Five Types of Suitcases You Absolutely Must Have

November 27, 2018Leave a comment

Different trips call for different luggage. Here are a few suitcases I own that I adore and how I decide which I will use:

Duffel bag. An overnight bag is like a little black dress for travelers. Everyone should have at least one. I like to use a duffel bag for this, I have three different ones. The key is to find one that has enough storage space as well as pockets on the inside and out to fit everything you need and keep it organized. In addition you can also use a large back pack or oversized purse.
15″ rolling under the seat luggage. For longer weekend trips, whether you are driving somewhere nearby, or flying out on business, a small rolling suitcase that can fit under an airplane seat is my favorite thing in the world. It is slightly smaller than carry on bags and fits under all airplane seats. Brandon and I both have one for short trips back to NJ to visit our families. The suitcase is roomy enough to fit everything we need yet compact enough to fit on smaller commercial airlines.
Standard carry-on rolling bag. If you are like me and need to bring 3 pairs of shoes on every trip longer than 24 hours, the standard sized rolling bag is a great addition to your luggage collection. One reason I love this is because a standard sized commercial aircraft has room above your seat to store these. Modern technology has made me so lazy. I only fly on airlines I can check in from my phone so I can skip the lines at the gate. Very rarely do I ever check a bag. I hate standing in lines with people who don’t know how to navigate an airport or hardly ever fly. I am inpatient and love being able to get out of my car and walk directly to security so I can grab my Starbucks and relax once I get to the gate. I hate standing in baggage claim waiting for airport employees to unload the plane and get me my luggage. I’ve also seen one too many suitcases lost or contents stolen in airports. If I can keep my possessions with me at all times I am a happy gal.
Large sized luggage. Buy a nice large luggage bag with a good lock, and don’t skip out on the toiletry bag. When I am going on longer vacations like when we were in Hawaii for 2 weeks, I like to bring a large enough suitcase that I have everything I would need for one week including shoes. You’ll have to check your bag, unless you are lucky enough to live near an airport with curbside check in. In addition, you will need to stand around and wait for your luggage to get off the plane and you’ll run the risk of items being stolen. As long as you are careful, have a good lock on your bag, and pack smart you should be alright. Finger crossed and let’s hope that everything makes it home with you! Luggage sets are nice because they are usually roomy are made well, and come in a matching set which makes it easier to spot on the conveyer belt.
Laptop bag. If you’re like me you’ll want to bring your laptop on the flight with you. I have a laptop bag in the form of a backpack which I found on Amazon. There is a ton of cushion so your laptop doesn’t get damaged and they are really nice and well made. I own the HFSX Vintage Laptop Backpack. You can buy ones with built in phone chargers and a place to store your phone, keys, wallet, and passport. Plus, it will fit under your seat.

Geniuspack.com is my favorite place to shop for luggage. They have great luggage that makes travel easy and organizing natural. Their hard side carryon is amazing. You can also find packing tips and lots of travel related gear other than luggage. You can all of the above INCLUDING universal travel adapters which work in 150 different countries. Another great thing to do if you can invest is to buy a luggage set that includes all of the pieces above. You will save money in the long run and everything will match (if you have OCD like me than that’s really important). Don’t forget to comment below with links to your favorite pieces of luggage and why.

Happy travels!

Tricks for Cheap Flights

November 20, 2017November 20, 20171 Comment

If travel was that easy, everyone would do it. Right? One of the biggest barriers for those who want to travel is the outrageous price of plane tickets. Everyone who travels has had to deal with it at one time or another, and it sucks. I will let you in on the tricks for cheap flights you can use so you don’t have to break the bank. There are 5 important tricks that will change the way you shop for airline tickets.

Always look in multiple places.

You should ALWAYS look on as many sites as you can. First, try typing “flights from ____ to ____” in your google search bar. Google usually does a pretty good job of searching all of the available sites and airlines. My second go to is Skyscanner. Skyscanner is a website that helps you search for flights at the best price out there and has an easy option to search for one-way flights which brings me to my next trick. It also has a super easy to use app that I love.

book your flights one-way.

