This post is brought to you in partnership with Wealthfront and all opinions are my own.

I dreamed of traveling the world one day.

I spent the past two years making it happen through saving and budgeting.

It’s been the greatest investment I’ve ever made in myself.

Now I’m living that dream, so it’s time to refocus my goals and aim for more. That’s what 2019 is about for me.

Financial freedom is my greatest goal in 2019 and beyond.

In the traveling community, people often share that they desire travel above all else and I’ve always felt differently. Travel has truly been my been my greatest passion and teacher, but I have plenty of goals that are unrelated to travel. I want to see the world AND I want a cozy home. I want to experience different cultures AND I want to live a comfortable life. I believe that it’s possible for me to have both.

Financial freedom has provided me the opportunity to travel and I know that it can lead to much more. It’s not necessarily about having more money or material items, but the simple fact that it would allow me invest in myself, my dreams, and the people around me.

It means that I can afford to invest in my physical and mental health, whether that be through purchasing healthy food items or paying for therapy.

It means that I can afford to invest in my personal development, which ultimately affects the people around me and the world at large.

It means that I can afford to invest in charities, organisations, and people that I support.

It means that I can experience security and stability in the long term.

It means that I can continue to see the world, have location independence, and invest in life-changing experiences.

It means that I can afford to create the life that I truly desire.

I’m excited to start this financial journey in 2019 because I know that it will be so beneficial in the long run. Aside from the standard ‘save your money’ talk while growing up, finances weren’t a major topic of discussion in my household. Therefore, I still have so much to learn when it comes to earning, saving, budgeting, and investing money. I’ve been reading books, listening to podcasts, watching youtube videos, and even using apps to increase my financial knowledge.

Weatlhfront, an automated financial planning app, has been an extremely helpful resource during this process. It’s free, easy to use, and convenient for someone like me who travels full time. I’m not ready for a financial advisor just yet, so this app has been an incredible(did I mention free?) alternative.

Once I entered my financial information into the app, I began receiving financial advice from experts. I’ve been able to learn about the longterm tradeoffs of my current decisions, which has been extremely eye-opening. I receive actionable advice for different scenarios and goals that may arise. I’m still a bit lost, but I’m learning more about investing – which I can’t wait to dig into this year! Like I said in a recent Instagram caption, I’m not tryna be balling on a budget all of my life.

I’m all about goal-setting and planning, so this app has been very insightful. I’ve been SO pleased with Wealthfront’s services and I trust that this is the best start on my journey to financial wellness.

Download the app here to start saving for your journey and keep an eye out for my next blog post where I’ll continue sharing my experience with the Wealthfront.

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What steps have you taken to reach major financial goals in your life?



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20+ Important Things To Check Before Booking A Hotel Or Rental For Vacation

So, you found an insane flight deal and now it’s time to book your hotel room…

There are millions of hotels, villas, apartment rentals, and resorts on the internet so it’s hard to know where to start.

How do you know which websites to trust?

How do you choose between a hotel or airbnb?

How do you compare prices and amenities?

It’s overwhelming, to say the least.

Your hotel will be the launchpad to explore your travel destination. It will be your temporary home in a foreign country. Choosing the right place to stay can mean the difference between an incredible vacation or a disaster.

With that being said, here are the most important things to check before ever booking a hotel or Airbnb:

Price Comparison

Do a price comparison before booking your hotel. Different websites have different prices, packages, policies, and deals! Always check the direct hotel website and compare prices on booking sites.

Many hotels offer discounts if you have a Military, AAA, AARP, Student, or Senior ID card.

Compare hotel, resort, hostel and B&B prices on sites like:

Booking.com | Hotels.com | Hotel Tonight | Expedia | | Priceline

Compare rental home prices on:

Airbnb  | VRBO | HomeAway

Some booking sites and hotels offer additional savings if you book multiple nights or purchase a flight + hotel bundle. Use plug-ins like Ebates to get cash back and Honey to apply coupon codes!

Use referral codes for additional savings.

RELATED: How To Use Referral Codes To Travel For Free

Check The Cancellation Policy

When you book a hotel or rental property in advance, it’s important to check the cancellation policy. A good cancellation policy could save money, time, and frustration if your travel plans change.

Some hotels have a 24-hour cancellation policy and others have a 72-hour policy. Some charge for cancellation and some offer free cancellation up to a certain point.

Sites like Hotels.com never charge for cancellation, Sites like hotel tonight have a no-refund policy, and sites like Booking.com allow you to filter your search using ‘free cancellation’.

Check the fine print to avoid paying outrageous fees.

Check Hotel Reviews

It’s extremely important to thoroughly check reviews before booking a place to stay. Read through details and profiles to ensure that reviews are authentic. I’d recommend reading 5-10 reviews before booking. This will help you find out more information about customer service, cleanliness, overall atmosphere, common complaints, and more.

Ignore reviews that are extremely skewed and avoid booking hotels/rentals without reviews.

Check For Free Breakfast

Free food is always a plus, but especially while traveling. Restaurant costs can add up quickly so it definitely helps to have free breakfast at your accommodation. This could save you a lot of money in expensive travel destinations like Iceland or New York City.

Check For An Airport Shuttle

Don’t forget to factor in airport transfer costs upon arrival. You could spend $50+ on transportation between the airport and your hotel. If possible, book a hotel that offers a free airport shuttle.

Check The Hotel Location

Don’t be so quick to book the cheapest hotel that you find before checking the location. Be sure to use Google Maps, reviews, and forums to determine if the hotel is in a central location. Uber, taxi, and train costs can add up.

You can even use Google street view to gauge the safety and appearance of the area.

You’ll save time and money by selecting a hotel in a centralised location.

Check Hotel Payment Policies

Most hotels require a credit card for safety deposits and incidentals at check-in. They will place a hold on your card until you check out, so it’s important to be prepared. Make sure the hotel is booked in your name and bring your ID for verification. Some hotels will only accept a credit card – not a debit card, so this is good to know this ahead of time.

Booking.com will allow you to pay at the time of booking OR at check-in. This could be useful if you want to book online ahead of time and save up before paying the full amount.

Check For Air Conditioning

It may seem like A/C is guaranteed, but this isn’t always the case – especially when traveling abroad. If you can’t live without A/C, it’s important to ensure that it’s available in your hotel/accommodation.

One of of the most beautiful hotels I’ve ever stayed in, Azulik Tulum, didn’t have A/C when I visited. There is no electricity throughout the property and that’s important to know before booking.

Check For Free Wifi

If you’re from the US then it may seem like wi-fi is a given, but this isn’t always the case. If you need to book a hotel for business, then this may be a huge deciding factor. Some hotels only have wifi available in the common area and some just have a crappy wi-fi connection – so this is also worth looking into.

Use Airbnb For Work to sort through biz-friendly rental properties and get $45 off your booking here.

Check For An On-Site Pool

Some destinations were made for poolside chillin’. If this is how you want to spend your vacation, then book a hotel with an on-site pool. Certain hotels will host pool parties and events, which can be really fun if you’re traveling to a warm weather destination.

Bonus points if you can find a hotel with a rooftop pool for some incredible views!

The Hotel Check In/Out Time

Is the front desk open 24 hours? This is good to know if you plan to arrive early in the morning or late at night. If you plan to arrive earlier or later than the scheduled check in/out time, you should inquire about early check in or late check out. Some hotels will allow you to check-in if the room is ready and some will allow you to check out late for free if they have availability!

If you book an Airbnb, be sure to discuss your arrival time with your host beforehand. Will you meet up the host to check in? Will they provide a key? Will you need to use a lock-box or enter a key-code?

Check For Luggage Storage

Consider what you’ll do with your luggage if you check in/out of the hotel outside designated times. Many hotels and hostels offer free luggage storage, but you should double-check.

If luggage storage is unavailable, then do proper research to see where you can store your luggage before/after checking in.

Check For A Kitchen

Eating out can add up quickly when you’re on the road. If you plan to travel for an extended period of time, then consider booking a hotel room with a mini-kitchen or a rental home with a kitchen.

Check Real Pictures

Review both hotel AND customer photos before booking a hotel. You should review a variety of photos, but it’s really important to review photos of the bedroom specifically. You can even use street view photos on Google maps to see if the area looks safe!

Check For Security Features

Check for security features like on-site guards, gates, and surveillance cameras. You can also research the neighbourhood to ensure that it’s a safe area prior to arrival.

Check The Age Requirement

Most hotels require you to be 18+ to check into a hotel and some hostels have age limits. Check age limits and requirements before booking!

Check Parking Costs

Many hotels require guests to pay for parking and some Airbnb homes don’t offer parking. Compare parking costs before booking a hotel because this could make a huge difference in price.

