10 Travel Hacks I Use To Save Money

Summary

This script offers a treasure trove of travel hacks aimed at maximizing vacation enjoyment while minimizing costs. It emphasizes early airfare booking, leveraging cheap travel days, and utilizing travel apps for the best deals. The speaker shares tips on avoiding baggage fees, navigating airport security efficiently, and securing better hotel rates. Additionally, they suggest using a debit card for foreign currency, investing in TSA pre-check for faster airport experiences, and considering city travel cards for discounts on local attractions. The script concludes with the importance of budgeting for travel and setting up a sinking fund to reach financial goals.

Takeaways

• 🎉 The speaker's most shared post was about birthday freebies, showing the audience values personal connections and saving money.
• 🛫 The audience is interested in travel and saving money, as indicated by the popularity of the Southwest flight hack post.
• ✈️ To save on airfare, book 3 to 3.5 months in advance for domestic flights, and even earlier for international ones.
• 📅 Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday are the cheapest days to fly, while Friday and Sunday are the most expensive.
• 💼 Travel during shoulder season (April-May and September-October) for lower rates.
• 📱 Use travel apps like Google Flights, Next Vacay, Hopper, and Skyscanner to find the best deals without being price-tracked by airlines.
• 🧳 Save on baggage fees by bringing a carry-on and personal item instead of checking bags, or choose airlines like Southwest that offer free checked bags.
• 🛂 For faster airport security, consider getting TSA Pre-Check for a fee that lasts five years.
• 🏨 Use websites and apps to find hotel deals, and call the hotel directly to negotiate better rates.
• 🚗 Renting a car can be cheaper through Costco Travel or peer-to-peer sharing apps like Turo.
• 🚌 Upon arrival, consider city travel cards or transport passes for discounts on attractions and transportation.
• 💰 The key to affordable travel is intentional budgeting and using a sinking fund to save for trips.

Q & A

What was the most shared post on the speaker's social media?

The most shared post was about the speaker's birthday freebies from the previous year.

What do the speaker's viral posts suggest about their audience's interests?

The audience is interested in travel and saving money, as indicated by the popularity of the birthday freebies and travel hack posts.

What are the cheapest days to fly according to the script?

The cheapest days to fly are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday.

Why are Friday and Sunday typically the most expensive days to fly?

Friday and Sunday are the most expensive because they are the most popular travel days, leading to higher demand and prices.

What is the benefit of traveling during shoulder season?

Traveling during shoulder season can result in lower rates, as it is less busy than peak travel times.

What travel apps and websites does the speaker recommend for finding deals?

The speaker recommends Google Flights, Going, Next Vacay, Hopper, and Skyscanner.

Why is it beneficial to bring a carry-on bag instead of checking a bag?

Bringing a carry-on bag can save money on baggage fees, which can range from $25 to $50 per bag.

Which airline is mentioned as an example of one that includes free checked bags?

Southwest is mentioned as an example of an airline that includes two free checked bags.

What is the advantage of using packing cubes when traveling with a checked bag?

Packing cubes make packing easier and can help save on checked baggage fees by allowing travelers to consolidate items into a single bag.

Why is it recommended to avoid exchanging money at the airport when traveling internationally?

Exchanging money at the airport is one of the most expensive options and can result in poor exchange rates and high fees.

What is TSA Pre-Check and how much does it cost?

TSA Pre-Check is a program that allows travelers to skip long security lines for a fee of about $78, valid for five years.

What is a City Pass and how can it save travelers money?

A City Pass is a card that provides access to multiple attractions for a fraction of the cost of individual tickets, saving travelers up to $100 per pass.

What is the speaker's advice for finding hotel deals online?

The speaker suggests starting with hotels.com to see what's available and read reviews, then comparing rates on the hotel's website and calling the hotel directly to negotiate rates.

What is the name of the Chrome browser extension that can help identify mystery hotels on booking sites?

The Chrome browser extension is called 'Travel Arrow'.

What is the speaker's suggestion for a budgeting app that helps with setting up and tracking a sinking fund?

The speaker recommends using 'Every Dollar' for budgeting and tracking a sinking fund.

What is the Financial Peace University class mentioned in the script about?

The Financial Peace University class is about taking control of one's money, focusing on getting out of debt, budgeting, and building wealth for the future.