money question... - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**raysen** · 08-20-2006, 07:33 AM

11 weeks in usa,
camping/hostels
a small amount of transport (have aleady brought a 30 day unlimited national amtrak pass)

how visable is $3000 between two people?

**c0urt** · 08-20-2006, 07:37 AM

it could be done. i can live on 1000 a month comfortablly, but i prefer not to

**raysen** · 08-20-2006, 07:40 AM

whys that? is it really scraping the barrell?

**The Monsignor** · 08-20-2006, 08:16 AM

$50 a day is usually about the minimum I'd recommend per person in the U.S. (particularly in major cities), though you can get along nicely on what you have, if you stretch it some by doing a bit of camping and couch-surfing. Keep away from restaurants, and do your food shopping at the supermarkets and you should do fine on that budget.

Post your itinerary, talk to some tpunks along the way, see if anybody has some spare couches and recommendations in their cities.

(and keep in mind, Amtrack isn't like Eurail, so it doesn't go everywhere)

**c0urt** · 08-20-2006, 08:26 AM

oh, i was including things like rent and car in my 1000 quote. for traveling depends on what kinda accomidation you go for it should nto be an issue, like he said super markets are your friend

foofiter · 08-20-2006, 09:30 AM

Also keep in mind that any "Supercenter" Walmart has groceries as well -- usually a little cheaper than the supermarkets.

And when you buy stuff, you pay sales tax ON TOP of the sticker price, which is anywhere from 5-8%. Somes states have food at lower tax rates but it adds up.

Foo

**raysen** · 08-20-2006, 09:43 AM

cool cheers thanks for the advice guys, we have a back up credit card with a another 500 gbp on but dont want to use that unless really needed or to splash out on big treat on the last week or something ya no.

xxx

DJ_VeeeNoM · 08-21-2006, 12:53 PM

I'm sorry to spoil the super joy trip, but 1500$ in almost 3 months is a bit to little, you did say you had the 30 day pass and all but how the hells are gonna be spending the money, do me a favor and tell me on what you guys plan to spend it on I wanna do a little check up just incase you forgot something and if you didn't adjust my budget to yours cause I'm letting alot of money fly away!

**lauren313** · 08-21-2006, 02:17 PM

I gotta say, in my opinion, I think you'll struggle.

$3000 is about £1600, divided by two is £800 each. You'll be there for 11 weeks, amounting to £72 per week. Divided by 7 days in a week, that's only just over £10 a day.

A dorm bed alone will probably cost more than £10, plus you'll need food, entrance tickets to whatever you want to do, transport within cities, etc. Even if you camp (which, chances are, you'll still have to pay at least a few dollars for), it'll be difficult.

I'm sorry if I sound like I'm being really negative about it, I just think it's important to be prepared!

DJ_VeeeNoM · 08-21-2006, 02:44 PM

Yeah I tried to say what she said but in my case it came out a little bit diff. Althoug I know people that stay a a 10$ per day budget, but that's not counting stay nor transportation and much less the events and such.

iomaggio · 08-23-2006, 11:28 AM

This might not sound like something you'd want to do, but if you're ever stuck for cash and don't want to use the credit card, you can always sell your plasma. There are plasma centers in practically any big city, particularly near the universities, and if you walk in and get signed up (this might take more than a few hours total), then you'll get around $25 for it. There are incentives if you go in twice a week, also. Between two people, this can make you about a hundred dollars per week. It can be pretty depressing, but it might help keep you afloat financially. I sold my plasma for drinking money quite a bit when I was in college. Not fun, but better than being broke!

**lauren313** · 08-23-2006, 12:34 PM

Oh my god, that's so funny! I never knew they gave you money for that kind of stuff! Actually, that's a lie, I know they give you money for sperm donation, but not anything else!

**raysen** · 08-26-2006, 01:15 PM

omg I cant believe how shit this is gunna be

well hacked off with myself now for not having more money really gutted as we leave in 10 days!!!!

**raysen** · 08-28-2006, 07:44 AM

so an update for any one whos intrested is a bit better than first thought looking at about 2050 gbp +the powers of a car boot sale and a few ebay items lol.
it's looking alot better than it was, jut got to keep on in there

**Majestic58** · 08-29-2006, 05:45 AM

*laughs* on the plasma issue? Just so you know.. you need to have a SSN and a verifiable permenant US address.:P

**lauren313** · 08-29-2006, 09:49 AM

Raysen, I'm glad you're feeling happier and more confident about the whole thing now! Good luck!

**raysen** · 09-01-2006, 07:21 AM

me to coz this tiem enxt week will be our lst night in NYC! hehe!
Very excited!

xx

jaboba46 · 09-01-2006, 08:56 AM

some states don't have sales tax but in some big city like chicago you get both city tax and state tax just to let you know. and it could totally be done on 1000 a month, i do it on less then that because im saving for my trip. check out web pages on some of the things you want to do in big cities because i know in chicago they have free days for most things. have fun and good luck.

**raysen** · 09-01-2006, 03:04 PM

Thanks jaboba46 some good words there, my mum spoke to my brother today (who went backpackign about 10-15 years ago) and said it's all part of teh adventure and fun not knowing if you'll have enough, if you go with plenty and know for sure you'll have enough for luxuries every day/week then it takes the excitement out of it!!

and with that note i decided, hell yea! - so what if we have to bum it out COMPLETELY last week or two it's only temporary and it's an experiance!!

ROLL ON NEXT WEEK!!

xxx