Monday’s Money Saving Tips: How to Stay in a 5 Star Hotel for Cheap as a Budget Backpacker

Posted on July 29, 2013September 16, 2023 by Jonny Blair

If you follow my stories on here you will know that I am a tight assed cheapskate backpacker. Monday’s Money Saving Tips are all about that. In terms of places to stay, friends flats, tents, hostel dorms and sleeping on airport benches are my forte as I backpack round the world. But the travel lifestyle Read more about Monday’s Money Saving Tips: How to Stay in a 5 Star Hotel for Cheap as a Budget Backpacker[…]

Monday’s Money Saving Tips: 10 Reasons to Stay in Dorms

Posted on July 8, 2013May 2, 2014 by Jonny Blair

As a backpacker one of the best ways to constantly save money is to book into hostel dorm rooms (dormitories) in hostels. As a general rule of thumb and as an experienced backpacker, I know that the dorms with the most beds are the cheapest. I once stayed in a 34 bed dorm in Manila Read more about Monday’s Money Saving Tips: 10 Reasons to Stay in Dorms[…]

Monday’s Money Saving Tips: Avoid Contracts for Flats

Posted on June 17, 2013July 13, 2015 by Jonny Blair

This week on Monday’s Money Saving Tips I’m looking at avoiding contracts for flats. I simply hate them. I refuse to pay them and I totally refuse to pay deposits – completely outrageous. I detest deposits (dead money) with a passion. Imagine paying two weeks rent for a place before you have even moved in! Read more about Monday’s Money Saving Tips: Avoid Contracts for Flats[…]

The Night I…Slept In A Farmer’s Barn in Tasmania

Posted on May 18, 2013May 2, 2014 by Jonny Blair

Being a global nomad and not having a home means you’re constantly changing your style of accommodation. You’re also willing to take whatever accommodation comes about. How about a free night sleeping in a farmer’s barn in Tasmania then? Yes please, I’ll take it! We’re going back to April 2010 for this story…the night I Read more about The Night I…Slept In A Farmer’s Barn in Tasmania[…]

Monday’s Money Saving Tips: Staying With Friends

Posted on April 15, 2013November 28, 2021 by Jonny Blair

I write this post today with a huge THANK YOU to all those friends, family and acquaintances I have stayed with over the years. I have loved every moment of my nights and days staying with friends around the world and this is today’s Monday’s Money Saving Tips. It’s also a shout out to all Read more about Monday’s Money Saving Tips: Staying With Friends[…]

You must travel with a torch says Jonny Blair of Don't Stop Living

Tuesday’s Travel Essentials: A Torch

Posted on April 2, 2013May 2, 2014 by Jonny Blair

Today on Tuesday’s Travel Essentials I’m talking about a torch. I have used the same torch for three years. It is essential to have a torch on your travels, even if you are not camping. Staying in remote settlements late at night you will never know the mass advantages of having a torch until you Read more about Tuesday’s Travel Essentials: A Torch[…]

Jonny Blair sleeping in Hangzhou Airport

Monday’s Money Saving Tips: Sleeping in Airports

Posted on March 18, 2013August 9, 2026 by Jonny Blair

Don’t avoid the obvious when it comes to saving money on accommodation. You’ve already paid a lot for your flight so try to incorporate a free night’s accommodation into that, either before or after your flight. Today’s Monday’s Money Saving Tips is all about sleeping in airports. If you’re flying early morning, why not get Read more about Monday’s Money Saving Tips: Sleeping in Airports[…]

Jonny Blair at Heathlands Hotel Bournemouth England

Working Wednesdays: Barman at Heathlands Hotel, Bournemouth, England

Posted on March 13, 2013October 4, 2025 by Jonny Blair

I always enjoyed being a barman and indeed it’s the only job that I’ve actually done regularly. I think I counted that I have worked on 40 different bars over the years, if you’re reading there’s the slimmest ever chance that I once served you a beer. One of the jobs I always forget was Read more about Working Wednesdays: Barman at Heathlands Hotel, Bournemouth, England[…]

jonny blair dont stop living car at airports

Monday’s Money Saving Tips: Sleep In Your Car

Posted on December 10, 2012September 27, 2023 by Jonny Blair

For a start you will need to actually own a car to do this (or rent one) – but once you’ve bought one, suddenly you don’t need to stay in hostels, rent a flat or cart your stuff around with you. Make your car your home, as I did for 5 months back in 2010. Read more about Monday’s Money Saving Tips: Sleep In Your Car[…]

Monday’s Money Saving Tips: Share A Room!

Posted on December 3, 2012May 2, 2014 by Jonny Blair

Every Monday I bring you my top money tips from my travels. Remember as a budget traveller you have to really strip down to the bare essentials. Last week I mentioned how simply selling your smart phone will give you enough money for 2 weeks in Taiwan. This week I’m looking at saving money on Read more about Monday’s Money Saving Tips: Share A Room![…]