Travel with The Happy Hour Crew
Today is the last Friday of the month, and my regular listeners know that on the last Friday of the month, I host the happy hour on the podcast, where I gather great friends with me to drink cheap drinks and talk about money topics. This month I have been mostly talking about travel and given that many of us are likely to be traveling this summer, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. You’ll hear about our travel philosophies, hear some of our best hacks and learn why at the end of the day, I think travel is something you should never deprive yourself of.
What are we drinking?
Melanie – Non-Alcoholic Paloma (made with Almave)
Colin - The Quarantine-y (Emergency-C, Vodka, and Water)
Alicia – Canned Straw-Ber-Rita
Shannon – Gin and Tonic
Podcast Notes
Travel Planning Styles, Preferences, & Experiences
As summer approaches and travel plans are being made, Shannon, Colin, Alicia, and Melanie share their experiences, tips, and strategies for making the most of every trip, whether a spontaneous getaway or a meticulously planned vacation.
When Shannon sold their house, more travel opportunities opened up. She loves planning, budgeting, and celebrating holidays off-peak to save money. Shannon will always fly Delta because it is her favorite airline.
Colin has traveled quite a bit in the last few years, and one of his favorite ways to save money is by staying with friends. He also likes to travel in the off-seasons and enjoys slightly spontaneous plans. He flies Spirit and travels light.
Alicia shares the challenges of traveling with a family as the kids get older and travel preferences change. Like most things in her life, Alicia meticulously plans and budgets for each trip and loves using credit card points to save money.
Melanie's travel style is based on flexibility and frugality. She uses her credit card points and searches for good flight deals to choose her travel destinations. Melanie is a huge fan of hostels but will splurge on things that excite her.
Travel Tips and Tricks
When you're getting ready to travel to a new place, a little planning can go a long way, especially if you're traveling internationally.
If you want to travel internationally, doing so on an American holiday like Thanksgiving is a great way to do so affordably.
Travel insurance can be a great way to save money if something goes wrong on your trip. Insurance really helped Melanie when she was in another country because of COVID.
Travel groups and networks can be great for insider tips and advice when planning. You can share your destination, and they'll give you tips and tricks for what to do, what not to do, when to travel, and other great tips.
Final Travel Thoughts
Don't underestimate a great staycation! You don't have to travel far to have a fun trip. Explore your own state and city like a tourist. So many fun activities, sights, and hidden gems may be nearby!
Using credit card points can be a great way to offset travel costs. Different companies have different reward systems, so research and find the one that best suits your lifestyle.
Call your bank or credit card company to ensure your credit card has no foreign transaction fees before traveling abroad. Also, make sure you understand the conversion rates and have a plan for how you'll pay for things.
While travel can be expensive, there are many ways to save money and make the most of every journey. Being intentional and strategic with travel plans can lead to unforgettable experiences without breaking the bank.
Takeaway: My biggest takeaway is the value of travel. As a financial planner, I always love when clients have planned in advance for travel and have the money set aside for it, but at the end of the day, I also see the value of experiencing it and figuring out the finances after the fact no all financial decisions have to make financial sense.
Resources
Connect with The Happy Hour Crew
Melanie Lockert: melanielockert.com
Colin Becker: @iwillbecolinyou & colinbecker.com
Shannon McLay: CEO & Founder of The Financial Gym
If you have any topics you would like me to cover on this podcast, or if you’d like to get in the financially naked hot seat, I encourage you to email me at Shannon@fingyms.com or join the private Martinis and Your Money Facebook Page, and let me know what you want to hear.
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