Are you interested in saving as much money as possible on your next flight? Of course you are! Follow along with me and I’ll tell you which flight search engines you should be using to save the most amount of money on your next big trip.

Truth be told, there’s a skill to finding cheap flights on the internet these days. It’s all about where to look when it comes to finding the best deals. The problem is many people are just simply looking in all the wrong places.

Like a carpenter without tools, you’re useless!

When it comes to finding good deals on flights, you need to be equipped with the right tools. Simply Googling “cheap flights” is only going to result in you clicking on a site that has paid their way to the top of the search engine results. No good!

You need your own personal tool belt and I’m going to help you start building that right now. I’ll be sharing all of my favorite tips and tricks to finding the cheapest flights on the internet. These tips and tricks will now be known as “Tools” as we move along.

Below, you’ll find all of the tools that I currently have in my flight search tool belt and after you check out some of my personal favorites, you can pick and choose which ones you want to add to your belt.

Cheap Flight Search Engines:

Kayak.com is my number one flight search engine for a number of reasons. Not only does Kayak consistently provide me with the best deals, but it also has some really great search features like Buzz, Trends, Flexible Date Search, Price Alerts, and more. Kayak is my go-to flight search engine and it should be yours too!

DoHop.com is best known for it’s “linking” or “joining” of indirect flights. This allows you to find the cheapest flights by flying indirectly. This site is generally for those who have plenty of time on their hands and are willing to sacrifice sitting in an airport for a few hours in order to get the best bang for their buck.

WhichBudget.com is an excellent resource when it comes to searching for cheap flights online. Plug in your dates, departure/destination airports and find out which budget airlines fly your specified route. It’s as easy as that! WhichBudget is 100% FREE to use and there are no commission fees involved if you’re looking to  budget airlines.

Hipmunk.com - What I like most about Hipmunk is that when you search for flights, the results come up in a graph format. The graph results show which airlines that are flying your specified route on the dates that you’ve chosen along with the prices and amount of stops in between. Hipmunk is not something I use too often but I still recommend you check it out before moving on to the other honorable mentions below.

If you’re not finding the deals you’re looking for then be sure to check out the following cheap flight resources:

• Fly.com
• SkyScanner.net
• Mobissimo.com
• FlyTailIt.com
• FareCompare.com

Tips for Saving Money on Flights:

• Sign up for airline newsletters! Log on to your favorite airlines website and sign up for their email list. Every now and then you’ll receive an email with the latest deals. This is great simply for the fact that email newsletter subscribers usually get the news first when specific fares go on sale.
• Sign up for the free frequent flier programs of your favorite airline(s). I, personally, am not a member of any frequent flier programs so I don’t know a lot about how each FF program works. In saying that I know many people who swear by a few particular programs and really get the most for their money. I can recommend a frequent flyer genius to you, his name is Chris Guillebeau. Check him out and be prepared to be amazed.
• Scope out the forums over at FlyerTalk. There is so much incredible information regarding flying, hotels, frequent flier programs, etc over there it’s insane. You can and will be scouring through threads for days if it’s something you’re interested in.

How to Find Cheap Flights Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Modh8ANPsNc

ATM FEES ARE FOR CHUMPS!

You don’t want to be a chump and pay all those crazy fees when you’re on the road, do you?

Well, luckily for you, I have a work around that will save you from paying hundreds, even thousands of dollars in ATM fees both domestically and internationally!

The method for avoiding ATM fees that I explain in this in-depth video shown below is a method that I’ve been using since 2007.

I have personally saved thousands of dollars in fees through out my travels abroad. That’s not counting how much I’ve saved on ATM fees domestically here in the good ol’ USA!

Nobody likes to pay those bullsh*t ATM Fees them and why should you? If you want to rid yourself of ATM fees starting TODAY, be sure to watch the following video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFBzGPg8wbU

The inspiration for this video came from Patti, one of my Facebook fans who is heading over to Spain to visit her daughter. Patti had mentioned that she had been running around to a few local banks trying to make sure she got the best exchange rate when exchanging her US Dollars into Euros before taking off on her trip.

