A Thoughtful Approach to Travel Spending

How I prioritize value, flexibility, and meaningful experiences while traveling

How I Think About Money When I Travel

I travel with intention about what’s worth paying for, what isn’t, and where money actually enhances the experience. This page isn’t about how to travel for the least amount possible, and I can’t give you a budget for every single trip I’ve ever taken. This page is about how I think about spending money while traveling and how small, thoughtful choices can stretch a trip.

Where I Choose To Save

Some of the ways I naturally reduce costs include:

  • Traveling in the off-season or shoulder season: Flights, accommodations, and tours are often cheaper and destinations feel less crowded and more relaxed.

  • Being flexible with dates and pacing: Flexibility opens doors to better pricing without changing the destination itself. Sometimes changing the day you fly out or return can make a huge difference in pricing.

  • Letting the place set expectations: Some destinations are inherently more affordable than others. I don’t expect the same spending patterns everywhere, and that naturally removes pressure. A trip to Africa or Asia is going to mean longer, more expensive flights but you may not spend as much once you arrive. A trip to the Caribbean might mean cheaper, quicker flights but imported goods raise the amount you might spend once on the island you choose.

Values First

When I plan a trip, I don’t start with “How can I make this cheaper?”

I start with “What will make this meaningful?”

That usually means:

  • Paying for experiences I can only do at that specific destination

  • Spending money with people who live where I’m visiting like local artisans, family-owned restaurants, drivers, and more

  • Saving in places where convenience doesn’t necessarily add value

Assigning value to your travel priorities can guide how you plan your trip and where you allocate the most and least money. An example might be spending less on souvenirs and putting that money toward a dance or cooking lesson you’re interested in.

Using Rewards as a Buffer

I often use loyalty programs to plan my trips and build itineraries. They don’t dictate where I go or how I travel, but they do provide a cushion to reduce costs where possible and lessen necessary expenses like accommodations and flights. Check out some of the loyalty programs I belong to below.

  • Delta Skymiles

    FLIGHTS

    A frequent flyer program that rewards flights with miles that can be redeemed for future travel. I link my SkyMiles account to an American Express card and everyday partners like Uber and Starbucks, which allows points to accumulate beyond flights alone.

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  • Expedia Rewards

    HOTELS + FLIGHTS + CAR RENTALS

    A travel rewards program that offers points and member pricing on flights, hotels, and packages. I find Expedia especially useful for hotel bookings, where member discounts and rewards can noticeably reduce accommodation costs.

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  • Viator

    EXPERIENCES

    A platform for booking reputable, locally led tours and experiences around the world. Viator makes it easier to find low-cost, vetted experiences that support individuals and small groups who rely on tourism as income.

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  • Marriott Bonvoy

    HOTELS + VILLAS

    A hotel loyalty program that rewards stays with points that can be redeemed for free nights, upgrades, and added flexibility. Bonvoy works well for longer trips or repeat destinations, where consistency, comfort, and rewards can add value.

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What I’m Willing to Pay Full Price For

There are some things I don’t try to discount because they are more valuable than money.

I’m willing to pay for:

  • Locally led tours and experiences

  • Cooking classes, walking tours, and workshops

  • Craftsmanship, art, and cultural education

  • Safety, comfort, and peace of mind

These are the parts of travel where money has the most direct impact.

What Affordable Means to Me

Affordable means value-aligned more than cheap. When I plan a trip, I try to assess the value of the experience, the people being supported, and the meaning and memories I’ll carry forward for a lifetime. An experience can be inexpensive and transformative or costly and forgettable, and thankfully, we get to decide which we’ll choose.