There is no single answer to this question that suits everyone. To each their own. I went on my first big trip when I was single, no kids, no dog, no house, age 28, had never done any real adventures. I realized that if I saved all my money, acted like an "adult", waited until my house was paid for and had a lot of money, I would never travel except for tours or go to resort locations where I would mingle with like minded Americans for a few weeks at a time. Wisely, I sold everything I owned and hit the road-came back dead broke. No one gave me any money. I have never had a middle age crisis when I would realize what I had missed. I have a lot of friends who woke up one day and realized they had let their life pass them by. When I travel I try to eat where locals eat, stay where locals stay. IMO no one can predict the future, know what their financial situation/health/family ties will be tomorrow. Even if you only go a little way and have to turn back, you will have more of an adventure/experience than someone who just plans for a future that may never come. I would rather have memories than money, or worst, neither.
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