The Thought Card: Smart Travel Tips and Travel Hacking For Financially Savvy Travelers – Details, episodes & analysis

Travel newsletters are among the best ways to stay informed and inspired as travel consumers or business owners. Some travel newsletters fuel wanderlust, offering practical advice like travel hacks, destinations to visit, and how to save money. Others share industry news, trends, and insights. Here are my top picks for travel newsletters. Subscribe to a handful or all of them. 

Read blog post: https://thoughtcard.com/travel-newsletters/

Want more cheap flights, points and miles, and money-saving strategies? Below are all my best episodes neatly organized in Spotify playlists.  

🎧 Binge my Cheap Flights Series  

🎧 Binge my Travel Hacking episodes

🎧 Binge my Vacation Fund Series 

Other Episodes You’ll Enjoy: 

• How To Afford 12 Trips in 12 Months with Jen Ruiz 
• How To Find Cheap Flights with Thrifty Traveler Premium 

Connect With Danielle Desir Corbett: 

Join my newsletter: https://thethoughtcard.substack.com/ 

Website: www.thoughtcard.com 

Follow on Instagram: @thedanielledesir

Work With Me:

Email [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries. 

Resources For Financially Savvy Travelers:

Alternative Travel Careers is an audio series highlighting various careers in the travel industry, from travel agents to travel writers, bloggers, and podcasters. Discover different opportunities in travel and hear success stories from top travel leaders and entrepreneurs.

Thrifty Traveler Premium for finding cheap flights and points deals, too.

TravelPayouts helps you make more money as a travel creator, by recommending travel brands using this affiliate marketplace.

GigSky is a powerful eSIM that provides service in over 190 countries, at sea and in-flight. Avoid high roaming fees and connect to Wi-Fi at all times while traveling. Save 10% using the promo code 'THETHOUGHTCARD10'

SafetyWing for travel medical insurance in your home country or anywhere you travel.

Knack Bags for stylish and functional backpacks are perfect for weekend trips, business travel, or carry-on; laptop storage space and pack enough clothes for a 3-4 night trip.

Welcome to the Canadian province of Manitoba!

Manitoba, the ancestral homeland of the Métis Nation and other Indigenous peoples of present-day Canada, is a treasure trove of rich Indigenous stories, heritage, and attractions. 

Join me as we experience the beauty, history, and spirit of Indigenous traditions and artistic expression in Manitoba. From bannock-making to viewing the largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art worldwide, we’ll start in Riding Mountain National Park and make our way to Winnipeg.

Read blog post: https://thoughtcard.com/indigenous-experiences-manitoba/ 

You’re listening to Part II of a two-part series exploring Indigenous history, culture, and attractions across the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba. 

This episode is made possible with the support of Travel Manitoba and Tourism Winnipeg.

Other Episodes You’ll Enjoy:

• Unforgettable Indigenous Attractions in Saskatchewan Canada: Best Places To Connect With The Land, Art and Indigenous Cuisine - Episode 174   
• Must-See Places To Learn About Harriet Tubman’s Life and Legacy: Things To Do in Auburn, New York – Episode 161
• Historical Attractions and Things To Do in Clarksville, Tennessee - Episode 145

Read My Books: 

• We Are Financially Savvy Travelers 
• Affording Travel: Saving Strategies For Financially Savvy Travelers
• Traveling With a Full-Time Job
• Managing Your Money As A New Homeowner 
• Iceland: Nature, Nurture & Adventure 

Connect With Danielle Desir Corbett:

Join my newsletter: https://thethoughtcard.substack.com/ 

Website: www.thoughtcard.com 

Follow on Instagram: @thedanielledesir

Work With Me:

Email [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries. 

Resources For Financially Savvy Travelers: 

Kudos is a free AI-powered browser extension that helps you earn more rewards, points, and cashback when you shop online. Use the promo code' TC20' to get $20 cash back after your first eligible purchase.

Thrifty Traveler Premium for finding cheap flights and points deals, too.

TravelPayouts makes more money as a travel creator, recommending travel brands using this affiliate marketplace.

GigSky is a powerful eSIM that provides service in over 190 countries, both at sea and in-flight. Avoid high roaming fees and connect to Wi-Fi at all times while traveling. Save 10% using the promo code 'THETHOUGHTCARD10'

CardPointers for figuring out which credit card to use to maximize points and miles. Save 30% using our link.

SafetyWing for travel medical insurance in your home country or anywhere you travel. 