Check For Additional Taxes & Fees

Some cities collect additional taxes that may not be included in the initial booking rate and some websites charge additional booking fees, so be aware of this before booking.

Check All Additional Amenities

Are you traveling with a pet? Will you be traveling solo? Do you plan to work out in a gym? Does the hotel offer free bikes, tours, and other activities? Is there an on-site restaurant(what are the prices)? If not, where is the nearest restaurant? Are there happy-hour deals?

Look out for these additional amenities and compare before booking your hotel.

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This post is in partnership with Wealthfront

I traveled the world for a year without working

Now, you’re probably wondering how this was possible.

How could I live, let alone travel without working?

It’s actually pretty simple. I spent two years saving up to make this dream a reality and it’s the best investment I’ve ever made in myself.

Upon graduating college, I knew that I wanted to spend a year traveling the world. Society told me that I had to wait until retirement to make this happen, but that didn’t make sense to me. What if I never made it to retirement? Better yet, what if I just didn’t want to wait until then?

With all of this in mind, I began researching and planning to take a year off. I structured my entire life around this goal because I knew I would have to make some major sacrifices to make it happen. I had a big girl job and I was earning more money, but I didn’t want that to distract me from my long-term goal. Here’s how I saved:

• Got A Roommate – While my peers were buying brand new cars and swanky apartments, I got a roommate and held it down in my 2003 Suzuki. Getting a roommate put an extra $600 in my pocket to either save or use towards another expense.

• No Shopping – This blog started out as a fashion AND travel blog, but I quickly realised I would have to drop my shopping habit if I wanted to travel the world. It was an easy decision since I knew the long-term benefits of travel far-outweighed that of a trendy skirt.

• Create A Travel Savings Account – Early on, I knew that I would have to save a large portion of my money. I didn’t want to get into the habit of spending more just because I was earning more. For the most part, any extra money I earned was be deposited into a savings account.

• Change My Mindset – I would think of every purchase in terms of a potential travel cost. If I wanted a $75 pair of shoes, I imagined how that could pay for several nights of accommodation. Anytime I thought of paying for an expensive electronic, I would imagine the plane ticket I could buy with that money.

• Limit My ‘Wants’ – Wants vs. Needs. I prioritised purchases that needed to be made and limited things that I wanted like coffee, nails, gym plans, expensive meals, cable, and so much more.

Needless to say, I kept my eyes on the prize. Two years later and I’m still going. It hasn’t always been easy though. I didn’t know if I should be saving more or less. I didn’t know if my savings would actually last me an entire year. More importantly, I didn’t know how to analyse the long term impact this goal would have on my overall financial health. Ultimately, I was able to meet my goal, but I do wish I would have had more financial guidance along the way.

These days, I receive a-lot of questions from people who want to take a long term vacation – whether that be three months or two years. They want to know how they can save and plan for a huge financial goal like this. While every situation is different, the key is to establish a financial plan. If you have no idea where to start, I highly recommend checking out Wealthfront to find out what works best for you.

What is Weatlhfront?

It’s an automated financial planning app and it’s completely free. You can receive advice on anything from taking time off to planning for retirement.

After entering the required information in the app, you’ll receive automated advice and assistance to help you start a savings or investment plan. You’ve basically got a financial advisor in the palm of your hands. As a millennial, this is a-lot less intimidating than seeking out(and paying for) an advisor.

How Does Weatlhfront Work?

You’ll enter your financial information and goals into the app. If you want to travel for a month or a year, the app will let you know what’s possible based on your current income and expenses. Based on research, it will predict how much you need to save and how it will affect your finances in the long term. It simplifies the entire process.

For example, if you plan to travel the world for a year on a budget – Wealthfront advises you to save up to $1500 per month of travel. From personal experience, I can tell you that this is correct. I saved this exact amount to use during my year long trip. You can adjust the amount based on your lifestyle or level of comfort. You’ll discover how things like working remotely, renting your apartment on Airbnb, and even traveling to a different destination will impact the feasibility of your trip.

The app will tell you if your goal is possible, a stretch, or simply unaffordable with your income and other costs in mind. They account for recurring costs like student loan payments, taxes, rental costs and more. You have the ability to add goals like saving for college or taking parental leave. It informs how every decision will affect your retirement plans along with any other goals you have. Be prepared – the app keeps it pretty real.

It’s an interesting way to look at the big picture and see how(if) everything fits together.

How I’m Using Weatlhfront Now

I’m no longer saving up for a long term trip and I’m earning income now, so my goals have changed. I work online, but I know that this also holds a bit of uncertainty. I love travel, but it’s important for me to prioritise other goals as well. This whole experience has broadened my perspective and taught me what I’m capable of. I want to continue paying off my student loans and be financially prepared when I’m ready to purchase a home, donate money to causes I support, start a new business venture, or anything else I have in mind!

One of my biggest goals in 2019 is to start investing. At the moment, I don’t know where to start. However, I’m confident that Weatlhfront will be a useful service throughout my journey.

Download the app here to start saving for your journey and keep an eye out for my next blog post where I’ll continue sharing my experience with the Wealthfront.

If you knew it was possible,
where would you go?

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A round-up of the best travel apps that you’ll actually use in 2019

Travel agent, WHO? It’s officially 2019, which means that you can plan a trip with the touch of a button(or a few apps). As a solo traveler, travel apps are basically my life line. With the help of these apps, I have the ability to find cheap flights, overcome language barriers, find last-minute hotel deals, connect with loved ones, avoid getting lost and so much more. Although I don’t recommend relying on travel apps for everything under the sun, they definitely make trip-planning more convenient. Check out the best travel apps to make travel happen in 2019:

BEST APP FOR FINDING CHEAP FLIGHTS: SKYSCANNER

Skyscanner is my favorite travel app for finding insanely cheap flight deals. I use the ‘everywhere’ function to play flight roulette when I have a hard time deciding where to go or if I’m on a budget.

If you don’t know where to go, it will provide you with suggestions & prices within your budget. Type “everywhere” into the destination box to try it yourself.

Best thing about this app? It’ll choose the cheapest place, month, and even city to fly into.

Find cheap flight deals on Skyscanner

BEST APP FOR CONVERTING MONEY: XE CURRENCY

XE Currency will convert currencies so that you don’t have to do any guessing. The app helps me keep track of how much money I’m spending in US dollars. It constantly verifies currency conversion, so it is always up to date.

Best thing about this app? You can download offline conversion rates for the countries you plan to visit, so that you can use it without wifi or cellular data.

FOR PHONE CALLS & TEXTING: WHATSAPP

Wondering how you’ll text or call friends & family back home without being charged outrageous international fees? Most cell plans charge for texting & calling abroad, but you can get free international messaging & calling with wifi or data using Whatsapp. There are over 1 billion users on the app. It isn’t very common in the US, but it’s the most popular messaging app for most people outside of the US.

You can text for free while abroad and message anyone from any country using this app. I still use it to communicate with friends that I’ve made in other countries, because it’s free for both of us.

The best thing about this app? You can avoid data charges.

Alternatively, iPhone users can text, FaceTime video, and use FaceTime audio to contact other iPhone users using wifi & data at no charge.

FOR LANGUAGE BARRIERS: GOOGLE TRANSLATE

Honestly, this app will save your *ss. It’s THAT crucial. You basically have a text and voice translator in the palm of your hands FOR FREE! You have four translation options:

• Text – Simply type in a word or sentence for translation.

• Voice – Click on the speaker iPhone to record your voice or another’s voice for translation.

• Photo – Click on the photo icon to take a picture of a document or sign for translation.

• Draw – Click on the pen icon to translate drawn words instead of typed words.

Google Translate has helped me out in taxi cabs, airports, markets, train stations, & more.

The best thing about this app? You can use it offline. Simply download the language of the country that you’re visiting, and you can use it without data or wifi. You can also save anything you translate to and refer to it later.

BEST APP FOR FINDING DISCOUNTED HOTELS: HOTEL TONIGHT

Hotel Tonight is an app that helps you find discounted hotel rooms. Hotels give Hotel Tonight their unsold rooms and they’re able to sell them at a lower rate. They show you the best deals each day. The deals are amazing, especially when traveling in the US where there aren’t many low cost accomodation options.

The best thing about this app? There’s a wide range of options – from hostels to resorts.

Find discounted hotels using Hotel Tonight and use my code for $25 off: CIJOHNSON22

BEST APP FOR SAVING MONEY: DIGIT

When it comes to saving money for travel, the struggle can be REAL. It can be painful to watch money leave your account and that’s why Digit is Heaven sent. Digit will automatically deposit money from your checking account into a saving account. I created a travel fund with Digit and I was able to accumulate hundreds of dollars without any effort. It’s such an easy way to save for travel because the app handles everything for you. You’ll have flight money before you know it.

Get $5 deposited into your travel savings fund here!

