Using credit card points and rewards programs has become increasingly popular in recent years as more and more people seek to travel for less. Travel hacking involves using various strategies, techniques, and tools to find and book travel deals, earn rewards points and miles, and take advantage of credit card benefits and sign-up bonuses.
Many people want to travel more but are discouraged by the high cost of flights, hotels, and other travel-related expenses. And espcially as the world battles cost of living and inflation, movements like Craigslist Free and travel hacking are on the rise.
With travelers now more conscious of their finances and looking for ways to stretch their travel budget, today’s post will look at different type of rewards programs, variables to consider when selecting a credit card for rewards, and tactics for maximizing credit card points.
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From property buying tips in Maui to working remotely in Spain, there are plenty of ways you can up sticks and make a life outside of your comfort zone.
But a real problem you may run into when you leave home is geographical nuances. Specifically, there may be different rules, regulations and protocols in place with regards to financial matters in different countries. Here are some of the regulations you should watch out for.
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Living off the grid is becoming an increasingly popular option for those looking to become more self-sufficient and independent. With the right planning and investments, it’s possible to leave behind rising energy costs and big utility bills in exchange for renewable energy sources and sustainable living.
From installing solar panels or wind turbines to utilizing geothermal energy, batteries for appliances, rainwater collection systems, and much more – there are plenty of ways you can live off the grid while saving money in the process. Read on to learn some tips and advice on how to get started!
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Whether you’re planning to travel abroad or within the country, you’ll need to consider 1) the amount of money you’ll require, and (2) the means you’ll use to pay for your expenses (accommodation, eating out, transportation, day trips etc).
It tends to be safer to arrange alternative payment options, such as credit and debit cards, rather than carrying a lot of cash. And with the rise of travel rewards points, aka travel hacking, credit cards have become a popular option.
But what about the pros of using a debit card to prevent unintentional overspending? Which approach is ideal? Read on to know more.
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Travelling by air is one of the fastest ways to get around. It saves you hours of driving, and you can finish a 1,500-mile trip in three hours instead of almost two days.
The problem is that more than 2.9 million passengers are flown all over the world every day, which means that airports can get very crowded.
Not being prepared may not only waste unnecessary time but can also cause you to lose your flight. Here are a couple of tips that can save you a lot of time and money during your next trip.
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Driving yourself to and from work can weigh down the wallet throughout the week, and unfortunately that makes it tougher to achieve your savings goals for travel.
If you’re actively saving towards a trip, you might be looking for a guide to saving money on your commute. Because bntween parking or transportation costs, the average American can spend as much as $40 a week on their way to work.
However, thanks to modern technology like fuel-calculating apps and telecommuting opportunities, there are ways to avoid spending as much on traveling to the workplace, so you can put it towards traveling overseas instead.
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With post pandemic travel back in full swing, it’s time to dust off those passports which have been sitting with us in lock down for so many months / years. Though despite many of us in desperate need of vacation, as quickly as borders started to re-open, most worldwide economies started taking a hit.
Most people post pandemic are in one of two camps; you saved your disposable income and you’re ready to splurge, or COVID and the post economic effects have left your wallet in a world of hurt. If you fall into the latter, and need ways to fund your travels post pandemic, here are some modern ideas which apply to the new world we’re facing.
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Many of us are ready to take a long-awaited vacation after putting it off for over two years. However, despite not having spent much while being locked inside our homes, inflation is sending the cost of travel sky high.
Traveling on a budget has become increasingly difficult since the cost of transportation, airfare, and lodging has all increased dramatically – made worse by the spike in the cost of feul, since Russian oil was removed from global supplies.
But if you’re really determined to pursue your travel goals this year, there are still ways to afford the cost. If you’re able to manage them responsibly, and within your means, vacation loans are available to cover your expenses. We have compiled four types of loans you can consider.
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When people think of camping they instantly think of throwing up a tent on a (hopefully) flat piece of ground, surrounded by nature, engulfed by starry skies, and (hopefully!) without too much wildlife in your food supplies.
But another form of camping is starting to trend, by the edge of the water; on the water!
Whether you keep your boat by the shore and do camp on the coastline, or throw down your anchor with a cabin inside, here are some simple tips for covering the basics of boat camping if it’s your first time.
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Travel insurance is something every avid traveler needs to deal with. It is crucial for making sure we don’t lose out on the thousands of dollars we spend on international trips.
Without it, you could find yourself in debt after a ruined vacation. But many people are unaware of what insurance they need – and even what they already have, meaning they often pay too much.
To avoid overspending, you need a clearer idea of what is covered by your current policies and what travel insurance covers. Here are 3 tips to help you spend wisely!
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When we think of all the factors around accommodation, and what we consider when choosing a place to stay, there are a few key things it boils down to: cost, location, safety, and level of comfort.
Staying at a hotel vs Сouchsurfing is the very definition of traditional vs new age accommodation; the sharing economy (couchsurfing) has completely dirupted the travel industry since the early 2000’s, and now there are a huge range of alternatives to the traditional hotel model.
