Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey, everybody, and welcome back. Welcome back to the show
on the fourth largest city in the United States. Do
you know what that is? Do you remember what that is?
Let me think, because I know what it is, and
that's what we've been talking about. That's what we talked
about last time. It's Houston. So we're back at Houston.
(00:21):
We're back in Houston, and we are talking Houston. Last time,
we talked about the best time to visit, when it's crowded,
when the best weather is, when it's at least crowded,
when the worst weather is, and all that can obviously
go into your decision of if you're planning a trip
away in ahead way in advance. So I thought that
(00:43):
was some good information. So now we're taking the next
step to your trip to Houston, and what we're going
to talk about is we're going to budget. We're talking
budgeting for your trip. Budgeting for your Houston adventure requires
careful planning and realistic assessment of your spending habits. It
really does. I mean, because I could go to town's
(01:06):
over and spend a boatload of money, or I could
go to a big city and spend almost nothing. So
it just kind of depends on what you want to do,
so just kind of keep that in mind. I'm not
doing this just for a budget conscious people, and I'm
not doing it just for people that want to go
spend wildly and luxurious you know, stuff and things and places.
(01:26):
So it's for everybody, So just remember that. So Houston,
while offering a wealth of free activities and affordable options,
can also accommodate luxurious tastes, leading to a wide range
of potential expenses. This section of this episode, we're going
to help you navigate the cost of land of the landscape,
(01:50):
and craft a budget that aligns with your travel style
and financial comfort. First, consider the length of your stay. Obviously,
a weekend a way will naturally require a smaller budget
than a two week exploration. Man I wish I could
take a two week exploration of anywhere. A detailed daily
breakdown is crucial. For example, a three day trip could
(02:14):
look very different from a ten day itinerary, especially when
considering accommodation costs. Longer trips benefit from the potentials for
cheaper daily rates on accommodations, but the overall cost will
naturally increase and substantially. Accommodation is a significant expense. Houston
(02:36):
offers a spectrum of options, from budget friendly hotels airbnbs
rentals to opulent five star hotels. Hostels offer the most
affordable lodging, typically ranging from thirty to sixty dollars per night,
but come with shared facilities. Airbnb provides more privacy and flexibility,
(03:00):
with prices varying considering location size and amenities. And remember
sometimes with Airbnb, you're sharing the place with whoever owns it,
and you know, using the Nick Sabing commercial. I think
that's hilarious. Anyway, expect to pay between fifty to two
hundred dollars per night for a comfortable Airbnb. Hotels offer
(03:22):
various tiers, from economy chains to luxury establishments. Economy hotels
typically start around eighty dollars per night, while luxury hotels
can easily exceed three hundred per night. Factors like proximity
to attractions, amenities, pools, gym, breakfast, and the time of
year peak seasons command higher prices significantly impact cost. Before booking,
(03:47):
read reviews and compare prices across the multiple platforms to
secure the best deal. So we're talking all thedifferent hotel,
dot com orbit, all those kind of websites and apps
that can compare for you, get you the best deal
you can, book it, and there you go. Just make
(04:08):
sure you're getting your hotel points one way or another.
Food is another major expense. Houston diverse culinary scene caterers
to all budgets, from inexpensive food trucks. Man you find
the food truck with all the locals, because that's where
you want to go. If you're going to go for
the food trucks that offer delicious tacos and burgers to
(04:32):
upscale restaurants serving refined cuisine, the options are vast. Budgeting
for food requires a realistic assessment of your dining preferences.
Sticking to affordable eateries like food trucks, casual diners, and
ethnic restaurants can significantly reduce costs. Packing some snacks and
breakfast items can also help you save some money. Even
(04:56):
going to the grocery store and buying some sandwich stuff
and maybe some easy breakfast things that can save you
a lot of money too. A conservative estimate might be
thirty to fifty dollars per day for budget conscious travelers
focused on affordable eateries and occasional grocery shopping. However, more
lavish culinary exploration could easily exceed one hundred and fifty
(05:16):
dollars per day, and of course that depends on what
kind of wine you're drinking, not that I would do that.
Transportation costs very significantly depending on your travel style. Houston
boast an extensive public transportation system, including the metro bus
and light rail, providing an affordable way to explore the city.