BEST APP FOR PHOTO STORAGE: GOOGLE PHOTOS

Ever whip out your phone to take a photo only to be interrupted by a pop up telling you to that you have no more space left? Yeah. It’s the worst – especially on a big trip. If you’ve been wondering how or where to store your photos, look no further.

Google Photos will backup all of your photos AND videos with unlimited storage at no cost. This will be your saving grace if your phone is lost, stolen, or broken during your travels. You can also access your photos from any computer by signing in.

When I lost my phone in Guatemala, I was relieved to find out that some of the photos were automatically backed up to Google photos. Since I take so many photos while traveling, it gives me peace of mind to know that my photos are automatically being backed up.

The best thing about this app? The app will automatically backup your photos & videos anytime you have wifi or data(you can choose one or both in settings). It will delete backed-up photos out of your phone library in on click by selecting, ‘Free Up Space’.

BEST APP FOR FINDING LOCAL MUSIC: SHAZAM

Music helps us relive moments long after they’ve passed.Shazam is an app that will help you find songs that you hear while being out & about.

I’ve got several playlists of French rap music that I acquired in Paris and Latin music that I acquired during my time in Central America. Every time I listen to these songs, I’m taken back to the exact moment or experience from that point in time.

The best thing about this app? Most people know about Shazam, but many don’t know that you can use the app offline. The app will save the song and then search for the song once you connect to wifi or data.

BEST APP FOR TRANSPORTATION: UBER

Uber is typically the most affordable transportation app and taxi alternative when when traveling. Your information will be stored in the app for safety purposes, which can be really useful in foreign countries. It’s also widely accepted around the world. Lyft is a great alternative while traveling in the US.

Sign up for Uber and get a free ride here.

The best thing about this app? You can share your ride information with friends & family, for safety purposes.

BEST APP FOR RENTING HOMES/APARTMENTS: AIRBNB

With Airbnb, you can book homes, apartments, treehouses, bungalows, and other unique places to stay around the world. It’s one of the best ways to interact with locals and see how they live abroad. I’ve had some incredible experiences using Airbnb in places like Bali and Cuba.

Get $40 off your next booking or tour here

The best thing about this app? You can live like a local and book unique tours that are legitimately led by locals.

BEST APP FOR TRIP PLANNING: GOOGLE TRIPS

Looking for a one-stop shop for all of your travel plans and reservations? Google is killing it when it comes to travel apps and Google Trips is no exception. If you use Gmail, this app will automatically consolidate all of your hotel, flight, and booking info to be loaded into the app. All trip information is pulled from your gmail account, so the app does the job for you. Google trips will recommend things to do, nearby activities(with business hours, ratings, & directions), provide discounts codes, top-rated restaurants(with reviews), andcurated day plans. Need I say more?

Tripit is a great alternative for those who don’t have a Gmail account.

The best thing about this app? You can download all of your trip information as a guide to use offline without wifi/data. Everything is automatic.

BEST APP FOR LANGUAGE LEARNING: DUOLINGO

It helps to know some basic words in the local language before traveling and Duolingo helps with that. This app makes language learning a game and it’s an easy way to practice a language for free. It will help you develop your speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in an engaging way.

The best thing about this app? An easy & engaging way to practice your language skills without paying for a course/program.

BEST APP FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL: MOBILE PASSPORT

Tired of long airport lines? Mobile Passport is an app that makes getting through US customs a breeze. You could apply for Global Entry($100/5 years) or you could download the free Mobile Passport app to speed through customs. Enter your information into the app before your trip and you’re good to go! I personally have Global Entry but this is a great alternative for international travelers. It’s currently accepted in 25 US airports.

The best thing about this app? No long lines.

BEST APP FOR MEETING PEOPLE: COUCH-SURFING

Did you know that you can download the couch-surfing app to meet people while traveling abroad? You don’t have to sleep on a stranger’s couch to use the app. Use the ‘hangouts’ function to find other travelers and locals in the area. I’ve used this function while traveling through Europe & Mexico, which led to some long-lasting friendships. This is especially useful if you’re a solo traveler who wants to meet people abroad.

Always meet up in a public place!

READ: 13 Simple Ways To Meet People While Traveling Solo

The best thing about this app? An easy way to meet locals and other travelers! Also a great option for budget travel.

BEST APP FOR VEGANS: HAPPY COW

Any vegan or vegetarian will find Happy Cow to be a useful resource during their trip. It can be hard to find veg-firendly restaurants when you’re visiting a new destination and Happy Cow makes it a-lot easier. The app is $3.99, but you can browse by location, category, cuisine type, and popularity. Alternatively, you can use the website at no cost.

The best thing about this app? Created for vegans and by vegans.

FOR DIRECTIONS & NAVIGATION: GOOGLE MAPS

As a solo traveler, I’d be lost without Google Maps – literally. I’m REALLY bad with directions, so I usually let Google Maps guide me when I’m walking around a city.

You can enter walking, driving, biking, transit AND ride-sharing directions. It’s helped this Texas girl manage the train & bus systems from Paris all the way to Morocco.

It’s also helped me find nearby food & activities. I can type ‘tacos’ into the search bar and it’ll pull up any nearby restaurants that serves tacos. Any app that can help you find tacos is one you want in your life. I think that says enough, but I’ll tell you more. You can also view the restaurant’s business hours, popular times, the phone number, the website, the atmosphere(casual or fancy), photos, accessibility, payment options, and reviews. You can even filter restaurants by price!

Unsure of what to search for? Select the ‘Explore’ option and the app will show areas of interest – coffee shops, restaurants, parks, pharmacies, banks, museums, etc. nearby.

This only scratches the surface. There are just so many unreal things that you can do, so I’ll share a few more.

• Add multiple stops to your journey. Stopping to grab food or by a shop won’t get you off track.

• Use street view. Perfect for scoping out a neighbourhood before you arrive, giving you the most realistic picture of what a place would look like. Great for gauging safety!

• Create your own map. Add your parking spot, your hotel, that restaurant you want to check out, etc. for reference. Going on a group trip? You can even ‘share’ your map with others to view  – perfect for planning group trips. Menu > your places > maps > create a map

• View map history. If the worst were to happen, your family could possibly track you down by searching your history on google maps by logging into your account at myactivity.google.com. Kinda creepy, but also useful.

• Share your location. Great for meeting up with people or for safety purposes.

• Save your parking location…because who hasn’t lost their car before?

• Save locations. Store your hotel address here or that one place that’s on your bucket list

• DOWNLOAD OFFLINE MAPS before arriving to a city, so that you can access map data without cellular service or wifi. Pure gold. I used it in Cuba where wi-fi is practically non-existent and Iceland where I was constantly driving through remote areas.

These are the functions I use most while traveling. This app has been a Godsend on my trips – especially since I travel alone. It saves me so much time & frustration.

The best thing about this app? You can still use it without cellular data, wifi service, by downloading offline maps. Here’s a tip: Enter in an address while you are in a hotel or business that has wifi, select start. The app will still guide even without wi-fi connection. This works great if you forget to download offline maps or if you simply don’t have enough space on your phone to do so.

BEST APP FOR READING: AUDIBLE BY AMAZON

There’s no better time to catch up on your reading. Audible is my go-to on long bus, plane, and train rides. Although I prefer physical books, I don’t have the space to carry multiple while on the road. Audio books make it easier to ‘read’ while on the go and they save a lot of space/weight in my suitcase.

The best thing about this app? The books can be downloaded for offline use.

Get your first audiobook for free

I also recommend downloading your personal banking and email account to easily access important documents or make necessary transfers.

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Do you use travel apps? If so, do you have any favorites? Share in the comments below!

The post The Best Travel Apps That You’ll Actually Use In 2019 | For finding flights, hotels, vegan food, & more. appeared first on Showit Blog.

A list referral codes from travel websites and companies to help you fund your next trip

I’m going to let you in on a little travel secret that will help you budget for your next trip:

REFERRAL/PROMO PROGRAMS CAN EASILY HELP YOU SAVE HUNDREDS WHEN YOU TRAVEL

Referral codes are a win-win for everyone involved. You’ll receive a discount when you sign up using someone’s code and they will too! You can use your code to invite a friend and then you BOTH get a discount. You can easily build on your referral credit to help you save on a future trip. Everybody benefits.

Here’s a list of hotel, transportation, etc. sites and referral codes that you can stack up for major discounts:

Accomodation

Hotel costs can quickly add up, especially around holidays and during high season. Use these referral codes to save big on hotel bookings

Hotel Tonight

Hotel Tonight is a genius app that offers heavily discounted hotels around the world. You’ll get $25 off if you sign up using a referral code. When you invite a friend, you’ll both get $25 off a booking over $135.

