Right place, Right time, Right mindset

The day after Christmas is typically one of the slowest days in the office. Most of the day was spent reading obscure news stories, talking over pods, and doing anything to pass the time until the end of the day. This day was no different, until at about mid-day someone posted on Facebook that Delta airlines had floored their prices and it was most likely due to a glitch so action had to be taken immediately. Without thinking, I was booking a once-in-a-lifetime fare to Hawaii. Having friends out there, I knew at the very least it would be a great time to catch up with them, so it was icing on the cake when a guest room was offered. The trip still is going to cost me close to $1,000 but in perspective, that amount would have barely gotten me on the plane. $1,000 is a lot for what is going on in my life, but when is the next time I'll be able to go Hawaii for this cheap? How often does life pass us these opportunities? Well, with the right mindset, these opportunities can be taken as well. The Hawaii trip was a crazy series of events, but I would like to share how I travel. First of all, to participate in "guerilla travel" a fund must be established. I keep mine at about $1,000. Now, there are those who think keeping a grand aside when there are debts to be paid is absurd, but there is FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) and the fact is the youngest you will ever be is right now. My fund will not get me a dream vacation, that is for another section, but when an excellent airfare is found, that $1,000 will get me started, if not get me through the whole trip. With some money aside, we play the waiting game. If a computer glitch occurs again, then the timing is obvious. Other times things are not so obvious. Using rumors and thorough research, I take not of how fares seem to be fluctuating and I make an educated guess at the most appropriate time to buy. Indicators might be a noticeable drop in prices, and booking no less than six weeks out for the most part. Rumors are that the best time to buy is on the Tuesday six weeks out from travel. My biggest piece of advice: don't be married to where you want to go. If you dream of places to go for years, then my philosophy will not help you. I want to see the world and I have minimal preference to where I go first. I will go where my money will take me, but I'll research a few different options for trips and explore several different areas: 1) How much will my time on land cost me? How much will a tour cost (if I am going that route)? Hotel? I also go on to the Government travel site to see per diem for the area to judge my approximate costs. Note: I use Contiki for tours, and there are sometimes deals on the site. This holds weight in my decision. This also ties in with my not being committed to a place. 2) What will my mode of transportation be once arriving? What are my living arrangements like and am I comfortable with them? 3) What will my airfare be? Note: This is third because in the end the time in the air is the least. Something to note is that my standards are low with most of the trip, specifically internationally. I enjoy hostels and being paired with people during tours. To me the living arrangements are so at the bottom of my list of major things to consider but safety must be considered. I recommend Hostel World when looking for a good place to stay abroad. When it comes to some vacations, my budget gets higher. I try to go away every other spring to a crazy place. I have aspirations as to where I would like to go, but I make sure I am not disappointed if another trip is more affordable. After all, I want to see as much of the world as I can.