As of Wednesday, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members can enroll in the expedited security program Clear at a slightly discounted rate of $179 annually.
Although this is only a $10 discount for Alaska Airlines loyalists, Mileage Plan members who sign up for Clear will also receive bonus miles: MVP, MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75K and MVP Gold 100K members will receive 1,500 miles, plus an additional 1,250 miles each year they renew.
Also, Mileage Plan members who are first-time Clear users will receive an additional 1,000 Mileage Plan miles when they enroll by July 16.
Other ways to save on Clear
Though Clear normally costs $189 per year, there are many ways you can avoid paying the full price.
Credit cards that cover Clear application fees
The following cards will reimburse you for up to $189 per year in Clear Plus membership costs:
With the newly announced partnership, Alaska Airlines becomes the third airline Clear has partnered with to offer discounted rates for their frequent flyer members.
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Delta Air Lines SkyMiles discounts
United Airlines MileagePlus discounts
To secure these rates, enter your SkyMiles or MileagePlus number during enrollment, or link your SkyMiles or MileagePlus account after enrolling. Since it’s free to join Delta SkyMiles and United MileagePlus, any U.S.-based passenger can access the discounted membership rates by linking their SkyMiles or MileagePlus account to their Clear account.
Family membership
Clear members can add up to three family members for $60 each per year. Children under 18 can use the lane for free when accompanied by a Clear member.
Free 2-month trial
Clear members can refer friends to the program in exchange for a free two-month trial of Clear.
Bottom line
Using biometrics, Clear automates the identity verification step for travelers in the U.S. Transportation Security Administration screening process. Clear members go through a separate security lane with dedicated kiosks rather than wait for a TSA agent to review their license or passport.
Once their identity is confirmed, Clear users go to the front of the line for the traditional security screening machines.
Clear’s latest airline partnership aligns Alaska Airlines elite status members with a discounted rate currently available for similar status holders on Delta and United; it also adds bonus Alaska Airlines miles.
The average cost of homeowners insurance in Arkansas is $3,020 per year, or about $252 per month, according to a NerdWallet analysis. That’s more than the national average of $1,820 per year.
We’ve analyzed rates and companies across the state to find the best homeowners insurance in Arkansas. Our sample rates are for a homeowner with good credit and $300,000 of dwelling coverage, $300,000 of liability coverage and a $1,000 deductible. Your rates will be different.
Note: Some insurance companies included in this article may have made changes in their underwriting practices and no longer issue new policies in your state.
Why you can trust NerdWallet
Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our writing and data analyses. You can trust the prices we show you because our data analysts take rigorous measures to eliminate inaccuracies in pricing data and may update rates for accuracy as new information becomes available.
We include rates from every locale in the country where coverage is offered and data is available. When comparing rates for different coverage amounts and backgrounds, we change only one variable at a time, so you can easily see how each factor affects pricing.
Our sample homeowner had good credit, $300,000 of dwelling coverage, $300,000 of liability coverage and a $1,000 deductible.
The best homeowners insurance in Arkansas
If you’re looking to buy homeowners insurance from a well-rated national brand, consider one of these insurers from NerdWallet’s list of the Best Homeowners Insurance Companies.
More about the best home insurance companies in Arkansas
See more details about each company to help you decide which one is best for you.
State Farm
Well-established insurer with a lengthy list of coverage options.
Coverage options
More than average
Average set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Fewer than expected
State Farm
Well-established insurer with a lengthy list of coverage options.
Coverage options
More than average
Average set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Fewer than expected
America’s largest home insurer celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2022. One useful endorsement you may be able to add to a State Farm policy is an inflation guard rider, which automatically increases your policy limits to make sure your coverage doesn’t fall short.
State Farm offers a free Ting device as a perk for home insurance policyholders. Ting is a smart plug that monitors your home’s electrical network to help prevent fires.
Farmers
Those seeking benefits like diminishing deductibles and claims forgiveness may want to consider Farmers.
Coverage options
More than average
Average set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Fewer than expected
Farmers
Those seeking benefits like diminishing deductibles and claims forgiveness may want to consider Farmers.
Coverage options
More than average
Average set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Fewer than expected
Homeowners policies from Farmers may include two valuable types of insurance: extended dwelling and replacement cost coverage. Extended dwelling coverage gives you extra insurance for the structure of your house, while replacement cost coverage offers higher reimbursement for stolen or destroyed belongings.
Some Farmers policies also come with perks that can save you money. For example, with claim forgiveness, Farmers won’t raise your rate for a claim as long as you haven’t filed one within the past five years.
Nationwide
For shoppers seeking a broad range of coverage options, Nationwide may fit the bill.
Coverage options
More than average
Great set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Close to expected
Nationwide
For shoppers seeking a broad range of coverage options, Nationwide may fit the bill.
Coverage options
More than average
Great set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Close to expected
We like Nationwide for its wide variety of coverage options. For example, its standard homeowners insurance policy generally includes ordinance or law coverage, which can help pay to bring your home up to current building codes after a covered claim. You can add other coverage for things like identity theft and damage from backed-up sewers and drains.
Depending on how much personal assistance you need, you can get a quote for homeowners insurance on the Nationwide website or work with a local agent instead. You can also use the website to pay bills, file claims or check claim status.
USAA
Offers perks and affordable rates for the military community.
Coverage options
Below average
Average set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Far fewer than expected
USAA
Offers perks and affordable rates for the military community.
Coverage options
Below average
Average set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Far fewer than expected
USAA sells homeowners insurance to veterans, active military and their families. If you fall into one of those groups, you might want to look into USAA’s offerings. The company’s homeowners policies include some unique perks such as deductible-free coverage for military uniforms and coverage for identity theft.
Homeowners in Arkansas can take part in the company’s Connected Home program, which gives you a discount on your policy if you buy and install approved smart home devices. These include water leak sensors, cameras and thermostats.
How much does homeowners insurance cost in Arkansas?
The average annual cost of home insurance in Arkansas is $3,020. That’s 66% more than the national average of $1,820.
In most U.S. states, including Arkansas, many insurers use your credit-based insurance score to help set rates. Your insurance score is similar but not identical to your traditional credit score.
In Arkansas, those with poor credit pay an average of $6,850 per year for homeowners insurance, according to NerdWallet’s rate analysis. That’s more than double what those with good credit pay.
Average cost of homeowners insurance in Arkansas by city
How much you pay for homeowners insurance in Arkansas depends on where you live. For instance, the average cost of home insurance in Little Rock is $2,740 per year, while homeowners in Fayetteville pay $2,590 per year, on average.
Average annual rate
Average monthly rate
Bentonville
Fayetteville
Fort Smith
Hot Springs National Park
Jacksonville
Little Rock
North Little Rock
Pine Bluff
Russellville
Springdale
The cheapest home insurance in Arkansas
Here are the insurers we found with average annual rates below the Arkansas average of $3,020.
What to know about Arkansas homeowners insurance
From big natural disasters like tornadoes and wildfires to more common, storm-related risks like flooding and hail, here’s what Arkansans should be looking for when shopping for home insurance.
Tornadoes
Arkansas is becoming a part of Tornado Alley, the geographic stretch with the highest frequencies of tornadoes in the U.S. Tornadoes and wind storms can damage homes and roofs, sometimes even destroying them.
Wind damage, including any caused by tornadoes, is often included in a standard homeowners insurance policy. Read your policy closely, though, as you may have a separate wind deductible. These are often a flat rate, such as $1,000, or a percentage of your dwelling coverage. For example, your policy may have a $1,000 deductible for most claims and a 1% deductible for wind claims. So if your house has $250,000 worth of dwelling coverage, you’d have to pay for the first $2,500 of wind damage yourself.
Flooding
Heavy rainfall or rapid snowmelt can overflow rivers, streams, or lakes throughout Arkansas. RiskFactor.com, a website from the nonprofit First Street Foundation, estimates that over 200,000 properties have an above 26% chance of being severely impacted by flooding in the next 30 years.
Standard homeowners insurance policies typically don’t cover flood damage. As a result, homeowners in flood-prone areas may need to purchase separate flood insurance to protect their property from water damage.
Remember that while you can purchase flood coverage anytime, there’s typically a 30-day waiting period before the insurance takes effect. Here’s more information about flood insurance and waiting periods.
Hail
Hailstorms are frequent in Arkansas throughout the spring and summer storm seasons. Homeowners may have to deal with hail damage to roofs, windows and siding, leading to costly repairs or replacements.
Hail damage is typically included in your standard home insurance policy, but make sure to read your policy closely, as it may come with a separate deductible.
Wildfires
While not a common risk in Arkansas, wildfires can still be a danger for homeowners, particularly in dry and wooded areas. Homes can be destroyed or damaged by flames, smoke and heat. Luckily, standard home insurance policies cover damage from wildfires.
Pay particular attention to your dwelling coverage limit. This is the amount the insurance company will pay to rebuild your house. A significant fire can destroy your whole home, so talk with your insurer to ensure you have enough coverage to rebuild if necessary.
Earthquakes
While generally uncommon in Arkansas, earthquakes are still a risk factor for homeowners to consider when shopping for insurance. As part of the New Madrid Seismic Zone, minor earthquakes are not infrequent. These quakes can cause substantial damage to structures and personal belongings.
Standard homeowners insurance policies don’t typically cover structural damage due to an earthquake. Review your policy carefully, and if you live in an area with higher risk, consider purchasing additional earthquake insurance.
When purchasing earthquake insurance, pay attention to the deductibles, so you know the potential out-of-pocket costs. Your earthquake insurance often has a separate deductible, which can be around 5% to 25% of the coverage on your policy. For example, if you have a 20% deductible on $200,000 of coverage, you would need to pay a $40,000 deductible for earthquake damage before your insurance kicks in.
Arkansas insurance department
The Arkansas Insurance Department regulates the state’s insurance industry and provides helpful information, as well as consumer protection. If you need to file a complaint against your insurance company, you can do so using the online Consumer Complaint Form.
If you have questions about filing a complaint or about insurance protections the Arkansas Insurance Department can offer, contact the Consumer Services division at 800-852-5494 or by email at [email protected]
Amanda Shapland contributed to this story.