One trick for cheap flights is to book your plane tickets one-way. This isn’t always successful, but when you book your trip one-way you can sometimes get deals. Plus, you can book one plane ticket and book the other one at a later date when prices come down a little.

do your research.

Look up the best and worst times of the year to visit where you are going. The closest you are to the tourist season, the higher the prices will be. In the summer time prices tend to skyrocket basically everywhere. Try to avoid holiday weekends, weekends in general, and tourist season.

Be flexible.

Try not to carve out the dates you want or even where you want to go. Chances are if you travel a lot you have a very long list of places you want to see. Instead of putting all your eggs in one basket, pick a month you want to travel and compare prices. Once you compare the prices for all of the possible destinations within that time, then you can pick a date and place to go. If you pick the week before checking out prices, you will almost always be paying more than you want to.

tuesday, tuesday, tuesday.

The best day of the week to travel, and for the lowest possible prices you should depart on a Tuesday, and return on a Tuesday. For reasons unknown to me, choosing flights on Tuesdays are always more affordable. One of the worst days to travel is on a Friday or a Sunday, so try to avoid those days at all cost.

Of course, there are so many tips and tricks and places to read up on the tricks of the trade. One of my favorite blogs with cost saving tips for airlines is Scott’s Cheap Flights and Nomadic Matt.

Need help packing your carry on? Click here.
Traveling with pets for the first time? See here.

5 Ways to Save Money for Travel

November 4, 20171 Comment

It can be really hard to save money when we all have so many things we need to pay for. Keeping a fund going so that you can see and do everything you plan takes a whole lot of sacrifice. I have compiled a list of the best ways to save money for traveling that Brandon and I practice everyday. You will ideally need to prioritize your life and depending on your financial situation you may need to cut back on material things. Here are a few of my tips and advice to help you, so you can get out there and start exploring.

1. open up a separate bank account

Open up a new bank account to help you save money. Here are a few reasons why I recommend this. For one, you will have a card especially for your travel money so you can still save separately for your family or future. You can easily differentiate how much you have to spend on your next getaway. It is painful to watch your savings drop a couple thousand every few months from all your hard work. This can discourage you, but travel is an investment in your life and your wellbeing. You should not feel this way. Creating a separate account that you put a set amount of money in weekly or monthly helps ease that. As a piggy back to this recommendation, open up a credit card and hotel rewards card so you can receive miles and free rooms.

2. try 365 days of saving

Pick out a large jar to start saving with. Put the jar in a kitchen cabinet or in your closet or nightstand and in view so you know it is there. Starting on January 1st (or whatever start date you choose) put in one dollar. On week 2 put in 2 dollars. You can continue to increase this until you reach the last day of 52 weeks. If you can not afford to start at 1 dollar, try starting with just a penny and increase it from there (weekly). To add to this, you can have a weekly board game night where the loser has to put a dollar into the jar. If anyone in the house swears than you can also make them put a quarter or a dollar into the jar. You can have fun with this and come up with your own games.

3. eat out less

You can save loads of money by cooking at home. Brandon and I love to go out because we both don’t really want to cook, but when we need to save money that’s the first to go. We usually decide to go out once a week and the rest of the time we have to make something at home. We save over $300 dollars every other week by doing this. Believe it or not, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and canned soup go a really long way if you don’t want to really cook.

4. cut out unnecessary buys

Instead of buying a new dishwasher, try fixing whatever you already have. American no longer makes long term investments in what they buy. The quickest fix is to throw out what is broken and buy it new. Try to fix it yourself first, youtube is amazing and you’ll be surprised at what you can do yourself. If you can not fix whatever it is yourself, then try to hire someone. Usually whoever you are hiring is going to be cheaper than buying an entire new dishwasher, and if it isn’t? Buy the dishwasher, but shop around first.

