Hi friends, and thanks for stopping by to read “It Must Be Nice to Have the Money to Travel…” and Other Myths.
Today’s article is inspired after a comment I read in one of my favorite Facebook groups for women over 50 who travel solo. A member posted about her recent trip. It sounded lovely. One of those vacations where you could almost smell the ocean and hear the clink of coffee cups just from her description.
Then a comment popped up: “It must be nice to have the money to travel.”
Now, I couldn’t tell if the person meant it as a simple observation like, “Wow, I wish I could do that” – or if there was a little sting behind it. That’s the tricky thing about the internet. Without tone of voice or a friendly smile, we’re left guessing. Is this envy? Admiration? A dig?
Whatever the intention, it got me thinking.
The myth that travel = big money
Many people assume that if you’re travelling, you must have a big bank account. And yes, some do travel in luxury, staying in five-star hotels, booking private guides, and dining at high-end restaurants. But that’s not the only way to see the world.
Plenty of us travel without the cushion of a big income. We simply make it a priority and get creative.
How I make travel work (without winning the lottery)
I’m not rich. I don’t have a trust fund or a secret pile of gold coins buried out in the boonies. But I do have determination, flexibility, and a knack for finding deals. My version of “luxury” is often:
- House sitting in exchange for free accommodation.
- Staying in budget hotels that include breakfast.
- Choosing destinations where my dollar goes further.
- Travelling in the off-season when flights and rooms are cheaper.
- Walking or using public transit instead of paying for pricey tours.
- Eating picnics from the local market instead of restaurant meals twice a day.
Every trip involves choices. I might pass on buying new clothes or eating out so I can put that money toward my travel fund.
Why this matters for women over 50
Many of us in this stage of life are on fixed incomes, pensions, or modest savings. That doesn’t mean travel is out of reach. It just means we need to plan smarter. Some of my most memorable moments happened while spending almost nothing: sitting on the steps overlooking the Thames in London, England while eating a £4 sandwich, snack, and drink combo from the grocery store, taking a free walking tour in Oxford, England, or chatting with a shop owner in a tiny Spanish village.
The truth is, the richness of travel comes from the experiences, not the price tag.
Tips to travel on any budget
- Be flexible with dates and destinations – Use flight search tools that show cheaper travel days.
- Travel off-season – Fewer crowds, lower prices, and often better local experiences.
- Consider house sitting, volunteering, or work exchanges – Free accommodation and sometimes free food.
- Stay where breakfast is included – One less meal to pay for.
- Use public transportation – Often more interesting and far cheaper than taxis or tours.
- Eat like a local – Street food, markets, and small family-run restaurants often cost less and taste better.
- Pack light – Avoid baggage fees and make moving between places easier.
- Seek free activities – Parks, museums with free days, local festivals, and self-guided walking tours.
Rewriting the comment
Instead of saying, “It must be nice to have the money to travel,” maybe we could say:
“It must be nice to find a way to make travel happen.”
Because for many of us, that’s exactly what we’ve done – found a way. Not through luck or overflowing bank accounts, but through choices, priorities, and a little creativity.
If travel is your dream, you don’t need a fortune. You just need a plan.
Published by Cheryl @ The Lifestyle Digs on January 15, 2026.