Use my code for $25 off: CIJOHNSON22

Airbnb

With Airbnb, you can book homes, apartments, treehouses, bungalows, and other unique places to stay around the world. They offer one of the biggest discounts in the travel game with their referral program. You’ll get $40 off if you sign up with a referral code and you can stack these up to save on rental homes, tours, photography experiences, cooking classes, etc. hosted by locals around the world.

Get $40 off your next booking or tour here

Booking.com

You can book hotels, resorts, cabins, and villas around the world using booking.com. There are no additional booking fees and they have a price match guarantee. If that’s not enough, you can get 10 percent back after you book a place using a referral code. In addition, you’ll get $25 back on your credit card when friends use your new code to book.

Sign up and save 10% on your next booking here.

HOTELS.com

Search through hundreds of thousands of discounted properties and save $50 when you book using a referral code. Oh and there are no cancellation fees! When you invite someone with your referral code, you’ll BOTH receive $50 off your next hotel booking. You could easily save $100+ using their referral program.

Get $50 off your next booking on hotels.com

Hipcamp

Planning a trip in the wilderness? Book RV parks, cabins, teepees, yurts, airstreams, glamping spots, and treehouses to get the full experience! You’ll feel closer to nature and you’ll walk away with a unforgettable memories!

Save $10 on your next camping experience.

Transportation

Student Universe

Student Universe is a great resource for students(age 18-26) who are traveling on a budget. You won’t find too many flight/airline companies that have referral programs, but Student Universe does. You‘ll get $20 off when you sign up and you’ll both get $20 off whenever someone signs up with your code. Keep it circulating. Note that their codes only apply to international flights departing from the US.

Get $20 off your next flight at Studentuniverse.com

Uber

Uber is a great an affordable transportation and taxi alternative when exploring a new destination. You’ll get a free ride whenever you sign up for the first time and you can share your code with others to spread the love.

Sign up for Uber and get a free ride here.

Lyft

Lyft is another great taxi alternative for anyone traveling in the United States. They offer a variety of promotions, depending on where you may be located. They also have a referral program that you can use and share with new riders.

Sign up an get $5 off your first LYFT ride using code: CIARA526995

Outdoorsy

Outdoorsy is basically the Airbnb of Campervan/RV Rentals. Going on a road-trip? Owners make their campervans and RVs available for rent on the website! From motor homes to RV rentals, you can use this website to search by location and preference!

Sign up to get $50 towards a campervan rental

Tours and Activities

EatWith

This is a tour company in which you can sign up to eat a meal prepared by a local host. This is a great option for anyone who is looking for a unique activity and an alternative way to connect with locals while traveling.

Give and get $12 off per $105 meal with a host using code 71FE54AF

WithLocals

Withlocals is another site where you can book tours with local hosts from things like walking tours in Paris or day trips in Turkey. You’ll get $30 off any tour when you sign up using a code and you already know the rest.

Get $30 off a local-led experience using With Locals

Airbnb Experiences

You probably already know that you can book a place to stay using Airbnb, but did you know you can book local-led tours and unique experiences? From photowalks to cooking classes, you can use Airbnb’s referral program to get $40 off any Airbnb Experience.

Get $40 off any Airbnb Experience when you sign up for the first time!

Travel Gear

AWAY Luggage

If you haven’t heard, AWAY luggage carries some of the best smart luggage out there. Their suitcases are made of polycarbonate(aka unbreakable), have 360 wheels, come with portable chargers, and they offer a wide range of color options. There’s a lifetime guarantee and you have there’s a 90 day return policy if you aren’t pleased with your luggage after using it. This one’s a no-brainer. Get $20 off using a referral code and give $20 to a friend.

Get $20 off your AWAY luggage

Backcountry

Backcountry sells quality outdoor gear from popular brands like Columbia, Patagonia, The North Face, and more. It’s a great place to shop for quality clothing, shoes, and gear if you plan on doing heavy or extreme outdoor activities. Give and get $10 off with their refer-a-friend program!

Get $10 off when you shop for gear at Backcountry

Misc. Websites

Ebates

Ever heard of Ebates? It’s basically a plug-in that gives you cash back for shopping on certain websites. You’ll get up to 15% cash back when you use their plug in to book on travel websites like Expedia, Viator, Orbitz, STA Travel, and more . This is already a great way to save in general but you’ll get a $10 check upon sign up and you’ll receive a $25 check when a friend signs up using your code.

Get a $10 check when you sign up for Ebates

Honey

Honey is a plug in that searches for and applies every coupon code to your internet purchases. So, you’ll receive an alert any time you shop on a travel related website that is currently offering a promo/coupon code and the discount will be applied whenever you check out. You’ll give and get $5 whenever you sign up for Honey. They even have an official travel search engine that helps you unlock exclusive hotel rates.

Get $5 when a friend signs up for Honey

Digit

Digit is an app and website that deposits automatic transfers from your bank account into a savings account This is a great option to use as a travel fund. I use it and I hardly notice when the $ is removed from my account, but it’s amazing to look back and see all that I’ve saved – without any effort.

Get $5 deposited into your travel savings fund here!

Imagine how much money you could save on a weekend trip using the referral codes in this blog post alone. Don’t sleep on referral programs! Who knows? You might even end up traveling for free!

PIN ME!  ⇣⇣⇣

You Might Also Enjoy:

The post How To Use Referral Codes To Travel For Free | $300+ In Referral Codes appeared first on Showit Blog.

I return back to the US every quarter or so for birthdays, weddings, and holidays. My relationships are important to me, so I’ll never be the full time-traveler who is gone 365 days a year. This time around, I had a best friend’s wedding and a few birthdays to attend. So I thought, “Why not spend time exploring the US?”. I haven’t truly traveled throughout the US since I quit my job. Why? It’s expensive AF – especially in comparison to the destinations I normally visit.  Public transportation is practically non-existent outside of major cities, domestic airfare is pricey, and there aren’t many low-cost accommodation options. Basically, US travel is harder on my wallet.

However, my younger sister turned seventeen and she really wanted to take a sister-trip to LA. This would be the perfect time to explore the US for a bit and create exciting memories with loved ones. I knew that I’d have to handle my travel costs differently while traveling the US, so Hotel Tonight was the first resource that came to mind.

What is Hotel Tonight?

Hotel Tonight is an app that helps you find discounted hotel rooms. Hotels give Hotel Tonight their unsold rooms. They show you the best deals each day. I’ve used Hotel Tonight in the past, and I am partnering with them to present their latest Daily Drop feature. The Daily Drop feature scores you even deeper savings on hotels picked for you.

So, here’s how Daily Drop works:

● Daily Deals will show up in your destination on the Hotel Tonight app. You can unlock a Daily Deal once a day, every day.
● The Hotel Tonight app will continue to get better at finding the best deals as you continue using the Daily Drop Feature
● You’ve only got 15 minutes to book the Daily Deal before it disappears. The deals only last 15 minutes, so hotels are game to offer super-discounted rates.
● Daily Drop is available in most of HotelTonight’s top destinations and will continue to roll out to new cities.

It’s kind of like a game! So, you can check the new Daily Drop everyday!

“We built HotelTonight because we believe in a lifeless planned. In a life rich in experiences, not things. In the endless possibilities of the night ahead, and the night after that. We know that one ten-second decision can completely change the course of your day, in the best possible way.”

Our hotel, The Freehand Los Angeles, was the perfect launch pad for exploring DTLA and beyond. We tried delicious vegan restaurants, hiked Runyon Canyon, chilled on rooftops, and visited the Griffith Observatory. There wasn’t a single day that the Freehand’s rooftop was empty, so we loved the fun and communal aspect. It helps that we were able to save on accommodations so that we could spend on food and experiences. I’m always searching for money-saving resources and Hotel Tonight is the best app out there for finding hotel deals, by far.

Giveaway Time!!

As a huge thank you for following along, I will be doing a $250 hotel credit giveaway in collaboration with Hotel Tonight!  Head to my Instagram for rules on how to enter! Thanks for reading!

Check out Hotel Tonight here: https://htltn.com/2v7VKUJ

This post was made in collaboration with Hotel Tonight, but all opinions are my own. 

The post How To Save On Hotels With Hotel Tonight’s Daily Drop Feature appeared first on Showit Blog.

How I afford to travel without a trust fund and how you can too! Keep reading for my no-BS tips that have made it possible for me to travel to over 20 countries without spending a fortune.

No, I’m not rich. I don’t have a sugar daddy. No trust fund, either. Mommy & Daddy would laugh if I asked them to fund my travels(or any other aspect of my adult life). So what’s the secret? 

HOW CAN I AFFORD TO TRAVEL SO MUCH? HOW, SWAY? HOW?

This is the number one question I receive and understandably so.

