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ON ANY BUDGET

Portrait of a young African American woman on vacation in Barcelona shopping online on the street.

34% of Americans Go Over Budget on Vacation: How To Tighten Your Travel Finances

Let’s be real: Some of us live for vacation. The sunshine (or snow), the great food, new experiences and best of all: not working! But before you book your next getaway, you might want to make sure you’ve got the money you need to make it a reality. Sometimes, amidst all the glory of your well-deserved vacation, you might go a little overboard. Check Out: 10 All-Inclusive Resort Hacks That Can Help You Save BigMore: How To Build a Financial Plan From Zero A new survey by GOBankingRates revealed that 34% of vacationers spend more than they budgeted, some by…

Beautiful Lanikai, Kailua Sunrise in Hawaii

How I Do It: Hawaii on a $1,000 Budget

The only state in the tropics, Hawaii is an island paradise 2,000 miles away from the U.S. mainland — and unsurprisingly, a tropical utopia built on lava is at the top of many travel lists. A new GOBankingRates survey of more than 1,000 adults found that Americans would rather travel to Hawaii — Honolulu, specifically — than any other U.S. location if money weren’t a consideration. For context as to just how deeply Americans covet a trip to Hawaii, more than 40% chose the Aloha State compared to No. 2 New York City, which came in under 12%. Related: 5…

Mature couple exploring Belgrade in Serbia.

How To Save Money by Planning Your Travel Through Costco

If you’re not using your Costco membership to book travel, you’re likely missing out on big savings. The warehouse club offers its members numerous ways to save on vacation costs that you should be taking advantage of when booking your next trip. Costco’s Best Deals? Employee Reveals 10 Standout Buys for Your MoneySee: How To Build a Financial Plan From Zero Here are all the ways to save money by planning your travel through Costco. Take Advantage of Costco Vacation Packages Costco offers great deals on vacation packages for destinations around the world. For example, Costco is currently offering a…

Travel budget - vacation money savings in a glass jar on world map.

6 Expensive Vacation Costs Travelers Always Regret

There are some vacation splurges that are pretty much always worth it, like applying for a TSA precheck or booking a nonstop flight to your destination. Other splurges may seem like they’re worth it at first, but turn out to be too expensive or have diminishing returns after you’ve made the purchase. See: Don’t Buy Airline Tickets on This Day of the WeekMore: How To Get Cash Back on Your Everyday Purchases Keep the money you would have spent on an impulse splurge in your wallet the next time you’re on vacation. These are the vacation splurges you’ll almost always…

Travel Prep

Family with Car travel driving road trip summer vacation in car in the sunset, Dad, mom and daughter happy traveling enjoy holidays and relaxation together get the atmosphere and go to destination.

How Much You Should Realistically Budget for a Road Trip?

Road trips are often a much cheaper option compared to flying; however, the expenses can add up quickly with all the costs of motels, gas and food. In order to leave room in the budget for road trip snacks and ease anxiety, let’s learn from some experts how to best prepare and budget for excursions in the car. I’m a Self-Made Millionaire: These Are the 6 Investments Everyone Should Make During an Economic DownturnFind: How To Build a Financial Plan From Zero How Much Money Should You Spend on a Road Trip? The answer depends on how far you are…

By Maddie Duley

luxury travel, romantic beach getaway holidays for honeymoon couple, tropical vacation in luxurious hotel.

Vrbo vs. Airbnb: Which Is Best for Travelers?

Group of vacation objects on the beach of Grand Bahama island in the Bahamas.

The Best Time To Buy Plane Tickets for Summer 2023

The official start of summer (June 21) is less than 100 days away, which means it’s now or never to get the best airfare deals for your summer vacation plans. See: Check Your $2 Bills — They Could Be Worth Upwards of $4,500Find: 3 Signs You’re Serious About Raising Your Credit Score According to Reader’s Digest, the best time to buy plane tickets is at least three weeks in advance for domestic flights. “Prices spike in the two weeks leading up to a flight’s departure, rising 25% two weeks out and another 30% in the final week,” Hayley Berg, lead…

A woman stands in an airport terminal and checks her phone.

