In some ways, 2019 has been a year of failed experiments (at least on the blogging, branding, and social media front). But to be honest, I’m not too upset over these failures. Because there were some things I really needed to learn at this point in my journey as a digital creator, and I feel like I learned a lot of those things this year.
Read MoreSince we’re about to enter the fourth quarter of 2019 and I haven’t left the country yet, it goes without saying that I’m a bit behind on my travel goals this year. Fortunately, I have a plan to catch up. Or, more accurately, I have two plans.
Read MoreSince spending money on a travel credit card is the primary way to accrue points, frugality can cause some problems. If you are also a frugal person torn between wanting to benefit from a travel credit card and breaking out in hives at the thought of making large purchases, read on for tips on how I make this whole conundrum work for me.
Read MoreI’ll be the first to admit that a move away from the rambling journal entries I used to write to more organized posts answering questions that could actually help people is a good thing overall. Unfortunately, there’s a problem with becoming a “better” blogger. I miss writing rambling journal entries.
Read MoreDespite what many blog posts about travel credit cards may lead you to believe, there are real people who benefit from travel credit cards even by using them casually. And I know that this is true, because I happen to be one of those casual travel credit card users that is far from being a professional travel credit card blogger.
Read MoreDepending on where you are from in the world, staying in a hostel in your late 20s or 30s may not seem odd to you at all. But I have definitely been asked when I intend to stop staying in hostels. So let’s answer that question once and for all.
Read MoreSince the beginning of my most recent trip, I’ve been trying to decide on the one word I would choose to describe Chicago. This was my third trip to the Windy City, but it’s still a difficult place for me to summarize.
Read MoreMy dining room at the fifties fixer upper may not be completely done at this point, but it has come a long way since I bought the house in the fall of 2017… so I think it is time for an update.
Read MoreAlthough I’ve been answering questions about the affordability of travel and how I pay for travel in a variety of posts on this blog for years, I think this is a topic that deserves a post of its own on every travel blog. Including this one.
Read MoreA relatively quick read about what’s been going on over the past month and what you can expect on my blogs this June 2019.
Read MoreBeing intentional about how you access your money abroad can save time and help you stay on budget during your next trip.
Read MoreWhen people find out that I have more experience traveling in Europe than in other parts of the world, they usually have something to say about it. This is my response to their commentary.
Read MoreSince reading Marie Kondo’s book, I’ll admit that I’m a fan of her idea that we should focus on what sparks joy in our lives. So this month’s money question is simple: are all of the subscriptions you pay for on a monthly basis sparking joy in your life?
Read MoreHere are a few things you probably don’t need (or at the very least would be happier without) if you’re planning to stay in a hostel.
Read MoreAfter years of staying in hostel dormitories, there are five essential items that I suggest people bring with them to make their hostel experience more enjoyable.
Read MoreWhat went well, what went wrong… and everything in between this March 2019.
Read MoreI met up with a friend recently who travels a lot more often than I do. Naturally, we always talk about travel when we get together: where she has been, where she is planning to go next and who she is going with. And every single time we have one of those conversations, I’m shocked at how differently we think about travel.
Read MoreHere we are, with March more than halfway over. And here I am, just now writing the February monthly review. I promise I’m going to be a serious blogger at some point. (Not sure when, but eventually.)
Read MoreIn many industries, spring is the season for annual raises and bonuses, which is followed by the season of tax refunds. While these potential income sources are certainly nice, they can have an unintended negative consequence on your overall financial situation: lifestyle inflation.
Read MoreIn October of 2018, I did something I never in a million years thought I would do: I quit my job without another job lined up. I’ve written several posts about that decision, and the burnout that led up to it. But I haven’t written anything yet about what I learned from the experience I’ve taken to calling my Six Week Sabbatical here on the blog.
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