I never thought I’d have the opportunity(or money) to travel the way I do now. It didn’t seem within the realms of possibility for someone like me. Then, I discovered the secret. I discovered that normal people without trust funds & rich parents were traveling the world too – just in a different way.

The travel industry has touted travel as something luxurious & extravagant, but it doesn’t have to always be that way. The real secret is that travel can be affordable if you’re willing to get resourceful.

I shared my tips on twitter and they went viral, reaching over 6,000,000 people. To my surprise, this information wasn’t common knowledge. It helped many see that travel can be affordable. Check the responses below to see that these tips are legit.

So, I’m bringing these tips to the blog! As always, I’m here to show how you can travel too!

Here’s how I afford to travel without a trust-fund and how you can too: 

Be Aware

Being aware that there are affordable flights, accommodation options, etc. plays a crucial role in your ability to afford travel – in both the short term & long term.

Like I said, I had no idea about these options until I did some research for myself. This newfound awareness got me thinking – “Hm, maybe I CAN actually make this happen for myself!”. After that, I was able to save & budget accordingly. If I assumed that this was out of reach, I wouldn’t be traveling today.

If you make it to the end of this article, I encourage you to open up a tab & test these tips out for yourself. You might be surprised!

Be smart about location 

Where are you going? Places like Australia, the US, & Western Europe will be way more expensive than Mexico, Central America, parts of South America, South East Asia, Eastern Europe & parts of Africa.

Your money will stretch much further in certain countries, allowing you to travel for comfortably, for longer periods of time, or simply save more in the long run. The location could make the difference in whether you can afford to take the trip or not.

For example, You can travel to Thailand and  live, eat, sleep & have fun for a month on what people in the US pay for a month’s worth of rent. The cost of living varies greatly from country to country. Consequently, countries with lower cost of living will likely be more affordable to travel to.

Find cheap flight deals

USE GOOGLE FLIGHTS

This flight search engine is seriously the greatest of all time. I could go on & on about it. The features are unmatched and it’s extremely user-friendly. Here are some of the best features:

• If you don’t know where to go, it will provide you with suggestions & related prices. Before entering a destination, you can view a variety of cities with suggestions of what to do once you get there i.e, hiking, museums, etc. Perfect if you want to travel but have a hard time deciding where to go. It will also give you suggestions & prices if you enter “everywhere” or a specific country into the destination box without specifying.
• You can view prices by the day. This feature is ICONIC. Once you enter a destination, select a departure date and a calendar view will pull up for you to see the price for every single day going forward. From here, you can view which travel dates are cheapest or you can see if you’d be overpaying by selecting a certain date. The lowest prices will be highlighted in green.
• Set price alerts and you will receive emails/notifications when prices drop.

SEARCH FAR, WIDE & OFTEN

Use multiple search engines to search for flight prices. Different sites will show different prices. Look at @skyscanner @kayak @agoda & direct airline sites! Set price alerts so you know when prices drop with @hopper.

Flight prices change every single day. There’s no method to the madness. Searching often will help you to know if you’re overpaying or getting a good deal.

BE FLEXIBLE

In order to score the best flight deals, flexibility is key. Flexible dates, airlines, locations, etc. If you aren’t obligated to fly into a destination by a certain date, search for flights FIRST and schedule your vacation/trip around what price works best for you.

GO INCOGNITO

Search engines can track your search history and increase flight prices. To avoid this, search in incognito mode on Google Chrome, private browser mode on Safari, or clear your cache & cookies

GET TWITTER

Follow Twitter accounts like @scottsflights @airfarewatchdog @theflightdeal , they tweet out flight deals & glitches on the regular. Or you can sign up for email newsletters Be ready for that deal!

Find affordable accommodation 

AIRBNB

Airbnb is an accommodation site that is great for really unique places, a local feel, and just an overall better range in prices for the budget traveler to the luxury traveler. Plus you can give friends your code for a discount on your next stay! Sign up now to receive $45 off your first Airbnb stay!

You may be interested in: My Best Airbnb Experience Yet!

HOSTELS

If you’re open, give hostels a try! Hostels are a big reason many people can travel. Why pay hundreds for a hotel when you can pay $10-$25 a night or less in most cases?  If you’re not too keen on sharing a room with strangers, you can book a private room but still get the benefits of a communal environment! Although I don’t love hostels, I have to admit that they’ve played a huge role in my being able to travel so much. They’re also perfect for solo travelers!

Some hostels even allow you to volunteer for 4-5 hours a day in exchange for a free stay. Simply send an email asking if they’re looking for volunteers or see the next tip for more info!

You may be interested in: 7 Reasons To Stay in Hostel

HOTELS

I typically use Booking.com to search for great hotel deals. Get 10 percent off bookings using this code!

Check @HotelTonight for last minute hotel deals.

COUCHSURFING

Couchsurfing is a website where people offer to host you in their home for free. In a way, it’s similar to shared Airbnb. Some might find this creepy! Why would anyone host people in their home for free? Many travelers on the site have experienced the kindness of strangers that have hosted them & simply want to give back to the CS community.

Volunteer in exchanged for accommodation

You can even volunteer around the world in exchange for a place to stay. Check Workaway, Worldpackers, & WOOFING for random jobs that will give you a room & possibly meals for working 4-5 hours a day! You just need to book the flight!

I saved $450 by volunteering on a 5 day sailing trip from Panama to Colombia.

Trade skills for accommodation

Are you a photographer? Writer? Blogger? Videographer? Think about what skills you can offer to hotels or companies in exchange for accommodation! Be resourceful!

Study abroad

Sometimes a semester exchange is actually cheaper than your school’s tuition. For example, my university had partnerships with schools overseas & the semester tuition abroad was usually cheaper than our school’s semester tuition. You’d just need to cover flight & accommodation costs, which also may be affordable than it would be in your college town!

You never know until you ask! I worked at my university’s business school & was heavily involved in our Center for International Business(study abroad office). There are SO many opportunities that students miss out on simply because they aren’t aware these scholarships or programs are offered.

I studied abroad in South Africa, Panama, and India. While I received partial academic-based scholarships, I also worked 2 & 3 Jobs to save up for those programs. This was probably the best decision I made in college! As a matter of fact, these experiences are what prompted me to start this blog and lead the lifestyle I do now.

You may be interested in: 5 Reasons You Need To Study Abroad

Take advantage of student status

NEVER forget your student ID on trips because a lot of museums & other activities are offered for free or discounted for students!

Also, check flights like Student Universe and STA travel for student exclusive discounts on flights, hotels, tours & more. You don’t even need to be a student for member access – you only need to be under 26. These sites constantly offer deals available nowhere else, like a recent deal for $100 off all roundtrip flights to Chiang Mai from the US at Student Universe!

Get $20 off your next booking at student Universe by clicking here

Avoid taxis

Avoid taxis – take Uber(Uber Pool is even cheaper!) or local transportation. Taxi costs can add up very quickly no matter where you are! You can also rack up referral credit, allowing you to ride for free!

For example, a taxi from the airport in Paris cost around $50, Uber cost around $30-40, local bus $5 & less.

Take advantage of cheap cross-country travel

If you live in or plan to visit a European country, you’ve got it made! Country hopping can be really affordable with Airlines like RyanAir and bus companies like Flixbus make it possible to travel nearby countries for under $20. Not to mention, a high number of affordable accommodation(i.e. hostels) options that just aren’t available to US citizens just yet!

I’ve paid less than $6 to fly from one European country to another using RyanAir! This is unheard of in the US.

Try budget airlines

Airlines like Ryan Air, Frontier, & Spirit make it possible to fly at really affordable prices. These kind of budget airlines are best for those who pack light because baggage space is sold at an additional price. All terms are stated on their website!

Don’t forget to pack light to avoid additional fees! Please don’t play yourself!

Free activities

Think about all free or low-cost activities you can do abroad:

Live street music

Visit white sand beaches

Wander through cobblestone streets

Hike a volcano

Go on a street art tour

Go for a bike ride around the city

Go to happy hour

Once you get to your destination, you can always find ways to enjoy yourself at a low cost!

Eat local

Eat local! Go to the local markets OR just walk a few streets back from the tourists’ spots for cheaper & usually more authentic food!

Membership discounts

Are you a military, AAA, or AARP member? Check for discounts EVERYWHERE, on car rentals & hotel bookings!

Maximize time

Time is money, so let’s talk about time. A 3-day trip is better than no trip. Use 2 weekend days & 1 vacation day. Take a quick road trip or visit the next town over! ANY change in scenery could be super beneficial & also low cost.

Join a tour group

Planning a trip yourself will likely be cheaper than booking a tour. If you don’t have the time or know how to plan – check Groupon, Ef College Break, or Geckos Adventures for affordable group trips!  

