[sarah]

I agree with lrjohnson about wanting no regrets. I was in Barcelona a few years ago and wanted to try roast piglet at a very well recommended restaurant and decided that I couldn't afford it. I've regretted it every since. I learned my lesson. If I am going to travel then I try and make a list of things that I absolutely want to do and then do them.
I will hostel, book with consolidators and be very cheap on the mechanics of travel but not on the experiences. On the other hand the worst vacation I ever had was a three week package trip to Russia with a very expensive tour company. Never Never again. That experience turned me into an independent traveler which is generally cheaper anyway.