Frequently asked questions
Is homeowners insurance required in Arkansas?
Homeowners insurance is not legally required in Arkansas, but your mortgage lender may require you to buy it.
Does Arkansas home insurance cover flooding?
Standard home insurance policies in Arkansas do not cover flooding. If you live in a high-risk area or are concerned about the possibility of flood damage, you will want to buy separate flood insurance.
How can I save money on home insurance in Arkansas?
There are several ways to save money on homeowners insurance in Arkansas:
Shop around to make sure you’re getting the best rate.
Choose a higher deductible. In case of any claims, you’ll pay more out of pocket, but your premiums will be lower.
This post may contain affiliate links, which helps us to continue providing relevant content and we receive a small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the full disclosure here.
The ripple effect of a financial mindset can be seen in every aspect of your life.
Think about it: If you are not mindful of how you spend and save money, then you will be in a constant struggle each and every month.
If you are simply someone who is struggling to make ends meet, there are many things we can do to save money. If you are trying desperately to reach financial freedom sooner, then you need these best money hacks to make it happen sooner.
Around here at Money Bliss, we spend a lot of time on our money mindset and setting goals.
Everyone is in a different season with their finances.
But, one thing is true… Most of us never learned proper money management.
Do you find yourself in a constant cycle of financial struggle? Do you feel like you are constantly trying to live up to unrealistic standards?
It is easy for people to feel that they are constantly broke, and in some cases this is true. But, it is also important to remember that there are ways in which you can make more money and start saving for your future.
Since changing money habits does not always come easy and often requires some serious changes in our mindset, we are here to support you to find the top money hacks.
Read on as we share 50+ ways you can start saving more money as well as making more money while also saving your sanity!
What are Money Hacks?
Money hacks are the ways in which people stretch their money.
These money hacks can come from a variety of sources, such as personal experience, family members or friends, and other individuals on social media.
Money hacks can come in many forms such as:
Simple money saving hacks
Ways to make money on the side
Strategies to make every dollar count
Thrifty ideas to be more frugal
Ideas to be more conscious of our waste
All in all, money hacks will help you to spend less money. Thus, saving more money.
As you will learn at Money Bliss, saving money opens up doors of opportunities
Best Money Hacks
Money hacks are ways to build long-term wealth.
Even though most of the hacks for money include quick saving wins, over the long term, you will actually start a snowball effect of more money in your bank account.
Sometimes, it can be difficult to find the motivation to save money, but these 7 best real money hacks will help you reset your financial mindset and start saving!
The best money hacks are the overarching big picture concepts that you must master for long-term success.
1. Think Big
Open up your mind.
One way to reset your financial mindset is by opening yourself up to new ways of thinking about spending and saving.
Too often, we are focused on what is directly in front of us instead of thinking about the big picture.
A great way to think big with your finances is to decide how you want to live life with intention.
2. Habit of Saving Money
Get back in the habit of saving.
If you have been beyond your means or barely scraping by, the best way to get back on track is by saving at least 20% of your income.
This may seem a little ludicrous. However, by prioritizing saving first, you will be pleasantly surprised how well you live off the rest.
In this post, there will be so many simple and easy ways to start saving today.
3. Make a Plan for Your Money
Create a spending plan (aka that dreaded word budget).
Creating an outline for what you want and need will help you to make smarter decisions about your spending.
This concept has been made too difficult over the years.
The bottom line is you want to spend less than you make. So, make a plan for that to happen today.
4. Make Money on the Side
This one is huge!
Personally, making extra money has been a priority for the last 5 years. We spent many years trying to cut our expenses and hating our inability to actually spend less as a growing family. So, we changed our focus to finding ways to make more money instead.
Start a side hustle. If you are not making enough to live comfortably, start a side hustle! Use your unique skill set to make extra cash.
Pick up a second job or ask for more hours.
There are plenty of ways to make money fast.
5. Invest in Stock Market
This means a way to make money or increase your net worth. AKA make your money work for you.
Too many times, the concept of investing is big and scary. The thought of starting is way too overwhelming. So you put it off until next week or next month. Then, a couple of years go by and you have not invested your money.
That is the biggest financial mistake you can make.
Start small by investing in an index fund. Each month consistently add more money.
If you want to learn to trade stocks, then you must enroll in the best investing course I have found.
Read my in-depth investing course review.
6. Pay Off Debt
Ugh… debt is the cash flow killer.
You are unable to make forward progress if you are straddled by debt.
Figure out how to pay off debt ASAP.
When calculating how long it will take to pay off high-interest debt, you should consider paying the highest interest rate first. Here is the best debt payoff app available.
7. Watch Your Spending
Be mindful of your spending.
This is a great practice that many people need to start doing again, regardless of how much money or how little money they have.
Every few months, you need to evaluate your spending to see if it matches up with your values.
As you can imagine there are many money hacks that can help you save, but the list above is the money hacks that will make the biggest difference the quickest. Below we have many more money hacks for you to explore.
Hacks for Saving Money
Money app hacks are small, quick, and easy ways to improve your finances.
They can range from things like automating your budget or creating a money jar that pays for itself, to more complex solutions like changing your tax withholding or moving money around to get a higher return.
Honestly, there are so many life hacks for saving money.
8. Automatic Savings
This is a practice of automatically transferring money from your checking account into your savings account on a regular basis.
It is best to set a transfer amount and stick to it.
Since it is easier to save your money before you spend it, you must save as much money as possible in order for this strategy to be effective.
9. Financial goals
A financial goal is a long-term, quantifiable expectation for how much money you want to have, or what you plan on doing with your money. Your goals can be as simple as saving for the down payment on a house or as involved as saving for retirement.
Our financial goals allow us to set specific, numerical targets that help us achieve our desired lifestyle in a more concrete way.
You must set smart financial goals.
10. What brings you joy?
At the end of the day, it is important to remember that life is all about finding what brings you joy.
The question is open-ended, but your money must line up with what brings you joy.
Spend a few minutes and stew on the question.
11. Build an emergency savings fund
Building an emergency savings fund is a great idea if you are in the habit of saving money and want to make sure that you have some money saved up when times get rough.
If you are struggling to save, there are a few ways you can increase your savings.
For example, you might be able to set up automatic transfers from your checking account into an investment account. You should also make sure that you have a way to save money outside of your checking account.
Saving cash in a jar or saving up coins are ideas for some people.
12. Invest spare change
If you go shopping and buy something, most stores will give you change. If you use a debit or credit card, you can do the same thing with help of a popular app!
Simple money hack: investing your spare change.
In order to invest your spare change in an account, you can open one for as little as $5. Acorns then automatically invest the money from your checking account and into a savings acorn account.
As the round-up feature continues to add upon each purchase, it is a good idea to invest in this app so that you can save more dollars!
13. Challenge Yourself to Save
If you are looking to save money, it is best to set up a budget that includes challenging yourself.
A great way to do this is with the no spend challenge.
A no-buy is when you decide to simply not make any purchases for a certain amount of time.
A no-spend is when someone decides to not spend any money in a certain period of time.
When you are struggling with spending too much money and want to reset your wallet, then give up spending money. Period.
14. Join a buy nothing group
The buy nothing groups are a growing movement that started in order to help people cut their ecological footprint, save money, and break free of consumerism.
This is a great way to find things you need as well as declutter your house.
15. Negotiate everything
The key to successful negotiation is preparation.
Research the company’s past sales, price changes, and discounts offered in order to get a better understanding of what you’re negotiating for.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate.
What is the worst thing that can happen when someone says no!?!
16. Refinance Your Mortgage
It is never too late to refinance your mortgage.
In fact, it might be a good idea if you’re in the market for a new home or refinancing your loan on an existing property.
You must weigh the costs of refinancing to how much you will save over the time period of the loan.
Ask around for mortgage broker recommendations and get at least two quotes.
17. Downsize your Home
Downsize your home is the term for reducing a residence in size. This can be done by either moving to an apartment or buying a smaller house. There are many benefits of downsizing, including living a more affordable lifestyle and having less upkeep.
Downsizers use their homes as investments and save money on rent or mortgage payments.
18. Cut the cord
With the internet becoming accessible to everyone, people have started cutting their cable and watching shows online. People can save up to $500 a year by cutting cable from their bills.
Cut the cable & stop watching TV!
19. Learn about Finances
Ask for help.
If you are struggling, there is no shame in asking for assistance from your friends or family members.
The goal is to get ahead with money and not keep digging further into a hole.
Check out any of our courses to help you.
20. Save for What You Want
Decide what you want most and work towards it with the money you have now, instead of waiting for a windfall or a large inheritance.
This may mean setting aside $200 a month.
For example, as a reminder of your long-term goal of buying a beach property, you may buy something you would hang in the new place. Every time you see it, you will be reminded of what you are saving towards.
Budget Hacks
Financial hacks are not unusual.
Since it is so easy to overspend, you must know a few budgeting hacks ahead of time.
21. Need vs Want
A want is a desire for something, while a need is something that fulfills the requirement of your body like food or shelter.
When you think about buying something, ask yourself if it is a want or a need.
By uncovering needs vs wants, you are quickly able to find ways to spend less and save more.
22. Avoid Temptation
To avoid temptation, it is important to maintain a healthy amount of physical and emotional distance from the things that tempt you.
Sometimes, spending triggers are easy to avoid but other times they’re not.
However, people should always be aware of their temptations and try to stay away from them because it will lead to unnecessary debt or stress in the long run.
23. Practice the 30-day rule
Many people wonder what’s the 30 day rule with money…
The 30-day rule is the principle that states that you should practice a new habit or stop an old habit for at least thirty days before expecting success.
When it comes to your money, it means to wait thirty days before making big purchases or changes.
24. Keep a Budget Binder
A budget binder is an important tool that helps people keep track of their finances.
The binder can help people plan out their finances by providing a place to record expenses and income.
Keeping a budget binder is an effective way to track your spending and keep yourself accountable.
By keeping it, you can easily plan for future expenses in advance as well as see what money could be saved or spent on different items over time.
25. Get a spend tracker and use it regularly
Track your spending for 30 days. It can be a good idea to track your spending for at least a month to get an idea of what you’re spending and where.
