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

🎄Planning a holiday trip to New York City? NYC Christmas markets are one of the most magical ways to experience the holiday season, but they can also be crowded and overwhelming if you don't know what to expect. 

I'm sharing our best NYC Christmas market tips to help you shop smarter and make the most of your time.

Read 'NYC Christmas Markets' blog post: https://thoughtcard.com/christmas-markets-nyc/ 

🎒Shop Rachel Bloom Anti-Theft Bags

• Crossbody Bag
• Smart Mini (I have this one!!!) 
• Smart Crossover 

Other Episodes You'll Love 

• How To Outsmart Theives While Traveling with Rachel Bloom - Episode 194 
• Christmas in NYC with a Baby: Festive Things To Do - Episode 116 
• How To Achieve Your Travel Goals - Episode 182 

Connect With Danielle Desir Corbett 

Website: www.thoughtcard.com 

Newsletter: ​​https://thethoughtcard.substack.com/  

Instagram: @thedaniellecorbett

Work With Me:

Email thethoughtcard@gmail.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Are you craving deeper, more meaningful travel experiences, ones that help you slow down, feel grounded, and reconnect with the natural world?

I'm joined by travel writer, nature photographer, and practical mystic Matthew Kessi to explore how to add more nature to every trip you take. 

We chat about grounding practices, such as forest bathing, travel photography, and mindful walking, which can help you feel more present no matter where you are. 

Matthew also shares his favorite nature-forward destinations in the Pacific Northwest, across the United States, and internationally.

Read Matthew's new book: The Wild Cure - this book is for people who are done repeating the same patterns and calling it stability. It teaches a framework that shows you how to stop being a visitor and start belonging so calm and clarity follow you home after a trip. 

Connect with Matthew Kessi 

Website: https://kessiworld.com/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kessiworld 

Instagram @kessiworld_ 

Other Episodes You'll Love 

• How Travel Sparks Personal Development - Episode 188
• How To Achieve Your Travel Goals - Episode 182 
• Backpacking For Beginners with Will Hatton - Episode 138

Connect With Danielle Desir Corbett 

Website: www.thoughtcard.com 

Newsletter: ​​https://thethoughtcard.substack.com/  

Instagram: @thedaniellecorbett

Work With Me:

Email thethoughtcard@gmail.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

So much is possible when you get intentional about your money. Chelsea Riffe's journey is proof that you don't have to wait to take action. You can make aligned, empowering financial choices right where you are, even if you're halfway across the world. 

After a whirlwind group trip left her deep in debt, Chelsea made a bold decision: get serious about her finances without putting her nomadic lifestyle on pause. 

She chose destinations with lower costs of living, kept her rent under $1,000 per month, embraced co-living, cooked her meals, and created a simple, sustainable budgeting system that worked on the road.

Chelsea didn't wait to become debt-free to live her dream life. Instead, she paid off over $10,000 in credit card debt while traveling full-time — proving that it's possible to pursue financial freedom and explore the world at the same time.

This conversation is packed with practical takeaways and mindset shifts for anyone balancing debt, travel, and personal growth.

Read blog post: https://thoughtcard.com/chelsea-riffe-debt-pay-off/

Want to travel more and live free from debt? 

🎧 Binge my Debt-Free Travel Stories Playlist and get inspired by real journeys, practical tips, and money-saving hacks for your own adventures! 

Resources Mentioned 

• I Will Teach You To Be Rich by Ramit Sethi (book) 
• Money for Couples Podcast by Ramit Sethi
• Ally Bank - get $100 when you open a new bank account
• Coliving.com - find affordable coliving spaces in 70+ countries 
• Outsite.co - find coliving spaces, community, and perks for remote workers

Connect With Chelsea Riffe 

Website: chelseariffe.com

Podcast: In My Non-Expert Opinion

Instagram: @chelseariffe

Other Episodes You'll Enjoy: 

• Ways To Travel Without Getting into Debt - Episode 143 
• How To Travel Debt-Free with Cinneah El-Amin - Episode 82 
• Digital Nomad Lifestyle Pros and Cons with Tom Blake - Episode 84

Planning a road trip with a newborn and wondering if it's a good idea? Last summer, we planned our first family road trip. My mom, Baby K, and I packed our bags and we drove five hours to Saranac Lake in upstate New York. While I wasn't sure what to expect, I was up for the challenge. In this episode, I share ten helpful tips for planning a road trip with a six-month-old baby. 

Did you enjoy this episode? Let me know by leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It'll take less than a minute. 

Also, please take a moment to share what you'd like for us to cover next on the show. Request a podcast episode here.

Work With Me: 

Need help growing and monetizing your podcast, learn about my 1:1 podcast marketing coaching program. 

Email thethoughtcard@gmail.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries. 

Read My Books: 

1. Affording Travel
2. Traveling With a Full-Time Job
3. Managing Your Money As A New Homeowner 
4. Iceland: Nature, Nurture & Adventure 

Follow on Twitter: @thethoughtcard

Follow on Instagram: @thedanielledesir

Link to episode: https://thoughtcard.com/road-trip-with-baby/ 

Are travel guidebooks still worth it? I was first introduced to travel guidebooks a few years ago while traveling solo in Lisbon, Portugal. A new friend I met at my hostel and I considered what we'd grab for dinner when she whipped out a guidebook. Gauging our interests, we quickly found a highly-rated but low-key restaurant off the tourist path. Since then, guidebooks have become an invaluable resource for inspiration and travel planning, unlocking local gems, tips, and perspectives.

In this episode, discover reasons to use a guidebook when travel planning and how Moon Travel Guides helped me plan my first family road trip. 

This episode is made possible by Moon Travel Guides, a travel guidebook publisher that covers road trips, national parks, and city travel worldwide. All thoughts and opinions shared in this episode are my own. 