Clear vs. TSA PreCheck: Which Is Best?

Anyone who has ever taken a flight knows the hassles associated with security screening. Fortunately, programs like TSA PreCheck and Clear make it easier for airline passengers to quickly pass through airport security. Frequent flyers often opt for these programs to save time and promptly catch flights without going through the security queues. Both TSA PreCheck and Clear have their own sets of benefits and challenges. Read on to find out more about which one might be the most suitable for you. See: 3 Signs You’re Serious About Raising Your Credit Score TSA PreCheck Introduced in 2013, TSA PreCheck is…

Save Your Stay

This Travel Hacker Joined AARP in His 30s — Here’s How He Uses It To Save Big

Although AARP is known for the discounts it offers to people in their 50s and older, you don’t actually have to be 50 to join. “Members under 50 will get access to all of the great benefits that come with a membership that isn’t restricted by vendor offer requirements, such as age-restricted insurance products,” the AARP states on its website. “It’s never too early to sign up!” Find Out: Why Nobody Is Buying Vacation Homes AnymoreMore: How To Build Your Savings From Scratch Membership starts at just $12 per year, and if you use it wisely, you can way more…

By Gabrielle Olya

woman traveler in europa- Alhambra in Spain.

How To Save Thousands as a Digital Nomad by Moving Abroad

America, long known as a country built on immigrants, is seeing a big flip of the switch lately as millions of people across the nation are now looking to emigrate elsewhere. According to the Association of Americans Resident Overseas, there are 8.7 million Americans now living abroad — and the number is growing, especially as Mexico becomes a huge spot for expats (1.6 million now live south of the border as of 2022 according to Bloomberg). Social Security: Women Get $354 Per Month Less Than Men – Here’s WhyInflation: With a Recession Looming, Make These 3 Retirement Moves To Stay…

A elegant family in white summer clothing walks hand in hand down a tropical paradise beach during sunset tme and enjoys their vacation time.

6 Hacks To Help You Afford Family Vacations as Costs Keep Rising

It’s not just you — family vacations have steadily been increasing in price since last year. The latest GOBankingRates infographic breaks down the cost increase on virtually various family vacation expenses from the cost of a trip to Disney parks to holiday flights. Explore: GOBankingRates’ Best Credit Cards for 2023Important: 3 Ways Smart People Save Money When Filing Their TaxesRead: 3 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000 While traveling prices are up, travel itself has not increased to the point where it’s not feasible for families to travel together. The dream family vacation is still alive and…

Couple happily pushing the trolley with their son at airport.

10 Tips for Saving Money on Airfare This Spring

Spring is almost in the air and people are ready to travel. Airline Weekly estimates that roughly 2.6 million people a day will fly on average in March and April — a 1% increase from 2019. Amid all the excitement, it’s easy to forget just how expensive air travel has become. Find: 20 Useless Products That Car Dealerships May Try To Sucker You Into BuyingGood Points: 3 Signs You’re Serious About Raising Your Credit Score Airfare has actually outpaced inflation, and according to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index, was up 25.6% from January 2022 to…

Insider Tips

Aerial view of Las Vegas strip at sunrise on July 24, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Travel Expert Secrets: 9 Trips That Cost Less Than You Think

While it might seem like a luxury vacation is an unattainable goal, it’s likely much more affordable than you think. With a little bit of budgeting and some expert insight on the best places to go and deals available, you can make your dream vacation a reality.The Future of Finances: Gen Z & How They Relate to MoneyMore: 3 Signs You’re Serious About Raising Your Credit ScoreCheck out these nine luxury vacation spots recommended by travel experts, and prepare to book your next getaway in an affordable way.

