Time-wise? Don't put off your life because you can't find someone to go with. Start small, places you speak the language and can communicate. Slowly venture out. Money-wise? Prioritize what you enjoy. There's the time-value of money, and the life-value of money. Balance those, and you are doing just fine. 

Why the heck would you go to Antarctica, and how? By boat! A two day trek (each way) across the Drake Passage on an exhibition ship. We had a fairly mild crossing with 5m swells (normally 10m-15m). Still about half of the ship was sick. 

I've met some of the most interesting people during my travels. From world renowned Pianists (Tzimon Barto), BBC Documentarians (Bertie Gregory), Yakuza Oyabuns (don't ask about that one, to true full-time world travelers (140+ countries), you never know who you will run into at the hostel, the day tour, or the local pub. Live like a local, not a tourist -- plus your buck will go much further. 

I'm not much of a foodie, but I appreciate understanding cultures according to their local cuisines. Food teaches us how populations have withstood centuries if not millennia of ups and down in geopolitical issues, famines, and in general, hardships. 

From static environments in nature, to dynamic environments in cities, there lies beauty in the mechanics of environmental systems. While knowing very little about architecture, if someone shows me a building, I can tell them the approximate location in the world that building is from. Similarly, changes in landscapes amongst different regions tell us a lot about the climate and the soil in particular. Through these travels, I have become much better at GeoGuessr :) 

Sounds corny -- but I feel that putting yourself in uncomfortable situations makes you stronger, smarter, and more charismatic. Be an adventurer, not a tourist.