It wasn’t until I asked her if she knew that she could take Euros out of the ATM simply by using her ATM card while in Spain that I realized how spoiled I am when it comes to international banking.

I haven’t paid a single ATM fee since 2007!

For that reason, I simply forgot that everyone else out there in the U.S. gets whacked with a fee every time they use a “non-bank” ATM machine.

For example if you’re a Bank of America customer and you stop into a Citizens Bank ATM machine to grab some cash, you’re going to be charged a fee for using an ATM that isn’t associated with your bank.

Now, let’s talk international ATM fees. Did you know that if you’re a Bank of America customer and you use your ATM card abroad you’re going to be charged an astronomical international fee?

Let’s use Spain as an example. I’m a Bank of America customer and I’m in need of some cash while I’m in Barcelona. I stop into an ATM and use my Bank of America ATM/Debit card to withdraw some funds.  The money is dispensed and I’m on my way. It’s not until I get home and I log on to view my online banking statement that I see that I’ve been charged anywhere between $5 – $7 USD each and everytime I withdrew cash while abroad. WHOA!

Fees Overview:

• Domestic ATM Fees range from: $1.50-$3.00
• International ATM Fees range from: $5.00 – $7.00

Take a second to think about how many times you visit an ATM while traveling. Since you’re in a foreign country you don’t want to walk around with a wad of cash in your pockets do you? Of course not!

You certainly do not want to leave money lying around your hostel/hotel room either! I don’t care if it’s in an in-room safe or not. Remember, ALL in room safes can be accessed by hostel/hotel employees at any time. Also remember, you’re not in the USA anymore! Don’t think for a second that the hostel/hotel will be responsible for reimbursing you the money that was stolen. They’ll most likely tell you to kick rocks.

If you’re smart and you don’t carry a lot of cash on you, you’re going to need to use those trusty ATM machines quite often during your trip. In that case, those outrageous ATM fees that your bank charges you will certainly add up quick!

The Solution:

The solution to avoiding ATM fees internationally is to sign up for a Charles Schwab High Yield Investor Checking Account. It’s 100% free to sign up and there are absolutely NO fees involved in opening an account.

What are the fees and minimums?

• Monthly service fees: $0
• Account minimum: $0

What do I get with this Investor Checking account?

• Unlimited rebates from any ATM worldwide¹
• A 0.15% variable interest rate on any balance²
• Free standard checks and a Visa^® Platinum debit card
• FDIC insurance up to $250,000³
• A linked Schwab One^® brokerage account with no fees or minimums

What are you waiting for?

Get over to Charles Schwab and sign up for a free High Yield Investor Checking Account and start saving those precious dollars of yours today! Think of it this way, with the money you’ll be saving per ATM transaction, it could buy you a breakfast, lunch or dinner in many destinations around the world.

Say it with me… NO MORE ATM FEES!

P.S. – In case you were wondering, I have no ties to Charles Schwab nor do I make a commission or any sort by referring you to them. I’m simply just a very satisfied customer who loves sharing his tips on how to save money while traveling abroad.

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If you have any travel related questions, feel free to join me on Facebook or simply leave your questions/comments below!

Safe Travels,

Ryan

When’s the last time you heard that it was better to exchange money with some random dude on the street versus going to a bank? Only in Nicaragua my friends! It’s here that the people tell you to only exchange money with the guys slapping giant stacks of money from hand to hand in the streets. Screw the banks, work with the black market!

Tip: Make sure the guy has an ID badge around his neck for the safest exchange.

The number one priority I had for my upcoming trip to Nicaragua was to pack ultra light. Okay, so I know we all have our own personal definitions of “ultra light” but, for me ultra light is 19lbs (8.6kg) this includes EVERYTHING! This is also the first trip that I’m not taking an extra day pack full of electronics with me.

What’s in the bag?