By Maddie Duley

You Could Save Money by Booking Your Vacation Rental By These Dates, According to Vrbo

Consumers looking to book private vacation rentals this year may want to get on with making reservations. Booking earlier is advantageous for most would-be vacationers in terms of saving money: you’ll have more time to look around for promo codes and may not have to compete with increased demand for that lovely getaway you had your eye on. Booking in close proximity to a travel date almost always means added costs! Learn: These Are the 10 Most Overpriced Housing Markets in the US — 5 Are in FloridaMore: How To Build a Financial Plan From Zero “If you’re looking to…

Micke and Minnie's Runaway Railway at Walt Disney World Resort concept art

The Best Times of Year To Visit Disney Parks To Get Your Money’s Worth

Most visitors to Disney parks like Walt Disney World and Disneyland carefully plan and budget for these trips. Part of the planning process includes considering the dates of your visit. Should you try to time your visit to a Disney park during a specific season or holiday for the best possible experience? See: What Is the Highest Rated Luxury Cruise Line?Learn: 3 Ways Smart People Save Money When Filing Their Taxes Here are some of the best times of year, and when to skip making a visit, for enjoying and getting your money’s worth from the parks. Plan Your Visit…

Digitally generated image of the luxurious hotel lobby from high angle view.

5 Signs You’re Staying at a Luxury Hotel

Luxury hotels have more in common than just high prices. To lure customers willing to pay those high prices, a hotel should have certain services, features and amenities that set it apart from the rest of the pack. Discover: How Much Does It Cost To Rent a Private Jet?Learn: 3 Signs You’re Serious About Raising Your Credit Score You won’t find a lot of set standards on what constitutes a luxury hotel — mainly because the industry itself doesn’t impose requirements on when hotels can define themselves as “luxurious.” It’s not like the auto industry, which has certain standards on…

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Bermuda is located in the North Atlantic Ocean.

How Much It Costs To Have a 5-Day Trip in These Caribbean Countries

In a recent GOBankingRates survey, 41% of respondents said that if money was no object, they’d travel to Honolulu, Hawaii. However, east coasters will often opt to vacation in the beautiful Caribbean islands instead, which is about a four-hour plane ride as opposed to the 11-hour flight to Hawaii. Read: 6 Vacation Splurges You’ll Almost Always RegretMore: How To Build a Financial Plan From Zero That’s not the only reason to visit the Caribbean, though. “When it comes to exotic travel destinations, the Caribbean is one of the most popular choices people make to enjoy the always-summery weather, soak in…

By Brooke Barley

Aerial sunset view of Lan Ha bay and Cat Ba island, Vietnam, unique limestone rock islands and karst formation peaks in the sea, floating fishermen villages and fish farms from above.

5 Best UNESCO World Heritage Sites To Visit on a Budget

Some trips you take are meant to last a lifetime, especially when you travel around the globe visiting the 1,157 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which are deemed to be the locations on Earth that hold historical and aesthetic qualities unlike anywhere else.Discover: 7 Affordable Places To Retire If You Love the Great Outdoors FICO Figures: 3 Signs You’re Serious About Raising Your Credit ScoreIn order to be added to the UNESCO list, a site must fall under one of the 10 qualifying categories, including “to contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance” or “be…

Orlando, Florida, USA Downtown Drone Skyline Aerial stock photo

Orlando Is Most Expensive Vacation City in the World — Here’s How Much It Costs a Family of Four

Orlando isn’t just a popular vacation city in the U.S, it’s the vacation city in the U.S. In 2019, it raked in 75 million visitors, making it the most visited destination in the country. But a trip to Orlando does not come cheap. Traveling With Children? New United Policy Allows You To Sit Together at No CostFind: Buying Property in These Vacation Destinations Could Be a Great Investment According to research by Compare the Market, as reported by Fox Business, Orlando is the most expensive city for a family vacation. But there are several other cities that are nearly just…