But that’s not to say that hotels have lost their relevenace, in fact, they’re still as popular as ever.
Each of these ‘ways to stay’ has their pros and cons, and neither has to be an exclusive choice / travel style; ie you may decide to stay in a hotel for one trip, and that courchsurfing suits your purposes for another.
Comparing the two and trying to decide which one will suit you? Let’s delve in to see the pros and cons of both options.
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When it comes to exploring Europe on a budget, it’s very hard to beat Madrid. One of the cheapest cities in Western Europe, though one of the richest when it comes to history, architecture, culture, and food, the Spanish capital is a dream budget trip.
It’s absolutely possible to spend as little as $100 a day in Madrid, including your transport, accommodation, activities, and food. While often overshadowed by Barcelona, Madrid is packed with free museums, impromptu street performances, and delicious tapas – which are often free too!
Visiting Europe but only have $100 a day? Madrid is for you!
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Are you in dire need of a vacation right now? If so, get ready for a week off while you’re exploring hundreds of aggregators, booking sites, and airline websites to score cheap tickets for your next holiday!
Sound familiar?
Airline tickets usually don’t come cheap, so those of us who scour the web in search of cheap flights usually put in a considerable amount of time to find them.
But time is money too, so here are some tried-and-tested strategies that will help you discover cheap flights faster than you’re used to.
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Taking off on an adventure is always a thrilling experience. It provides a break away from the burden of work and offers an opportunity to discover new destinations and experience new adventures.
However, sometimes the best travel plans don’t always pan out because unexpected travel expenses may throw off your budget and adversely impact your trip.
These unexpected travel expenses range from several things: from last-minute purchases to hotel reservations and emergencies. Our advice? Remember to budget for them!
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International travel may be taking off once again, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you have the budget to book a holiday overseas.
Many of us have seen our incomes take a hit during the pandemic, which probably has you wondering how you can work in some vacation time without racking up too much debt.
While international travel can be expensive, there are many ways you can cut down on costs. Often, it just takes a little more planning, creativity, and sacrifice.
There are dozens of ways you can still manage to enjoy a getaway without having to be stressed about how you’ll pay it off later. Here are my top dozen ways you can travel on a budget post lockdown.
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We often picture camping as simply pitching a tent in the middle of the woods somewhere, but many of today’s European campsites offer a whole lot more.
Whether you do indeed enjoy roughing it a bit in the wild or are looking for more of a glamping type experience possibly along the Mediterranean with no lack of amenities, there’s a campsite to suit any personality.
From camping on a nearly deserted English island or high in the Swiss Alps to not even having to camp in the great outdoors at all, Europe offers the chance to enjoy some pretty crazy campsites. Here’s a look at some of the most notably beautiful and rather unique campsites worth a visit.
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While I readily admit I have a preference for international travel, there’s nothing stopping me nor anyone else from experiencing a rewarding vacation right in their own backyard.
Staycations are a great option for travelers who may be short on time, have limited finances, or when there’s a global pandemic that forces a country to ban its citizens from traveling internationally as I’m currently facing.
While a staycation may not seem as exciting as holidaying in a far flung exotic destination, there are a number of benefits from holidaying at home. So why not consider staying within your own locale and take advantage of what your own city or town can offer.
There’s never been a better time to embrace staycations. The current pandemic has seen many countries close their borders to tourists and many of us have taken a financial hit due to ongoing lockdowns and restrictions.
Whether you simply don’t have the means to travel internationally right now or don’t feel motivated to deal with the many Covid-related travel regulations and restrictions that have been imposed around the globe, consider planning a staycation and realize for yourself why it may be a rather enticing idea.
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Many people shudder at the thought of camping, despite the fact most of us thoroughly enjoy spending time in the great outdoors. We have sadly become too accustomed to having modern-day conveniences like a comfortable bed, electricity, and running water!
There are however, a number of ways to make camping an enjoyable and relatively comfortable experience. So if you’ve been putting off that camping trip out of fear of having to endure an unbearable sleepless night, fear not! Camping comfortably is indeed possible and often starts with investing in a quality air mattress.
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As far as budget accommodation goes in Sydney, you can’t find a hostel with a better reputation than the Sydney Harbour YHA.
With a killer location, killer facilities, and that million dollar view (think sushi from a rooftop terrace directly overlooking the Bridge and Opera House), booking a room is the best choice you’ll make.
But not only is the hostel clean, affordable, friendly, with spacious, stylish communal areas and all the amenities you’d expect from a modern hostel, it also wraps around the archaeological remains of colonial Sydney.
The Big Dig Archaeological Site is an area of land with archaeological remains from the late 18th century, the time of Australia’s first European settlement. The excavations are part of the hostel itself, and this remains one of the largest urban archaeological dig sites in Australia.
With rooms built around the excavated foundations of over 30 homes and shops from 1795, and artifacts on display throughout it’s halls, this is one of few opportunities in the world to spend the night on an archaeological dig site.