5. make your money go a long way

When you decide on a destination and you have the money you want to spend ready, be smart. Shop around using different sites like cheap-O air, expedia, travelovity, hotels.com and more. Some of their prices will be relatively equal, but others will be quite different. Also, keep in mind when you are booking that if you book your hotel or airline between 3 days-24 hours of the flight, it is MUCH cheaper. If you can wing it, the best thing to do is just go to the airport and book your flight the day of. Check out what is leaving and go from there. If you are willing to stay in hostels they are pretty cheap, couch surfing or airbnb is also pretty affordable.

Do you have your own Money Saving tips? Comment yours below!
Want to check out my money saving tips for hawaii? see here.

First-Timer’s Guide to the Gateway Arch

October 30, 2017October 30, 20171 Comment

One of the coolest things to do in St. Louis is visit the Gateway Arch. Built in the 1960’s this giant is 630ft tall in the center and towers over the Mississippi river . One side of the arch overlooks Illinois and the Mississippi, while the other overlooks the city of St. Louis. You will want to have a plan before arriving at the park. If you visit the arch on a nice day, you will want to take a stroll before exploring the arch itself. You can get some pretty epic photos within the national park so definitely allow some time for a photoshoot with your friends and/or family. Below is a First-Timer’s Guide to the Gateway Arch with some important things you’ll need to know.

buy tickets online

You’ll want to buy tickets online if you want to skip the ticket line. The line can get really long, really fast so make sure you buy tickets online so all you have to do is wait in the line for security. School trips and tours are frequent visitors so make sure to get to the arch at least 45 minutes before your ticket time.

the security line

The security line is pretty lengthy. You won’t be allowed to join this line until 30 minutes prior to your tour time. The security here is just like TSA at the airport. The only difference is that you don’t need to take your shoes off at this one. They have an X-Ray machine for your coats and bags. The park does not allow pets, luggage, weapons, or alcohol on the premises so don’t bring your beer either. The line moves fairly quick but in bad weather it can be a drag so dress accordingly. The line begins right at the front doors and you will be standing in line outside the building. Once you get through security you might want to use a bathroom before you take the tram to the top. There are no bathrooms until you come back down.

the tram ride

Did you know you can take a tram ride to the top of the Gateway Arch? If you want to get a birds-eye view of the city and Mississippi river you can ride to the top. Warning: If you are easily claustrophobic you may not want to ride to the top of the arch. You will need to sit in a small pod with 4 other people (your knees will be touching the person’s across from you and beside you). You will also bump your head (if not almost bump your head) a few times trying to sit down inside. The doors are clear and you can see the iron work from the inside of the Arch. Don’t worry, there are stairs all the way up incase you get stuck.

the top of the arch

Once you get to the top they will tell you to skip the first 4-6 viewing windows so that everyone can get into the arch easily. The trams run continuously so you won’t be stuck up there for long. The very top is about the width of a small passenger aircraft with small windows on each side. You may have to wait a few minutes to be able to get to a window, but the view is amazing. The Mississippi River is viewable out one of the sides, and there is an amazing view of the city of St. Louis out of the opposite side. You likely will not be able to move around very quickly due to the amount of people a the top, but you won’t need to hang out long. Once you finish continue across the arch to the opposite side and descend down the other leg of the arch.

the gift shop

If you need somewhere to grab a gift or two for friends or family the gift shop has loads of merchandise as well as some pretty awesome fudge. There is a section near the back that has native american history as well. There are books, tumblers, coffee mugs, magnets and more to choose from. The staff was very friendly and there was a lot to look at.

If you choose the option for the riverboat ride along with your arch tour, it is located on the east side of the arch down the steps towards the Mississippi river. You can also visit the Old St. Louis Court House within the same National Park, but you will need to walk a bit to get there.

Share your own Arch stories in the comments below
Check out my day trip suggestions for S. Louis here.

