Most of us, sometime, in life have been inspired by something or someone. Today, I will share one such inspiration in my life – someone who encouraged the traveler in me. He is my maternal uncle, who is now over 70.
A traveler like me, he enjoyed life to his fullest and in his youth, had managed to travel places like South America, which I still dream of traveling to. A graduate in Accounts with a Govt job, he earned reasonably well and provided for his sons – both of whom moved to USA for their post graduations. He was always, an inspiration for me as whenever I met him, he had some amazing anecdotes of places that he had just been to.
A couple of years after I had settled down with a job and a marriage, I remember asking him the same very question that I get today – “How do you manage to travel so much and yet manage your responsibilities” and he said – “You never know what life throws at you but you can always stand up to it, if you have planned well. Earn well, save smart and enjoy life to the fullest.” He told me of how he kept dividing his salary – keeping aside some for his travel and adding some to his savings through various investment channels. It is his savings that helped him educate his son, plan his retirement and still enjoy his life. He even, told me how saving smart had helped him fulfill his responsibilities towards his parents, where he managed to help them in their poor health.
Besides savings, he told me a few practical aspects of travel – some advice that I still hold dear and will share with you. . As per him, there are a lot of variable aspects to travel and here are some of them –
- Mode of transport
- Time when you book your tickets – If you know your dates, try to book your tickets early to grab the better offers. Avoid peak seasons, but if you have to, make sure you have booked your stay and transport earlier and not closer to your holiday.
- Staying options – Try to get a hotel central to the city you are visiting, It will make public transport easier. Also, if you have a packed itinerary, a comfortable hotel would make more sense than a high-end one.
- Staying focused – Do enough research to know what you want to do and based on the same, keep aside a budget. Try not to spend over the same.
My uncle advised me to have a good control on these variables – as then I would not only enjoy traveling but will ensure that I have traveled without splurging. He said that having a control on these variables also, ensured that his savings went as per his plan and that helped him save for many rainy days.
I truly believe that this was the most practical advice from a man that symbolized the saying #KhudKoKarBuland that nothing in life will be able to upset you and your loved ones. If you are wondering why I suddenly thought of him – well! It was this video below that set my train of thoughts, reminded me of the practical advice from a man that I hold in great esteem.
Sapna D
Well said…..if you plan your trip well, you will always enjoy the holiday even if it is a short trip. And when you enjoy the trip, you build memories which last you life long.
Indrani
That a great deal of wise info you shared with us. Thank you!
Arun Prasadh
Very useful advice.
Life360 Degrees
Great advice.
Shelly McCullough
Your Uncle's tips are timeless. Thanks for sharing.
Patricia
Great insights and as a planner myself, I definitely appreciate my trips better when I know I come prepared.
Alok singhal
Very wise lessons he gave you. I second him on many travel related aspect.
One important point is to plan well and smart. For trips longer than a week, planning should start more than a couple of months in advance and we should weight various options on all aspects.
kdn
I have often found that the people from our previous generation do not know how to enjoy their life especially after their children have grown up. You are lucky to have your uncle as a role model. I hope more people are inspired by him
Ami Bhat
You bet Sapna. I definitely have realised that 😀
Ami Bhat
🙂 Thanks Indrani
Ami Bhat
Thanks Arun
Ami Bhat
Thank you
Ami Bhat
Thank you Shelly
Ami Bhat
Planning always helps you enjoy things better 😀
Ami Bhat
I agree Alok. I have realised the benefits of it myself.
Ami Bhat
Yes Kshitij, He is one of those rare people from his generation
2 Travel Dads blog
Accepting wisdom and having the foresight of saving for LIFE is something I need to learn this and practice better.
Mridula
Such sane advice from your uncle! Glad to have read about him!
Allison
Very wise tips. You are lucky to have him as an inspiration!
Unknown
Great role model and great acknowledgement. Thanks for sharing.
Taylors Tracks
A very sweet post. It's so nice to have a fellow traveler to look up to!
Travelure
Now that is truly inspirational! Thanks for sharing! I particularly loved the shared video in the context!
Voyager Diaries
All practical and down to earth tips which are the culmination of experiences, thanks for sharing.
Ami Bhat
And I need to keep looking at this post for more and more inspiration and reminders 😀
Ami Bhat
Thanks Mridula
Ami Bhat
Thank you
Ami Bhat
Absolutely. And some good advice to go with it
Ami Bhat
Thank you
Ami Bhat
Thank you
Ami Bhat
Thank you 😀
Elizabeth R.
Great advice from what sounds like a very wise man!
Ajay Sood
Inspiring! From someone who knows!
Ami
Thank you Ajay
Archie
very inspiring indeed 🙂 loved reading about your uncle and his wisdom!
Ami
Thank you Archie
Brandon Fralic (@bsfralic)
Good, solid advice!
Ami
Thank you Brandon
journalofnomads
Your uncle is a very wise man! Beautiful message and advice he gave you!
Ami
Thank you Cynthia. Trying to follow it alright.
Travel Lushes (@TravelLushes)
Your uncle gave great advice! I need to do better with booking earlier. I’m such a procrastinator…
Ami
Thank you. It sure helps to book in advance. Sometimes, even I miss it.