I don’t want to sound like a massive d-bag but I’m writing this on a train, but in first-class coach, and while having prosecco.

It’s actually relatively cheap, mainly because I booked way, way in advance.

I can’t afford to fly business - maybe once a year if I absolutely stretch my budget - let alone first class, but I can afford to never travel ‘Economy’ (not what it’s called on a train, but whatever) on a train, and so I don’t.

It’s either business or first-class. If it's available, that's what I'm buying. If it isn't available, then no fine, no problem.

Having said that I’ve also booked a hostel for an upcoming stay in Spain. Why? Because it was infinitely cheaper than any other alternative. I’m talking ‘drop a zero from the price’ cheaper.

It was either 30 or 300 dollars for a night. $300 for a regular hotel, for a night, is stupidly expensive unless you’re well-off, which I’m not.

I have a normal salary, but I spend it.

If there’s one thing I can’t stand is an ideological carousel around practical matters. Apologies but, to me, flying Economy when you can afford to fly Business makes zero sense. It’s stupid. Just as stupid as flying Business when you can’t afford it.

Money is a tool, nothing else. If I’m thirsty, and I have a glass of water. I’m gonna drink it. I’m not gonna wait and ponder on it and save it for later.

I’ve been in a position where I was trying to save money on everything - hostels were my go-to, cheap buses, cheap slow trains, flying low-cost with no extra luggage.

I’ve been there. I did the best I could with what I had. And back then, it wasn’t much.

Now, I’m doing the best I can with what I have. And right now, it’s a bit more than before.

Maybe one day I’ll be back in a situation where I have to use hostels all the time - not just occasionally - and cheap buses. If it ever happens, then I’ll deal with it.

But until and unless it doesn’t, I genuinely don’t understand why people should be apologetic about using the tools they have. Especially if they earned them.