A spending tracker is a tool that helps people keep track of how much they are spending on a certain item. It is important to use this tool regularly in order to be able to see patterns in your spending.
Then, review your spending. Share it with a trusted friend or family member to come up with some goals to reduce expenses in order to save money.
26. Create a budget
Create a budget, and follow it.
When you schedule your spending, make sure to leave room for savings. This is the easiest way to ensure that you can stick to your budget.
Find more budgeting resources on our site.
27. Pay Bills on Time
This should be a simple statement that we all know. However, life can throw curveballs.
Try to pay your bills on time and in full every month, and make sure all of your bills are paid each month.
This will show lenders that you are responsible and that you are taking care of your credit. Plus you don’t rack up those pesky late fees and high interest rates.
28. Avoid Missed Payments
Don’t miss any payments, and pay off your balances each month to avoid paying high interest rates or fees on late or missed payments.
Read again… do not miss paying your bills.
29. Reconcile Your Checking Account
Balance your checkbook monthly. Okay, no one really uses a checkbook anymore, but you can still do this with pen and paper.
Even better, use Quicken as a simple way to balance your checking account. Read my Quicken review.
This is a great way to check for being charged too much or find a subscription you don’t use anymore.
30. Avoid Summer Budget Busters
Avoid spending money for the summer by just being conscious of your spending and reviewing what is different than the norm.
It is too easy to get into the trap of spending money because the weather is warm.
31. Review your Credit Card Statements
If you’re like most people, you probably review your credit card statements once every six months.
What’s the best way to go about reviewing them?
It depends on how often you use your credit card, how much debt you have, and what your credit score is. You should review your statements at least once a year if you’re carrying a balance on your credit cards.
If you use your credit card, then you should review your statements at least monthly.
32. Use the Cents Plan Formula
While the 50/30/20 budgeting rule is popular, our method of budgeting your money will be more helpful.
Learn how to divide your income into various categories.
Check out the Cents Plan Formula.
33. Use Cash
Use cash instead of credit cards to spend, which will make it easier to limit yourself to how much you can spend.
The envelope system helps you save money by only spending from one designated cash stash each month and withdrawing a set amount for different types of expenses (like groceries).
34. Spending Freeze
Implement a spending freeze, which helps you get used to not buying things for an allotted time so that when the freeze is over, it’s easier to buy what you want.
You will be surprised how much random online shopping you do.
Begin your spending freeze now.
35. Use a Budgeting App
Use your bank’s budgeting tools, like Quicken, which can help you track how much money is coming in and out of your account.
This is the simplest way to manage your money wisely.
Using a money app or a personal finance website can help you to stay organized and get more creative about your budgeting.
Check out this list of the best budgeting apps available.
Hacks to Make Money
Hacks to make money are a list of ways to generate income for yourself. Many ways to make money include blogging, affiliate marketing, or day trading. These money making hacks are great, but they can take more time and energy invested.
36. Use cash back apps
Cash back reward apps like Ibotta are a way to get extra money for your purchases.
They take some time getting used to and you only have access to partner stores that offer cash-back offers. It only takes a few seconds to make some extra cash.
Check out the best cash back apps available.
37. Ask for a Raise
A raise is an increase in pay for a job, labor, or service.
If you are concerned about asking for a raise, then you are missing out on lost money.
Your boss may be receptive to it, then try negotiating more money. Not only will this be good for your career, but also the relationship between you two can improve as well.
38. Get a side hustle
A side hustle is an additional job or career, usually, one that requires only a small amount of time and effort.
For example, someone who wants to work on the weekends might start a side hustle as a bartender.
Side hustles are a form of entrepreneurship that allows you to earn money and do little tasks. They are not difficult or time-consuming, but they can still help you make extra cash on the side.
Pick one of the best gig economy jobs.
39. Rent out a part of your home
A part of your home is often a room, which can be rented out on Airbnb.
Airbnb is the largest and most successful company in the world that lets people rent their extra space or properties. They are a well-known company that provides an easy way for people to make money from their extra space.
Use Neighbor to lend out your space in your home.
40. Declutter: sell your junk for cash
Decluttering is the act of getting rid of excess or unnecessary items.
In order to declutter, you must be willing to give up something that has been a part of your life for a long time. It is important to remember that decluttering does not have to be a quick or easy process.
Then, sell your stuff on Facebook Marketplace, Nextdoor, eBay, etc.
Learn more at Flea Market Flippers.
41. Earn Money While Watching TV
Although it is not a fast way to get rich, this can be used as a side hustle.
It’s better to use the money earned from watching TV or something else that takes up your time for other things like bills and groceries.
Survey platforms are online sites that allow people to earn money while watching TV.
The survey platform will send surveys through the mail or email, and then they can choose whether they want to take the survey for a set reward amount or if they would like cash back on their purchase.
One of these options is MyPoints, which allows users to earn points by completing tasks such as taking surveys and shopping online at specific retailers.
Others include:
42. Maximize Your Income
Find ways to increase the amount of money you bring in, whether that’s through a side hustle, increasing hours at work, or asking for a raise.
In today’s society, there are plenty of ways to make more money.
Only you put a limit on what you are capable of earning.
43. Build Your Credit
Building your credit can be a long process, but it’s worth the effort. If you’re trying to establish or improve your credit score, here are some tips that might help:
Try to keep your credit utilization rate below 30% at all times.
Do not open too many new lines of credit in a short period of time.
Pay your bills on time.
This will help you avoid damaging your credit score.
Hacks for Free Money
Hacks for free money are a form of fraud wherein the perpetrator solicits payment via PayPal, credit card, or other methods in exchange for access to what they promise will be a legitimate business opportunity.
Hacking free money is a way to make more cash, fund your financial goals, or help you pay off debt. There are lots of ways that people hack their finances and use cash back apps for some extra income.
Other options include signing up for bank bonuses or credit card bonuses.
Honestly, real free money hacks are more likely to be scams. So, beware when searching online.
Money Hacks in the Kitchen
You can save the most money by looking at what you eat.
Typically, people waste over 25% of their grocery budget and throw out food. Would you willingly throw out $250 a month? Probably not.
So, learn how to stretch your money for food.
44. Start meal planning
Meal planning is a money-saving strategy that can help in the long run. It’s also important to eat healthily and reduce food waste when meal planning.
But planning ahead will help save on the grocery budget, and it’s not too late to start now.
Start meal planning by deciding what you want to eat for each day. Then, make a list.
45. Say no to prepackaged foods
Packing your lunch for work or school can be time-consuming, especially if you have a family.
Some people prefer to buy prepackaged foods because they save time, but this is not always the best option.
A better choice is to make your own food at home and pack it for lunch, which you can then eat in peace without worrying about what other people might be saying about the food you packed.
46. Eat at home
Eating at home is a way to save money. It may be uncomfortable for those who do not enjoy cooking as it requires extra effort and time.
Instead of getting food at restaurants, consider cooking your favorite meals at home.
You can save money and time by eating the same meal over and over again.
Learn about the frugal home must haves.
47. Grow your own herbs and food
The most common methods of gardening include container gardening, hydroponics, and both indoor and outdoor gardening.
Many people are growing their own herbs and food for the satisfaction of being able to eat something that was grown with their hands.
48. Take your lunch
If you are interested in saving money, consider taking your lunch. This will save you up to $1,000 a year on work lunches and make it easier to meet the recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables as well.
“Take your lunch” is an invitation to eat at home. There are many benefits of eating out less often, such as saving money and gaining more control over food choices.
Travel Hacks to Save Money
The following are travel hacks that can help you save money on your next trip.
Some of these hacks include traveling during weekdays, using public transportation, staying at hostels and Airbnb instead of hotels, and using a travel credit card.
49. Use foreign websites for lower prices abroad
Foreign websites are websites that have been created by people from other countries, and they sell products in the language of their country. These websites often offer lower prices on products than what is offered in the United States.
If you’re traveling abroad and need to find a place to stay, there are plenty of websites that can help. A few websites have deals on places where travelers often stay while they travel internationally.
50. Stay for free or get paid to house sit abroad
A house sitter is someone who looks after someone’s property for a certain amount of time in exchange for the promise of payment.
House sitting is typically offered by homeowners to travelers and others who are looking to stay in a particular location for an extended period of time.
The main types of house sitting include:
– full-time house sitters, who are responsible for all aspects of the house and who are typically paid a monthly salary,
– part-time house sitters, who may be responsible for taking care of one or more specific tasks such as gardening or handling the mail
51. Hide your search
To avoid being taken advantage of by airlines, it is best to open a new incognito or private window between searches.
This will make sure that you are not tricked into buying tickets that may be significantly more expensive than they need to be.
Airlines use cookies in your browser to make you believe the prices are going up and up.
Money App Hacks
Money app hacks are ways that people have figured out to make their money work for them in terms of saving and spending. These apps offer different features, such as budgeting, tracking your spending, and saving money.
If you want a simple way to save money, then any of these money apps are designed to find excessive spending.
52. Billshark
This is a legitimate way to save money on monthly bills. Billshark offers you the opportunity to save up to 25% each month (when compared with regular bill payments).
All of this can be done for you by BillShark team, and there are no fees involved!
Try Billshark for free!
53. Trim
Review your spending habits to find what you can cut out, like subscriptions.
Find other ways to save by looking for ways to reduce costly bank fees or getting a discount on your cell phone plan. By using Trim, you are saving money and improving your financial health.
Sign up with Trim now.
54. Truebill
Truebill can help you to track your spending, save money and get a clear picture of your financial life.
This helps you identify services that you are no longer using but continue to pay for. It will help save money by automatically negotiating prices with your service providers and receiving a refund of the money going to waste, which is free money.
Get started with Truebill.
Which Life Money Hacks Can You Start?
This is a lot to take in, but don’t worry.
Take the time to read through each suggestion and consider how you can implement it into your life.
The more hacks you try out, the closer you’ll get to a healthy financial mindset.
These are the life hacks to save money I have found to work for me and my family in order to reset our financial mindsets and grow our net worth.
Everyone will find their niche and what will work best for them.
