Delicate Balance: Planning a Journey Through the Philippine Islands on a Limited Budget
Island Hopping, Meticulous Planning, and the Emotional Challenge of Spending Without Income
With experience on my side, this time I approached planning my journey through the Philippines differently. Instead of the constant hopping between destinations that I’ve seen so many travelers do on social media, I chose a more spacious itinerary: 4–6 days in each place. This meant I had to let go of some of the destinations I wanted to visit, but I comforted myself with the thought that I’d simply leave something for next time.
The planning process was methodical and calculated. First, I pinpointed my preferred accommodations in each destination based on my exact dates. Only then did I plan the transitions between them—one required a ferry, another a flight, and one needed a taxi on the same island. It was only after I had all the browser tabs open, seeing the puzzle come together, that I finally hit "Book" and paid: ₪2,500 (~$670 USD) for 20 nights. A quick calculation—₪125 (~$33 USD) per night on average.
Another strategic decision: in two locations, I settled for basic accommodation, while in two others, I allowed myself a modest upgrade—an extra $6 per night for a better room.
Wow. It was a long and exhausting process. I meticulously compared prices and researched the exact areas I should stay in (with the help of ChatGPT, of course, which laid out the pros and cons of each area, leaving me to simply decide).
But the moment I clicked "Confirm Booking," my heart tightened. A strange, uneasy feeling washed over me.
I know this feeling well—it didn’t surprise me. It’s familiar, predictable, and completely understandable.
It’s that feeling I get whenever I spend money while having no steady income.
It’s odd because I’ve felt it even during short vacations—even when I knew I’d be back at work soon. But this time, it had every reason in the world to be there. Because right now, I’m truly spending money without a job.
It’s the responsible side of me breathing down my neck, struggling to trust the process. It’s practical—it wants to see numbers, plans, certainty. I try to reassure it: “There’s nothing to worry about. I’ve got this. I have a plan. And it will work—because it has to.”
When I booked a week on one of the islands and saw the total price, I took a deep breath and reminded myself:
"This is just one workday in Australia."
One workday. Relax. Allow yourself this.
If there’s one thing becoming a nomad has taught me, it’s exactly this. I save in so many other ways—I don’t eat at expensive restaurants, I cook at home instead. And here in the Philippines, I’ve discovered that street food is incredibly cheap—a great alternative to overpriced Western restaurants like pizzerias that inflate their prices.
I no longer waste money on clothes because I’ve realized I have enough. When I see a beautiful outfit in a store, I remind myself: I don’t need it. I’ve trained myself to ask the same question with every potential purchase—Do I actually need this right now, or do I just want it? And that simple answer helps me navigate my decisions with clarity.
Recently, I came across a quote that stuck with me:
"Discipline is choosing between what you want now and what you want most."
These words have become my compass when making decisions.
Because at the end of the day, this journey—this nomadic life—is what I want most. And my discipline in daily choices is what allows me to keep going.
Your support helps me keep experiencing new worlds and sharing them with you through my words. Sometimes, a single cup of coffee can make a difference.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
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