Podcast Summary
Podcast: George Kamel (Ramsey Network)
Episode Title: 9 Things Frugal People Know About Saving on Vacation
Date: September 3, 2025
Host: George Kamel
Episode Overview
In this episode, George Kamel—personal finance expert and co-host of The Ramsey Show and Smart Money Happy Hour—shares practical, funny, and always actionable tips for saving money while traveling. With a sharp eye for debunking financial myths and a witty delivery, George dives into the nine essential habits frugal people employ to keep vacation spending low without sacrificing comfort or fun. Whether you’re planning a beach getaway, a mountain escape, or just hoping to rekindle a spark in your relationship (hello, Gatlinburg hot tub!), these hacks aim to leave more money in your wallet—where, as George jokes, “the sun don’t shine.”
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Be Flexible with Travel Dates
[00:22]
- Insight: Rigid travel dates often mean paying premium prices. Choosing off-peak days like Tuesdays or Wednesdays can net significant savings.
- Example: Shifting travel dates away from busy holidays (like Memorial Day) to nearby off-peak periods can save you the “price of a $7 bottle of water at the airport.”
- Quote:
- “If you’re determined to fly on a particular day, you are stuck with whatever rate the airline offers you.” – George [00:22]
2. Travel During Off Seasons
[01:07]
- Insight: Traveling outside “peak seasons” (summer, Christmas, spring break) avoids surge pricing.
- When to Go: Mid-January through early March, late April to mid-May, and September through mid-November are ideal for fewer crowds and cheaper rates.
- Humor:
- “Basically, prices are out of control if kids are out of school. It’s like surge pricing for Capri sun and Crocs with Jibbitz.” – George [01:26]
3. Use Price Comparison Websites
[01:55]
- Insight: Don’t settle for the first price—use aggregators to get the best deal.
- Favorites: Skyscanner, Google Flights, and Costco Travel.
- Tip: Just a few minutes of comparison shopping can translate into hundreds in savings.
4. Hack Priceline Express with Travel Arrow
[02:34]
- Insight: Priceline Express offers hotel deals without revealing the property name. The Travel Arrow browser extension uncovers the hotel, letting users book confidently.
- Personal Story: George used this to stay at a $400/night hotel for much less during a New York City trip.
- Quote:
- “If all that sounds like gobbledygook to you, find your nearest millennial or Gen Zer. They will show you how to download a browser extension, MeMaw.” – George [03:20]
5. Rent a Car Through Turo
[03:57]
- Insight: Turo is an Airbnb-style platform for vehicles, usually offering better deals and choices than conventional car rentals.
- Perks: More flexibility, skip upsells, often cheaper.
- Humor:
- “You get to skip the part where a guy wearing a golf polo and way too much hair gel tries to upsell you the Wi-Fi hotspot or insurance package. No thank you. My car insurance covers it, bro. You’re not gonna fool me.” – George [04:29]
6. Pack Light
[05:06]
- Insight: Avoid checked bag fees by sticking to a carry-on. New airline policies make over-packing costly—even Southwest is shifting its baggage policies.
- Joke:
- “I wouldn’t be surprised if [Spirit Airlines] start charging extra for your plane to actually fly. Like a new premium seat tier called guaranteed takeoff. I would pay for that though. Worth it.” – George [05:31]
- Practicality: Be ruthless about what you pack; you don’t need three pairs of shoes or your Britney Spears karaoke mic.
7. Avoid Currency Exchange Traps
[06:19]
- Insight: Kiosks and exchange centers with “no commission” usually have poor rates. Use ATMs at your destination and pay in the local currency to avoid hidden fees.
- Advice: Opt for banks with no or reimbursed foreign transaction/ATM fees.
- Quote:
- “It’s like a restaurant offering free sandwiches with a $10 bread fee.” – George [06:30]
8. Check Prices After You Book
[07:04]
- Insight: Some airlines (notably Southwest) let you rebook if flight prices drop, refunding or crediting you the difference.
- Demo: George walks through how he saved money on a Southwest flight by rebooking the same flight at a lower rate.
- Pro Tip: Book one-way flights rather than round-trip to maximize this hack.
- Quote:
- “Just book one way instead of round trip flights. Book two one way flights instead of a round trip flight. I’m not advocating that you never come back home. Let me make that very clear. Come back home. We need you.” – George [08:42]
9. Sign Up For Flight Deal Alerts and Mistake Fares
[09:12]
- Insight: Sign up for services like Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) to get alerts on mistake fares and huge discounts—sometimes up to 90% off.
- Key for Success: Flexibility is your friend when pouncing on these deals.
- Quote:
- “Going… is a lot like a friend who somehow always finds $10 concert tickets.” – George [09:13]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
Witty Observations & Humor
- “Nothing heats up a lukewarm marriage like a hot tub in Gatlinburg.” – George [00:19]
- “TSA agents are slightly less dead inside [outside of peak season]…I told you guys, we are not doing lotion. No lotion in the bag.” – George [01:50]
- “Beth, you’re not getting discovered on a Spirit flight, but you might discover Jesus.” – George [05:40]
-
Listener Engagement
- “Have you used any of these tips to save money? Which one’s your favorite? Did I miss one that you love? Leave a comment down below, let me know. Do not gatekeep. We need less gatekeepers. We need more vulnerability, more authenticity.” – George [09:37]
Important Timestamps
- 00:22 – Being flexible with travel dates
- 01:07 – Off-season travel rationale
- 01:55 – The value of price comparison websites
- 02:34 – How to use Travel Arrow and Priceline Express
- 03:43 – George’s personal Priceline Express hotel hack
- 03:57 – Turo explained for car rentals
- 05:06 – Packing light and baggage fee jokes
- 06:19 – Avoiding currency exchange rip-offs
- 07:04 – Price re-checking and Southwest hack explained
- 09:12 – Signing up for airfare deal alerts
Tone & Takeaways
George balances real-world, actionable financial advice with irreverent humor and relatable stories—making even dry travel saving hacks memorable and entertaining. Listeners will walk away with a cheat sheet of practical ways to vacation frugally, all delivered with a tone best described as “your witty, financially savvy friend who actually approved your hot tub trip to Gatlinburg.”