• (1) Pair of Jeans
• (1) Pair of Travel Pants
• (5) T-shirts
• (1) Zip-up hoodie
• (1) Long Sleeve
• (1) Rain Jacket
• (1) Pair of Flip Flops
• (4) Pairs of socks
• (4) Pairs of underwear
• (1) HP Mini 311 Netbook w/ Logitech VX Nano
• (1) WD External Hard Drive
• (1) Canon Powershot SD960
• (1) GoPro Hero 2 w/ accessories
• (1) Gorillapod
• (1) XShot
• (1) Electric shaver
• (1) Sleep Sack

P.S. – I decided against taking my Canon T2i DSLR with me due to a variety of reason including; robbery, theft, and the fact that I couldn’t choose which/how many lenses I wanted to take along with me. I hate to leave it behind but it’s just too expensive to risk bringing it as well as too heavy (with lenses) to lug around.

Let’s Get Up Close & Personal

REI Flash 50 from above

This bag is on a serious diet...

In the wild!

Front/Side View in the wild...

Pretty damn good, huh?

I sure think so! It’s a hell of a lot better than my last years around the world trip packing list. We all know that there’s nothing worse than lugging around a giant bag full of stuff you’ll never use or wear. Well, those who have backpacked know this, for you oversized suitcase toters, your little multi-directional spinner wheels wouldn’t last five minutes on the streets of Central America!

Who loves road trips!? Better yet, who doesn’t love road trips!? I just returned from two of them, one to Six Flags Great Adventure, and the other to Washington, DC!

Since I’ve been on the road quite a bit lately, I’ve decided to publish a list of my favorite smartphone apps for road trips! I’m sure there’s more great road trip apps available that I have yet to hear about so if you know of any please be sure to leave a comment below!

Here’s my list of the Best FREE Road Trip Apps!

GoogleMaps

The GoogleMaps app was truly a life saver for me on my recent road trip to Washington, DC. Not only does it have pinpoint accuracy when it comes to finding your current location but it also allows you to plug in your addresses for directions by car, public transit, bicycle and even by foot!

Website: GoogleMaps

Yelp

Yelp is one of the best resources out there if you’re looking for top notch food reviews. When ever I’m in an area that I’m not familiar with I always open up Yelp to search for good places to eat. The best method for finding great restaurants is to search the type of food you’re looking for (ex. Lebanese) then hit Filter and filter the results by Highest Rating. Check out the top five or ten results and you’re bound to find a restaurant that should live up to your expectations and more. Another great food/restaurant review app is UrbanSpoon.

Website: Yelp

Best Parking

The Best Parking app has saved me a ton of money this summer. Liz and I have driven into Boston on more than a few occasions this summer and finding cheap parking in the city is never an easy task. With the Best Parking App, all you have to do is plug in the area that you’ll be visiting in the city you’re headed to and within seconds it displays all of the cheapest and most convenient parking lots and garages in 30+ cities & over 75 airports.

Website: Best Parking

GasBuddy

Ohh GasBuddy, my savior! Although I’m fortunate enough to not have to stop very often with my new car and it’s amazing gas mileage, it’s still nice to be able to search for the lowest gas prices in what ever area I’m driving through. I used this app a few times on my recent road trip and it consistently served me up to date gas prices in surrounding towns and cities. If you’re headed out on a road trip, this is a must have smartphone app!

Website: GasBuddy

AAA Mobile Apps

AAA offers some incredible mobile apps including: AAA Insurance, AAA Triptik Mobile, AAA Roadside, and AAA Discounts. All of these apps are must have’s for AAA members. By the way, if you’re not already a member of AAA be sure to go sign up, it’s well worth the $52/year. My favorite AAA Mobile App is the AAA Discounts App which finds you discounts in more than 110,000 places across the United States and Canada. This app also has built in GPS directions that will help you navigate towards your discounts!

Website: AAA Discounts

Jiwire Wifi Finder

The Jiwire Wi-Fi Finder is an incredibly useful tool to score free internet access for all of you wardrivers out there. Just kidding! No, really, the Wi-Fi Finder app is the best mobile app for finding free or paid public Wi-Fi hotspots around the globe. If you rely on the internet for work like I do, then this is a must have smartphone app for you!

