Personal note:
I have been doing some budgeting, crunching some numbers, to see if and when I can afford to travel. Doesn't look good. I am retired, and on a fixed income, Social Security and a small pension. Man inflation is really eating up my discretionary spending. I am not poor, but certainly not rich.
Bottom line, if I want to travel, (I really want to go back to South East Asia, and spend some time in Japan). I am going to have to go back to part time work.
Or start a cult...
@corlin I'm in much the same boat except I can't even dream of world travel because a weekend stay in a hotel and the gas to get to it is nearly prohibitive for me, let alone whatever event might have drawn me there. (The events are always cheaper than the combined hotel/gas costs, and I bring my own food after requesting a room with a refrigerator and microwave.)
Oh to be in my late 20's again.
Jump on a standby flight to Europe for less than 2 days pay. Buy a rail pass for about the same, stay in hostels, eat street food. I am very glad I got to do that, and I know no one can do that now. Kinda makes me sad.