After graduating, I knew I wanted to do a big Eurotrip. I didn’t have the skills or confidence to plan a long-term foreign trip alone, so it definitely paid off for me to travel with EF College Break. Sure, costs could have been lower if I planned it myself but I honestly wasn’t ready for that. Their program offered a competitively low rate, especially in comparison to my a similar program that my university offered at double the price.

Put your phone on airplane mode

International roaming costs are expensive. Put your phone on airplane mode while you travel & take advantage of free wifi offered at restaurants, hotels, public parks, etc. You can use wifi calling, iMessage(if you have an iPhone), facetime(audio & video calling), facebook messenger(to call & message), WhatsApp & many other apps with wifi alone.

If you’re from the US, TMobile offers free data usage & texting in nearly every country. I have Tmobile, so I always take advantage of this while traveling.

Use referral credits

Many of the resources I’ve listed here offer referral credits which could ultimately lead to free travel. Referral credits could cover any of your major travel costs. You can use referral credits that other people share and you can also share your referral code for others to use. It’s a win-win for both people!

Airbnb.com – Get $45 off your first stay

Booking.com – Get 10% off your next stay

StudentUniverse.com – Get $20 off your next flight or hotel booking

Lyft – Get $15 off your next ride

Perfect for group trips, because they can cut costs for you AND your friends!

Travel with friends

I’m a solo traveler at heart, but I’ll be the first to admit that one of the biggest downsides to solo travel is paying for everything alone.

With group travel, you can split taxis, meals, hotel rooms, Airbnb, etc. Costs are cut in half or more.

Get a travel credit card

I just booked a flight to Southeast Asia for FREE with my Chase Sapphire Rewards Credit card. This card gave me 4 free flights in 2017 alone and it just keeps giving. Free global entry sign-up, lounge access, TSA pre-check, travel insurance, $300 yearly travel credit are among some of the amazing benefits this card has to offer.

Due to a high annual fee, I’d only recommend this card if you plan to travel multiple times a year. I’d also only advise a travel credit card if you have the cash to avoid going into debt. You can use this to make everyday purchases and then immediately pay the card off to avoid interest.

You can use points to book flights, hotels, car rentals, and even activities!

Apply here – You will receive an offer for 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Travel long-term

This is what I am currently doing!

This option isn’t available to everyone, but it’s one of the greatest ways to save on travel. When you hear about people quitting their job to travel, they’re likely taking advantage of long-term travel benefits. This may include saving a big chunk of money,  selling all belongings, giving up rent, etc. Instead of paying for rent, car payments, etc. all of their money goes directly into their lifestyle of travel. It’s also possible to cover a lot of ground using this method because you can take advantage of traveling to nearby countries without a time limit. Instead of paying for flights to go back & forth year after year, you can pay for one flight and cover an entire continent.

For example, many people I know pay over $1200 in rent alone. This doesn’t even include all other monthly living costs. That amount of money can cover food, accommodation, & activities in so many countries around the world.

Think about what travel means to you

Finally, think about what travel means to you. Is it about luxury? That’s fine,  but understand that it may be a little more pricey! If it’s simply about meeting people, learning about cultures or languages, stepping outside of your comfort zone, you can definitely make it happen on the low!

Get travel insurance

Travel insurance can cover many things – illness, infections, theft, injury, missed flights, death, etc. It’s not ideal to imagine that these things happen while traveling, but they do all of the time. In the past, I never got it. However, it was a lifesaver on my recent trip through Central America. My belongings were stolen and $1000 was reimbursed to me through my travel insurance. You never just never know. Travel insurance can save you a lot in the long run!

I use world nomads travel insurance, which you can check out here!

So, there you have it! These are the strategies that I, and so many others, have used to travel on a reasonable budget. I encourage you to give them a try for yourself!

You Might Also Enjoy:

• How to Make Travel a Reality in 2018
• 5 Essential Steps For Planning Your Next Trip
• Is Spirit Airlines Really That bad?
• 9 Ways to Find Insanely Cheap Flight Deals
• Here’s What Really Went Down on my Solo Trip Through Latin America After Quitting my Job 

PIN ME!  ⇣⇣⇣

Sharing is caring! If you found this helpful, sharing or pinning is one of the greatest ways you can show support! Thank you!

This page contains affiliate links.

If you find something, leave a comment below and let me know which tip you used. If you have any tips to add, share them in a comment below! Don’t hold out on us!

IF YOU FOUND THIS HELPFUL, YOU CAN HELP OUT BY SHARING, COMMENTING, OR PINNING THIS POST. THANKS FOR READING!

The post How I Afford to Travel Without a Trust Fund appeared first on Showit Blog.

Wondering how to always find the cheapest flights? In, this blog post. I share 13 proven tips that have helped me fly to over 20 countries – never paying more than $500 for a flight. Seriously, keep reading. You don’t wanna miss this.

“Y’all tryna travel in 2018? Here’s a thread on how I always find the cheapest flights.” – Me, Twitter

I tweeted these exact words, followed by my best tips for booking cheap flights.

The entire twitter thread/storm went viral – over 5 MILLION impressions.  The best part? People discovered that these tips were legit and they began booking flights, as a result.

People responded saying the information I shared helped them book their first flight, or see their long distance boyfriend/girlfriend, or finally visit a sick family member. How cool is that!? See what some had to say below!

What seemed like common knowledge to me, proved to be extremely valuable to hundreds, if not thousands of people. And that felt good!

The bottom line? Flights aren’t as expensive as you probably think. You’ve just gotta know where & how to search! And you’ve just gotta start searching! You might be surprised! You know what they say about people who assume…..

Since Twitter moves so fast, I’ve created a blog post sharing proven tips for anyone who wants or needs to know how to find cheap flights. Here are 13 proven tips to help you find cheap flights:

1. BE FLEXIBLE

Be flexible with locations, airlines, dates, etc. Ditch the bucket list. Specific dates will lock you into prices. You could discover an amazing place you knew nothing about.

There are several airline sites that allow you to search for flights without entering a destination(Google Flights, Skyscanner,etc). If you aren’t obligated to be somewhere on certain dates search for flights first, THEN choose dates based on what’s the most affordable. Then request time off based on that.

2. SEARCH FAR & WIDE TO COMPARE PRICES

Use multiple sites! I like http://google.com/flights, Skyscanner, and direct airline sites(americanairlines.com, united.com, etc.). Different sites will show different prices & also have diff features. Compare prices on multiple sites to find the best deal!

Different sites to use:

www.momondo.com

www.kayak.com

www.Kiwi.com

www.agoda.com

www.justfly.com

www.cheapoair.com

www.hopper.com

3. USE GOOGLE FLIGHTS

USE GOOGLE FLIGHTS!!! THIS IS NOT A JOKE!

This flight search engine is seriously the greatest of all time. I could go on & on about it. The features are unmatched and it’s extremely user-friendly. Here are some of the best features:

• If you don’t know where to go, it will provide you with suggestions & related prices. Before entering a destination, you can view a variety of cities with suggestions of what to do once you get there i.e, hiking, museums, etc. Perfect if you want to travel but have a hard time deciding where to go. It will also give you suggestions & prices if you enter “everywhere” or a specific country into the destination box without specifying.
• You can view prices by the day. This feature is ICONIC. Once you enter a destination, select a departure date and a calendar view will pull up for you to see the price for every single day going forward. From here, you can view which travel dates are cheapest or you can see if you’d be overpaying by selecting a certain date. The lowest prices will be highlighted in green.
• Set price alerts and you will receive emails/notifications when prices drop. 

After these features Google.com/flights, search around via Skyscanner, StudentUniverse, Agoda, & more.

4. SEARCH OFTEN

Flight prices change EVERY DAY! There is no exact rhyme or reason. Because of this, you need to search often. Like…multiple times a day, every day – especially if you have a trip planned.

This is the best way to avoid overpaying. If you search often, you’ll know if whether getting a really good deal OR if you’re actually getting played.

5. FOLLOW FLIGHT DEAL ACCOUNTS ON TWITTER

Follow sites like @TheFlightDeal @airfarewatchdog @EscapeHouston @scottscheapflights. They tweet out crazy flight deals & glitches, all day every day.

This is how I scored those $400 flights to Europe, TWICE!

6. SUBSCRIBE TO FLIGHT DEAL ACCOUNTS EMAILS

Alternatively, you can subscribe to email alerts from the exact same websites if you don’t have twitter.

www.airfarewatchdog.com

www.theflightdeal.com

And the list goes on…

7. GET A TRAVEL CREDIT CARD

As I said, I just booked a flight to Southeast Asia for FREE with my Chase Sapphire Rewards Credit card. This card gave me 4 free flights in 2017 alone and it just keeps giving. Free global entry sign-up, lounge access, TSA pre-check, travel insurance, $300 yearly travel credit are among some of the amazing benefits this card has to offer.

