by Amy Huang

Created on: March 07, 2009

20 Euros.
24 hours.
What can I do?

Pre-made sandwiches in the cafes are all over 8 Euros each. Drinks are also around the 5 Euro mark. I wandered the streets wondering if I were able to stick to my budget, as I still had six more countries and two more months of traveling to go. I had to think fast.

Backpacking around Europe has become a rite of passange for young Australians and I jumped on that train at the age of 20. It was the first time out of mum and dad's care, and the first time I get to choose what to do with my own money.

The only problem was, there wasn't very much of it. So I learned to budget.

While all other tourists happily sat in a river-side cafe, sipping latte and enjoying a slice of cake in the heart of Paris, I sat on the river-bank, along the bike paths and munched on a piece of baguette and sipping on a bottle of yogurt drink, I was equally as happy, and I had the same view, just not the premier seating.

I bought at supermarkets along with the locals, sought after free activities to do in each of the destinations (as I found out, public museums are generally free and just as interesting as anywhere else that cost money), walked everywhere and only catching transport when I had to. I had three sets of clothing which I washed in the sinks of bathrooms with soap and cooked my own meals at the shared kitchen.

And I stuck to my budget stubbornly.

It was during the time in Europe, living on a budget of 20 Euros a day, I learned that life isn't about luxury; nor it is about who has a better piece of cake. As long as there is decent food on the table, and whatever we have works, there is no need to be spending a fortune to live. You can enjoy it so much by living simple, and along the way I got to experience so much more than I thought I would.

I had found the art of living on less.

Once I got home, I realised that I could apply the same principle of living on less that I learned in Europe to my daily life and use my money for more important things. Instead of eating out, I shop at the supermarkets and cook my own meals, just as I had in Europe in the kitchens of youth hostels; instead of buying new things for the house now that I have moved out of my nest, I visit second hand co-op stores for quality hidden treasures; clothing are no longer as important to me as it was during my teenage years, and I am happy to wear the same dress, the same t-shirt I bought three years ago, as long as they are still in tact and still fit.

I treat my lifestyle as if I am still backpacking. Buying only the necessities, eating the basics. This way, I am a lot more appreciative when I do get to treat myself to something nice once in a while!

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