead me to experience bigger opportunities and new found friendships. I enjoyed being in the company of like-minded people when I started to leave behind my inhibitions. Since then, my network has expanded.
Five years have gone by. But it seemed like it was only yesterday when we first laid eyes on each other. Starting out with an impromptu date with a group of people, which eventually lead to just us two -- sharing sentiments and crazy ideas over hot cups of Caramel Macchiato drinks. I will never forget that official first date. It was a mark of a new and blessed beginning.
Budget Biyahera is truly honored to have been invited to Meet Manila's awesome launch party, and to be picked as one of the Empowered Travelers! Cheers to #ThoughtfulTourism!! :)
Every type of traveler, whether a big-spender or the budget conscious kind, will always have their own financial perspective. For me, I think I've still managed to keep my trips budget-friendly without having to spend beyond my means and without compromising the value in every journey made.
*A Budget is a plan that outlines an organization's financial and operational goals. So a budget may be thought of as an action plan; planning a budget helps a business allocate resources, evaluate performance, and formulate plans. - About.com*
In my own way, I get to travel without having to sacrifice the comfort and thrills of my trips. That to me is always an awesome plan. And as long as I stay in my budget, I will always consider myself to be the budget traveler. =)
I was still rocking a Nikon D40 at the time, so we were always excited about using it. And since we wanted to maximize the DSLR, we decided to go on a DIY Photo Walk. Rubel and I managed to drive all the way to Intramuros just so we could experience the very idea of 'walking while taking photos'. Intramuros was definitely the perfect venue as the sights were so picturesque.
Here are just some of the photos that we both took during that february afternoon (back in 2010):
Budget Biyahera is about finding fun and distinct food and destinations, accommodations, products/gears and activities that people can enjoy on a ‘regular’ person’s budget and schedule.