In 2017, Jen Ruiz set out to take an epic challenge, go on 12 trips in 12 months before her 30th birthday while employed full-time as an attorney. She ended up taking twenty trips that year, almost doubling her original goal! Jen shares how you, too, can plan your own similar travel challenge. 

• How to take 12 trips in 12 months with a demanding job?
• Ways to save for frequent travel 
• How to commit to a travel challenge
• Ways travel can transform your life and career  

Read the blog post: https://thoughtcard.com/travel-challenge-jen-ruiz/ 

Take Your Own 12 Trips In 12 Months Challenge! Sign up for a 30-minute training on how to plan your own year of adventure: 12tripsin12months.com

Connect with Jen Ruiz: 

• [Book] 12 Trips and 12 Months by Jen Ruiz
• Website: jenonajetplane.com
• Follow on Instagram: @jenonajetplane 

Other Episodes You’ll Enjoy: 

• Benefits of Solo Travel: Why Going Alone Can Save You Money - Episode 165
• Why You Need a Travel Fund – Episode 2
• 10 Ways To Travel Without Getting Into Debt – Episode 143
• Ways To Save Money Traveling and Cut Costs (blog post) 
• Must-Read Budget Travel Books (blog post) 

Read My Books: 

• We Are Financially Savvy Travelers 
• Affording Travel: Saving Strategies For Financially Savvy Travelers
• Traveling With a Full-Time Job
• Managing Your Money As A New Homeowner 
• Iceland: Nature, Nurture & Adventure 

Connect With Danielle Desir Corbett: 

Join my newsletter: https://thethoughtcard.substack.com/ 

Website: www.thoughtcard.com 

Follow on Instagram: @thedanielledesir

Work With Me:

Email [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries. 

Resources For Financially Savvy Travelers: 

Thrifty Traveler Premium for finding cheap flights and mistake fares. 

CardPointers for figuring out which credit card to use to maximize points and miles. Save 30% using our link. 

SafetyWing for travel medical insurance in your home country or anywhere you travel.  

Trade and Travel by Teri Ijeoma for learning how to trade in the stock market as a day trader or swing trader. 

Podcasting Gear and Equipment: 

• ATR2100x Dynamic Microphone
• Sony Dynamic Stereo Headphones
• Ausha for podcast hosting 
• Streamyard for streaming and high-quality studio recording
• Swell AI for episode descriptions, show notes, and social copy

Cinneah El-Amin (pronounced: sin-ee-AH el-AH-meen) is the founder of Flynanced, an online personal finance platform that teaches Black women who are blowing money fast early in their careers how to manage their money NOW. Since paying off $23,000 of student loan and consumer debt, Cinneah has amassed a net worth of $85,000, and she aims to reach a $1 million net worth within the next ten years. 

In this episode, we discuss what inspired Cinneah to begin her debt payoff journey and the practical strategies she used to pay off her loans in one year.

This episode of The Thought Card Podcast is sponsored by Out Travel The System By Expedia, a travel podcast that features tips and tricks for making the most of your travel experiences. Follow today on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Want to support The Thought Card Podcast? 

Now you can keep the production team caffeinated by buying me a coffee. Also, for access to our archive of extended interviews and bonus content not shared anywhere else, please join The Thought Card Club, our exclusive membership for fans of the show. 

In this week's extended interview, Cinneah and I chat about using geoarbitrage (living in a foreign country) as a way to build wealth. 

Link to episode: https://podcast.thoughtcard.com/travel-debt-free-with-cinneah-el-amin/

Did you know attending college in Europe is more affordable than attending university in the United States? Jennifer Viemont discovered various ways students can receive a bachelor’s degree affordably in Europe. The best part is that no foreign language skills are required. With tuition averaging around $7,400 per year, there are over 1,800 English-taught programs in Europe. There are also hundreds of options under $4,000 and several that are tuition-free for international students. 

In this episode, Jennifer Viemont shares how you can spend less by going to college in Europe while exploring the continent. 

This episode of The Thought Card Podcast is sponsored by Out Travel The System By Expedia, a travel podcast that features tips and tricks for making the most of your travel experiences. Follow today on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Want to support The Thought Card Podcast? 

Now you can keep the production team caffeinated by buying me a coffee. Also, for access to our archive of extended interviews and bonus content not shared anywhere else, please join The Thought Card Club, our exclusive membership for fans of the show.

In this week's extended interview, Jennifer shares the process of moving to Portugal and some of her favorite activities and attractions you don't want to miss when you visit. 

