5 TIPS FOR BUDGET TRAVELERS

TIP#1. FLY MIDWEEK

You can grab the best deals if you fly midweek. FLY on Tuesday or Wednesday to snag the lowest fares. Book your flight on Tuesday or Wednesday and you'll find the lowest fares.

TIP#2 Lookupfare is a great way to find fares from multiple airlines.

TIP#3 STAY IN A BUDGET FRIENDLY HOTEL

Some of the best hotel I've stayed in were budget friendly hotels, especially because of just that, "Budget Friendly" One of my favorite picks for a budget bang is Laquinta Hotel, they offer free breakfast and WI-FI, can you say win-win.

TIP#4 Use Trivago to help with your hotel search because with this search engine you'll see prices form multiple sites such as booking.com, expedia etc.

Ok, so you booked your low flight using Lookupfare, you booked a budget friendly hotel at Laquinta Hotel where you can enjoy a delicious full breakfast and free WI-FI ,so now it time to save money while on

vacation.

TIP#4 TAKE CASH KEEP CREDIT BEHIND

Take only the amount of cash you have budgeted for that day, so that you won't go over budget just swiping a credit card.

TIP#5 FIND FREE ACTIVITIES

Scope out low cost or even free activities, such as beaches(my personal favorite) landmarks, festivals,architecture etc.

Thanks for Reading! 

Do you know of a tip that I may not have mentioned or have any of these tips ever worked or not worked for you? comments below.

I Traveled Solo to Jamaica, and This Happened....

I've been dreaming about going to Jamaica or anywhere out the country for years, but in my dreams I was never alone. I could not fathom traveling out of the country alone...but I also could not fathom not ever experiencing Jamaica. I was tired of suggesting a trip to friends, family or even my boyfriend of 5 years and getting the same response." I don't have the time off, I don't have the finances, or I don't want to go to Jamaica it's not safe"

When I would suggest traveling alone to friends or family, they would say "It's not safe, you'll get robbed, kidnapped, or murdered.

One day I decided enough is enough, if I wanted to experience Jamaica I'd have to do it alone. I got on my laptop and booked my solo trip to Ocho Rios Jamaica. I didn't even tell my boyfriend until I got there and he was furious.  I decided not to tell him because I felt like he would do something to try and stop me and another year would go by of me not going. At that moment I decided to not let my travel dreams be contingent on anyones schedule, interest, finances or fears. I traveled solo to Jamaica and the only thing that happened to me was that I had the time of my life...I felt liberated.

Jamaica was so beautiful. When the plane was landing onto the island I nearly cried. I hadn't seen anyplace so beautiful before, and if I wasn't willing to travel alone I may not have ever seen it. I finally felt completely autonomous and that I had the courage to walk in my own purpose and passion. Once I got home my boyfriend blocked my calls and broke up with me. I was somewhat sad. But what I realized is that I love myself enough to not let anyone be in control over what brings me real joy, and that's traveling. For that point on I travel solo, and will never let anyone stop me again.

Do you think I did the right thing by not telling my boyfriend I was going to Jamaica?  Comments below.

 

5 Easy Steps to a Minimalist Lifestyles.

Venice Beach 

A Minimalist Lifestyles looks different to each person whose embracing it. The basis of it is simply Living Big with Less. For me it's living with less material items to foster my need to travel and to be rich in experiences rather than stuff.  Here are 5 Easy Steps that helped me in my Journey to Living Big with Less.

Step 1.  Clear the Clutter, start by donating, and selling things you don't need. If you haven't used it in months you probably don't need it. A clean and clutter free home, helps clear you mind and also frees up your time to focus on what is really important to you. By clearing the clutter I wasn't spending A lot of time looking for things and cleaning.  I now have more time to walk my dog, meditate and simply relax.

Step 2.  Stop Spending, it's easy to become a slave to consumerism,  we are bombarded with advertising everywhere, from purchasing the latest IPhone to the newest car model. Do we have to purchase the latest technology when it comes out? I don't think so. Most of the time it's not significantly different from the last model.  I truly believe in spending less in order to be able to have money to spend on what brings you Real joy. I gave up a huge house to live in a small apartment. Most of my furniture was free or used. I buy clothes only if I need to replace another article of clothes.  I don't spend much money unless it's for traveling and having lasting memorable experiences.

Step 3.  Enjoy the Simple Things in Life, Because I'm not spending as much money trying to maintain a huge house, buying the latest phones, designer clothes  (only to impress people)  I now have more time to spend enjoying life. In the past I worked maybe 50 to 60 hours a week, working in order to pay bills and to have money to travel.  I was trying to have everything but ended up with nothing but stuff, and I was empty inside. The reality was because I was working so much I never had time to travel or spend with my son. Therefore, I replaced time with buying stuff for my myself and my son. Buying stuff did not bring me real joy.  Today, I realize what is truly important to me, which are moments we spend with the people we love, and the lasting memories we make together.  

Spending time with family 

Step 4.  Learn to be grateful for what you already have. This has helped me tremendously because I stopped comparing myself to people who have fancier cars, clothes and houses. I have learned that these things don't bring you real joy. I realize that finding gratitude in what I already have brings me peace. Peace is something that can't be bought

Step 5.  Embrace what brings you real Joy. Tomorrow is not promised to anyone and unfortunately no one has a expiration date stamped on them. I have to live my best life now, and as I stated earlier for me it's traveling. I recently took my first cruise to the Bahamas. Prior to booking I couldn't find anyone to go along with me, everyone I asked had financial contraists, couldn't get off of work, or was afraid of boats or the Ziki virus and I almost didn't go. But I did go, I took my teenage son and I had the best time of my life. I'm so glad that I decided to go to the Bahamas. So, whatever it is that make you truly happy embrace it.

Flying over Grand Canyon

What has been your greatest challenges or triumphs with Minimalism?

                      Thanks for reading.