(05:37):
A day pass is usually around three dollars, making it
a cost effective option for those comfortable using public transportation
or Renting a car offers some more flexibility, but add
significant costs rental fees, gasoline, parking, and potential tolls. The
costs for renting a car can easily range from thirty
dollars a day to eighty dollars per day or more,
(06:00):
depending on the vehicle type and rental company. Right sharing
services like Uber and Lyft provide convenient but can be expensive,
especially during peak hours or peak season or for longer distances.
Of course, considering the distance distances you plan to travel
at a comfort level with public transport. With public transportation
(06:24):
and your overall budget, when deciding on your mode of transportation,
planning your routes in advance, and utilizing public transportation when
possible will significantly significantly lower your transportation costs. That's up
to you. Activities and attractions constitute another substantial portion of
your budget. Houston offers a blend of free and paid attractions.
(06:47):
Exploring numerous parks, walking along the Buffalo Bayo, and visiting
free museums on designated days are cost effective ways to
experience the city. However, paid attractions such as the Houston
Space Center, Houston, we have a problem, the Museum of
Fine Arts in various theme parks will add to the cost.
(07:09):
There's also you know, professional sports teams, college sports teams
like well, I'm not even go there. Research admission fees
before and prioritize attractions and align with your interests and budget.
Consider purchasing city passes if you plan on visiting multiple attractions.
(07:29):
They offer significant discounts compared to individual ticket purchases. Souvenirs
and miscellaneous expenses should also be factored into your budget.
I mean, what's a good trip without some Chotski's, right,
and some souvenirs and T shirts and stuff like that.
Some of the stuff you'll get home and you'll never
you'll either give it away or it'll you know, never
(07:54):
really be seen again in your house, but it was
cool when you were there. The T shirts or loves
A good T shirt, allocate or sweatshirt, a hoodie. My
kid's got to have a hoodie. Allocate a reasonable amount
for souvenirs, shopping, and unforeseen expenses. Also make sure you
have room in your suitcase to get all this stuff home.
(08:14):
A small contingency fund is always advisable to accommodate unexpected events,
such as medical emergencies or transportation delays. Consider a buffer
of ten to twenty percent of your total estimate estimated
expenses to account for these unforeseen circumstances. You know, it
just kind of makes sense to do that, right, So
(08:35):
I threw that in there. You know, you could also
just make sure you have that much in a credit
card in your back pocket. To create a detailed budget,
start by calculating the total number of days you'll be
in Houston. Then estimate the cost for each category. Accommodations nights,
time's average nightly cost, food, days times, daily allowance, transportation,
(09:00):
consider daily costs for your chosen mode, activity costs, tickets
and tours, miscellaneous expenses, souvenirs, tips, et cetera. And these
figures together to obtain your total estimate estimated budget. Remember
to factor in the exchange rate if you're paying in
currency different from your home currency, which would be you know,
(09:22):
if you're not from the United States. Utilize budgeting apps
or spreadsheets to track your expenses and ensure you're staying
with your planned limits. For example, yeah, that's too much,
that's too many numbers. We're not doing that. So this
is just an example of the actual cost. So that's
(09:44):
I jumped over my example there because it's just a
bunch of numbers and you all get bored with that.
So you know, be by carefully analyzing your travel style
and only you can do that desired level of comfort
your planned activities. You can create a well defined budget
that ensures a memorable Houston experience without breaking the bank.
(10:06):
And you can also go the other route. You can
put a dent. If you have a big bank, you
can put a dent into your big bank and go
all luxury. So that's again that's up to you. Don't
forget to account for the potential fluctuations and price and
remember that flexibility is key. You can always adjust your
plans as you go. I call that flying by the
(10:27):
seat of your pants, or I really say bridges, but
my wife laughs at me for saying bridges. Making necessary
trade offs while still enjoying the magic of Houston. Embrace
the adventure, but do so responsibly and with a well
planned financial strategy. This preparation will allow you to fully
immerse yourself in the city's vibrant culture without worry about
(10:50):
unexpected costs. Enjoy your trip, man, enjoy your trip. Let
me see where we can go from here. All right,
So next time we're gonna look at transportation options getting
to Houston, the best ways to get around Houston, and
then we might get into We're not gonna do visa
(11:13):
and immigration because I don't think that's gonna be you guys.
So next time we're gonna we're gonna learn how to
navigate Houston. So you guys have enjoyed this. I enjoyed it.
So you'all have a great afternoon, day, morning, evening, whatever
it is when you're listening this, I'll see you next time.
God bless