Millennial blogger working on laptop outside at a cafe

7 Cheapest Countries for Taking a ‘Workcation’

Working remotely can afford you the opportunity to pack up your laptop, travel to a new country and enjoy a fascinating culture while still getting your daily work done. In other words, it’s like a work vacation — known colloquially as a “workcation.”Retirement at Any Age: Get Retirement Tips That Fit Every Stage of LifeFind Out: Get Your Credit Score On Track With These 3 Tips for SuccessRead: 3 Ways Smart People Save Money When Filing Their TaxesAlthough the term “workcation” existed long before the pandemic turned the world upside down, it was the pandemic that served as the catalyst for…

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More Than Two-Thirds of Americans Say Inflation Is Their Biggest Obstacle to Traveling More in 2023

Here’s how to travel for cheaper, despite rising costs.

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5 Ways To Save on Gas as Prices Are Poised To Increase

National average gas prices have recently moved lower, but OPEC has announced cuts to oil production that could push gas prices back up again. On April 2, Saudi Arabia and other major oil producers announced cuts equal to 1.15 million barrels per day — cuts taking place from May until the end of the year, per USA Today. These cuts are in addition to a reduction announced last October. The Saudi Energy Ministry stated that reducing its production by 500,000 barrels per day was a “precautionary measure” to stabilize the oil market. Since the announcement, CNBC reported that oil prices…

Couple checking reservation on smartphone stock photo

13 Insider Secrets From Travel Agents That Will Save You Money

The pandemic changed the nature of global travel more than any other event in recent history — but the nature of planning and booking travel was evolving long before the virus arrived in 2020. Today’s travelers can scour the internet for the cheapest flights, hotels rooms, cruises, and vacation packages, book their stays, and make arrangements all in the same app. Student Loan Forgiveness: Will You Qualify for $0 Payments Under Biden’s New Plan?Read: 3 Ways Smart People Save Money When Filing Their TaxesWealthy Millennials Aren’t Banking on Stocks: Here’s What They’re Investing In InsteadThat’s bad news for travel agents, who…

Catch Up on These Popular Travel Stories

How This Travel Expert Plans A Luxury Weekend Trip for Less Than $250

Here Are the 5 Biggest Reasons Americans Won’t Be Planning Summer Travel

Housing Market 2023: Why Demand for Vacation Homes Has Dropped

The Most Luxurious Hotels in Five Popular US Cities

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5 Best Costco Vacation Packages

Orlando, Florida, USA - November 25, 2013: Walt Disney World main entrance sign as seen driving from the south on World Drive into the park.

5 Disney Add-Ons You Won’t Regret Buying

Parkgoers heading to Disneyland or Walt Disney World Resort may decide to invest in a few Disney add-ons. These add-ons may cost a little extra, but the investment is worth it when it comes to having an enjoyable, memorable visit at a Disney park. Costco’s Best Deals? Employee Reveals 10 Standout Buys for Your MoneyFind Out: 3 Signs You’re Serious About Raising Your Credit ScoreHow do you know which add-ons are the best to factor into your theme park budget? Here are the Disney add-ons park visitors won’t regret buying.

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Experts: When Is the Best Time To Take a Vacation If You Want To Save?

Year-round travel is now an option once again in most of the world. So if your soul requires the kind of soothing that only a vacation can provide, the key is not to overspend — that will only lead to money stress, which defeats the whole point of getting away in the first place. The good news is, there’s a right time of year to visit just about every destination at home and abroad for anyone looking to balance experience with cost. Cut Costs: 10 Things To Stop Buying in 2023See: How To Get Free Gift Cards From Your Everyday…

13 Ways To Save Money for Vacation

Despite the overwhelming evidence that vacations make people happier and healthier, American workers are taking fewer and fewer days off. Some feel pressure to be at work 24/7, especially now that working from home is so common. Lots of people don’t have the time to spend on themselves, and some simply can’t afford it. The US Travel Association study found that in 2018, “a record 768 million U.S. vacation days went unused.” Explore: GOBankingRates’ Best Credit Cards for 2023Important: 3 Easy Tips To Turn Your Credit Woes Into Wows If you’re ready to get happy and healthier by taking a…

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