Another trip? How can you afford to travel so much?
I’m going to try and answer that with this post. My goal is to live life comfortably while satisfying my travel desires.
My fav comedian said it best “a mortgage gon’ make you act right!” And I’m behaving out here.
Firstly, I live beneath my means and I plan ALL of my spending. No, I’m not drowning in credit card debt, but I do not use debit, ever. What does living beneath my means exactly mean? I pack a lunch to work everyday. I just got my first car note in 3 years. I do my hair at home, unless Jettset Studio lace me (Google her baby!). Again, I stress—I follow a budget. I allocate spending for the weekend, gas money, groceries. Everything.
Second, I fund all of my trips using “extra” money. If you know me, you know I’ve always got a side hustle popping. I’ve done it all, from bartending to custodial jobs. I work when I want and stack. (shout-out to them Caribbean roots, she work hard for the money!) The key to using extra money to fund your vacations (or whatever your goal may be) is to keeping this money SEPARATE! A few years ago when I was cleaning part time I opened a new checking account that had a $150 new account bonus. I had all of my part time checks transferred to this account via direct deposit and didn’t touch it for a solid 6 months. Wa-la! 2017 was paid for. Any time I come into “extra” money (a work bonus, just opened up a new high interest savings account for a $200 bonus) I transfer it to my “Vacation Account.” You’ll hear me say this often. Work Hard, Travel Often.
C.R.E.A.M. “Credit rules everything around me!”
Stop with the stale thinking that you shouldn’t use credit cards. Credit cards are safer to use, they help build and maintain credit and you get rewarded for using them. Going back to my theory of budgeting—budget how much you’ll spend on your card and pay it off. Every month. I don’t care if I’m getting a snickers bar or booking a flight. I use credit. The Chase Sapphire Reserve is currently my fav. Why not get paid for spending money? My NYE flight to Asia? Free! Credit card points, cause he’s an on time God.
FLIGHT DEALS!
Your biggest travel expense for every vacation will likely be your flight. Which is why you should travel strategically. Look into flight deal sites like SecretFlying, Skyscanner & Google Flights and do take note of cheap travel days (i.e. Tuesday’s and Saturday’s). Understand that holiday travel will cost you more and if you can stand that extra layover—fade the five for a cheaper flight.
Last tidbit. I love packages. Using sites like Travelocity and Orbitz to book flight and hotel combos (after finding flight deals prior) always leads to success.
I know I was rapping but it’s levels to traveling and not going broke. I have never had credit card debt and I don’t intend to.
Happy Travels! #KiKiTaughtYou
Please drop all comments & questions below. Let’s chat!
P.S. The image of me below bartending is from 2012! I look like such a baby 🙂
XO,
Ki
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Yasssss living your best life! Keep the travel tips comin Kiki! 😘😘
Thanks Friend xoxo
I liked this you said some really great things. Now I’m not into travelling but the principles behind how u get to travel I think I can use/apply. The patience, sacrifice, vision, goal setting n DISCIPLINE. THE DISCIPLINE is the hard part for me. I see stuff n just want it but I like that make ur extra money the money u use for stuff. I thought about the 2 paychecks we get 2x a yr where we get 3 paychecks in a month. Essentially that extra paycheck should be put aside but we never do smh. That sounds smart but it comes back to discipline this will be my first year NOT trying to buy stuff black Friday cause I’m gonna save my money n buy the iPhone xr outright. I think the practical means for taking ur trips the financial freedom outlook is what I can learn from u. I agree on the cc it helps build credit. My friend a white girl is who told me about it. I think black ppl in general have been taught to think cc r the enemy but that is how u get ahead n build credit. Great stuff Ki I enjoyed that.
Exactly!! We have been taught that credit is the devil but without it how will you build credit? Also if your debit card is compromised that’s connected to your REAL money. Thank you for understanding it’s about discipline and being strategic. I am soooo proud of you for skipping Black Friday. This is huge 🤣😂
I absolutely love this! Think you for the tips! You inspire me me to budget and trsnel strategically! Everyone should either get them a ki in there life or learn from her! I can’t wait for the next blog!!! Xoxo
Aww I love me some you. For those who don’t know she owns Jettsett or whatever!!!