St. Louis Day Trip Itinerary

October 30, 2017October 30, 2017Leave a comment

Looking for the best places to see and things to do in St. Louis? Look no further! Below I have come up with the perfect St. Louis day trip itinerary for a first timer. Keep in mind there are SO many more places to see and things to do. This list is mainly just an over view of the most famous places to check out. One thing we were unable to do on our weekend trip was check out the Budweiser brewery and Blues Museum, so don’t forget they are there too. St. Louis is full of history and there is so much more to it than most people know. The itinerary below is made up merely of suggestions and can easily be tweaked to fit your personal needs. Happy travels!

7AM- Wake up and get ready for the day

If you are driving from far away, or if you stayed over night in the city you will want to get an early start. So I recommend trying to get there the night before and staying overnight to get a fresh start. If you can, valet your car for the whole day. You won’t need if you have an Uber or Lyft app. There are literally Ubers everywhere and we had a wonderful experience with all our drivers. Get up early and take some time to get ready, you will be out all day so pack smart.

8Am- the mud house

Call on an Uber or Lyft and take a ride over to The Mud House for breakfast and coffee or tea.
This is rated one of the best places to have brunch/breakfast in the city. Get there during their busiest time and you might be standing in a line clear out of the front door. You may have trouble finding a table due to the limited space, but the coffee is delicious. In the warmer months they have tables for patrons to use out front of the cafe as well. The atmosphere is welcoming and has an urban feel. The walls are covered in eclectic art and instead of order numbers you’ll receive a funny photo or meme to mark your table for the runners. We didn’t try it, but the french toast looked amazing. If you aren’t one for french toast try a breakfast platter. The jam is delicious.

9am- The gateway arch and tram ride to the top

We recommend checking out the gateway arch as early as possible. They start tours of the arch
at 9am. Be sure to buy tickets online before your visit as ticket lines can get pretty lengthy. This is a national park service so there are park rangers and you will need to go through security. The line for security is the longest line you will stand in today. It’s a lot like airport security except you won’t need to take off your shoes. Try to get to the arch about 45 minutes to an hour earlier than your scheduled tour time. You can enter the security line 30 mins prior to your tour time, and the extra 15-30 minutes will allow for you to take a walk around and take photos of the arch and Mississippi river. Take the ride to the top and come down the opposite side. You may get claustrophobic from the tram ride since they cram 5 people in a tiny capsule. The ride is about 4 minutes up and 3 minutes and 30 seconds back down. The top of the arch is like being in an airplane, it is extremely stuffed and there are a lot of people. Take a quick look around both sides of the arch and then descend.

11pm- Riverboat cruise on the mississippi river/courthouse

Once you are finished checking out the Gateway Arch head down the stairs towards the river and board your boat and get a tour of the Mississippi. They serve snacks and drinks on the riverboat so you can also grab something small to eat since you might be a little hungry. Hear about the famous Louis and Clarke crossing the Mississippi in St. Louis and expanding our country westward. (There is also a Great Westward Expansion Museum in this park but in 2017 it has been closed for renovations).

If it is a little too cold for a Riverboat cruise you can also check out the old Courthouse where the Dred Scott case was heard. The court case that arguably started the entire civil war was originally fought right here in St. Louis. If you are a history buff and love Civil War history (and even if you don’t) this beautiful building is a good place to stop and walk around.

2pm- anheuser-busch brewery (BUdWEISER)

We did not find the time to check out the Budweiser Brewery during our day trip to St. Louis, but we wish we had. We heard great things about this one from our Uber driver and friends who have visited before. The brewery is located very close to the Mud House, but on the opposite side of the highway. You can see the big brick building from the street. They offer tours to see how the beer is made and they also keep their stables with the Clydesdale horses from the commercials. At the end of the tour you can sip your beer and check them out. This is definitely one spot you don’t want to miss.

