Hey there beautiful people out there! I just returned from the west coast and it was an amazing trip! The weather wasn’t all that pretty but we made the best of it and had a great time nonetheless! Before I left, I stated I would do a blog post on how to travel on a budget so I am going to do that now! Keep in mind, I am no expert or a travel agent by any means. I am sharing what I have researched and what actually worked for me!
My 2016 affirmation for the year is “The Year of Increase”. I want to increase my faith, my followers, my finances and definitely my traveling adventures. Last year, I had a moment where I was sitting quietly and I started to have visions that I was on an airplane flying to different places. After that moment, I got on twitter (I rarely use it anymore) and was clicking on different links on xonecole’s twitter feed. Out of nowhere, I was lead to a page where it showed how different airfares that were really low and affordable. Talk about crazy right?! Prior to that moment I had, I ordered Chinese food the week before all of this and take a WILD guess at what it said….”You will travel the world and come into a fortune.”
Months before that, My husband and I agreed to switch our main credit card to an airline card because we wanted to use the credit card to keep our credit at a good spot but also be rewarded for our spending. Talk. About. Creepy. Honestly, I was blown away by all of this that I decided to do my research on how I can make all of this happen. One thing I am learning to listen to my spirit and follow because most times it’s God trying to tell me something. I searched long and hard and found ways that could help those who have a desire like to travel but not spend a fortune on it.
Tip #1: An Airline Credit Card is your best friend! Get one now!
As stated, My husband and I decided to switch our old credit card to get an airline credit card. With credit cards nowadays, you accumulate points every time you make a purchase such as gas, grocery and etc. When you purchase items through their site such as flights, hotels and rental cars, you accumulate double points! Would you like to know how much we paid for our flights to Baltimore to Las Vegas and Los Angeles to Baltimore? I’ll let you guess…. $33.60. Yes you see it correctly. Taxes and fees was it y’all! When we opened an account and spent a certain amount of money within the first 2 or 3 months, we were blessed with so many points for round trips! We didn’t use those points right away so we saved them while accumulating more points.
We were able to get 3 roundtrip flights for free AND still have points left over to use for our next trip. Furthermore, whenever we go out of town, we purchase hotels through our airline and receive double points as well. I say all of this to say although I am not a fan of credit cards, the rewards you get in return for using an airline credit card will make your traveling expenses easier, affordable and rewarding in return. Almost all major airlines have credit cards so you are more than welcome to choose whichever one you like, qualify for and grants you the most out of your expenses.
Tip #2: Search sites that offer deals and travel packages!
I am a fan of Living Social and Groupon. I basically go on there everyday to see what cool deals they have on travel packages. My husband and I went to Mexico two years ago to celebrate our anniversary. We found a special on Living Social for an All Inclusive Resort in Cancun, Mexico for $354 (for two people). Can you believe that?! Two people get to share an oceanfront resort, food and drink included in Mexico for $354. If you’re lucky, you might find a special that includes food, drinks, resort/hotel AND flight for less than $800! There are other sites as well out there but these two are my holy grails and I swear to them. If you are not for hotel/resorts but looking for affordable flights, check out airfarewatchdog.com, theflightdeal.com, and so many more!
Tip #3: Just Go!
There’s no point in planning and dreaming about going somewhere and you don’t go! Put the fear to the side and just GO!! There is a whole, wide world out there that is calling your name. Start putting money to side, write down all of the places you desire to see (write the vision, make it plain), take time off of work, and GO!! The world is not going to discover itself so get out there and go!
My anxiety kicks in like crazy when I know I have to get on an airplane but I know the destination at the end of the flight is going to be so worth it! How do I expect to go to London, African, Australia and other places across the pond if my anxiety for planes keep getting the best of me?! I got to tell it to shut up and just GO!
I will continue to do more post of how to travel on a budget and places I go to on a budget to inspire everyone, young and old to get out there see the world. God didn’t create it all for it to not be seen or explored! So Go!