Website: Wi-Fi Finder

Retro Camera

The Retro Camera app for Android rocks! I’ve used this app to take shots from here to Egypt this year. Choose from six different filter effect cameras to shoot your next flick! The sharing feature gives you capability to instantly post to Facebook, Twitter and even email the photo to your friends, family or yourself almost instantaneously. Another great app for iOS is Instagr.am.

Website: Retro Camera

Pandora

I don’t know about you but I’ve been streaming Pandora on my computer for years now and I love it. The fact that they have a mobile app now makes Pandora that much cooler. There’s nothing more daunting than having to constantly scan for a clear radio station when you’re road tripping. Who wants to deal with fuzzy radio stations for hours on end? The Pandora mobile app allows you to listen to your favorite artists on demand and even create QuickMixes of your favorite music for your next long drive.

Website: Pandora

DO’s of Washington, DC

• DO use the metro to get around Washington DC. It’s quick, efficient and will save you tons of money on parking
• DO join a Segway Tour with City Segway Tours DC. It’s a really fun way to explore the city.
• DO download the DC Metro Transit Android App on your smartphone. For IPhone/IPod users, check out Ride DC Metro.
• DO check out some of DC’s best food trucks like Curbside Cupcakes, DC Slices, Eat Wonky, and more.
• DO check out Capital City Bike Tours if Segway Touring isn’t your cup of tea!
• DO look into CouchSurfing in Washington, DC. DC seems to have a very friendly and active CS community. You’re bound to meet some very interesting people!
• DO check out Airbnb if you can’t seem to find a place to stay or if you just want a fully equipped room and/or apartment to yourself.
• DO spend a minimum of 3 or 4 days in DC if you’re really into history. Trust me, there’s more historical monuments, memorials, and museums here than you’ll know what to do with!
• DO make a visit to the Vietnam Veterans War Memorial.
• DO purchase a Metro Day Pass ($9) if you’re planning on hopping around the city all day. It will save you time and money.
• DO stop in and say Hi to The President’s Neighbor. This poor thing has stood out front of the White House protesting 24 hours a day since 1981. No, really!
• DO stop into the Newseum - a 250,000-square-foot museum of news!
• DO try to spot the Secret Service on the roof of the White House!
• DO hop on one of the more than 1,100 Capital Bikeshare Bicycles and cruise the city for 24 hours for only $5!

DON’Ts of Washington, DC

• DON’T even think about driving in DC. Not only does the traffic suck but parking will burn a huge hole in your wallet!
• DON’T wait to book your hotel last minute. DC hotels fill up fast due to all sorts of business related conferences going on in the city.
• DON’T leave your unattended luggage on the curb in front of the White House. Yes, I witnessed someone leaving their luggage in front of the WH during my visit. Let’s just say the Secret Service wasn’t happy with this woman…
• DON’T try to see all of DC in one day. There’s simply too much to see/do in this city. Two days is the bare minimum, three to four days is perfect.
• DON’T pass up a private tour of the Pentagon if you know someone who works there and you have the opportunity to take the tour.

 Do you have any DO’s or DON’Ts to add to my list? If so, share them in a comment below!

If the tour bus isn’t your thing and you wish to see Barcelona on your own there are a few nifty ways to explore other than walking with a city map in hand.

Segway Tours

Barcelona Segway Tours

Quite recently Barcelona started offering segway tours. As of now you can’t rent a segway and explore on your own but you join a tour. The tour takes about 2.5hrs and it won’t cover any sights outside of the center. I recently did a segway tour in Washington, DC so be sure to check out my review of my first ever Segway experience!

Rent a Vespa

Rent a Vespa in Barcelona

The epitome of a cool city scooter has to be the Vespa. To ride a Vespa has some sort of cult status. You’re riding in stylish, retro spirit. Vesping in Barcelona offers tours on Vespas, but also a rental service so you can explore the city on your own.

I’ve never personally rented a Vespa in Barcelona but I’ve rented scooters in different places around the world and it’s such a great way to get around and see some of the sights and things that aren’t always in walking distance.

Cruise Barcelona by Bicycle

Rent a Bicycle!

