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rachelteodoro
Let's get one thing straight: being cheap doesn't mean being miserable, cutting corners that ruin your trip, or sleeping somewhere that makes you question all your life choices! For me, being a cheapskate traveler means spending money intentionally so I can travel more often, for longer, and with less stress. It means knowing where to save, where to splurge, and how to stretch a dollar without sacrificing the experience.
Over the years, I've traveled both domestically and internationally, visited places most people assume must be "expensive" and still managed to stay within a realistic budget. I'm not a luxury traveler, but I'm also not backpacking on $10 a day. I live in that sweet spot in the middle and it's honestly my favorite way to travel.
If you've ever thought, I'd love to travel more, but I just can't afford it, than this post is for you!
rachelteodoro
There are lots of little expenses that can add up when you travel, making your trip more expensive. But it doesn't have to be that way! Some of the smartest travel purchases are the ones that actually save you money over time by eliminating unnecessary fees, helping you pack smarter, or preventing you from buying overpriced items on the road. As a frequent traveler who loves a good deal {and believes that you can travel well on a budget}, I've learned which items really do help save you money.
If you're planning a big trip, a weekend adventure, or trying to travel more and want to stretch that budget just a little bit further this year, these are my 10 favorite travel purchases that actually save me money!
rachelteodoro
There is something about January that makes us want to clear the clutter, get organized, and start the year fresh. It's a natural reset button. But what most people don't realize is that January is also one of the best months of the entire year to make extra money simply by selling things you already own.
If you're dreaming of travel in 2026, want to kick off a "Trash to Travel" challenge like I did this year, or just need motivation to declutter, January is your month. Thanks to New Year's resolutions, new hobby goals, fitness kicks, and people looking for deals after holiday spending, certain items sell incredibly well this time of year.
Whether you want to earn a few hundred dollars or fund an entire trip, here's your ultimate guide to the 30 best things to sell in January and how to get the most money for each item!
rachelteodoro
I've always been a big reader and every year I look forward to discovering new books. I often look for books that help me see the world differently. This year has been a bit of a slower reading year for me. I just haven't been in the same headspace that I normally am to devour books. I'm feeling like I'm regressing a bit back to the magazine era of reading except in 2025, that looks more like podcasts. While I didn't hit my normal goal of reading 50 books this year {usually very attainable and something I exceed}, I did read 44, which was better than I thought I did! Some stuck out more than others, and honestly, narrowing down my favorites is usually pretty easy. These eight books really stood out to me, and left different marks on me. These were the top eight books of 2025!
rachelteodoro
For years, I heard people lump Scotland and Ireland together as if they were interchangeable. Heck, I even did it myself! "Oh, you went to Scotland? I've always wanted to go to Ireland!" or "You loved Ireland? Scotland must feel exactly the same!" It's a common assumption, and I get why. They're both Celtic nations filled with green hills, castles, craggy coastlines, friendly locals, and dramatic landscapes. Many travelers think visiting one is close enough to experiencing the other. Maybe it's because geographically, at their closest point, only 12 miles separates them.
After traveling extensively in both countries, nearly back-to-back, I can confidently say this: they are not the same at all! And honestly, I felt a little ignorant after the fact thinking they would be!
I have heard it said that if Scotland and Ireland were twins, Scotland would be the twin sent off to boarding school. Polished. Disciplined. Structured and brilliant. A little reserved maybe. Deeply steeped in tradition and proud of it.
Ireland? Ireland is the twin who went to public school. Charming. Fun. A storyteller. A people person. A little rough around the edges but the kind that gives it character. Ireland is the twin who will stay out late at the pub, invite you to join the table, and make you feel like you've known the whole family for generations!
Both are wonderful. Both are beautiful. Both are absolutely worth visiting.
But they offer wildly different kinds of travel experiences and pretending otherwise only does a disservice to both.
Here's what I've learned after exploring them in depth, and what you should know if you're trying to decide between the two, or if you're planning a trip to both.