Personally, you need to figure out how do I make more money. That will make the biggest impact the fastest.
What have you done with your money lately?
Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
If you’ve visited a Global Entry kiosk in the past two years, you may have gone through U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s new facial recognition process. It allows you to pass through Global Entry without scanning your passport or fingerprints.
CBP has been rolling out this technology since 2021 to facilitate an even quicker experience for Global Entry users when passing through U.S. customs. Unlike the original kiosks, these use a facial scan to confirm your identity when you arrive at a customs hall kiosk; they also eliminate paper receipts that travelers previously used to show agents.
A trusted traveler program run by the U.S. government, Global Entry allows preapproved, low-risk travelers expedited clearance upon arrival to the U.S. from abroad through automated kiosks at nearly 80 airports.
How do these new facial recognition machines work?
“The new paperless biometric kiosks use facial comparison and leverages mobile officer technology by confirming traveler identity and making an admissibility decision without producing a receipt,” a CBP spokesperson said. “This process will continue to enable increasingly contactless processing and a reduced environmental footprint through the elimination of paper receipts.”
With this new screening capability, you approach the Global Entry kiosks as normal and pose for a photo that verifies your identity. In theory, this whole process should take less than 30 seconds.
Like other technology implemented recently — including the Transportation Security Administration’s new computed tomography X-ray systems — facial recognition kiosks are designed to be more efficient. They also remove physical contact points between agents and travelers while minimizing environmental impact.
The updated Global Entry technology is part of a broader CBP and TSA effort to implement more facial recognition software. The hope is that it will expedite the identity verification process, including upon arrival in the U.S. and when passing through TSA security.
These efforts align TSA with Clear, the private sector’s equivalent of TSA PreCheck.
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In addition to time saved, this is also good news for parents of children who have Global Entry, as fingerprints on kids — especially babies — aren’t necessarily fully developed. Prior to this new process, families with children who weren’t fingerprinted had to see an officer before entry, significantly slowing down the process.
This technology potentially eliminates these issues and allows those globe-trotting children (and their parents) to enter the U.S. without a fuss, as TPG’s director of content, Summer Hull, recently experienced in coming home from Canada with her kids. She said:
“When we went through preclearance in Vancouver, we encountered the new Global Entry facial recognition machines. Typically, with younger kids, it’s been next to impossible to actually get their photo and fingerprints to register correctly and therefore, you usually have to see the agent. Though the new machines were confusing at first, it quickly became a fantastic upgrade as all you need to do is tilt the camera down a bit to see the kids, and there’s no additional scanning. It was fantastically simple and made having Global Entry for the whole family feel more valuable than ever since we actually all got to really use it.”
Where they are now?
As of June 2023, 15 U.S. airports have facial recognition Global Entry kiosks, including Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Miami International Airport (MIA), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).
Global Entry is available at a total of 77 airports in the U.S. and abroad, including all major airports and all Preclearance airports.
Ways to save money on Global Entry
For $100, travelers can reap the benefits of both a Global Entry and TSA PreCheck membership for five years.
Fortunately, many cobranded airline and hotel credit cards offer up to $100 in statement credit reimbursement for the application fees associated with Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. This credit is typically available every four to five years.
Some of the credit cards offering this benefit are:
See here for a complete list of credit cards that offer a discount for TSA PreCheck.
Bottom line
With summer travel in full swing, expedited entry following an international trip is welcome news for travelers. Global Entry kiosks speed up the process by using facial scanners to verify identities.
Assuming you are 62 years old (or young), life insurance is probably on the forefront of your mind. And it should be because it’s a great way to financially help take care of those you love.
But you may have questions like these and others that I will answer:
Can I qualify for life insurance as a senior if I have medical conditions?
Should I buy term or permanent life insurance at my age?
What is the average life insurance cost at age 62?
What can I do to get the best life insurance rates?
What is the easiest no-hassle way to get the lowest premiums?
Shopping for life insurance while you are still healthy is a great idea so as to lock in the lowest rates possible. This is also a great time for people to buy life insurance for their children. There are plenty of options for coverage at your age so it is strongly advised that you shop around before making a decision.
With thorough research, a 62-year-old can come away with a great life insurance policy that can provide you and your family with peace of mind.
Your Options for Insurance In Your Sixties
There are multiple options for life insurance for those that are at or nearing age sixty-two. The two most popular types of insurance are term life insurance and permanent life insurance.
Term life insurance is popular because of the availability to be purchased for different periods of time. These periods are typically purchased for either 5 years, 10 years, 15 years, 20 years, 25 years or 30 years. There is also an Annual Renewable Term plan that is basically a 1 year renewable policy. Term plans are known to be relatively affordable even for someone needing life insurance at age 62.
Permanent life insurance on the other hand lasts for an entire lifetime, but of course as long as you keep up with paying your premiums. There are some plans you can pay up early, or either stop paying the premiums and take a lower death benefit. The other benefit of permanent life insurance is that it acts as an asset as it will accumulate a value in cash. This means you will have an investment arm of your insurance policy that can be tapped into at retirement or for a spouse to use once you pass away.
Recently there has come on the market what is called Permanent Term, and it is a permanent policy that is not designed to accumulate a cash value. It is the least expensive way to get a term policy without having to worry about the policy expiring early. One of the things that is great to do ahead of time before you get too deep into the process is to figure out how much insurance (death benefit) do you actually need? We make it easy with our calculator that will help you make that determination.
What is the average life insurance cost at age 62?
Most people think that life insurance for people over 60 is very expensive but, term life insurance is relatively affordable and even more so if you start shopping for life insurance in your 50’s, but it’s not too late to start. A male can obtain a $200,000 policy for $1237. Whole life insurance on the other hand can be obtained for $1675 for a $50,000 policy. Of course, life insurance is dependent on multiple factors that rely on your physical health and well-being.
These rates are based on your average, non-smoking, sixty two year old. Rates will vary depending on your level of health and physical well-being. Look at these sample quotes for a $250,000 policy:
Sex
10 Year
20 Year
30 Year
Male
$72.21/month
$103.03/month
$47.06/month
Female
$50.90/month
$66.12/month
$97.34
For your information, the life expectancy of someone in the mid-sixties has increase over 55% in the last 100 years. In 1901 the life expectancy for a 65 year old man was 11.5 years and a female was 12.2 years for an average of 11.9 years. In 2001 (the mortality tables currently being used by many life insurance companies) the life expectancy for a 65 year old man is 16.8 years and a female is 20.1 years for an average of 18.5 years.
What can I do to get the best life insurance rates?
Once you have gotten the best life insurance rates at age 62 based on your current health, start working on any of the following habits, lifestyles, or things within your control to help you become a better risk for an insurance company. You can always apply later for a reduced rate, or either buy a new cheaper plan altogether from a different company.
Stop smoking.
Start exercising or continuing to exercise.
Keep medical conditions such as high blood pressure under control, using medications if you have to.
Lose weight if you are overweight based on standard height and weight charts.
Drink more water – just a great healthy habit for our bodies.
No longer participate in hazardous occupations or high-risk hobbies or activities.
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What is the easiest way to get the lowest premiums?
Before you make any decisions, try to obtain a couple of quotes from different insurance companies. Each carrier will have different rates and different rating systems. You could receive drastically different quotes from different companies. It’s your decision to spend your valuable time chasing individual quotes from all different types of companies, but that time would be better spent filling out our short quote form and let us give you the lowest quotes from highly-rated life insurance carriers across the country.
Some insurance companies specialize in offering insurance at affordable rates to those will more prevalent diseases such as diabetes, while others offer more affordable rates to older applicants.
How are Premiums Calculated?
Premiums are determined by a list of factors. So when applying be aware that your status on each one will impact your monthly payment.
The first and biggest factor is your age (unfortunately, there is nothing we can do about that), which because 62 is older than most applicants, you will pay more than you did when you bought your first life insurance policy, if you ever bought one. But, don’t despair, a life insurance policy is still affordable and might be cheaper than you think. Age isn’t the only factor that they look at, there are options at getting the lowest rates possible.
Aside from looking at your age, for a traditional life insurance policy, the insurance company is going to need to know what kind of health you’re in. After you fill out the initial paperwork, a paramedic will be sent to perform a medical exam. This exam will consist of basic things like taking your weight, blood pressure, taking a blood sample, asking health questions, and taking a urine sample. If you’re looking to save money, it’s time to focus on your health.
Being overweight, having high blood pressure or cholesterol can cause your monthly premiums to double. If you want to lower your rates, spend some time exercising and following a healthy diet to shed a few pounds. Not only will it make your doctor happy, it will also make your wallet thinner. One of the best ways to save money on your insurance rates is to get off the cigarettes. Being considered a smoker will cause your rates to double or triple, regardless of the rest of your health. When applying for a life insurance policy, smoking sits at the top as a “rate-hiker”.
The Importance of Life Insurance
A life insurance policy is one of the wisest financial decisions to make for your loved ones, even at this stage of your life. One of the biggest reasons that people at the age of 62 look for a life insurance policy is to protect the heritage they want to leave. If you want to leave your children with the investments and savings that you’ve been planning, you should make sure that it won’t get smothered by taxes, fees, and debt that you leave behind.
Every year we hear stories of children and loved ones that lost a parent or spouse unexpectedly. These people were left with either a mountain of bills an inheritance that was quickly drained because of taxes or paying for left behind expenses. One of the best ways to make sure this doesn’t happen to your family is to purchase the perfect life insurance plan.
Having flexible spending can help reduce your stress because you never know when you’re going to get hit by flexible expenses.
A few months ago, my local bank and I had a falling out and my husband and I were suddenly very motivated to switch banks. We’d narrowed it down to two choices:
Citizens Bank, which has a local branch where I can deposit the cash and many small checks I receive in the course of running my business, or
ING Direct, where we already had a high-interest savings account.
Related >> Which Online High-Yield Savings Account & Money Market Account is Best?
Then I had a crazy idea. An idea so crazy it just might work. And it has — beautifully — for the past three months. Why not use both?
We could use one account for our day-to-day flexible expenses like grocery shopping, and another to pay our fixed bills, like the mortgage and utilities.
