Minimalism - free up your funds for travel

I've said before that you don't have to be rich to travel. Being a Minimalist means that you have more money to travel. It means thinking about what stuff you really need in your life. I think we get hung up about 'stuff', and forget what's important. If travel is important to you, then it's time to think carefully about what stuff you really need.

Below is a good article from one of my favourite blogs - The Everyday Minimalist

How Minimalism Saves You Money
BY MMARQUIT – 15 JANUARY , 2014

I’m not normally known for my penny pinching ways, since I think that it’s a whole lot of work. However, I don’t like to waste my money on things that aren’t important to me. I find that following minimalist principles can, by default, help me stay on track and ultimately save money over the long haul.

Buy Less Stuff

One of the biggest ways that minimalist principles help you save money is that you buy a lot less in terms of things when you try to live minimally. Instead of spending money on a lot of things that you don’t need, and that you might not particularly want (even if you think they would be ok to have), you spend less because you are buying less.

Minimalism encourages you to spend conscientiously. You think about your purchases before you make them. If you don’t need something, or if it won’t add to the quality of your life, there is no reason to buy it. When you move from spending as a mindless consumer to spending with purpose, you are more likely to spend less.

And, even when you do spend money, it is likely to be on something that will enhance your life in some way. I do like spending on experiences and on a very few things, but my purchases are in line with my values and priorities, which means that when I do spend, I know that it’s something that will be worthwhile to me.

Smaller Spaces = Smaller Bills

With minimalism, you are encouraged to live in smaller spaces. We have a fairly modest house, in large part because we have a small family. We have a guest room and a home office, since I work from home and we often have company stay over, but our home is generally considered small.

We don’t want a bigger home because, often, those types of homes come with other costs and hassles. A bigger home often means a bigger mortgage, higher property taxes, and larger utility bills. We could have another 1,000 square feet, but that would just mean more expenses for the home.

Instead of spending that money on the home, we’d rather spend it on things we enjoy, like travel or eating out. It’s another way that we can avoid spending on things that aren’t important to us.

Plus, since we don’t buy a lot of unnecessary stuff, we don’t have to worry about buying a bigger house that it all fits in. When the house starts to feel cluttered, we know that it’s time to get rid of some of the clutter, and return some of the minimalist principles we have let slide.

No, you don’t have to be completely minimalist to succeed. However, if you take some of the things that characterize minimalist living and apply them in your life, you will likely find that it also helps you save money, as well as to direct your financial resources in a way that is more satisfying to you.

New trip to Central Europe coming up

I have a new overseas trip coming up in July, 2014 between Semesters to Central Europe. The flights are booked; Sydney to Dubai for a one night stop over with Qantas on the A380, and then direct to Prague in the Czech Republic.

The plan is to visit Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria and Southern Germany, however followers of my last trip will know that my actual trip and the planned trip didn't look anything like each other. Spain was great, and we spent longer there and visited amazing places like Granada and Cordoba, which we had not planned on doing.

The absolute must do things on this trip will be Prague of course, Budapest in Hungary, and probably Vienna in Austria. I would like to go to Salzburg in Austria the setting for Sound of Music. I want to see the fairytale German castles in Bavaria. Bratislavia in Slovakia next door to Prague is meant to be good.

The reason why the trip is flexible is because we normally use the internet to book apartments through Airbnb and either rail or plane transport at the last minute to allow more flexibility. Some places you want to stay longer, and using the internet and not using a travel agent gives you more freedom.

Surfers Paradise

A reader has brought to my attention that I have been tardy with my blog entries. Quite frankly I have fallen into a holiday routine of going to the beach in the morning, and lying on the couch reading in the afternoon.

This is why we come to the Gold Coast, the beach, and the weather. Above is Main Beach looking South, and below is looking North.

You can see high rise apartment and hotels line the beach. Looking back at the main mall is Cavill Avenue (below).
.,.,

F

Flat out in Surfers Paradise

Yesterday, the sun was out, and I spent the morning flat out on the beach at Surfers Paradise. I find the morning the best time, before it gets too hot. There's plenty to do on the Gold Coast, however it still has a laid back feel; you can do alot or a little depending on your mood.

It's also fairly easy to move around, unlike Sydney. Here they have one wireless transport card, Translink, that can be used on all public transport, and they are building a light rail. If you are traveling to Brisbane there is an excellent freeway system that will take you into the heart of the city.

 I must admit it does rankle me to admit that the Queenslanders are smarter regarding transport than us in Sydney, despite Sydney being the powerhouse of the Nation's economy, we still can't easily move around the place. It's a pressing issue for business and indeed, all Sydneysiders. Fortunately, we now have a Prime Minister who is actually from Sydney who will give the needed 'kick up the bum' to the NSW Government to get moving!

Travel info:

http://www.translink.com.au- the transport website for information on the Translink Card (the transport card) and a handy Journey Planner. Simple, and so easy.

Surfers Paradise & Pacific Fair

It was wet day in paradise, and I went in search for indoor pursuits. Unfortunately I chose a semi-outdoor shopping centre.

Pacific Fair or 'Pac Fair' as the locals call it, and I who visit my parent's holiday unit a few times a year, wouldn't dare to classify myself as one, is the main shopping centre on the Gold Coast. You will probably find yourself ending up at Pacific Fair, and no doubt probably run into someone you know.

The rain wasn't letting go, so I went to the movies, always a good bet on a wet day. I enjoyed the new Geoffrey Rush film, The Best Offer, and Geoffrey was brilliant as he always is in all his roles.

When the weather clears I will do something exciting, but then perhaps not. I'm on holiday after all.

Surfers Paradise

This is what brings people to the Gold Coast, the sunny weather, and miles of golden beaches. This is the main beach at Surfers Paradise.  A boardwalk runs along the side of the beach that is popular with walkers, joggers and cyclists.

The main mall is Cavill Avenue that runs east west to Surfers main beach, where you will find shops and a entertainment centre. The Avenue intersects with this mall where you will find most of the nightclubs.

I was strolling around Surfers yesterday thinking I've been coming here since I was a kid. It
s hard to put my travel writer's cap on to write about a place that is so familiar. Now, after having visited the great Theme Parks like Disney World, Universal Studios, Disney Land, and holiday islands like Hawaii and Fiji, it puts the Gold Coast in a different light.

So, while I ponder how best to scribe this place, here are a couple of websites to get you started (see below).

Travel info:

http://www.surfersparadise.com

http://www.discoverqueensland.com.au

New trip to the Gold Coast in Australia

This afternoon I will be flying from Sydney up to the beautiful Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. For my American readers the Gold Coast is Australia's version of I guess Miami, Florida. There are miles of golden beaches, theme parks, and a vibrant nightlife. Popular with international visitors and Australians escaping the winter chill it's about an hour flight from Sydney Airport to Gold Coast Airport, and from there about half an hour by car, bus or taxi.

FACTS: 

Gold Coast 

94km south of Queenslands capital, Brisbane
Population: 590,000
Airport - Gold Coast Airport
Theme Parks - Sea World, Dream World, Movie World (and many more)
Climate - sub tropical