Link to episode: https://podcast.thoughtcard.com/going-to-college-in-europe-with-jennifer-viemont/

Sarah Wilson is an enthusiastic travel agent who specializes in private travel and guided group tours. Sarah believes that travel is about experiencing the world and all that it has to offer. She doesn't only want to help you plan a vacation, but create once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Private options include private jets, private homes and villas, private islands, cruises, yachts, staff, events, and more. 

In this episode, Sarah reminds us that private doesn't mean pricey. Yes, luxury travel is more exclusive, but it doesn't have to be exclusively expensive. Due to current demand and health and safety concerns, more companies are offering unique tours and excursions for small groups that cost the same as, if not less than commercial travel experiences. Sarah Wilson shares why financially savvy travelers should consider private travel, the benefits of hiring a travel agent, and why it is more affordable than you think.

Expedia Sponsorship

I’m so excited to share that Expedia is officially sponsoring The Thought Card Podcast this summer. Out Travel The System By Expedia is a travel podcast that features tips and tricks for making the most of your travel experiences. Follow today on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. 

Want to support The Thought Card Podcast? 

Now you can keep the production team caffeinated by buying me a coffee. Also, for access to our archive of extended interviews with guests and bonus content not shared anywhere else like travel deals and contests, join The Thought Card Club, our exclusive membership for fans of the show.

Link to episode: https://podcast.thoughtcard.com/private-travel-with-sarah-wilson/ 

Julia Menez is a travel hacking coach, speaker, and host of Geobreeze Travel Podcast, a travel hacking podcast. After traveling to more than 30 countries before the age of 30 and saving thousands of dollars each year by travel hacking, Julia distills the strategies from top travel hackers around the world on her show. She also prepares personalized points and miles plans for her private coaching clients. Through her podcast, Julia features a diverse roster of guests with experiences that are traditionally underrepresented in larger points and miles blogs and media. Her episodes often highlight travel hacking women, immigrants, and people of color. 

In this episode, Julia Menez shares how to get free hotel upgrades and lesser-known travel hacking secrets like secret passwords and surveys. Expect to go beyond the beginner travel hacking 101 topics. 

Read the blog post: https://thoughtcard.com/travel-hacking-secrets-with-julia-menez/ 

Have you ever wondered how flight and hotel pricing works? Or why does flight pricing change so often? In this episode, Expedia’s Director of Revenue Optimization, Amy Cisneroz, shares what you need to know about pricing trends and how to get the best deal on your next trip.

I’m so excited to share that Expedia is officially sponsoring The Thought Card Podcast this summer. To kick off this partnership, hear directly from Out Travel The System’s host Nisreene Atasi, the Senior Director of Global Communication at Expedia.

Out Travel The System By Expedia is a travel podcast that features tips and tricks for making the most of your travel experiences. Follow today on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. 

This episode was first featured on Expedia Out Travel The System Episode #10: How It Works: Air and Hotel Pricing. 

Want more cheap flights, points and miles, and money-saving strategies? Below are all my best episodes neatly organized in Spotify playlists.  

🎧 Binge my Cheap Flights Series  

🎧 Binge my travel hacking episodes

🎧 Binge my Vacation Fund Series 

After creating two venture-backed startups and working in high-tech, Jay wanted a more indie balance to life. He started by automating his finances and planned to leave his golden handcuffs behind. That's when he discovered FI/RE and he has been actively involved in the community, building tools ever since. 

In this episode, Jay shares the important things we should consider before investing, in what order we can prioritize investing, and how forecasting tools can help us plan.

Don't miss the extended interview with Jay where he shares how zero-based budgeting drastically improved his marriage, communications, and finances. Join The Thought Card Club for access to Jay's extended interview, and our entire archive of bonus content not shared anywhere else.  

Looking for more ways to support the show? Keep me caffeinated by buying me a cup of coffee. 

Link to blog post: https://podcast.thoughtcard.com/financial-independence-calculator/ 

After saving for months, you are finally ready to set sail and go on that well deserved vacation. Hooray! However, if you're not careful, you can end up mismanaging your money and going over budget. Speaking from experience, this has happened to me on several occasions. In this episode, I share how to manage your money while traveling abroad and domestically. Tips include picking the right credit card to maximize travel rewards, carrying cash, monitoring your spending daily, using currency converter apps, and more. Here's a list of no-fee credit cards I recommend. 

Was this information helpful to you? When you join The Thought Card Club, you'll get access to extended interviews with guests and solo episodes with me that's not shared anywhere else.

You can also help me continue to share useful insights and tips by buying me a coffee. Your donations help me caffeinated while I record these episodes.