We went ahead and set up a new checking account at the local branch of Citizens Bank, but we also opened our ING checking account. Then we did something we really should have done years ago.
Fixed and Flexible Expenses
We sat down one night with all our financial records for the past year and worked out what our fixed expenses are: our mortgage, our utility bills, our debt payments. For the first time, we went past the monthly stuff and tallied in the quarterly and annual fixed expenses; those budget-busting surprises that are actually regularly scheduled expenses, like annual insurance premiums and the excise tax for our car.
My husband plugged all these numbers into a huge spreadsheet that eventually spit out a number: the number of dollars we needed to budget every week to pay our fixed expenses and meet our savings goals.
Happily, that number was smaller than the number of dollars we earn each week. What remains, whether we like it our not, is our flexible expense budget: the money we use to pay for everything that isn’t committed to a regularly scheduled bill.
That includes groceries and gas, not just fun stuff like birthday gifts and dinners out. Yes, we need that stuff, but it’s not money that has to be spent in a specific place, on a specific day. That makes it a flexible expense.
I’ve struggled with budgeting for years. I love the balanced money formula, but when I apply it to my own life, I get stuck on figuring out what’s a need versus a want.
Related >>The Balanced Money Formula: Should you let it get out of balance?
With a fixed vs. flexible split in my expenses, it doesn’t matter. I may need groceries and merely want auto insurance, but that car insurance bill is due on the 15th regardless of my priorities. If I don’t have enough money to cover my flexible needs, I need to cut back on my fixed expenses somewhere.
Once we had those numbers, we set up our finances between the two checking accounts like this:
My husband’s direct deposit goes into our local bank account, where I deposit all my little checks and cash payments as they come in.
Once a week, the amount of our fixed expense budget is transferred from our local checking account to our ING account.
All of our recurring, fixed expenses are automated to pay out of that account.
All of our flexible spending for things like groceries and entertainment comes out of the local account.
Splitting our finances up according to what’s a fixed expense and what’s a flexible one made about 90% of my day-to-day money stress simply evaporate. It was like hiring a personal assistant to keep track of all the details for me. Except that it was free, and actually saved me money in bank fees and late charges.
Yet Another Money Hack
At heart, this is just a money hack. I have about the same amount of money I had three months ago — I’m just looking at it differently. I’m using this hack to play to my strengths in managing my finances.
I’m terrible at keeping track of due dates for bills, at keeping my checking register accurate to the penny and at knowing exactly how much of the cash I have on hand I can safely spend.
Now that I have my fixed expenses being handled by my shiny new automated personal assistant, there’s a lot less detail to keep track of. I don’t need to remember, while grocery shopping, that my car insurance is due in three days. The money to pay the insurance bill is cooling its heels in an interest-bearing account my debit card can’t touch, while I’m shopping.
There’s also less money to play with. I can’t cheat my budget by using money that should be earmarked for the cat’s annual vet visit next month to pay for new jeans this month. The money in the spending account is all okay to spend, but it’s a small number of dollars. This makes it pretty easy to see how careful I need to be, and to silence the naughty voices in my head that suggest I can somehow afford a little splurge.
Overall, this approach has saved me money. Making mistakes about due dates and bank balances can get expensive fast. But more important than the money is the time and energy it’s freed up. I have hours every week that I used to spend carefully managing our cash flow and accounting for incoming bills. Now I use those hours to write, and to play with my family.
One Quick Caveat
A word of warning about this money hack. It’s a great way to relieve day-to-day stress if keeping track of dates and dollars is not your forte;. It is not an excuse to set your finances on autopilot and walk away.
I do keep track of our finances every week. I check to make sure the bills have paid out correctly, I look for ways to save on those fixed expenses as well as the flexible ones.
Once a month, my husband and I sit down and go over every single category in the budget together, check our actual spending against our goals, and look for ways to save.
Having the bills automatically pay out of a separate account from our flexible spending makes it easier for me to not screw up. It’s like having a safety net. But I still have to do the work of walking the tightrope.
When I was packing for my trip to Argentina, a friend advised me, “Put everything you’re taking on the bed. Now put back half the clothes, and take twice the money.”
Good advice. I tried to follow it and still ended up bringing more clothes than I could possibly need. I didn’t bring much money, though, because one of my goals for this trip is to keep saving even while I’m traveling.
Saving for travel is relatively simple: You set up a targeted savings account and put a little money aside each week or each month. Setting a schedule and sticking to it is the key to saving for anything. Travel is no exception.
Saving while traveling is a bit more complicated. Even the most carefully-planned vacation is plagued with unexpected expenses. Over at I Will Teach You to Be Rich, Ramit Sethi suggests budgeting 20% more than you think a trip will cost to pay for sundry expenses along the way.
That’s a lot of dough. Where does it all go?
Taxes and fees. Many countries levy special taxes and fees on tourists. A little research can let you know what these will be, so you can plan ahead. To find local tax, toll and fee information, check the websites for each state or country you plan to visit, or talk to your travel agent. At the airport in Argentina, for example, we had to pay $140 per American citizen to enter the country. A fellow behind us in line hadn’t know about that fee, and was miserably explaining to the ticket agent that he didn’t have that much money on him and didn’t know what to do.
Unexpected needs. Baby Tylenol. Adapters to plug in our electronic gadgets. Groceries from the corner market. I knew we’d need something day to day on our trip, but I didn’t know what. It wouldn’t have made sense to travel with every possible thing I might need. These things were cheaply and readily available here, and would have taken up valuable space in a suitcase. Bringing cash to cover incidental needs made more sense than imagining every possible occurrence and packing ahead.
Impulse spending. Part of the joy of travel is seeing new things and having new experiences. Some of those may cost more than you’d expected. In our travels in Argentina, I’ve had the chance to visit Eva Peron’s grave, fall in love with a local winery, and take a river cruise. Better to budget in advance for museum tickets, scenic tours, and souvenir shopping than to find yourself pinching pennies halfway through your trip because you splurged at the beginning.
Emergencies. On our last visit to Argentina, my infant daughter caught a terrible ear infection and needed hospital care. Our insurance ultimately paid for her care, less our normal co-pay. But at the time, we had to pay out of pocket for everything here, and then chase down reimbursement for it through a maze of paperwork once we got home. Having a comfortable cushion of while traveling lets you handle real emergencies as they crop up.
There’s no doing away with all these expenses, but there are plenty of things you can do to keep your overall costs low. Here are some easy ways to save while traveling:
Be prepared. I mentioned planning to buy some small needful things, like infant Tylenol, while you travel. A little research on your destination can help you figure out what necessities are going to be cheaper where you’re traveling to, and which ones might cost a lot more. I planned to buy a fancy dress for the party I’m attending, because clothes are generally cheaper here. But I bought my husband a video camera before we left, because electronics cost quite a bit more in Buenos Aires than they do in Boston.
Travel with frugal companions. Just like your friends influence your spending at home, they can pressure you to spend or save on the road. I have a close friend I’ve traveled with several times during the past year. She’s more frugal than I am, and she’s great at checking my impulse to spend excessively just because I’m on the road.
Know your weaknesses. I splurge when I’m stressed and when I’m celebrating. Travel tends to push both those buttons. I worry about making it on time through the airport, so I throw caution to the winds and pay for overpriced food rather than packing a picnic ahead of time. I want to treasure the memories of where I am, so I spend money on knick-knacks or clothes that I don’t really need. This is a habit I picked up from childhood. My normally tightwad mother would open her purse with abandon when we were traveling, and I’ve never quite shaken the habit. Knowing this about myself makes me look twice at any purchase I want to make when I’m on the road.
Make a game of it. See how low you can keep your daily travel budget. Can you get through a whole day in a foreign country without spending a dime? Can you clip coupons in a language you barely speak? Take advantage of local specials at the neighborhood diner instead of eating in your hotel? Score points with your spouse by finding ways to save on your vacation.
Have a savings goal in mind. What are you going to do with the money you don’t spend on this trip? Having a prize in mind helps keep me focused on saving. I have a pool of money I can afford to part with here in Argentina. Any money I take home will go into my high interest savings account towards my next savings goal: paying off our car loan. My goal is to shave time off that deadline by bringing home enough unspent “travel money” to make a full months’ car payment.
Of course for some people part of the joy of travel is being able to let go the reins of frugality and spend freely. If you’ve saved diligently and have that 20% cushion Ramit Sethi suggests, there’s no reason not to.
But if you enjoy frugality, there’s also no reason to leave your frugal habits at home. Careful spending while traveling only reinforces wise fiscal habits at home, and if you come home with part of your travel fund untouched, you’re that much closer to the being ready to book your next trip.
J.D.’s noteOof. I have a lot to say about this one. Maybe I ought to leave my thoughts in the comments, but I’m going to be bold and append them to Sierra’s post.
I’ve become a huge fan of the packing list. As I begin to travel more and more, it’s very useful to have a fixed list that indicates the things I need to take with me. This keeps me from panicking with last-minute worry that I’ve forgotten something, but it also helps me keep costs down because I have a sort of mini-inventory of travel stuff I need. (I used my last Breathe Right nasal strip in Denver last weekend, so I bought more today because I had a coupon.) I have two packing-list apps for my iPhone, have bookmarked several packing-list sites, and even have a packing-list book on hold at my library!
The packing list also helps me to pack light, which is another way it saves me money. When I pack light, I know what I have and where I have it. Plus, I don’t have to check a bag. (My goal — even for our upcoming month-long trip to Europe — is to travel with a single carry-on bag.) In extreme cases, I’ve known people who have packed so much Stuff they’ve actually had to ship some of it home. From Europe. Now that’s expensive!
Finally, on long trips, I keep a daily log of what I’m spending. I know my overall trip budget (and what that works out to per day), so my daily tracking lets me know when I need to pinch pennies and when I can cut loose a little. And in my case, I use a specific credit card that waves overseas transaction charges while also giving me 1% cash back.
Sorry for hijacking Sierra’s post. I’ll go to the gym for deadlifts and burpees now…
[Wait! One last tip! If you’re traveling in the U.S., order an Entertainment book for the city you’re traveling to. When Kris and I do this, we recover the cost very quickly.]