There are plenty of bike rental places in Barcelona to choose from, one of the best and most popular . And next to the Bicing bicycles which are part of the public transportations system in the city you will always see plenty of people with rented bikes in the city. This way you don’t only explore the city on your own, but stay active while doing so.

Rent a GoCar

Barcelona GoCars

Exploring the city by a GoCar might be the most popular way to sightsee at the moment. These yellow little cars are equipped with a GPS and a guide in several languages so that you can leave the city guide book at home. It provides you with a lot of flexibility as you explore at your personal pace and get to drive in the small, narrow streets the buses can’t reach.

Whichever way you choose to do sightseeing, apartments in Barcelona keep you close to everything that is happening in the city.

photo 1 | photo 2 |  photo 3 | photo 4

Bangkok, Thailand

Isn’t Thailand already the definition of the budget holiday? It doesn’t have to stop here if you’re serious about getting the most out of your money. There are many ways to save money when you’re actually in Thailand and I’ve put together just a few of these methods here.

Be Aware of the “Local Prices”

Although this seems obvious to most seasoned travelers: don’t get scammed! Many locals involved in the tourist industry will try and offer you a taxi ride for ten times the real value or even “for free” to try to extort money from you.

You should be wary of this not only in Thailand but most if not all of Southeast Asia. While it might seem like a fair price if you compare it to what you would pay at home you still may be getting taking advantage of. Make sure that you use have your haggling skills fine tuned before you even get to Thailand.

When in doubt, just ask a local shop owner or restaurant owner what things are really worth (taxi rides, street food, etc). You’ll find that Thai people are very friendly and always willing to lend a hand to tourists. Plus, it’s always better to learn tips from locals or expats who have been living in Thailand for a while.

Catching some Zzz’s in Thailand

Green Tulip House - Chiang Mai

If you’re on a budget, you have a few options. Affordable hotels, guesthouses, bungalows, hostels and even Couchsurfing! In order to save the most money, stay away from the temptation of the relatively affordable hotels in the area. Sure, they are affordable compared to home but you don’t want to blow you budget by splurging on a nightly basis. Instead, stay in cheap hostels/guesthouses and if you’re planning on remaining in a city for longer than 2 weeks, then you’d should consider renting a cheap apartment. They are very affordable and plentiful!

Chowing Down in Thailand

Na's Kitchen - Pai, Thailand

Stray away from what you’re used to eating at home. Burger and pizza joints are going to take an unhealthy slice out of your budget. Instead opt for the local Thai cuisine which can be found for very pennies on the dollar. You’ll get more out of your trip this way as you’ll not only save money but you’ll also experience more of the Thai lifestyle. Note that when at restaurants tipping is not customary – so ignore your instinct to add a little extra unless you really want to do someone a favor.

Throwing them back in Thailand

Try to avoid alcohol. While this may be a tall order for many, alcohol is definitely one of the pricier things that you can probably afford to cut back on. Drink as much water as you can as this will fill you up. Water is available for free at the banks and Buddhist temples!

Travel Smart

Empty beach in Ko Lanta, Thailand

Traveling during the low season is definitely one of the best ways to save money from the outset. Not only will your flights be cheaper but the locals will also be more willing to drop their prices for lack of customers. In the same breath, it’s also worth traveling at night when the bus tickets are cheaper.

Beware of the high prices on the islands. Thailand has some great islands but beware of the price differences between things on the mainland and on the islands. Transport costs mean that prices are higher on the islands and given that there is often little in the way of competition it is easy for business owners to raise their margins for you.

If you are planning on hitting up a few of the Thai islands, I highly recommend you add Ko Lanta to your list of must-see’s. It’s cheaper than most other “popular” islands, and much quieter too!

Remember that although there are a lot of great ways that you can save money while visiting Thailand, you should always make sure that you have a good travel insurance policy. Some things just aren’t worth cutting back on.

Photo courtesy of: JSmith Photo

Some of us travel for a nice relaxing week by the pool, while others like to take in the sights. And there are arguably no better ways to take in the sights than from 10,000 feet in the air, gliding down snowy mountains on a snowboard, racing dune buggies, or at high speed on a jet-ski.

