travel blog, minus the bull$hit

Completely based on how I, a broké (financially irresponsible) person, decide my next trip.

Take this advice with a grain of salt and always be sure to do your own research

Literally just find the cheapest flight to anywhere I can do a 2-4 day trip (weekend included) without having to use PTO.

Since I only need to be physically in office during established “core office” days, this usually works out pretty well for slower paced trips that don’t have me running full steam ahead towards a new activity every other hour.

I only use these to look for flights, but I always book directly with the airlines as it is almost always more convenient for the following reasons:

• If the flight price changes, most airlines will reimburse you the fare difference
• I feel immense satisfaction when it comes to racking up airline points lol
• Easier communication when it comes to flight changes, arrangements, delays, etc. since there is no third party (agency) included. If a third party is included, the airlines will likely direct you to deal with the third party for communication. Basically, less channels to jump through

Tip that you might already know but I’m telling you anyways:

Travel sites can track your browser activity, so be sure to hop onto an incognito browser when searching/buying flights.

Google Flights

This is my go-to website to find the cheapest flights. You can also set up e-mail notifications for price drops if you have a specific destination/dates in mind.

1. Go to https://www.google.com/travel/flights
2. If you have no idea when or where you are going, go to the explore page
3. From the explore page, insert your home airport or wherever you plan to depart from
4. Still no destination in mind? Leave “Where to?” as is- because your “where to” is anywhere!
5. No date in mind? You can set it to flexible date and pick a month, or a range of months you want to travel during, and how long you want to travel for
6. Filter results further as needed (# of stops, flights only, airlines, bags, etc.)
7. Shop around for where you want to go!

Here’s a video guide for those who can’t read taken from my phone browser (because I couldn’t figure out how to record my laptop screen).

But if you’re planning on flying an airlines such as SouthWest, I’d recommend checking their website directly since their prices do not appear on Google Flights.

I’ve only ever used Google Flights to search. But here are a couple other reliable travel tools you can consider using.

• Going™ (previously Scott’s Cheap Flights)
• Hopper
• SkyScanner
• Momondo

Ask around for other people’s planned vacations and casually pop up like a mushroom.

Spore-adically.

Obviously this method only works if you have friends. Sorry.

When you pick this route, try your best to not be an inconvenience and expect everyone to last minute incorporate all of your needs. Don’t be annoying.

See a cool event you want to go to that requires travel? Make a trip out of it!

Just buy tickets to that music festival, bestie. Follow the music and the plans will come.

If you want to go with a group of friends, be the one that books the damn flight and the rest will follow. Hopefully.

For my ISA friends- vacation mommy is here for y’all. ❤

Take weather into consideration.

Travel to somewhere that’s freezing cold? Over my stone cold body. Traveling during warmer seasons means you don’t need to pack as many layers. It’s the carry on only life for me!