“How can I travel on a budget?” is one of the top questions we receive at TPG.
There’s no question that travel is expensive right now as millions satisfy the itch to travel more. Demand has been through the roof. Inflation and correspondingly high hotel, rental car and airline ticket costs have many would-be travelers throwing up their hands in frustration.
However, there are still many ways to save. In addition to using reserves of points and miles to book hotels and airfare, TPGers have many budget travel tips to help stretch your dollars when traveling.
Here are 22 ways to travel on a budget.
Use membership codes to save on car rentals
If you’re a member of AAA or AARP, have a Costco membership, are a veteran or work for a large company with a car rental discount code, pull all of these levers. You might be eligible for discount codes you didn’t even know about. A few examples from AARP include 30% off a car rental at Budget or Avis.
Related: How to never pay full price for a rental car
Look beyond traditional car rental companies and locations
Most people search for rentals at the airport with standard companies like Hertz and Avis. If you don’t find good results, consider off-airport locations or try alternatives like Kyte, Turo and Silvercar.
Related: Delta and Turo launch partnership, allowing travelers to earn 2,000 SkyMiles on 1st rental
Check credit card merchant offers
Before booking your trip, review your credit cards’ special merchant offers. Multiple issuers offer this option (although American Express is a leader in the category).
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Every program works similarly: Log in to your card account online or through your banking app, review the offers available to you, add the ones you want and make a qualifying purchase using the card for which the offer is registered.
There are no promo codes to enter at online checkout or coupons to print to take to the register. There are likely offers you can activate that will provide discounts on dining, gas and entertainment.
Related: How credit card merchant offers can save you hundreds of dollars every year
Take advantage of free days at national parks
Every year the U.S. National Park Service sets aside several days when entry is completely free; options include Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January, the first day of National Park Week in April, National Public Lands Day in September and Veterans Day in November.
Visiting a national park on one of the NPS’ free-entry days can save you up to $35 per vehicle at some of the most popular national parks, such as Glacier National Park and the Grand Canyon.
Stay outside the national parks
You might dream of a night in a rustic cabin inside a national park, but getting that reservation could be challenging or costly — especially if you can’t pay for it with points.
However, just beyond the park, there’s probably a hotel you can book with points. For example, you could stay at the Holiday Inn in West Yellowstone with IHG One Rewards points; the SpringHill Suites just outside of Zion National Park is a great property if you have Marriott Bonvoy points to spend.
Related: The best campgrounds, hotels and lodges near Yellowstone National Park
Download the T-Mobile Tuesdays app
If you’re a T-Mobile user, you’re in luck: This app is a major perk that will put money in your pocket just for checking your phone on Tuesdays.
To participate, download the T-Mobile Tuesdays app, check the app on Tuesday and claim your discount code. We’ve seen weekly discounts on everything from rental cars to gas, hotels and theme park tickets.
Get discounted gas at Shell through the Fuel Rewards app
At TPG, we love to stack savings. The Shell Fuel Rewards app is a good one to pile on the discounts.
You can link it to other loyalty programs — including American Airlines AAdvantage, Giant Food, Stop & Shop, Advance Auto and more — to receive extra discounts. Also, if you purchase through Fuel Rewards, link to partner retailers such as Petco, Bed Bath & Beyond, Office Depot/OfficeMax and many others to save even more.
Don’t forget to use a credit card that gives bonus points or discounts at gas stations for even more savings. TPG likes the Citi Premier® Card (see rates and fees), which awards 3 ThankYou points per dollar at gas stations, and the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, which also gives 3% back at U.S. gas stations.
Related: These are the best credit cards for gas purchases
Save on theater tickets in New York and London
Check TodayTix for cheap Broadway and West End tickets if traveling to New York City or London.
The TodayTix app has discounted tickets to various shows available. Prices vary, but most of the top shows currently playing are available on the site and the app.
While not all shows are hugely discounted, TodayTix often runs no-fee promotions. Keep in mind that for some shows, you won’t be able to choose your precise ticket location. Instead, you will pick a section you’d like to sit in.
Related: On with the show! How to get a great deal on Broadway tickets
Save on entrance fees with Bank of America
Bank of America cardholders can enjoy free general admission to more than 225 cultural institutions in dozens of U.S. cities on the first weekend of every month just by showing their cards. It’s through the Museums on Us program that’s been going on for 25 years. It’s open to Bank of America, Merrill and Bank of America Private Bank (U.S. Trust) credit or debit card holders.
Related: 5 reasons to get the Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card
Use your library card for museum entry
Another way to get free museum admission is with a library “lending ticket” — a program where libraries will lend museum passes for a set amount of time.
Also, check if your local museum’s membership comes with ROAM (a reciprocity program across North America). It’s an easy way to get maximum value from a regional (and usually less expensive) membership.
Take a free walking tour
Sign up for a free walking tour on your first day in a new city. It’s an inexpensive way to learn about the city and orient yourself.
Look online for options before traveling and sign up in advance if necessary. Then, all you need to do is show up with comfortable shoes and enjoy your free tour.
Although tipping is suggested, you’ll spend much less, even after generously tipping your guide, than you would with a standard tour option. You will likely also meet other like-minded travelers, which can be welcome if you’re traveling alone or looking to make new friends.
If you’re interested in seeing what’s available on your next trip, Google the city you’ll visit and the phrase “free walking tour” to see what comes up.
Dine on the cheap with Seated
Here’s a fun one: The Seated app allows you to dine out and get paid for it.
The app rewards diners who sign up and eat at designated restaurants with cash they can redeem through gift cards. All you have to do is let the app know you’ll be dining at a location before you take a seat. You can also get gift cards for Uber, Amazon and Starbucks.
Fly on weekdays
Flexibility on which days you fly is one of the keys to getting the best airfare prices. Leisure travelers most commonly book weekend flights, while many business travelers fly on Monday. So, the midweek days — Tuesday and Wednesday — have lower demand and are often the best days to travel for lower prices.
Related: When is the best time to book airfare?
Book vacation packages
Airlines that bundle airfare and hotels as vacation packages can offer better deals thanks to their vast buying power and inventory. These bundles can offer savings of up to 40% off. Savings on business-class plane tickets and high-end hotels can offer some of the best deals.
Also, purchasing directly from the airline gives you a one-stop shopping experience. You can even add a car and activities to your trip at the same time. Plus, you’ll often be able to take advantage of special sales and bonus points and miles offers.
Related: Everything you need to know about saving money with vacation packages
Use a price monitoring tool
Airline fare monitoring sites such as Hopper and Google Flights ensure you get notifications when your trip’s best and lowest prices become available. Set up as many combinations as you’re considering, including different departure and return dates, so that you can get alerts for all possible fare reductions.
Be flexible on destination
If you’re not locked into a fall or winter vacation location (like you would be for a destination wedding or family reunion that you can’t change), try an alternative to find better prices. For example, consider subbing Quebec City in for Paris if you want Old World charm. For scuba diving enthusiasts, skip the expensive long-haul flight to Australia and the Great Barrier Reef and instead head to the second-largest barrier reef in the world in easy-to-access Belize.
Related: 5 key tools and tips for cheap airfare
Hold your deal
If you see a great deal but are not yet ready to book, hold it. For example, Hopper’s Price Freeze allows you to lock in the price of a flight for up to seven days to take more time to finalize plans before you book. Some airlines will also let you hold flights for a small fee. (Remember that all U.S. airlines, by law, allow you to hold and cancel a flight booking within 24 hours without penalty as long as you book more than seven days in advance.)
Re-price your flights and hotels
As long as you’ve booked a hotel, car or flight that can be canceled without penalty, you should make it part of your weekly routine to check for price drops. If you find a lower price, rebook. You can use these same rebooking strategies with points to make dynamic pricing work in your favor for hotel stays so you can save on award nights.
Related: How I saved 33,500 points on upcoming hotel stays
Consider alternative airports
With prices high, now is the time to be flexible and check all nearby airports. For example, Houston and Chicago have two airports, while the New York City area has three, including Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey. In Southern Florida, you could easily fly to West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale or Miami. It works internationally too: Try Gatwick Airport (LGW) instead of Heathrow Airport (LHR) when flying to London.
It may even make sense to get to one city by flying to another city and then taking a short train ride for the rest of the journey. For instance, you could fly into Philadelphia and catch a train to New York. Strategies like this can help you get to your destination on a flight with better pricing or award availability.
Use positioning flights
Positioning flights are unrealistic for every situation or trip, but they can often offer better award availability or pricing than those from your home airport. Can you reach your destination for a lot less by starting in Seattle or Chicago? Would adding another flight to a different airport save you money or miles? Just ensure you leave enough time between flights to avoid unnecessary travel headaches.
Related: Use positioning flights to get amazing deals
Use points and miles when appropriate
Since you are reading TPG, you may also want to earn points or miles through your everyday spending that you can use to pay for part of your trip. Some credit cards — like the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card and the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card — can help you earn airline miles or hotel points that you can redeem directly with the airline or hotel. Cards such as the American Express® Gold Card earn transferable points you can redeem for travel or transfer to various travel partners.
If you have a stash of points and cash fares are high, it makes a lot of sense to use those points instead. For example, I recently priced a trip to San Francisco and found a flight over the Fourth of July weekend; it should normally cost about $400, but for this particular weekend, it was going to cost me at least $621. I used 46,000 Delta SkyMiles instead. While it wasn’t the best redemption in the world, it was better than shelling out all that cash. Most of those SkyMiles came from credit card spending on my Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.
Related: Why I’m keeping my Delta Reserve card even when I’m flying less
There are many strategies for getting the most out of your credit card. You’ll generally get the most value when redeeming for premium-cabin flights or luxury hotel stays. However, you may prefer to book economy award flights or lower-category hotel stays using your points to stretch your points further.
Join AARP
You can join AARP for discounts even if you are not retired. The advocacy group for older adults offers all kinds of cool discounts, including $60 to $200 off British Airways flights and 10% off Hilton hotels.
Related: How to use AARP discounts on travel
Bottom line
Spending a small amount of time researching the best ways to travel on a budget could easily make a dream trip, like a Paris vacation, more attainable.