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The pandemic has forced us to rethink how we do many things in our lives, from working and schooling remotely to social distancing wherever we go.
Travel too has been greatly impacted and many are now seeking out COVID-friendly holidays as travel restrictions ease; looking to adventurous RV holidays as a way to avoid hotels and public transport, joining the millions who have already embraced vanlife.
Vanlife is the movement that’s rocking social media. It’s about simplifying your life and realizing what’s truly important. It’s easy to see why so many people are embracing the lifestyle as it offers a great deal of freedom, flexibility, and adventure.
Renting an RV is a great way to decide whether you want to commit to vanlife as a lifestyle or simply wish to experience it as a travel break from everyday life. The flexibility allows you to change your plans at a whim; stay an extra day in a place that invigorates you or easily escape somewhere where the weather may not be cooperating.
If you want to experience a holiday where the possibilities are endless, check out these top tips for renting an RV and taking a vanlife holiday around Europe.
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If you’re anything like me, one minute you’re typing up that report and the next thing you know you’re staring out the window imagining paddleboarding with sea lions off the Canadian coast or enjoying tapas at an outdoor cafe in Barcelona.
For most of us, making those daydreams come true takes a lot of work. You have to make a plan, figure out what the trip will cost, and then save up enough money to make it happen, all while crossing your fingers your safari money doesn’t end up as “fixing the broken car” money instead.
And then there are those travel hackers – the ones who manage to visit 10 countries every year and post about how awesome and easy it is to pay for first-class flights and 5-star hotels using credit card rewards.
It’s true – you can use credit cards and points and miles to take amazing trips for free, but travel hacking has a steep learning curve. You have to put in a lot of time and pay close attention to detail to consistently earn enough rewards to cover your travels.
In this post, I’ll help with the learning curve by sharing five secrets of successful travel hackers, plus a new app that shortcuts the learning process and instantly travel hacks for you. (Psssttt … that’s the part you really don’t want to miss!)
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International travel may be coming back soon, but that doesn’t mean your travel fund will necessarily be ready. Many people have seen their finances take a hit and are now looking for ways they can earn extra cash to save up for travel.
Thankfully, there are many side hustle jobs out there that will allow you to earn quick money on a schedule that works for you without having to seek out another constrictive part-time job which may force you to work more than you are willing or able to.
The best part of many side hustle jobs is that they don’t require a degree or very much training if any at all. You may even be able to turn a hobby or something you enjoy into cash.
Whether it’s starting a blog, selling items around your home that are otherwise just collecting dust, or renting out a spare bedroom in your home, there are many easy ways to turn any extra free time into money you can put towards memorable travel experiences. Here are some of my most recommended side hustle jobs.
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Bitcoin is a peer-to-peer currency that is borderless and decentralized (not controlled by anyone), and the tourism industry has really embraced this new age way to pay.
Already travelers are able to pay for flights, hotel rooms, tours, and more with their secure digital wallets, and this may just become the go-to form of payment for travelers.
Wondering which travel sites accept bitcoin payments? The following is a quick list to reference of those who have taken up the digital currency and accept it for their services.
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Are you looking to enjoy more travel but finding money is a bit tight? There are a number of ways you can learn to simplify your life by reducing your daily expenses in order to help you save up for travel.
By learning how to differentiate between essential expenses and unnecessary purchases, along with changing what you put value on, you may be able to enjoy more travel without having to find a second job or sell everything you’ve worked hard for.
We’ve all read those articles about individuals or couples selling their homes and nearly all their belongings in order to travel the world. While the notion may seem romantic and adventurous, for many people it just isn’t realistic and does come with obvious drawbacks and challenges.
Sure, saving can be difficult, but you don’t have to sell everything you own in order to afford taking a holiday. There are many things you can do in your daily life that will help you cut your everyday expenses and allow you to save for the travel you desire.
By setting goals and learning how to budget, along with tracking your spending and cutting costs in certain areas, you too can free up some of your income to allocate to travel. Here are some of the best ways that will allow you to save money for your yearly travel fund.
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It’s one thing we all crave; a passionate love affair that will still make us smile even when we’re 90; that electric attraction where you can’t keep your hands off one another when together, and every minute spent apart is an unbearable state of intense longing.
As travelers, we fall head over heels quite often; swept up by the romance of intrepid adventure, and easily addicted to the high of new discovery.
But in terms of an affair to change your life completely, and a relationship where you fit together so naturally it feels like it was always meant to be, today I’d like to introduce you to Standard Luggage.
A durable carry-on backpack designed to fit the maximum dimensions of most airlines (that’s right – it’s big, but not so big that it doesn’t fit), expandable from 35-45 liters, Standard Luggage have created a travel bag so stylish and practical that you’ll remember this bag when you’re 90! (here’s the link).
It’s convertible to be used as three different bag styles, made from ballistic nylon to be both durable and water resistant, and includes a huge range of add-ons which enhance the travel experience without charging extra.
And if you fantasize about plenty of well organized, practical pockets (because which traveler doesn’t), you’ll never crave unzipping another piece of luggage.
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