4 ms·

It's always been a matter of priorities. Travel has always been high on my list. A nice apartment, expensive things and a normal lifestyle have been at the bott

It's always been a matter of priorities. Travel has always been high on my list. A nice apartment, expensive things and a normal lifestyle have been at the bottom. Add freelance and startups into the mix and much of career life has looked like a travel album.

WalterSear 13y ago
You've never been actually poor. Poverty is not having either travel nor nice things.
- vinceguidry 13y ago
  Travel is one of those things you can do for free if you really, really want to. Hitch hiking doesn't cost anything, so you can travel all over North and South America if you've got patience, thick skin and a willingness to take risks. I've a buddy of mine who did just that. Started in San Antonio and is now in Argentina, if I recall. He's not poor, so he could do things like hire a boat to get around the Darien Gap rather than stick around and try to work to get enough money for it. But even if you're poor, you can always find ways to make just enough to scrape by. I met guys while I was traveling that didn't have a dime but yet still managed to get around and even have fun.
  - WalterSear 13y ago
    You certainly can, and I've done it myself. However, author's statement that they made a decision to spend their money travel, rather than housing and goods, doesn't suggest that that is what they are doing. Poor is not being able to scrape up enough money for a plane ticket and hostel accomodations, not 'choosing to take a break from this pesky job search business'.
    - vinceguidry 13y ago
      > Poor is not being able to scrape up enough money for a plane ticket and hostel accomodations Why? Even a poor person in the US should be able to scrape up enough for at least that, if nothing more. I took a two month trip to Colombia on $15 a day, about $1500 after the plane ticket. One can easily save up that kind of money in two months with even a crappy job, if you're serious about it. I don't think it's really possible to be "seriously" poor in the US. The amount of ambient wealth floating around here is tremendous compared to other countries. I'd much rather be destitute here than in, say, Rwanda.
      - WalterSear 13y ago
        http://www.businessinsider.com/the-jungle-largest-homeless-camp-in-us-2013-8?op=1 http://www.businessinsider.com/the-jungle-largest-homeless-c... You have no idea the misery that surrounds you. Pray that you are never living paycheck to paycheck.
        vinceguidry 13y ago
        You didn't read that article too closely, did you? A lot of the people living there prefer it to a more normal lifestyle. I've seen places in Colombia that were even worse than the Jungle. These people have trees and tents and building materials. If they want a roof, they can fashion one. The scarcity I've seen in Colombia, stuff other people would throw away here is hoarded and parceled out by hustling thugs. I know exactly how awful things can be in the States. I've been all over and met all sorts. I'd take any lifestyle here over destitution anywhere else. Trust me, there are far worse places to be than the Jungle.

WalterSear 13y ago

You've never been actually poor. Poverty is not having either travel nor nice things.

vinceguidry 13y ago
Travel is one of those things you can do for free if you really, really want to. Hitch hiking doesn't cost anything, so you can travel all over North and South America if you've got patience, thick skin and a willingness to take risks. I've a buddy of mine who did just that. Started in San Antonio and is now in Argentina, if I recall. He's not poor, so he could do things like hire a boat to get around the Darien Gap rather than stick around and try to work to get enough money for it. But even if you're poor, you can always find ways to make just enough to scrape by. I met guys while I was traveling that didn't have a dime but yet still managed to get around and even have fun.
- WalterSear 13y ago
  You certainly can, and I've done it myself. However, author's statement that they made a decision to spend their money travel, rather than housing and goods, doesn't suggest that that is what they are doing. Poor is not being able to scrape up enough money for a plane ticket and hostel accomodations, not 'choosing to take a break from this pesky job search business'.
  - vinceguidry 13y ago
    > Poor is not being able to scrape up enough money for a plane ticket and hostel accomodations Why? Even a poor person in the US should be able to scrape up enough for at least that, if nothing more. I took a two month trip to Colombia on $15 a day, about $1500 after the plane ticket. One can easily save up that kind of money in two months with even a crappy job, if you're serious about it. I don't think it's really possible to be "seriously" poor in the US. The amount of ambient wealth floating around here is tremendous compared to other countries. I'd much rather be destitute here than in, say, Rwanda.
    - WalterSear 13y ago
      http://www.businessinsider.com/the-jungle-largest-homeless-camp-in-us-2013-8?op=1 http://www.businessinsider.com/the-jungle-largest-homeless-c... You have no idea the misery that surrounds you. Pray that you are never living paycheck to paycheck.
      - vinceguidry 13y ago
        You didn't read that article too closely, did you? A lot of the people living there prefer it to a more normal lifestyle. I've seen places in Colombia that were even worse than the Jungle. These people have trees and tents and building materials. If they want a roof, they can fashion one. The scarcity I've seen in Colombia, stuff other people would throw away here is hoarded and parceled out by hustling thugs. I know exactly how awful things can be in the States. I've been all over and met all sorts. I'd take any lifestyle here over destitution anywhere else. Trust me, there are far worse places to be than the Jungle.