It’s possible to take an excellent vacation on a budget. You just need to put in the time to plan your trip, budget your expenses, download a virtual wallet of money-saving apps and consider using points and miles to decrease your out-of-pocket costs.
Some of our top budget travel tips include shopping around, signing up for deal alerts through websites like TPG and using points and miles. Opening a credit card or two for the sign-up bonus once or twice every few years could make your trips even cheaper. Don’t forget to sign up for our daily newsletter, where we teach you how to travel better for less. At TPG, we make traveling on a budget easy.
Open a BMO Harris Premier™ Account online and get a $500 cash bonus when you have a total of at least $7,500 in qualifying direct deposits within the first 90 days of account opening. Expires 9/15. Conditions Apply.
You drive a lot. Maybe you have a long commute or use your car for work. Maybe you’re constantly ferrying your kids to and from school and extracurriculars. Maybe you’d take a well-routed road trip over a flight to your destination any day of the week. Or all of the above.
Whatever the case, that much driving makes it imperative to save money on gas. And a gas rewards credit card can definitely help you do that. But maximizing its gas rewards as much as you can takes some work.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Gas Rewards Credit Card
Since you can’t operate your vehicle without it, gas rewards provide some of the lowest-hanging fruit on your rewards card — if you leverage them. Follow these tips to get the most value from your gas rewards credit card.
1. Determine How Many Fuel Credit Cards You Need
Many people, especially infrequent drivers, can probably do with just one general-purpose credit card with gas rewards, like the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express. You earn at the same rate on all fuel purchases, regardless of where you fill up or recharge.
The more you drive, the more likely you are to benefit from having more than one fuel credit card. Ask yourself these questions.
How many fuel or station brands do you encounter in a typical week? If your weekly routine involves 15 station brands belonging to six fuel companies with a branded credit card, applying for each card means you can claim rewards or instant discounts on every purchase.
How many stations are truly convenient? Every extra mile driven or minute spent waiting at a stoplight wastes fuel and cuts into your savings. Determine which stations are most convenient and apply for the one or two best options.
Are you a warehouse club member? If you have a Costco, Sam’s Club, or BJ’s membership, that should be your first (and maybe only) branded gas credit card. All offer above-average returns on fuel spending and reward purchases in other categories as well. And warehouse club gas stations tend to have cheaper fuel, anyway.
Does your go-to supermarket have a fuel rewards program? If your preferred supermarket has a fuel rewards program, look into it. They frequently offer discounts at their own gas stations plus another brand. For example, Kroger’s fuel rewards program discounts purchases at Kroger-operated and participating Shell stations.
2. Choose a Credit Card Type: Co-Branded or General-Purpose
All credit cards are associated with an issuing bank (Chase, Bank of America) and payment network (Visa, Mastercard). But these days, they may also be associated with a specific brand (or co-brand), such as Walmart, Delta, or Hilton — or the gas station you use most often.
If that’s the case, you could save more if you choose that station’s co-branded credit card. They typically offer instant discounts at the pump in addition to a small amount of cash back. Overall, they may have higher overall returns on spending than general-purpose credit cards that offer rewards on fuel purchases in addition to many other categories.
But gas station-branded cards only work at those stations. If that’s a problem because your fill-up routine varies too much, opt for a general-purpose credit card that earns bonus rewards on fuel purchases. You can consistently earn 3% to 4% back on fuel spending with the right card — without obsessing about where to fill up next.
Pro Tip: If you’re a Costco member, apply for the co-branded Costco Anywhere Visa Card to earn 4% back on your first $7,000 in annual gas station purchases. Unlike most gas credit cards, the full 4% reward applies to purchases at Costco and non-Costco gas stations (so long as they’re coded as gas stations), though Costco stations almost always have the cheapest fuel in the area.
3. Ensure Your Card Rewards Your Fuel Types
Before you apply for a gas credit card, confirm that it rewards the types of purchases you need. For example, if you also drive your partner’s electric vehicle, you probably want a card that rewards both fuel types.
If you live in a dual-fuel household, consider how you each use your vehicles. If your child or partner drives an EV, you definitely need a card that rewards charging purchases. The question is whether you get one card that rewards both or look for separate cards. The answer depends on how you both answer the questions under No. 1 and whether your answers are the same in terms of which stations you frequent.
If anyone in the household drives both vehicles regularly, you each need a card that rewards both fuel types. If you have a driver under 18 in your home, make sure the card’s issuer allows minors as authorized users.
Many fuel cards already reward both gas and charging purchases, and that will only become more common in the future, but it’s not yet guaranteed. Gas station-branded cards are less likely to reward charging purchases because they’re closely associated with oil companies, which are lukewarm at best on EVs.
4. Decide How Long You Can Wait to Get Your Rewards
Money is money, but its value declines over time due to inflation. That means fuel rewards are most valuable when you earn them at the pump. They’re a bit less valuable when you earn them every month, as is typical for most general-purpose credit cards, but the difference is basically negligible unless inflation is really out of control.
But if you have to wait up to a year before you can claim your rewards, the difference in value may be noticeable. That’s a big drawback of the otherwise excellent Costco Anywhere Visa card: Your rewards only come to you once per year, and you can only redeem them at Costco.
5. Calculate Point Values & Real Return on Spending
Calculating a gas credit card’s return on spending is easy when it’s a basic cash-back credit card, where “3% cash back” basically means “$0.03 off every $1 spent.”
It’s trickier when the card earns points or miles worth more or less than $0.01 apiece. That’s often the case with co-branded travel credit cards like the Hilton Honors American Express Card, which earns 5 points per $1 spent on eligible gasoline purchases. Exactly how much those points are worth — and thus your actual return on fuel spending — depends on how and when you redeem them.
Likewise, convert per-gallon discounts to percentages when comparing gas cards’ rewards programs. A flat $0.10-per-gallon discount equals 5% at $2 per gallon, an excellent rate of return. It equals just 2% at $5 per gallon, lower than the 3% to 4% rate you get all the time with the top percentage-based gas cards. Even if you don’t use it much when gas is expensive, it makes sense to keep a per-gallon discount card around because it offers better returns when gas prices fall.
Finally, if you drive a lot, pay attention to annual limits on bonus gas rewards. A card that offers 4% back on the first $6,000 in annual gas purchases is an excellent choice for people who don’t consume tons of fuel.
But if you fill up your full-size SUV twice per week, you’ll probably hit the annual cap by summer. And if you don’t have another gas rewards card that offers a decent return on spending, you’re out of rewards until next year.
6. Understand Which Gas Station Purchases Earn Rewards
Some gas credit cards reward only purchases at the pump. Others reward purchases at convenience stores and other businesses attached to fuel stations, which is particularly useful when you’re fueling at big travel centers with tons of stuff to buy.
If you’re stuck choosing between a card that only rewards purchases at the pump and a card that rewards any fuel station purchase, always go with the latter if you’re frequently inclined to go into the station and stock up on other road trip essentials. Even if the rewards rate is a bit lower, you have more opportunities to earn on purchases you’d make anyway.
7. Stack Supermarket Loyalty Discounts on Top of Your Gas Card Rewards
Many supermarkets have gas rewards programs that can significantly reduce users’ net fuel costs. Generally, eligible supermarket purchases earn loyalty points that automatically convert to instant discounts on pay-at-the-pump gas purchases.
Depending on the program, discounts may apply only at the supermarket’s fuel stations, at stations operated by participating fuel companies, or at basically any station in the United States. To get the discount, you may need to link a credit card to your supermarket’s store loyalty account, which is where your fuel credit card comes in.
The ideal credit card for this setup is one that earns bonus rewards on both supermarket and gas station purchases. For example, the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card earns 2% back on grocery store and wholesale club purchases and 3% back on purchases in the category of your choice — one option being gas stations. That can further reduce the balance left after the instant discount.
8. Don’t Carry a Balance
Unless it’s a true emergency, you should never carry a credit card balance at the regular interest rate. One month of interest charges can wipe out a full year of gas rewards or discounts.
Carrying a balance during a 0% introductory APR period is fine as long as you pay off the balance in full before the introductory period ends. Otherwise, you could be liable for deferred interest charges, wiping out any rewards you earned during the promo (and then some).
9. Don’t Use a More Expensive Station Just to Get Rewards
Sometimes, the smartest thing to do with your gas credit card is not to use it at all. If you have to spend more per gallon to use it than the credit card saves on the purchase, it’s not worth it.
For example, you’re driving past two gas stations on the same side of the road. Station A sells regular unleaded for $3.49 per gallon and Station B sells regular unleaded for $3.69 per gallon. You can get $0.10 off per gallon with Station B’s credit card — a roughly 2.7% discount — or 1% off your entire purchase with a regular cash-back card at either station.
The choice should be clear: Use the regular cash-back card at Station A. The card itself won’t save you as much, but you’ll pay less overall.
The difference isn’t always so stark, but it often makes sense to buy the cheapest possible fuel, even if it means forgoing credit card rewards. Then again, you can usually have it both ways by using an app that helps you find cheap fuel in your area, then filling up with a general-purpose gas credit card.
This guideline also applies to which type of fuel you buy. If your engine can handle regular gasoline, don’t buy premium just to get another couple of cents in rewards. You still pay more overall.
Final Word
These tips are, ahem, a road map for getting the most out of your gas credit card. Your savings journey starts before you even apply, with a careful analysis of each card’s usefulness, versatility, and overall value.
Just don’t overestimate these cards’ financial impact. Pairing the right card with the right spending strategies can measurably reduce your gas bill, but it’s not a replacement for other ways to save.
You should still plan more efficient trips, use an app that helps you find cheap gas, and consider more substantial changes like trading in your gas guzzler for a fuel-sipping ride. After all, the most effective way to save on vehicle fuel is to use less of it.
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Brian Martucci writes about credit cards, banking, insurance, travel, and more. When he’s not investigating time- and money-saving strategies for Money Crashers readers, you can find him exploring his favorite trails or sampling a new cuisine. Reach him on Twitter @Brian_Martucci.
When you’re young and adventurous, international travel is the dream. You jump at any opportunity to go abroad without a second thought, start packing your suitcase, and promise yourself you’ll work out the details later.