Due to a high annual fee, I’d only recommend this card if you plan to travel multiple times a year. I’d also only advise a travel credit card if you have the cash to avoid going into debt. You can use this to make everyday purchases and then immediately pay the card off to avoid interest.

Apply here – You will receive an offer for 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

8. TRY BUDGET AIRLINES

Check out budget airlines like Frontier, JetBlue, Ryanair(in Europe), Etc. You won’t be getting free peanuts, but you could be saving hundreds on airfare.

Be sure to read the fine print to avoid paying additional fees for baggage or other costs. Everything will be clearly stated on the website before checkout.

9. USE YOUR STUDENT STATUS

Anyone up to the age of 26(you don’t actually have to be a student) can use sites like Student Universe and STA Travel for unique flight promotions & deals.

For example, Student Universe is currently offering $100 off flights to South East Asia via Qatar Airways. That’s a big deal!

10. BOOK NOW, THINK LATER

Most airlines and flight search engine sites offer a free 24-hour cancellation period for a full refund. This will allow you 24 hours to change your mind. If you find a killer flight deal but aren’t sure about the remaining logistics, you can book before missing out with 24 hours to make a final decision.

As always, double-check to make sure the airline provides this before locking yourself into a flight you’re unsure of.

11. USE REFERRAL CREDIT

Rack up referral credit on sites like StudentUniverse by referring your friends.

12. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF STOPOVER FLIGHTS

Use sites like Skiplagged to take advantage of stop-over flights. Just don’t check a bag & you can get off at layover stops that won’t be revealed to you during a regular flight search.

13. CHECK NEARBY AIRPORTS

If you live in a small town, it may be best to search for flights departing from the biggest city near you. Flights are likely to be cheaper from larger hubs. Likewise, it may be best to search for flights flying into all major airports in your destination country. Catching a bus or renting a car to drive to those larger airports could save you hundreds.

As you can see, it takes a lot of time & research to find cheap flights. However, it’s usually worth it. If you can save hundreds or thousands in the long run, why not? The purpose of. my blog is not for you to see me travel, but for me to show YOU how to travel!

So go ahead, open a second tab, and give it a go! Or simply search below!

You Might Also Enjoy:

• How to Make Travel a Reality in 2018
• 5 Essential Steps For Planning Your Next Trip
• Is Spirit Airlines Really That bad?
• 9 Ways to Find Insanely Cheap Flight Deals
• Here’s What Really Went Down on my Solo Trip Through Latin America After Quitting my Job 

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If you find something, leave a comment below and let me know which tip you used. If you have any tips to add, share them in a comment below! Don’t hold out on us!

If you found this helpful, you can help out by sharing, commenting, or pinning this post. Thanks for reading!  

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A recap of my experience living with an Angel in a Casa Particular during my short time in Cuba. Keep reading to find out how you can stay with a local during your visit to Cuba. 

When I arrived at my casa particular after dark, Mirtha was sitting outside on her steps waiting for me with a smile on her face.

When I struggled to lug my bags up the stairs to her 3rd-floor apartment, she used all of her strength to help me out even though I insisted that it was fine.

When I couldn’t understand her fast Spanish, she remained patient & slowed her speech without getting annoyed or giving up altogether.

When I was in her presence, she would basically force me to eat whether I was hungry or not – the ultimate sign of love in many cultures. This included Ropa vieja, Arroz Congri, Arroz con Leche, Malanga, Yuca Frita, Maduros, Pan con queso, Guayaba. ALL of the food!

When I told her I felt sick(vomiting 5 times in one day), she immediately rushed out the door & returned with fresh bread, Malanga, activated charcoal, and hot tea to make me feel better- no questions asked.

When I asked her about bus tickets, she spent 3(1 hour waiting on the bus bc Cuba) hours in the heat to accompany me to the bus station.

When I had no plans, she prompted me to join her in watching her favorite telenovelas.

When I said goodbye, she gifted me with a necklace made out of material that can only be found in Cuba & a piece of her art because she loved art and she remembered that I did too.

So what was the catch? I wondered the same.

There wasn’t one.

This woman treated me as if I was her daughter, simply out of the kindness of her heart.

Listening to her tell stories, grocery shopping with her, meeting her family members, watching her cook, and simply being in her presence gave me special insight into the life of a Cuban woman.

After a long day spent in the streets loud streets of Havana, her quiet home was like a refuge to return to. How could a stranger be so kind?  I nearly cried when I left.

WHAT IS A CASA PARTICULAR

If you’re headed to Cuba and have yet to decide where to stay – a casa particular is the way to go! In 1997, Cuban citizens were given permission to rent out their private homes to tourists giving them a chance to become self-employed and earn extra income. A casa particular is essentially a homestay or B&B. You can reserve a room or an entire home.

YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN : What to Know Before You Go to Cuba | Cuba Travel Guide 2018

BENEFITS OF STAYING IN A CASA PARTICULAR

• Under the ‘Support for the Cuban People’ category, US citizens must spend most of their time interacting with locals and this is one way to fulfill that requirement. Due to new restrictions, it’s illegal to stay in many hotels anyway.
• This is the best way to immerse yourself in the culture of Cuba and learn about how the people truly live. To eat, drink, & dance with the locals. That experience up there? You can’t get that in a hotel.
• The owners can give your recommendations, book taxis for you, make phone calls for you, and simply be your lifeline while in Cuba.
• You are putting your tourist dollars directly into the hands of Cubans, giving them a chance to earn more than the typical $25-$30 a month.
• Casa particulars are typically affordable, ranging from $15-$50 a night.
• Probably the best dang food you’ll have in Cuba

HOW TO BOOK A CASA PARTICULAR IN CUBA

They aren’t hard to find. Everyone & their mother seems to rent a room out. You can either book a casa particular online in advance or you can just show up once you arrive in Cuba.

I’d highly advise you to book in advance online for the first several days or so, especially during high season(Mid December – March). I booked my first week online so that I could have a place as soon as I arrived in the city without having to carry my bags around in a place I’d never been. I left the remaining week open & simply showed up.

AIRBNB

When you book through Airbnb:

• You can read reviews. This is always huge to me. You can know exactly what to expect in regards to cleanliness, A/C, surrounding areas, service, what the host is like, and other things that you might not normally think of.
  • I chose Mirtha’s Airbnb because reviewers described her as very “warm” and “talkative”. They were right. I simply showed up at the other two casas I stayed at and the hosts treated the experience solely like a transaction, which is fine. Clearly, it paid off to know what I was getting myself into beforehand.
• You have a guaranteed place to stay.  This is huge during high season. Sometimes casa owners overbook, so it feels safer to know that you’ve already got a place to stay. There’s no need to waste time going from door to door for a room.
• It’s a trusted site. As a solo female traveler, I felt better booking through Airbnb because my records were available in case something went wrong. I frequently use the website, so I felt more comfortable by booking here than through other sites or by just showing up.
• Less cash. You pay upfront when booking through Airbnb. This limits the amount of cash you need to carry around, especially since ATMs don’t work for US citizens. This is also ideal if you need to stick to a certain budget.

Note: You cannot book through the Airbnb site while you are IN Cuba, so you must book before you arrive. If you need to book a room after you’ve arrived, you can simply try to message the host or ask a friend back home to book it for you.

You can also search for Casas on Booking.com

JUST SHOW UP

When you just show up:

• More options. There are way too many Casas to choose from & many aren’t listed online. This includes Casas that might be lower priced. You also might be able to negotiate the price.
• You have flexibility. Since you haven’t paid online in advance, you can hop around without feeling tied to one place. If you realize you don’t like Havana after 2 days, you can leave without money being wasted.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT A CASA PARTICULAR

• Most rooms will have a double bed with a private bathroom, with A/C & hot water. The rooms are very basic.
• Casa owners are required to keep very detailed guest records, so you will need to hand over your passport at check-in. Don’t worry, you’ll get it back right away.
• In Havana, many Casas are on the 3rd, 4th, or 5th floor. There are no elevators, so this is something to consider if you plan to bring heavy luggage.
• Every host is different, some are more involved/open than others. Some see the experience as more transactional. Either way, you are not expected to spend all of your time with the host family. You’ll have as much privacy as you wish because they understand that you are there to see the country.
• It might be difficult to locate your casa. Be sure write down the street address or ask around because neighbors usually know each other.
• NO WI-FI.
• Most hosts will only speak Spanish. Do yourself a favor & download Google Translate before going if you struggle with Spanish.
• The experience is what you make it. Try to talk to the hosts, ask them questions, treat their home as more than a hotel & you’ll likely get the exceptional treatment in return.

While my homestay in Trinidad was more mediocre, my time in Mirtha’s was the highlight of my trip. If I ever return to Cuba, her home will be my first stop. If you’re interested, you can find her home here. She deserves ALL of the business.