Any time you travel abroad, you’ll have to consider your costs – and your protection. Travel insurance is something you should obviously think about, but if you’re planning on taking part in some kind of extreme sport, health and/or life insurance should also be a consideration.

For anyone involved in extreme sports, there are few more exciting experiences in life. Some people feel ‘addicted’ to the adrenaline and the sense of danger. However, with this comes risk, and it’s important to consider your responsibilities to yourself and others.

Enjoying extreme sports could make life insurance more expensive or difficult to obtain than it would be for someone with more ‘grounded’ hobbies.

We’re all going to pass away sometime, but for most of us it’s statistically unlikely to happen in the near future. Life insurance can be a very wise investment, when you consider what it can pay out in the unfortunate event of your death.

However, some comparison websites make certain assumptions about you when providing quotes. For example, they may assume that you’re in good health. They may also assume that you don’t regularly partake in dangerous activities, such as extreme sports.

But before you actually purchase your cover, you could be asked quite a few additional questions so that the insurer can establish exactly what cover you need and how much it’ll cost. If you engage in extreme sports, you may find that your premium is higher than initially quoted.

Why is life insurance for extreme sports more expensive?

Insurance is based on risk. The quote you receive may well be higher if the insurer thinks you have a higher risk of death than average.

Of course, you may feel completely safe when rock climbing or paragliding, but statistically you’re more likely to have an accident than if you were keen on football, for example, or snooker. So if you’re involved in these ‘risky’ activities, don’t be surprised if you’re charged more.

What if I just don’t tell them?

This is NOT a good idea. Neglecting to mention your participation in extreme sports might save you money on insurance, but you may be left without cover if anything does happen during one of these activities. It’s important that you’re completely honest in your application.

If you’re looking to minimize your costs, it’s better to compare the various deals on offer. Price comparison websites should give you a good idea of where some of the best-value deals are, but it may also be worth checking with a few individual insurers, as not all of them advertise on price comparison websites.

And be careful – the lowest price doesn’t always mean the best deal. You should check the terms of each policy carefully to make sure you’re getting an adequate level of cover for your needs.

Barcelona Sunset

Photo courtesy of ♀Μøỳαл_Bгεлл♂

When it comes to popular European tourist destinations, Barcelona is at the top of the top. At times the city is like an amusement park full of festivals, activities and fun, so it’s no surprise that visitors flock there. But where there are tourists, there are inevitably tourist traps, so here are some tips for avoiding them and doing Barcelona like a local:

Choose Your Airport Wisely

When you’re searching for flights to Barcelona, you’ll often find that results show two different airports: Gerona or El Prat. Gerona is great if you’re going to the Costa Brava, flights are often very cheap and the bus ride is only just over an hour to Barcelona. But it’s important to factor in that the bus is more expensive and takes much longer than the one from El Prat airport.

Don’t Eat on Las Ramblas

Las Ramblas is probably Barcelona’s most famous street. Beware, the sandwiches may look quite cheap, but then they’ll charge you a small fortune for a Coke. Instead, explore the lesser known and more charming areas, like Gracia, which has lots of great restaurants.

Know Your Beaches

One of the great things about Barcelona is the fact that it has a beach. Being fairly central, it’s tempting to go to the beach in Barceloneta. In May, this is lovely, but in August it’s not. So instead, just go a few more stops on the metro to Selva de Mar, where the beach is much more chilled.

The Early Bird Catches the Sights

It may seem obvious, but you really do need to get to the main tourist attractions early if you want to get in. But if you don’t manage to get to the Sagrada Familia before the queues, why not check out the church of Santa Maria del Mar in Borne, or Tibidabo Cathedral – two other spectacular religious buildings that don’t draw such huge crowds.

Barcelona is a city full of surprises, but if you don’t see beneath the surface, a lot of clichés you know about it will seem true.

Warning: The following video will make you want to book your flight to Barcelona NOW!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4MCxsG6784