4pm- pappy’s smokehouse

Ever had Memphis BBQ? Missouri is home to some of the best BBQ in the entire country. Pappy’s has been featured on the Travel Channel and is well known in St. Louis for amazing ribs. You’ll be able to see the smokers out front of the restaurant under an awning right next to the street. There is a parking lot directly behind the restaurant and what looks like a side door is actually the front door. You will stand in line for 30 minutes to an hour or longer to be able to order, but it is VERY worth it. The fall off the bone ribs are some of the best we have ever had and you can choose your own BBQ sauce or try them all. Every table has four flavors of BBQ sauce to choose from. My favorite was the Pappy’s Original BBQ, but there are sweet and spicy sauces as well. Keep in mind, Pappy’s sells out daily and they stay open until everything is gone. It is best to get here as early as you possibly can if you want a large selection to try.

Before or after dinner I recommend heading back to the hotel for a bit and freshen up, it’s been a long day.

7pm- city museum/bowling

If you have kids, and even if you don’t, the city museum of St. Louis is a really cool place to check out at night. The museum is geared towards kids with tons of slides, tunnels and really cool exhibits to play in. There is even a ginormous ball pit and a huge section of caves to explore. After 5pm kids start to disappear and young adults come to have a drink and walk around the museum. There is a 10 story spiral slide that starts on the 10th floor and spirals all the way down to about the 2nd floor. If you get roof passes there is a huge ferris wheel and some additional slides you can try out. One in particular faces the river and you can get a really cool view of the bridge. There are three bars in the museum including one on the roof so if you are afraid of heights and a little nervous about the slides, have a few cocktails. We recommend a “Mama’s Lemonade” made with blueberry vodka, lemonade, and blueberries.

There are also some really cool bowling alleys in St. Louis. One in particular we saw and wanted to try but did not have the time was Flamingo bowling. You can see the bowling alley from the street and it is full of pink neon with a bar and large glass windows. It was packed when we drove by after 8pm and looked like a pretty popular place to hang out.

other awesome places to see

It is really hard to do absolutely everything in St. Louis is a single day, but you can at least see the big things. If you can stay longer we recommend trying all of the above places as well as the Blues Museum on Washington Avenue. There is so much to see and do in a city full of so much history as this one. If you would rather check out the Riverboat rides at night, they do nightly cruises as well as dinner cruises. City Museum also hosts wedding receptions and parties. Be sure to stop in the gift shop in the Arch for some fudge as well.

Comment below with your favorite places to visit in St. Louis. Where can you get the best BBQ?
Check out some carry-on bag packing tips here

UnderGround World Hidden In the Pocono Mountain Range

October 21, 2017October 21, 2017Leave a comment

Wonderland

“Wonderland” or “Alice” is a world found within an old viaduct over the Delaware River. Many locals frequently trespass onto the property for the graffiti art and beautiful views. It is located fairly close to the New Jersey and Pennsylvania state border. Most people drive right past it on the interstate without ever knowing it is there. If you can find the location, you will need to park on the side of a road. You’ll then need to walk down a small trail and over a few concrete road blocks. Eventually you will find yourself at the top of the viaduct covered in gravel from the old rail roads that ran over this bridge in the past. On both sides of the bridge are beautiful views of the Delaware River.

Towards the center of the bridge you will find a manhole that is not covered with a ladder that descends down into the viaduct. If you are brave enough, go down the ladder for what feels like forever. At the bottom you will find yourself near an opening and surrounded by graffiti. There is graffiti art everywhere and you’ll get another breathtaking view of the Delaware River. Take a moment to breathe in and out and just be.

Remember to be safe when checking out this location. Since the viaduct is on private property you are trespassing and can be arrested for being here without permission. While I have never personally had any issues, you should always be aware of your surroundings and be careful. The ladder down into the viaduct during rainy weather is exposed so it is very slippery. Be sure to we are comfortable shoes or shoes with grip. Do not try to descend the ladder in heels or boots.

Know any other cool places in Pennsylvania to check out? Comment below!
Going on a road trip? Check out my post about road trip essentials.

Taking Trips with Pets

October 18, 20171 Comment

Flying with your fur-baby

Many people today have pets and the majority of those people think of them as their family, as my husband and I do. We treat our cat, Fester, like he is our child sometimes. So how could you go on a family vacation without bringing along your four-legged friend? Taking trips with pets can be stressful for both you and your pet. Make sure that you have your pet checked by a vet to be sure they are in the best condition possible before bringing them away with you.

