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5 Easy Ways to Cut Travel Costs

October 23, 2019
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Planning a trip can be daunting. There’s a million sights and activities you want to try, but you’re also looking to travel for cheap. Your bank account never seems big enough, but take a deep breath. While my free travel budgeting workshop walks you step by step through planning your trip and maximizing your budget, here are a few ways to cut costs.

This post includes affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission from items purchased through included links. These come at no extra cost to you and help me run my blog. All opinions are my own.

Do your homework

Sometimes it might be worth it to pay extra for convenience, but after making a list of activities you’d like to do, research them well in advance. For example, I’m headed to France on a tour with my family soon, and the itinerary offered an optional excursion for a river boat cruise. The price looked awful high to me, and a quick Google search showed me virtually the same boat tour for a fraction of the price. Especially with tour groups, which aren’t bad things at all, be sure to question the prices and do your own research.

Some cities also offer CityPasses, which give you access to multiple activities in a city for one price. I have yet to try them, but after living in Dallas for a summer, I wish I would’ve purchased one as it would’ve saved me money in the long run. Every destination is different, but doing your homework before (with lots of browsers open and price comparisons) can reduce that bottom line.

Beware travel fees

My number one piece of travel budget advice is to get a travel rewards credit card, whether it’s an airline, hotel or other type of card. I have Bank of America’s Travel Reward card and really like the flexibility it offers; it’s not limited to just one hotel chain or airline. The reason I applied for this credit card was because after chatting with a bank employee, I learned there would be ample fees if I only used my debit card. This ties into doing your homework beforehand, but definitely beware those travel fees — be it card, baggage, airline, hotel or late fees.

Another way to cut travel costs is by adding money to your fund without even adjusting your budget. Sound like it’s too good to be true? Not with the Rakuten browser plugin, which offers cash back at hundreds of stores. Sign up this month to get $25 in your account.

Take advantage of free breakfast

I’m all about that brunch life, so I feel you. But if breakfast is included in your lodging, grab it! Not eating out breakfast during your vacation can save you hundreds of dollars. Load up on the free breakfast and grab a piece of fruit or cereal to eat as a snack later. If you’re really looking to budget, eat a late breakfast and then only buy one meal out that day.

Cut back on taxis or Ubers

Ride-sharing apps and taxis add up big time. Instead, save money on your vacation by taking public transportation or walking. Even better than saving money, you get a better feel for the destination by living like a local and soaking up the street views. On my trip to Paris this past January, we only took public transportation, and albeit stressful at times, riding the metro is part of the experience.

Make your meal

Maybe you’ve perfected your budget to a tee before departure, but when you get there, things don’t go as planned. An unexpected baggage fee. A surprise “convenience” fee. A dinner bill you weren’t planning on. Life happens, it’s okay. If you’re on vacation and your wallet is feeling tight, consider a grocery store meal or two. (Or maybe you’d rather not eat out for a change.) Even if your lodging doesn’t have any appliances, you can pick up a sandwich, chips and fruit at the local grocery store. Not only do you get a more authentic experience, but you also save a pretty penny.

Budgeting for a trip can be stressful, and that’s exactly why I crafted The Ultimate Guide to Travel Budgeting and Saving online course. In 30 minutes, you’ll learn 20+ ways to earn extra money, simple saving tricks, how to plan based on your travel values and a cheat sheet — all for free!

These five easy tips will help you cut travel costs on your next vacation and help you travel cheap. Share your best budgeting advice in the comments.

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  1. Round Trip Roundup: OCTOBER – round trip says:
    November 7, 2019 at 6:45 pm

    […] This month I launched The Ultimate Guide to Travel Budgeting and Saving, an online course that walks you through everything you need to plan for your trip financially. I share the best travel credit cards, ways to make extra cash (some without lifting a finger) and how to save wisely. Here’s a free sneak peek. […]

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Hi, I'm Kristin. I'm a content creator teaching English in southern France. I'm all about exploring new places, practicing my French and sharing blogging tips. Allez-viens!
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Hi, I'm Kristin. I'm a content creator teaching English in southern France. I'm all about exploring new places, practicing my French and sharing blogging tips. Allez-viens!
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Want free access to my 30-minute travel budgeting course?

Not to be dramatic or anything, but those nine day Not to be dramatic or anything, but those nine days truly changed my life😍 About 7 years ago, I was taking AP European History and heard about a summer trip to Europe with my high school. London, Paris, Florence and Rome.

Yep, we were that group of students walking around Europe with our lanyards and headsets. I got those jitters when I saw Europe in its glory for the first time. And I still do.

If you would’ve told me then that I’d move to France during a global pandemic, I’d tell you you’re complètement fou.

But here’s the thing: that trip with @EFtours stirred something inside of me, and it has yet to settle. It was a longing to see and experience the world with my own two eyes. And it inspired me to start my travel blog, to continue with my French studies, to study abroad and to move to France.

This ain't sponsored (but I sure wish it were!), and I mean with my whole heart those few days in high school set me onto this path. And for that, I am beyond grateful.

