Smart Money Happy Hour: Our Ultimate Guide to Budget-Friendly Travel

Hosted by Rachel Cruze and George Kamel on the Ramsey Network, the episode titled "Our Ultimate Guide to Budget-Friendly Travel," released on March 13, 2025, delves deep into practical strategies for traveling without breaking the bank. Combining personal anecdotes with expert financial advice, Rachel and George explore a variety of topics aimed at helping listeners enjoy memorable vacations while maintaining financial health.

1. Opening Conversations and Setting the Mood

Rachel and George kick off the episode with light-hearted banter, reminiscing about nostalgic elements like burnt CDs and favorite songs. This casual start sets a friendly tone for the discussion on travel hacks and budget-friendly strategies.

2. Trusted House Sitters: An Innovative Travel Hack

George introduces Trusted House Sitters, a service that allows travelers to exchange homes with others, effectively reducing accommodation costs. He compares the feeling to celebrities like Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz:

George Camel [02:15]: "I felt like I was Kate Winslet. Little Cameron Diaz."

Rachel shares her positive experience using a vet tech as a pet sitter, emphasizing the importance of trust and reliability:

Rachel Cruze [03:29]: "There was a tech vet and she was so sweet, young, in her 20s. ... she was fantastic."

3. TSA PreCheck vs. Clear: Navigating Airport Security

The hosts discuss the merits of TSA PreCheck and Clear, weighing their costs and benefits. George expresses skepticism about Clear:

George Camel [08:17]: "I've never done Clear. I think Clear is a ripoff, personally."

Rachel highlights the advantages of TSA PreCheck, including expedited security screening:

Rachel Cruze [07:23]: "It's a dream."

They caution listeners about the potential for TSA PreCheck revocations due to security violations, sharing anecdotes of acquaintances who lost their status.

4. Mastering the Art of Packing: Carry-On vs. Checked Bags

Rachel advocates for traveling with carry-ons to save time and money, while George prefers checked bags to avoid the stress of adhering to liquid restrictions:

George Camel [05:27]: "I'm going checked. I just don't have to worry about shoving it all in there."

Rachel counters with strategies for maximizing carry-on space, mentioning Vintage Vera Bradley duffels:

Rachel Cruze [06:53]: "It is a dream to travel with. And it's a throwback. It's, like, vintage these days."

5. Booking Smarter: Tools and Tips for Saving on Flights and Hotels

The duo shares their favorite platforms and extensions for finding the best travel deals:

• Skyscanner: An aggregator that searches across multiple travel websites to find the cheapest flights.

• Costco Travel: Provides exclusive deals and bonuses for members, making it ideal for group trips or special occasions.

• Travel Arrow Extension: Enhances Priceline deals by revealing hotel names and reviews, ensuring quality bookings.

George Camel [17:15]: "Skyscanner will include Expedia. It will also include a thousand others."

Rachel emphasizes the importance of strategic trip timing and booking on days when prices are typically lower:

Rachel Cruze [21:12]: "The cheapest times to book on travel is Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Saturdays."

6. Alternative Car Rentals: Embracing Services Like Turo

Addressing the high costs and restrictions of traditional car rentals, George introduces Turo, a peer-to-peer car rental service:

George Camel [23:51]: "So you can actually rent Rachel's car because she posted her car on Turo for Rent and they handle all of the pieces. The insurance."

Rachel notes that Turo often offers more affordable rates compared to conventional rental companies and supports the use of debit cards:

Rachel Cruze [24:07]: "It's like an Airbnb for your car."

7. Budgeting for Travel: Utilizing EveryDollar and Sinking Funds

Rachel underscores the significance of budgeting for travel, advocating the use of EveryDollar to create dedicated funds for vacations:

Rachel Cruze [31:09]: "Every dollar helps us. We always have, like, a travel line item, especially if we're, like, leading up to it."

George adds that setting aside consistent amounts monthly can accumulate substantial funds, reducing financial stress:

George Camel [32:09]: "You set up a sinking fund line item for travel. And you can add $500 every month so that 12 months later, you have six grand to spend on this vacation."

8. Personal Anecdotes: When Frugality Backfires

In the "Guilty as Charged" segment, both hosts share experiences where their attempts to save money during travel led to unexpected challenges.

• Rachel's Experience: Opting for very early or late flights with children resulted in chaotic travel days.

Rachel Cruze [33:34]: "When we travel with the kids, we would take a late flight or early flight... it was like midnight when we got there and the whole next day was ruined."

• George's Experience: Choosing public transportation in NYC to avoid Uber costs led to a stressful and messy journey post-Thanksgiving parade.

George Camel [34:32]: "I need to do better. I should have done it for Whitney. When you're with your wife, ... give her a great experience."

These stories highlight the importance of balancing frugality with convenience and comfort to ensure enjoyable travels.

9. Product Spotlights and Recommendations

Rachel and George recommend several products and services to enhance budget-friendly traveling:

• Cozy Earth: High-quality, comfortable travel clothing.

Rachel Cruze [15:00]: "Cozy Earth has, like, literally the best products."

• DeleteMe: A service to remove personal information from the internet, protecting privacy during travel.

George Camel [21:46]: "DeleteMe helps us do that. ... go to joindeleteme.com/smartmoney, and you'll get 20% off."

• E Dreams: A newly mentioned discount service for flights and hotels, though George cautions about its reliability.

George Camel [19:16]: "Use at your own risk. Sounds sketchy. Probably is sketchy. But she claims it worked great and saved her a lot of money."

10. Sea Breeze: Drink Review

In a lighter segment, Rachel and George review the Sea Breeze cocktail, primarily consumed during their happy hours.

George Camel [32:24]: "Four out of ten."

George critiques the drink for its lack of complexity and overpowering tartness, while Rachel notes its affordability:

George Camel [32:46]: "The vodka really doesn't have a taste. ... $2.40. If you want to make it at home, be my guest."

11. Final Thoughts: The Value of Experiencing Life

Rachel concludes by emphasizing that experiences, such as traveling, provide more lasting joy compared to material possessions. She encourages intentional budgeting to afford meaningful vacations without incurring debt:

Rachel Cruze [30:01]: "Experiencing things outside your norm with people you love, it is very exciting."

George reinforces the importance of financial control and deliberate spending to ensure travel remains a joyous and stress-free experience.

Conclusion

Rachel Cruze and George Kamel provide a comprehensive guide to budget-friendly travel, blending practical advice with personal experiences. From leveraging innovative services like Trusted House Sitters and Turo to mastering the art of packing and booking, their insights aim to empower listeners to explore the world without compromising their financial goals. Additionally, their candid discussions about the pitfalls of excessive frugality serve as valuable lessons for achieving a balanced and enjoyable travel experience.