It is no surprise that when you’re getting a therapist salary (without benefits, may I add!) and have the travel bug, you need to know how to budget. How to cut corners (financially) and how to spend the LEAST while having the MOST amount of fun.

So you may be surprised to know that I took a roadtrip starting on Thursday at 8pm, ending at Tuesday at 3pm and spent less than $500. Yes, I ate. And yes I went to museums, gardens, etc. and yes I paid for gas! Lol.

Let’s break it down, here. And before I begin- HUGE thanks to my friend in Cambridge, MA who let me stay in her guest room and paid for my last night of dinner, her mom who lent us her membership card for free access to the Museum of Fine Arts, and my friend in New York who cooked a meal from her farm-fresh veggies and also let me stay the night.

Day 1: I was actually going to drive on Friday, but due to impulse, I decided against this idea and went on Thursday after work. I got to Connecticut around 2am and slept in the rest stop. Now, I know it’s not for everyone, but if you want to sleep at rest stops, here are my tips:

• Some say to park close to other cars to decrease likelihood of anything happening and/or if something is to happen- you can get attention of others easily, as opposed to if you’re in the back alone in an unsafe situation. Personally, I’ve parked in both areas.
• Have your phone close.
• Get car privacy shades/curtains to avoid others looking inside. I am a decently small (5 ft, 105 lbs) woman, but hey! No one knows that if my privacy shades are on!
• I shouldn’t have to say this.. but I will… lock your doors!

I have slept in rest stops since I was 18, and clearly never had a problem, however- that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take precautions…

So essentially, day 1 was just driving, so I spent $30.64 on gas.

Day 2: I woke up and got Starbucks cause ya girl was tired! LOL. This was $7.94. I was planning on going to the Newport Mansions in Rhode Island, which was $49.00 for two mansions. Was it worth it? UMM YES!

(But also you should check out my blog here: https://backroadbutterflies.blog/?p=2810) I also got a postcard here for $2.14.

I had to get more gas, which was $30.01 and I picked up my friend in Massachusetts around 5pm and we got dinner at Pho O Sha, which totaled $30.37 (tips included).

So, on day 2- I spent a total of $119.46

Day 3: Today, we went to the Museum of Fine Arts which, with my friend’s mom’s membership card, we got free access. The parking, however, was not free, but because I found meter parking, it was only $2.75. I had later gotten a breakfast here, which was $8.56. (I had gotten a croissant and a chocolate mousse.)

Next up was a visit to Boston where I explored the Freedom Trail. If you wanted a tour, it would cost money, but since I grew up in Boston and generally knew the gist of it, I did it on my own. (You can also get audio tours via the “Freedom Trail” app on your phone). This was free, like I said- but parking was not, at $22. I did also get a keychain souvenir at $10.98.

There was a rodeo show which looked really neat, it was the first outdoor rodeo show that had ever been in Boston, but unfortunately it was sold out and out of my budget for the time ($74). Maybe next time!

I then went to get dinner in Brookline (parking was metered at $3.50) and I had gotten a crepe for $19.26 then went across the street for dessert at JP Licks for $14.24.

Total, I spent $81.29 today.

Day 4: I started off the day with going to the Isabella Gardener Museum for $22. I struggled to find parking and did somewhat curse myself for not just going after visiting the Museum of Fine Arts the day before, since I had secured a meter spot- but alas, you can’t undo the past. So I spent $16.00 on parking today.

I popped into a cafe I used to go with, frequently as a child- Japonaise and spent $11.21 here. It changed a lot since I’ve been… Good ways with the food, but I was a little disappointed to see that it was more of a come in- buy something- and leave type of bakery, with no where to sit. Oh well.

Following this, I went to the aquarium with a friend, which was $34. Parking was quite expensive, but convenient… At $46. It really depends on how long you were here for. Thankfully, my friend did help with the parking. (I didn’t ask, but she wanted to stay longer than I did) reducing what I paid to around $12.

After this, I got more ice cream (I do like other desserts, but Boston has all the classics!). I went to Ben & Jerry’s for $12.25. (2 scoops in a cone).

My friend’s family treated me to Chinese dinner, so I didn’t pay for that, concluding my day at $107.46.

Day 5: I woke up early, had some oatmeal (provided by my friend’s family, once again- thank you to the Ellisons!) and was on my way to New York. I got Starbucks on the way at $7.92 and got there a little early, where I got a gift (soap) for the friend hosting in NY for me and a souvenir for myself- $14.78 total.

I then went to the local gardens, called the Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion State Historic Park for $16.

My friend has a farm, so she made me farm soup 🙂 I have no idea what was in it but it was delicious! I slept at her place and that concludes day 5 at $38.70.

Day 6: The next morning, she invited me to take a pilates class with her, and so I obliged at $39.92. She gave me homemade yogurt, coffee and fruit to start the day and lent me some pilate clothes. It was fun and I was doing decently, except for when we turned around and she was behind me and of course saw my arm shaking and struggling LOL. But other than that, I was strong as an ox! Not really.. but I was functioning haha.

After pilates, I went home and filled up my car once more at $33.20. Concluding my day at $73.12.

So after all that… I spent a total of $450.67.

Let’s break it down by category:

Gas: $93.85

Parking: $56.25

Food: $95.89

Coffee: $15.86

Attractions: $160.92

Souvenirs/Misc: $27.90

So my tips?

• Stay with friends if you can
• Free food is always a plus… I don’t expect it, but I do appreciate it. I will give gifts to somewhat make up for it!
• Unlike me, try and consolidate your trips especially if you found a good metered parking spot!
• Share expenses if you have a good friend 😉
• Looked at lower rates (travel advisor, groupon, etc. As a travel advisor myself, I recently booked a flight to France for myself that was $1.2k less than the normal ticket so I can ACTUALLY save you money!)
• Went on a road trip with my own car (vs. planes, renting vehicles, etc.)

And some I didn’t mention…

• Cashback apps (Upside, etc.)
• Use a credit card with 1.5% cashback (or more! I have bank of America with 1.5%)

Hope this helps!

Cheers Friends & Travelers!

~ Backroad Butterflies ~

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