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One thing you rarely hear about life abroad: so mu One thing you rarely hear about life abroad: so much dang paperwork and many complicated processes🙈

💰I have several bank accounts in the U.S. and France. I'm paid in euros, but I still have recurring subscriptions on my American credit card. I'm also all about growing my savings and getting those credit card points on my American account.

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❌I tried sending money directly from my French bank account to my American credit card bill. It worked, but there was bigger fee. And it was only to pay off charges, not grow savings.

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Have you ever had one of those “it’s a small w Have you ever had one of those “it’s a small world” moments?🌏

☀️Back in 2017, I spent a summer in Toulouse. One weekend, my friends and I went on a road trip to a slew of villages in southwestern France. They were truly some of the best days of my life: we stayed in my friend’s castle🏰(casual), we swam in the river + sunbathed, we drank wine + played games, we explored idyllic villages.

One of my favorite spots with the sweetest of nostalgic memories was in a small village called Laguépie. Population: ~600. Whenever people asked me my favorite place in France, nobody ever knew where I was talking about. It wasn’t in the magazines or travel blogs. (Ahem, it’s on mine!)

➡️Fast forward to 2020. I’m preparing to leave for France and am keeping a close eye on my teaching program’s Facebook page. An American girl posted in the group about her time in Marseille, and we began messaging. She helped me with a million and one things during my move to France, and we’ve stayed in touch and become good friends.

Earlier this month, I visited Albi to see her along with her French boyfriend, who’s from a small village. He never told me the name, but as we were sipping wine and eating saucissons, he said something about Laguépie.

“WHAT?! Did you say Laguépie? I’ve been there and fell in L O V E!” He said, no, we can’t be talking about the same place, no one ever goes to my hometown😂 But after showing him my photos, including ones the village’s castle @chateau_louvielcastel reposted, it was one and the same.

Can someone queue “Invisible String” because what a small world this is that we’re all connected. Do you have any wild stories like that? Tell me in the comments⬇️

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What do you like searching for on Pinterest?📌 What do you like searching for on Pinterest?📌

✈️I love finding travel destinations + itineraries, easy recipes and decorating ideas. My guess is that you've found some blogs and ideas you love through this site. 

😍I'm even more obsessed with how @pinterest serves to grow my blog and brand.

Currently kicking myself for not getting on the Pinterest for Business train sooner because this site is truly a game changer. I went from a personal account with a wedding board and gluten-free board with recipes I’d never tried to a bustling business board with more than 400,000 monthly visitors. And most of that is not from advertising.

📈I took a free @jennakutcher webinar on how to use Pinterest for Business and saw massive growth. And the best part? You can schedule out content for an entire week in just 30 minutes to an hour. 

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Want to learn how you can use Pinterest to grow your blog, brand or biz? Head over to link in bio for my best blogging tips💯

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Best day trips from Nice No. 4: Èze🏰 This med Best day trips from Nice No. 4: Èze🏰

This medieval village enchanted me so much so I almost teared up as we left because I just didn’t want to go. If there are castles, sea views and charm, I’m so there. And Èze checks all these boxes✅ 

😍This medieval village is a labyrinth of cobblestone and windy paths, but the steps are worth it. There are shops and restaurants along the way to the top where you get sweeping views of the Mediterranean Sea. 

🌵Once you make it to the top, you have to pay to enter the Jardin Exotique d’Èze, and I can't recommend it enough. (Be sure to ask about the combo deal that includes both the garden in Èze and the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild nearby.)

🚗🛤️Distance from Nice: 30-minute drive or 15 minute train ride

Craving more photos + day trip ideas from Nice? Head over to link in bio ❤️

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How's your sense of direction?↪️🗺️I am th How's your sense of direction?↪️🗺️I am the queen of getting lost — and not on purpose😂

When I lived in Toulouse in 2017, I took a day trip to a nearby town to visit a friend. Wanting to get the best deal, I booked the 6 a.m. train. Unfortunately, I didn't think it all the way through🙃

I left my apartment on time, but when I got to the metro, it hadn't started running yet. I was nervous about getting to the train station on time, but if I hurried, I could make it.

Alas, I made it to the metro stop where I was supposed to switch metro lines. I had one job, and I failed🙈

⚠️I went the wrong direction, and once I realized it, I quickly got off the next stop and ran up to the street. I was unbelievably lost, and the sun hadn't even come up. Eventually, I made it to the train station but had completely missed the train.

And defeated, I sat down in the bakery, cried and FaceTimed my mom. Some kind French girl saw my tears and approached me to help me book a new train.

Since then, I've gotten lost many more times😆 But it's taught me to not be so hard on myself because getting lost is part of the journey. (And if it's not a good time, it's a good story, eh?😜)

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Have you ever dreamed about making money from your Have you ever dreamed about making money from your hobby?✨

I remember when I first decided I wanted to make money from my blog. I thought to myself, I’m not qualified and no one is going to buy this. I’m just a 19 year-old girl! 

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📚When I started monetizing my blog, I started out selling my paperback books, and I made money from these self-published books at the ripe age of 19. I’ve found better luck selling digital products such as ebooks as the profit margins and logistics are much simpler.

Tell me about your dreams in the comments⬇️And if you're looking to monetize your blog, bop over to my link in bio on how to do exactly that🤑

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