(credit: notsogoodphotography)

We read the Frugal Traveler section of the New York Times from time to time, though frugality is not something all our members are familiar with. But today’s article about spending a weekend in Rio de Janeiro for less than $100 sounded like a lot of fun. The kind of fun you might miss if you spent $2,000 instead.

In this case, the writer has an amazing experience for less than a Benjamin because he’s open to new (and potentially uncomfortable) experiences. So why not make it a point to travel the road less recently paved now and then?

Think about what you really want. Is spending the only way to get it? Is brand-name really worth more to you than generic? Can you see as much of a new city from a high-rise as you can from the street?

Now take a look at your Spend page – what do you spend most of your money on? Is that what makes you happy?