Over the summer I was lucky enough to backpack around Southeast Asia for nearly a month. In my travels I noticed a few very interesting techniques that locals were using to operate more efficiently. None of the techniques were particularly complicated. They were usually nothing more than creative, simple changes meant primarily to save money by reducing unnecessary waste.

My first stop was in Hong Kong, which is one of the densest cities on the planet. The first guesthouse I stayed in was part of a 16-story building that housed both lodging and permanent residences. Inside the room the air conditioning and hot water each had their own switch next to the front door to turn them off when leaving them room. Outside, each story of the building was covered with hanging laundry set out to air dry. I came to find out that electricity in Hong Kong is very expensive and these were some of the minor changes they had adopted to save money.

Bangkok was very similar in this respect. One of the most unique things I saw there was an efficient alternative to the traditional cab: the infamous tuk-tuk. These are golf cart/motorcycle hybrids that cater to tourist and move quickly through the city’s awful traffic. The small-engine and agility in traffic allow the tuk-tuk to use significantly less fuel on a normal trip, saving money for both the driver and the patrons. This is something that many highly populated urban areas could use for short taxi rides and could reduce the number of large, more expensive vehicles creating traffic on the roads.

Many of the most original ideas I saw in Asia were regional techniques that had been in use for generations. The buildings were constructed to minimize A/C use, featuring large windows and breezy hallways. They also maximized the amount of natural light let into a building, reducing electricity costs during the day. Walking and riding bicycles is the preferred mode of transportation for many natives who have little need for a personal vehicle. Simply put, it seemed to be part of the culture to not be wasteful.

My trip to Asia was a great vacation but it could also prove to be useful in my day-to-day life. It definitely sparked my interest in the creative, unique ways I can limit wasting resources (read: money). After all, it doesn’t have to be about inventing a new method or technology, it really can be as easy as flipping a switch.