Additional Resources

Don’t forget travel insurance! It is required in Cuba! I use World Nomads !

You Might Also Enjoy:

• What to Know Before You Go To Cuba | Cuba Travel Guide 2018
• Discovering Guatemala’s Culture at Colorful Chichicastenango Market
• My Experience Learning Spanish & Doing a Homestay in Guatemala
• Here’s What Really Went Down on my Solo Trip Through Latin America After Quitting my Job 
• Confession: I’m Obsessed with Reggaeton After Traveling Latin America

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Would you stay in a stranger’s home for the ultimate cultural experience? Share below!

The post How to Book a Casa Particular in Cuba | My BEST Airbnb Experience yet! appeared first on Showit Blog.

I get it – You really want to start traveling, but have no idea where to start. I got you. Here’s how you can finally make travel a reality in 2020! 

How do you even do any of this? How do you book flights? What about money? What about language barriers? Should you get a travel agent? What if something goes wrong? I know, it’s a lot.

I left the country for the first time nearly 4 years ago. I can call myself a world traveler now, but it wasn’t always this way. At one point, I couldn’t imagine life outside of the US. It seemed like a far-flung dream that was only reserved for certain types of people – people that didn’t look like me, people that didn’t come from where I came from, and people that had a way higher income than I did. So, I know how you might feel. Now that things have changed, I know travel isn’t some impossible dream. It’s certainly a privilege, but it’s also attainable. It’s not easy, but there are some steps you can take to finally start killing those travel goals in 2020.

FIGURE OUT WHAT’S HOLDING YOU BACK

So what’s the problem? Time? Money? Fear of the unknown? Friends that always bail? All of the above? Once you identify what’s holding you back, you can get strategic about coming up with a solution. This will look different for everyone.

Is time a problem? 

• You don’t need to quit your job or take a gap year to travel. Think weekend trips & road-trips! What about the next city over? What about the next state over? You’d be surprised at what a change of scenery can do for you – even if only for a few days.

You might be interested in: 8 Simple Ways to Maximize Your Time Off for More Travel 

• Are you in school? You’ll miss those long summer breaks, spring breaks, & winter breaks once you start working full-time. Trust me. Take advantage of them now. You should also consider studying abroad! It gives you a full semester or year to completely immerse yourself in another country. I studied abroad short-term and it definitely sparked my love for travel. If money is a problem, see if your school offers scholarships before you rule it out.

You might be interested in: 5 Reasons to you NEED to study abroad

Is money a problem? 

• Are you assuming that travel has to be luxurious and expensive? It doesn’t have to be that way. Did you know that you can travel through countries in Central America, parts of South America, & Southeast Asia for less than $50 a day(meals, accommodation, & activities included)? Are you aware of budget accommodation options like Airbnb & Hostels? Are you aware that flights don’t have to cost thousands of dollars? Check out my viral twitter thread to help you find cheap flights or my video on finding cheap flight deals! Did you know that you can volunteer/work in exchange for accommodation around the world? Check out Workaway or Worldpackers There are SOOOOO many ways to make travel affordable! Be sure to do your research before ruling it out.

• Start setting money aside for travel. Think about ways you can save in your everyday life – cable, eating out, pampering, subscriptions, shopping, electronics, memberships, etc. Digit is an app that saves your money into a separate account for you so you don’t even have to think about it.

• Pick up a second job! When I was in school, there were times I worked 3 jobs to fund my study abroad trips. Sometimes there’s nothing to save, so you’ve got to either find a second source of income or find a higher paying job. I know it’s not as easy as it sounds, but you’ve got to be resourceful.

• Be patient! It may take months or even years to save up, but I can guarantee you that it will all be worth it. The sooner you start planning & saving, the sooner it can become a reality.

Are unreliable friends the problem? 

• You can’t blame them. Everyone has different priorities, obligations, and interests. You can wait for them to join, but I’ve gotta warn you-you might be waiting forever. At the end of the day, this is your life. Time flies and if you find yourself full of regret one day it, it will be on you – not them.

• Consider solo travel. I know, seems scary and possibly boring but I can say that it’s been one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself. It can build confidence and it has the potential to give you a special awareness of yourself, the world, & the people around you in a way that group travel never could.

• If you’re not ready for solo travel, consider traveling with a group of like-minded travelers! I’ve traveled with both EF College Break & Geckos Adventures before. Both experiences were incredible.

Is fear of the unknown a problem? Is your personal mindset a problem? Is planning the problem? Is family the problem? 

There are so many things that could be holding you back from traveling. Like anything else in life, you may have to make some serious sacrifices and it may take time. Identify the problem first and begin doing research to see how you can improve your situation.

BE ACTIVE, NOT PASSIVE

Amazing travel experiences are not just going to fall into your lap. Like anything else in life, you have to make travel happen yourself if you really want to get out there! Travel requires planning, so it’s necessary to sit down and set goals. Simply having the desire to travel will get you nowhere. Think of some places that interest you, research accommodation & flight prices, establish a budget, set up a date to pick up your passport, and try to make sh*t happen. These seemingly small tasks will get you closer to your next trip. The simple task of writing down the name of a destination will increase your chances of visiting.

ADOPT A TRAVELER’S MINDSET

Start now. At its core, travel is about immersing yourself in new experiences. You can do that without hopping on a plane.  Say yes to small things now and you’ll be prepared to say yes to the bigger things later – like taking a spontaneous road trip or booking that flight. Check out a museum or new restaurant in your home-town. Plan a hike in the nearest town or go on a road trip. Be curious & adventurous now. Adopting a traveler’s mindset now will make it a little bit easier to say yes when you find that amazing flight deal or when your friend asks you to join him/her for a last minute trip. And when you finally do take that trip, a traveler’s mindset will make your experience that much better.

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH TRAVELERS

It’s SO hard to find friends who have the ability, time, finances, or even interest to travel with you. Travel may not be a priority for others in the same way it is for you and that’s okay. On the other hand, waiting around for others to get on board is NOT okay. Trust me, you will be waiting around forever. Seek out friendships with people who have a similar interest to see the world. I understand that it can be difficult to make that happen in real life. Thank God for the internet. Join facebook travel groups or simply connect with other experienced & aspiring travelers on Instagram or Twitter. It’ll make you feel less alone in your obsession with…I mean, love for travel.

A few Facebook travel groups I’m apart of: Girls Love Travel, Solo Female Traveler Network, Black Travel Movement, and Women Who Travel.  Seeing so many other travel lovers really kept me inspired during hard days at work. It’s was so refreshing to find out that others loved talking about travel, writing about travel, watching shows about travel, making travel a priority, and simply traveling as much as I did. These groups are filled with people from all walks of life and it has been so enriching to be a part of them.

SEEK OUT INSPIRATION

This point goes hand in hand with surrounding yourself with other travelers. If it wasn’t for the internet, I doubt I’d be traveling full-time right now. I didn’t know anyone who was doing it in my personal life, so it was never something I considered. Travel photos, writing, videos, etc. will keep you inspired & motivated to save up or finally take that trip you’ve always wanted.  I used to spend hours & hours scrolling on Tumblr, reblogging travel photos that inspired me. Looking back, this left me with a constant glimmer of hope that I would be a traveler one day. When life becomes mundane, it can be easy to forget your deepest desires. Read books about travel, watch shows about travel, follow content creators in the online travel space, listen to podcasts about travel, etc. Doing so will be a constant reminder of your dream to see the world.

My biggest travel inspirations (at the moment):

DAMON AND JO – Hilarious, down-to-earth, budget-minded travelers. They will seriously make you want to be their best friend.

NAS DAILY – He makes daily 1 minute videos about the world and the people in it. So inspiring!

HONY – Stories about people around the world, reminding you that we are all more alike than we think.

ON SHE GOES – A podcast and blog by & for women of color to travel more confidently

PLANET EARTH – An incredible nature series documenting the beauty of our planet. AH-MAZING! A few episodes have even made me cry. Oh, & Season 2 was just released on Netflix!

The Alchemist – A short, easy read about a young shepherd boy who is on a journey to realize his “personal legend”.

Shameless plug here! Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter or follow on social media if you want to receive consistent travel inspiration & information. I love helping out!

Maybe you don’t want to necessarily travel the world. Maybe you’re just looking for a quick break, some relaxation, or a weekend get-away. Either way, these are some tips that can help you make that desire a reality. From firsthand experience, I can honestly say that I haven’t had a single regret about the time or money I’ve invested into making travel a major part of my life. In fact, it’s been one of the greatest investments I’ve ever made for myself. If you want to travel more in 2018, I hope some of these tips can help make that goal a reality!

Happy travels

xx Ciara

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Do You Have Travel Goals in 2020? If not, What’s holding you back? Tell me below!

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