living abroad

Mar 24

Adventures In Frugal Living Abroad – The Cost of Living in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Posted by T.W. Anderson | Live Like a Local, Mexico, Playa del Carmen, Quality of Life | 12 Comments

Welcome to our ongoing series, Adventures In Frugal Living Abroad. Our goal, above and beyond finding some of the cheapest destinations on the planet, is to show you how to get the most for your dollar while living in developing countries and cities around the world. Follow along as we uncover the bottom-dollar prices and local secrets that help your money go as far as possible. Read More

Mar 22

Beaches in Playa del Carmen: Playa Fundadores

Posted by T.W. Anderson | beaches, Live Like a Local, Mexico, Playa del Carmen | 6 Comments

There’s a lot of good information out there on the Riviera Maya, and it’s time for us to start adding our unique point of view to things. For now, it’s time to continue our “Beaches in” series, simply substituted for our new home! We’re starting off with the primary beach in Playa del Carmen, known as Playa Fundadores (or sometimes Playa Piñatas). Read More

Jan 13

How Living Abroad Made Me More Frugal

Posted by T.W. Anderson | Live Like a Local, Quality of Life, Traveling Tips | 33 Comments

(Or Becoming the Cheap Bastard My Friends Love to Tease)

One of the recurring themes throughout all of my publications (and most other “how to live a life abroad” posts, articles and books by other travel bloggers) is how to live cheaply. I’ve talked about it in regards to transportation, in regards to open markets, in regards to negotiating for accommodations, using discount days at the supermarkets, discount days at restaurants, and two for one days at the movie theaters.

I’ve picked up a lot of these habits over the years, which have led me to leading a frugal, down-to-earth existence where I don’t purchase things unless they are absolutely necessary, and even then, only doing so if I can get the best deal…even if I can afford to buy it at full price. Consequently, this has also led to me becoming known as the “cheap bastard” to some of my friends, and the “white Mexican” to others, and “mexicano” to my wife and Mexican family/friends. Read More

Dec 13

Safety While Traveling Abroad – Self Defense

Posted by T.W. Anderson | Safety, Traveling Tips | 8 Comments

This post is a continuation of our Safety Abroad series, which started with Monday’s Situational Awareness, and continued with Wednesday’s Physical Demeanor.

Almost every single travel guide or website related to traveling abroad has one, unified theme they talk about in great detail: if you are ever assaulted you are recommended to simply hand over all of your things and let the assailants take all of your hard-earned money, clothing, backpacks, cameras, cell phones, gear and other sundries.

Lay down. Play dead. Tuck tail and run.

This is the most ridiculous, cowardly, idiotic thing you could ever do. You have a human right to defend what is yours, and unless the person(s) attempting to mug you has a gun pointed at your head, you should be doing everything in your power to keep your possessions where they belong: with you.

Self defense is the ultimate weapon, not just when traveling abroad, but also for your general safety and well-being. It can help you from being mugged, raped, assaulted and taken advantage of. It can help you go from being a victim to a survivor. Read More

Dec 11

Destination Freedom group in San Cristobal de las Casas

Safety While Traveling Abroad – Physical Demeanor

Posted by T.W. Anderson | Safety, Traveling Tips | 14 Comments

This post is a continuation of our Safety Abroad series, which started with Monday’s Situational Awareness.

Your physical demeanor is also an important aspect of avoiding issues in any city around the world. If you are constantly pulling a guidebook out of your backpack, glancing in all directions, trying to get your bearings, looking like a tourist and acting nervous and staring over your shoulder ever five seconds expecting something bad to happen…you stand out like a sore thumb. You don’t look like a local. You look like a lost, nervous tourist trying to figure out your way to a destination.

And chances are, something bad will happen to you because you are making yourself look like a lost little tourist just ripe for the picking. Read More