You will need to buy a carrying case for them and they will need to stay inside it. The exception to this rule is if you have a service animal or a doctor’s note stating they are a “companion”. This allows you to keep them out of their carrying case, even on board your flight! Provided your pet is under the weight restriction and able to fly under the seat in front of you, they can sit in your lap for the duration of the flight.

If you have an animal that is easily irritated and upset you might want to find some way to help calm them. Some vets offer medication for this, but there are natural alternatives as well. When we moved to Wisconsin, Brandon’s mom sent Fester to us. His dad hopped on a flight to Chicago for work where we picked him up. She used a lavender essential oil collar and he had no problems. Our cat Fester slept right through the flight and stayed awake, but calm, through the 3 hour car ride to our new home. Do remember, that your pet may be drowsy for a short while before finally waking up once you remove their collar. The Sentry Collar that Brandon’s mom used can be bought for both felines or canines and come in many sizes.

Choosing a carrying case for small pets

My sister carrying her cat, Mika.

Taking trips with pets

One of the best carrying cases for a cat is the cat pack. There are a few versions of this out there. A popular one right now is a back pack with a round window for your cat to look out of. My sister bought one that you can wear as a back pack or you can roll it behind you. It is made of mesh, very breathable and it provided enough room for her cat to be very comfortable.

Make sure that your pet fits correctly in the traveling case you choose. If you plan on bringing your dog or cat into the cabin there are regulations to follow. You will need to make sure that the carrying case will fit underneath of the seat in front of you. Check-In will make sure that your pet’s case is up to regulations. Beware. If your case is not up to regulation you can be turned away. If you buy a new carrying case bring it in a few days before your flight to make sure it will fit.

Another thing to think about when taking trips with pets is whether they fit comfortable inside their case. Your furry friend should be able to turn around completely inside their carrying case. If your animal is unable to turn around completely, your flight representative may turn your pet away. Try it out ahead of time.

Remember, before a flight do not feed your pet since they can sometimes get motion sickness. Unfortunately, your kitty or doggy does not get a barf bag to use. Make sure they are sedated, they remain in their case, and they do not eat prior to any flights.

taking trips with pets: on the road

Toddles

Fester

If you need to bring your pet on the road with you, you may want to use an SUV. You should try to make an area for them to lay down on their own bed if possible. Most animals do not like the car so you may want to use the lavender collar I mentioned above, here as well.

You will also need to factor in time to stop for bathroom breaks if you have a dog. A lot of rest stops have areas for your dog to use for activity or bathroom. For cats, you can bring a litter box in your car. If you do bring a litter box, keep in mind you may need to open a window every few hundred miles. Make sure you keep your cat in a carrying case in cars as well. They can be distracting or they may even escape through an open window.

Be sure to always keep your pet on a leash, even with open windows. Just tie the leash to a spot in the car that is safe. Always be sure to bring extra doggy bags for “number 2” and get them enough exercise daily. It’s good to bring them a a few toys to keep them distracted as well and make sure you bring enough food with you for the entire trip.

Sharing your life with your pets is so important to many, so it would be terrible to leave them at home. When taking trips with pets be sure that your pet is comfortable. Whether your fur-baby is in the back of your car or under the seat in front of you, make sure they are healthy and you follow all airline regulations. If you do all this then you should have smooth sailing.

Happy travels!

Traveling in Your 20’s is a Must: Here’s Why

October 13, 2017October 14, 2017Leave a comment

see the world in all it’s glory

Traveling in your 20’s is a must. You will learn so many different things. You will find an appreciation for things you did not understand before and you will change every time you go somewhere new. I can’t tell you how you will be changed, because every experience is different. However, I can tell you it will be worth it.