Read blog post: https://thoughtcard.com/moon-travel-guides/ 

Read My Books: 

1. Affording Travel
2. Traveling With a Full-Time Job
3. Managing Your Money As A New Homeowner 
4. Iceland: Nature, Nurture & Adventure 

Work With Me: 

Email thethoughtcard@gmail.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries. 

Climate change is happening all around us. Droughts, flooding, shrinking glaciers, rising carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and wildfires are all consequences of climate change. At The Wild Center, the Climate Solutions exhibit asks an important question –  what can we do about climate change? 

In this episode, discover how different people in the Adirondacks (New York) are committing to being part of the solution and ways you can make a difference by gardening, farming, or composting. 

After listening to this episode, I hope you'll consider how you can join the growing community of people working towards addressing climate change by leaning on your skills, talents, and interests. 

Link to the full blog post: https://thoughtcard.com/climate-solutions-exhibit/ 

This episode is made possible by The Wild Center in Tupper Lake, New York. All thoughts and opinions shared in this episode are my own. 

Did you enjoy this episode? Let me know by leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It'll take less than a minute. 

Also, please take a moment to share what you'd like for us to cover next on the show. Request a podcast episode here.

Work With Me: 

Email thethoughtcard@gmail.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries. 

Read My Books: 

1. Affording Travel
2. Traveling With a Full-Time Job
3. Managing Your Money As A New Homeowner 

Follow on Twitter: @thethoughtcard

Follow on Instagram: @thedanielledesir

Perfect for families and people of all ages, in this narrative-style episode, discover The Wild Center. At this natural history museum in Tupper Lake, learn about nature and the wildlife of the Adirondacks, New York, through outdoor and indoor experiences and exhibits. Some of my favorite outdoor exhibits include walking across the treetops at Wild Walk and viewing art at Forest Music but don't miss the animal encounters, hiking trails, and more. 

This episode is made possible by The Wild Center in Tupper Lake, New York. All thoughts and opinions shared in this episode are my own. 

Did you enjoy this episode? Let me know by leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. 

Also, please take a moment to share what you'd like for us to cover next on the show. Request a podcast episode here.

Work With Me: 

Email thethoughtcard@gmail.com for brand partnerships.  

Read My Books: 

1. Affording Travel
2. Traveling With a Full-Time Job
3. Managing Your Money As A New Homeowner 

Follow on Twitter: @thethoughtcard

Follow on Instagram: @thedanielledesir

Link to episode: https://podcast.thoughtcard.com/the-wild-center/ 

Before you pack your bags or double-check your flight, don't forget your finances.

I'm walking you through the essential (and often overlooked) money tasks every traveler should complete before heading out.

These simple steps can help you avoid late fees, missed bills, and financial hiccups, so you can actually relax and enjoy your vacation.

✅ Grab the Vacation Ready Financial Checklist to stay organized every time you travel.

Read blog post: https://thoughtcard.com/vacation-financial-checklist/

✈️ Travel Smarter & Spend Wiser

➡️ Start saving now with the Jumpstart Your Vacation Fund Challenge – a 5-day action plan to build your dream trip fund!

➡️ Get inspired with my book Affording Travel – practical strategies to make travel a financial priority.

➡️ Grab the Vacation Ready Financial Checklist – Your go-to guide to prep your finances for your next trip.

📬 Join my newsletter for exclusive travel tips + resources

📱 Let's connect on Instagram: @thedanielledesir for inspo + tips 

Have you ever considered grants to support your dreams and ideas? Think grants are only for researchers and nonprofits? Think again, my friends.

In early 2022, I launched a newsletter curating grants and other hard-to-find funding opportunities for U.S. creatives like writers, authors, journalists, podcasters, photographers, filmmakers, and artists. 

What happened next was shocking!

Grants For Creators was an instant hit, gaining hundreds of subscribers. Grants For Creators encourages creatives to see themselves as worthy of funding through grants and other funding mechanisms. 

In this episode, I share why grants are worth applying to as a creative and small business owner, how to search for grants, and how to get funding for your projects.

Read blog post: https://thoughtcard.com/how-to-find-grants/ 

Other Episodes You'll Enjoy 

• How To Manage Business Savings with Gina Knox - Episode 193
• Lucrative Side Hustles to Make More Money with Daniella Flores - Episode 72
• How To Start a Purposeful and Profitable Side Hustle with Dielle Charon - Episode 43

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 thethoughtcard@gmail.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries. 

Resources For Financially Savvy Travelers 

TravelPayouts make 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.  

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

Get Outdoors 101 by Olivia Christine teaches you how to confidently plan outdoor adventures so you can unplug and de-stress. For $50 OFF, use the promo code 'ThoughtCard50.'

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

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

Has anyone else noticed how expensive summer travel is this year? With gas prices hitting digits we haven't seen before, along with fuel prices driving up the cost of airfare, travel this summer is pricey. So now is a great time to chat about how to save money on summer travel, like tracking flight prices and tapping into your points and miles stash you've been hoarding over the last few years. Yeah, I'm looking at you! 

Link to blog post: https://thoughtcard.com/save-money-on-summer-travel/

✨ Book a Travel Savings Strategy Session!

In this 1:1 session, we'll map out a savings plan based on your travel goals, timeline, and budget—whether it's a dream trip or more frequent getaways.

👉 Let's chat: https://thoughtcard.com/strategy-session

Connect With Danielle Desir Corbett 

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

Website: www.thoughtcard.com 

Follow on Instagram: @thedanielledesir

Work With Me:

Email thethoughtcard@gmail.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries. 

Read My Books: 

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

My Favorite Resources For Financially Savvy Travelers 

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

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

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