Budget Travel Tips

How to Eat, Sleep and Travel on a Budget

The 10 Best Hotels in Austin: Where to Stay by Neighborhood in 2026

A guide to Austin’s best hotels, organized by neighborhood for every style and budget. Whether you’re looking for boutique stays in South Congress or hidden gems in East Austin, this guide makes it easy to find a hotel for all budgets.

Are suitcase warranties actually worth it?

I discovered my new favorite carry-on (Samsonite Uplift Hardside Carry-on Spinner ($159)) while investigating suitcase warranties. As suitcases get fancier and pricier, most brands, from Samsonite to Away, are hyping warranties as a major selling point. As a...

17 Best Travel Apps to Download Before your Next Trip (2026 Guide)

While the nostalgic part of me misses the days of paper maps and film cameras, smart phones do make travel and life a lot easier. Here’s a recap of my current favorite travel apps – almost all of them are free!

An Easy Guide to Getting American Airlines Elite Status—And How to Optimize it Once You Do

A work trip to Egypt in January helped me earn American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum status thanks to a stopover in Dubai and flying oneworld alliance airlines. This post was originally published in April 2024 and updated in March 2026 to reflect how I earned status...

12 Best Travel Gifts for the Holidays 2025, According to a Full-time Traveler

Alfred the Gnome loves being part of my annual travel gift guide! Every year, I compile a list of my favorite travel items that I’ve recently discovered that make my adventures easier, more comfortable or stylish. Several of these were suggestions from friends and...

Why American Airlines Elite Status No Longer Makes Sense for Most Travelers

American Airlines recently changed its upgrade system, making elite status harder to justify. This post breaks down what’s changed and whether elite status still makes sense.