1. Education.

Step out of your comfort zone and learn something new. One of the best reasons to travel young is because it shapes you into the best version of yourself. You find confidence, independence, and clarity in who you are. You will not only learn about yourself, you will learn about the culture you are immersed in. There is no better teacher than experience, and you will get a whole lot of it.

You will learn how to navigate foreign countries and airports and you will learn key phrases in languages you knew nothing about. Traveling gives you a better understanding of the world and the people that inhabit it. You will also acquire a large quantity of useless facts that will be great conversation starters.

2. Cultural appreciation.

Immerse yourself in cultures that are foreign to you. When you walk a mile in someone else’s shoes you begin to understand where they are coming from. Doing this will give you the skills to understand opposing views in everyday life. Appreciating someone else’s cultural views will help you excel in future careers making you more relatable to others. Traveling in your 20’s will give you more experience than the average twenty-something. You will be much better at adapting to change as well as troubleshooting in high stress situations.

3. Respect for our earth.

Spend more time outside and less time indoors. Explore the landscapes of our Earth wherever you go. I can’t stress enough how important it is to see the world from every angle. You will see landscapes that are beautiful and some that are haunting. Everywhere I go I take time to walk or hike the landscape. Some of the most beautiful views I have ever seen come following a 6 mile hike. You will realize how small your troubles are in comparison to the world. Ultimately, we are all just minuscule in relation to the size of this giant rock we cling to floating in space around a hot ball of gas. You will learn to love our Earth, the views, and you will know how important it is to respect her.

4. Find your independence.

One of the best things about traveling in your 20’s is that you will find your independence. You will get lost and you will need to learn to adapt to the unexpected. By traveling you acquire the necessary tools to be independent, making you a great leader, and you will excel in your career. One thing I can tell you is do not rely on anyone else but yourself. If you are traveling in a group, bring a map. Do not trust your phone or your friend’s guide book. When my husband and I were in Hawaii we learned the hard way how easy it is to get lost. We were hiking in an unmarked trail I had read about in a travel guide. What was suppose to be an easy hike turned into a nightmare because I ended up taking us up the wrong trail.

Bring a map and don’t rely on your phone or guide books.

5. You have no monetary ties

If you are in your early twenties chances are you do not have any substantial debt. Without student loans looming over your head use the money you do have to travel. The experience you will gain far out weighs the risk you are taking by traveling. You most likely do not own a home and may not have any car payments, however if you do have these things, you can still take advantage of travel. Fresh out of college and can’t afford a plane ticket? Get in your car with your friends (or solo travel) and take a road trip. You can even map out campgrounds to stop at so you don’t have to pay for hotel rooms.

If you live in the U.S. (or even parts of Europe) there are so many things to see. If you have student loans kicking in within the next year, get in your car now and take full advantage of not having that outrageous payment.

6. you are not promised tomorrow.

Someday you will die. You are not promised tomorrow so make the most of your life now. Traveling in your 20’s is important because there is no promise that your legs will work tomorrow or that you will even be alive. Take full advantage of your young body now while you can. I work in family medicine and see many geriatric patients. One of the more frequent advice they give is this: See the world now before it is too late. We all age, and some of us age better than others, but at some point we all decline to a point we can no longer travel. I don’t know about you, but when I am 90 years old I do not want to regret anything.

Not traveling is the most frequent regret that I hear about. You may not be sure if you should skydive, but if you are at least considering it then maybe you should do it.

7. money is best used on memories, not ‘things’.

Do not waste your money on the latest trend because it always goes out of style. The best thing you can do with your money is to sink it into something that will enrich your life. Culture in the U.S. revolves around brand name items that no one really needs. These things go out of style and end up being worthless. Putting $1000 towards traveling in your 20’s instead of $1000 towards a purse you want or alcohol is a much better investment. What are you investing in? Your future. Being a seasoned traveler makes you more marketable, relatable and knowledgable about things others don’t even know exist.

Traveling will teach you more about yourself and the world than you thought possible, so buy a plane ticket, pack a bag, and be in awe of something.

(Want to learn how to navigate Hawaii for less money? See my blog post here.)