Key Takeaways
- One thing we haven’t focused on this site is LGBT travel and, as we bring in a wider range of reader interviews, I wanted to highlight LGBT readers as
- Nomadic Matt: Hi, Auston! Tell everyone about yourself. Auston: David and I met in 2005 when I was 23 at Arizona State University. We quickly started
- Our original plan was to travel for one year and then return to the US, but that never happened, and now we’re living in Spain. I’m working freelance
One topic we haven’t explored deeply at Route for Less is LGBTQ+ travel — and as we feature more diverse reader experiences, we wanted to spotlight voices from the queer travel community. With many countries still enforcing discriminatory laws, understanding real-world experiences is vital. So when Auston reached out to share his story, we were eager to learn how he and his husband navigate the world as an openly gay couple — including challenges they’ve faced, lessons learned, and practical advice for others.
Route for Less: Hi, Auston! Tell everyone about yourself.
Auston: David and I met in 2005 when I was 23 at Arizona State University. We began dating in 2006 and married in 2010. In 2008, I accepted a job in Chicago, prompting our move and sparking plans to eventually break free from conventional life.
Our original goal was a one-year global journey before returning to the U.S. — but that plan evolved. Today, we’re based in Spain while continuing to travel and write. I work freelance as both an engineer and travel writer, and together we run Two Bad Tourists, where we share practical tips, festival guides, cultural insights, and recommendations for welcoming destinations.
What inspired your trip?
Travel has always been central to who I am. From childhood, I was drawn to exploring new cultures and perspectives. David had already traveled extensively for volunteer work — including stints in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Tanzania, and Belize.
Though we enjoyed Chicago, the harsh winters made us realize it wasn’t our long-term home. The idea of a year-long journey crystallized quickly, and we began saving immediately — determined to make it happen.
We departed in May 2012 with plans to explore Central America, Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia. When that initial trip wrapped up in 2013, we chose to relocate abroad and build a flexible, travel-centered life anchored in Spain.
How did you save for your trip?
We approached savings with discipline and creativity. I built a tight monthly budget — eliminating nonessentials like cable TV, frequent dining out, and new clothing purchases. For a time, I even clipped coupons (a humbling but effective habit!).
Every spare dollar went into a dedicated travel fund. During our savings phase, our only travel was occasional visits home to Arizona to see family.
We sold nearly everything we owned — listing higher-value items on eBay and Craigslist. Our final big push was hosting two rummage sales. We distributed flyers across our parents’ neighborhoods and invited friends and family to donate unwanted household goods. In one weekend, those sales netted us $1,500.
Our biggest win? Securing nearly free flights. Using four years’ worth of accumulated points and miles, we booked two round-the-world tickets through US Airways — paying just $550 in taxes total.
In all, we saved close to $35,000 — aiming to stretch it across 12 months. It lasted 11 months, giving us invaluable time to refine our approach to sustainable, long-term travel.
What advice on savings do you have for others?
Clarity around your priorities is essential. If travel is your goal, small daily choices add up fast — skipping takeout or cutting subscription services can yield significant savings over time. Most long-term trips require at least a year (or more) of disciplined saving, so start early.
Set a clear total target and break it down into monthly benchmarks. Track progress regularly. It’s not glamorous — but watching your fund grow makes the eventual departure infinitely more rewarding.
How did you stay on budget when you traveled?
Budgeting as a couple brought unexpected challenges — especially since David and I have different spending instincts. He leans toward experience-driven spending; I prioritize longevity and frugality. Early on, this caused tension — more than we’d ever experienced in eight years together — and the pressure tested our relationship.
The key became intentional compromise: balancing financial sustainability with meaningful experiences. We mostly stayed in hostels or used Couchsurfing, cooked meals ourselves, relied on public transit, and adopted habits like pre-drinking before nights out — all while staying true to what mattered most to each of us.
