Richard Lide combines business with pleasure in his work, and his travel blogging is his paid profession.  In order to keep the books balanced in the black, Richard Lide uses his detailed travel itineraries to keep track of the length of each trip to assure he doesn't incur extra expense by overstaying, thus spending more for a room and for missed airline connections.  Lide abhors tourist traps and souvenirs, but he is concerned with the costs of his meals, his transportation and unexpected costs which pop up without warning.