#ProudFriend
LOVED THIS! #KiKiTaughtMe Listen, you dropped some knowledge on us with this post. This is good stuff and I think it will really help ppl think more strategically about their coins and really achieve some goals.
Thank you! That’s the goal. You don’t have to be a millionaire to take lit travel. You get it!
Thank you for posting this. My biggest takeaway from this is DISCIPLINE. I can absolutely live the life I want to live if I’m willing to PLAN for it. I love seeing your travel posts. ❤️ Keeep it coming.
Discipline while realizing balance matters. That’s my struggle. I’m a bit crazy with it. I will regret a Chick-Fil-A meal if I didn’t budget for it! 🤣😂. Will def keep the pics coming and my next post will be based on a country.
I’ve always admired you growing up. Now seeing you travel and living your best life makes me admire you even more! This was extremely helpful and I can’t wait to use this so I can travel all 2019!
Always admired me growing up?? Really. I was so mean 🤣😂. That was so sweet! I’m glad I can help. Keep me posted on your travel and always reach out when you need to!
Love this boo!! Keep doin you!
Thanks Boo Thang. Love you!
I am currently sitting here waiting for an international flight. I almost skipped out on this oppurtunity but I said “Doneise, stack those coins and stamp that passport!” You continue to be an inspiration to me and everyone around you. Everybody says it takes a village to raise a child but let me tell ya – it takes a village to adult too!!!!
Keep on living your best life!!!! #blackgirlmagic
Thank you your words mean so much! As adults I think we let our pride get in the way of letting others inspire us. There’s so much world to see & so many different ways to see it, why not learn from others journey’s! Come back and shares yours!
I wanna be like you when I grow up…This website will inspire folks to plan, pursue, and proceed, not to mention get a passport…😍 I am so proud of you! Living your best life looks good on you! Keep dropping knowledge. After all,
KnowledgeIsArealAchievement….LOVEU
That’s the goal! To inspire and share my journey. Thanks for your comments love ya xoxo
Omg! You’re dropping knowledge!! I never thought about keeping a separate account for traveling. As soon as I get a part time job, that check is going straight to a travel account. Thanks Ki!
Hi! Yes! It’s so easy to get your “real” and “play” money mixed up. Your flight money could accidentally be spent on a spa day without the separation!
I’d love for you to share your success once you do get a part time job—where you work, how you saved etc. We are all in this together trying to see some world!
You should be a life coach lol.. I def need to look into reward points for credit cards
Yes you should! Start getting rewarded for purchases you make every day! Next thing you know you can take a little trip or whatever. Thanks for reading and commenting
Life is too short to not see what the World has to offer — I love following your travels!!! Thanks for the great travel tips! Can’t wait to see what’s next!
Exactly! I was gifted with a scratch off map this birthday and it made me realize how LITTLE world I’ve seen!
I have some exciting things planned for the rest of this year and next. Can’t wait to share! I also intend to do some open ended posts so that well traveled folks such as yourself can share your experiences.
Dope read. One day, I aspire to be as disciplined as you. Live it up. #SaluteKiLoLo
Mel you out here doing big things too!
Thanks for the comments. Discipline matters but so does enjoying life as you suggest.
I appreciate you reading!
This was an awesome read. Thanks for putting words behind the pictures! Everyone can live and dream the dream.
Thank you for your comments!
You’ve got it! Everyone can do it with a plan and vision.
Great post and definitely inspirational! Looks like I have a new advisor to talk to before going to Wendy’s and getting that 4 for 4 deal lol. But honestly, great article, definitely learned a few new things and will be coming back to this post and to you for more knowledge!
#Respect!
Bwahahaha not Wendy’s! I’ll let Chick-Fil-A slide tho! You know you can always come to me.
Thanks for commenting and reading!
Wow those are some awesome tips, Yas live your best life!
Thank you so much & I’m trying. I hope you use the tips in your near future 😉
this is dope, you make me wanna travel!
Hey! You should…it’s so doable and there’s so much world to see. I appreciate you reading and commenting.
Having a SEPARATE account is brilliant! Thanks for the tip.
It’s my favorite tip of them all. To keep my “play account” alive when I don’t have a part time I have $50 from each paycheck transferred to it!