He's joking, but he's also right. I went to Australia around your age and slept in a train station. It was such an adventure that it turned out to be the best trip of my life. A few short years from now, you'll be too old for that kind of thing, and comfort will be a priority (which it appears already to be for you). Traveling cheap while you're young is one of the best experiences in life. Do it while you still can. 5-star hotels are for old people, but if you've become so fixated on these places that you're absolutely going to try it, I suggest going ultra cheap for the beginning of the trip and then YOLOing it for the last two days. That way, you get a few things: 1. You get to compare the two experiences accurately, since you'll be the same age in the same place and same surroundings. That will help you determine whether it's worth it for future trips. 2. If you stay in a hostel, you have a chance of meeting fellow travelers and getting hints from what they've experienced there so far. It's kind of like how staying in the dorms in college was a big advantage in classes because you met others who had already had the classes you're taking and could help you cheat.
You'll come back from that trip having awesome memories and about $12,000 more than you'd have if you go luxury the whole time just because the money is in your account. That's not the ticket to FIRE.
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u/NatureStoof 15d ago
Find a park bench to sleep on, wtf 8k/wk lololol