But traveling — especially post-pandemic traveling — requires a bit of planning if you want a safe, inexpensive, and (relatively) stress-free trip. ️
Whether you’re traveling with friends or going solo, staying for one week or six months, traveling is much easier when you plan ahead with money-saving tips. Here are our best ideas to make your next international trip easy on your mind and your wallet.
What’s Ahead:
1. Be flexible with your dates and destinations
If you have flexibility in terms of where and when you travel, you have a major advantage: the ability to plan your trip around whatever amazing deal you can find. Without limitations on where and when you can travel, you can search within a specific timeframe or geographical area and shop around for low airfare and accommodations.
If you’re totally set on a particularly expensive destination, try to plan your trip for the off-season. You can often save big by traveling during less popular times, even in expensive areas. Conversely, if you have a specific window of time for travel, shop around for a destination that offers a good bang for your buck for that time of year.
A little flexibility goes a long way when you want to save on international travel.
Read more: Affordable international travel destinations that won’t empty your wallet
2. Decide what’s important to you and prioritize your spending
Before you hop on a plane with cash burning a hole in your pocket, take some time to think about your spending plan while you’re away.
I don’t necessarily mean you have to budget — although if that’s your style, stick with it. What I do suggest is you think about how you want to spend your money while traveling — starting with what’s most important to you.
Do you want a direct flight, or is a layover okay?
Do you love museums, or is seeing one enough?
Do you want to stay in a specific neighborhood, or wherever’s affordable?
Are you a big foodie, or is your dining experience an afterthought?
For example, if food is your thing, plan to spend big at restaurants. You’ll probably have to cut back in other categories — like lodging, cultural attractions, or transportation — but that’s okay. Giving this some thought before your trip will help you prioritize your favorite things.
Read more: How to travel for cheap: 7 ways to see the world for less
3. Get travel insurance
If you’ve traveled at all since COVID-19 upended the world, you know how different it is. After months — even years — of lockdown, many of us are jumping at the chance to travel abroad again. But after enduring such a lull in travel, it’s even more disappointing when things don’t work out.
That’s why travel insurance is a lifesaver.
The last thing you want is to plan an epic trip and miss half of it due to a flight cancellation. So even though you might bristle at the added expense of travel insurance, work it into your budget and enjoy the priceless feeling of security should something go wrong.
Like credit cards and bank accounts, there are lots of options when it comes to travel insurance. Several popular credit cards provide travel insurance, so you might already be covered. If not, shop around for a policy that fits your needs and budget. Sites like SquareMouth.com, TravelInsurance.com, and InsureMyTrip.com can help.
Read more: Best credit cards for travel insurance
4. Save digital copies of important documents
You know that feeling when you misplace your phone? Your stomach kind of drops, and panic sets in. (And approximately 12 seconds later you find it on the kitchen table.)
Imagine that feeling — x100 — when you misplace your passport while traveling internationally.
I know — you’ll do your best to keep all your stuff secure and organized. But things happen, you misplace this, you forget that. You’re human, and you should have a backup plan.
Make digital copies of all your important documents before you leave. Store them in multiple places, and make sure they’re accessible to you while abroad. I suggest making copies of the following documents:
Passport
Travel insurance paperwork
Vaccination information
Visa
Driver’s license
Travel itinerary
Store photos on your phone, in your email, in the cloud, and give copies to a trustworthy person at home.
5. Learn language basics
If you’re traveling to a country that speaks another language, take some time to learn key phrases and words.
Learning a new language opens all kinds of doors when you travel. The better you can communicate with locals, the more you’ll get out of your trip. Plus, having some basic language skills means you can better navigate outside of the main touristy areas — potentially saving you money by staying, eating, and shopping in under-the-radar locales.
Learning language basics can also give you a better cultural understanding of wherever you’re traveling. Not to mention locals will appreciate your interest in their language and culture.
If you’re thinking there’s no way you’ll ever learn to speak another language, start small. You don’t have to be fluent to reap the rewards of language skills. Instead, think about some simple words and phrases you know you’ll need often.
There are tons of accessible, free ways to learn a new language these days. You can download an app like Duolingo or Memrise, join a language exchange, or even take a community college class.
6. Have some local cash before you land
There are a million and one things to plan when traveling abroad, and it’s easy to neglect to get local cash before departing. You might just plan to use your card and withdraw money when you get there — but you can’t always count on this strategy.
You never know when you’ll have trouble with a card, and you’ll definitely need money when you land — to feed yourself and get to your lodging, at a minimum. So take the extra step of getting some local currency before you even step foot on the plane. And be sure you have enough to get situated when you get there.
Oh, and don’t wait until you get to the airport to exchange your cash. If you go to your bank or credit union, you’ll pay a lot less in fees and pay lower exchange rates than you will at an airport kiosk.
7. Get a local SIM card for your phone
Roaming data and temporary data passes are expensive, and there are better — and cheaper — ways to use your phone abroad.
Of course, you can always connect to Wi-Fi. But if you want to be able to use your phone without a Wi-Fi connection — say, to find the nearest pub while walking the rural English countryside — you can avoid exorbitant roaming fees by buying a local SIM card instead.
After you land at your destination, go to a local telecom store and buy a SIM card. Look for a pay-as-you-go or temporary SIM, which you might see being marketed to travelers. Choose a popular telecom store with lots of locations — that way, if you have issues later on, it’s easier to find help.
All you have to do is replace your regular SIM card with the temporary one (unless your phone allows dual SIM cards — then you can have both in at once) and make sure your roaming data is turned off. Voila! You’ve got yourself a working phone.
8. Stay in a local neighborhood
Rather than paying an arm and a leg for a bland hotel in the main tourist zone, look for a rental in a local neighborhood when planning your accommodations abroad. Aside from getting a unique experience, there are lots of benefits to doing this:
You can often save money by staying even a short walk from the hot spots
You’ll experience more of the local culture and cuisine
You can meet the locals — whether it’s an Airbnb host, a barista down the block, or a neighbor
If you’re traveling somewhere for an extended period of time (and depending on your risk tolerance), you can wait to find your long-term accommodations until you get there. Find a place to stay for a week or two while you get a feel for the area and chat with the locals. You’ll have a much better idea of where you want to be — plus some insider tips — by getting situated first.
9. Book a walking tour
If you ask me, there’s no better way to explore a new city than on foot. You see more, you start to orient yourself, and you can stop in whatever shops, cafes, and museums you see along the way.
To start your trip off on the right foot (literally), book a walking tour as soon as you arrive. They’re a great way to immediately learn about the city and scope out the places you want to revisit. Plus, walking tours allow you to meet other travelers. If you’re traveling solo, you’ll likely meet other people interested in exploring with you.
They don’t cost much — in fact, a quick Google search usually turns up lots of free walking tours.
10. Use local currency when paying with a credit card
When you’re traveling abroad and paying with a credit card, you may be prompted to choose between local currency or U.S. dollars when checking out. You may not realize it, but you’ll likely pay more by selecting your home currency.
Even if your card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, there’s usually a fee associated with paying in your home currency. The only real benefit is seeing what you’re paying in terms of the currency you’re familiar with. But this convenience comes at a price — usually around 3% of the charge — which can really add up over time. If prompted, always choose the local currency when paying with a credit card.
11. Use public transit
One of the best ways to save money when traveling abroad is to use public transit. And I promise it’s not as scary as it seems!
The reality is, Ubers, Lyfts, and cabs will quickly eat away at your budget. While convenient, they’re not cheap. If you can, rely on public transit to get where you need to go.
Depending on where you’re traveling, public transit may include:
Trains
Buses
Subways
Trams
Ferries
The ins and outs of navigating public transit vary widely, but it’s not as intimidating as it looks. Taking public transit will give you a chance to practice a foreign language and give you more of a local’s perspective on the city.
Plus — and I can tell you from experience — you’ll feel a huge sense of accomplishment (and relief) after navigating a foreign city’s public transit system.
One more note: it’s not a bad idea to set aside an emergency stash of money for a cab. If you’re out late or, for whatever reason, don’t feel safe taking the bus or train home, a cab is always worth the peace of mind.
12. Make use of grocery stores
No, you don’t have to go full Julia Child while abroad, but grocery shopping and cooking in a new country is a worthwhile adventure in itself. Plus, shopping for snacks, groceries, and ingredients — and cooking meals yourself — can save you a fortune while traveling.
When I went to Iceland, my flights and rental car were relatively inexpensive. Meals out, however, were pricey. I ended up saving a lot of money by shopping for groceries and cooking at home. There were some… interesting meals, but I saved money I wanted to spend on other things — like museums and awesome lodging.
If your hotel room, rental, or hostel has a kitchen, you can cook simple meals at home. Have fun browsing the shelves at grocery stores, specialty shops, and farmer’s markets for fresh and exotic ingredients, and see what culinary masterpiece you can cook up.
If your lodging doesn’t include a kitchen, you can still stock up on snacks. You can easily piece together a cheap and delicious picnic with grab-and-go-items.
Read more: 9 ways to save money on food and drinks while traveling
13. Check out local meet-ups
No matter how far from home you are, you can find community at a variety of local meet-ups. A quick online search can help you find free local meet-ups in whatever city you’re in — no need to spend on every experience while traveling. Plus, if you’re traveling solo, you’re almost guaranteed to meet other solo people with similar interests as you.
Not sure where to start? Check out these ideas for inspiration:
Creative Mornings — a live gathering of creatives who want to inspire, connect with, and learn from one another.
FuckUp Nights — a series of events showcasing stories of professional failure, vulnerability, and empathy.
MeetUp.com — a platform to help you find groups, events, and activities wherever you are.
If you meet locals during your stay, ask them about local events and meetups. It goes without saying, but stick to gatherings that feel safe.
Summary
International travel isn’t out of reach — especially if you take the time to plan wisely. There are lots of great ways to save on flights, food, transportation, and accommodations, as long as you’re willing to do your research.
Remember to take care of yourself and be a responsible traveler, too. The more effort you put into planning a safe, responsible, and wallet-friendly trip, the more enjoyable it will be.