The following budgeting tips are what I personally practice in order to make regular travel work. And for the record: My budget is modest. I\u2019ve picked these tips and tricks up while traveling as a digital nomad, but they can just as easily translate to making any trip a little bit more affordable.<\/p>\n
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Avoid Airport Cash Exchange Bureaus<\/h2>\n\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.retailmenot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/GettyImages-2175515518-1024x683.jpg\")
Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nThe first thing to avoid once you get off the plane<\/a> is exchanging currencies at the airport. I tend to use mainly credit and debit cards when I\u2019m traveling\u2014but if I know I\u2019m going to be somewhere that has a lot of cash-only venues, I will always wait until I\u2019m in the city center before exchanging any cash. This way you\u2019ll get to compare exchange rates and avoiding being taken advantage of for convenience.<\/p>\n
\nChoose an E-Sim Over Your Home Phone<\/h2>\n\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.retailmenot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/GettyImages-2223199547-1024x683.jpg\")
Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nDepending on your home cell phone plan, roaming fees while abroad can cost anywhere from $5 to $20+ per day. I\u2019m not suggesting that you forgo using data while traveling; I couldn\u2019t imagine being without Google Maps and WhatsApp while on the go. <\/p>\n
Instead I always opt for an e-sim over using my data from back home. I use the brand Airalo, and while the prices vary based on the country I\u2019m in, I\u2019ve never spent more than $10 for an entire trip. The best part is that the sim is automatically added to your smartphone, so you don\u2019t have to worry about tracking down a physical sim card while abroad.<\/p>\n
\nFind Out What Locals Eat and Drink<\/h2>\n\n![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.retailmenot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/GettyImages-1918282685-1024x683.jpg\")
Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nHotel food and drink is tempting\u2014rooftop bars, colorful brunch menus, and room service are always a fun experience. However, hotel food and tourist restaurants in general are always way more expensive than going to the local haunts, or eating the way locals do. <\/p>\n
For example, while living in Istanbul, I always bought my morning simit (Turkish bagel) from a street seller, the way my local friends did. It cost me less than a dollar to have an authentic Turkish breakfast, whereas Turkish breakfast restaurants in tourist areas can cost upwards of $50+.<\/p>\n
\nCapitalize on Credit Card Points<\/h2>\n\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.retailmenot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/GettyImages-2161807222-1024x683.jpg\")
Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nI\u2019m not suggesting you go over budget just to get credit card points\u2014but I\u2019ve found that putting everything on my credit card and paying it off in full at the end of the month has been a great way to rack up points that can go toward free flights. <\/p>\n
You\u2019ll want to make sure you opt for a co-branded airline credit card to make the most of this and shop around before opening anything, as many credit cards offer great welcome bonuses (as in, enough bonus points for multiple free flights).<\/p>\n
\nBook Accommodations With a Kitchen<\/h2>\n\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.retailmenot.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/GettyImages-1195396517-1024x683.jpg\")
Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nIt doesn\u2019t matter if I\u2019m traveling long term or short term\u2014I always try to book accommodations with a kitchen. It doesn\u2019t mean I always cook while I\u2019m traveling, but having the space to store things like coffee, wine and beer, fresh fruit, and even breakfast pastries, means that you won\u2019t be as tempted to spend on unnecessary food items while out and exploring.<\/p>\n
\nThe post 5 Ways to Maximize Your Savings While Traveling Abroad, According to a Digital Nomad<\/a> appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot<\/a>.<\/p>\n
The first thing to avoid once you get off the plane<\/a> is exchanging currencies at the airport. I tend to use mainly credit and debit cards when I\u2019m traveling\u2014but if I know I\u2019m going to be somewhere that has a lot of cash-only venues, I will always wait until I\u2019m in the city center before exchanging any cash. This way you\u2019ll get to compare exchange rates and avoiding being taken advantage of for convenience.<\/p>\n Depending on your home cell phone plan, roaming fees while abroad can cost anywhere from $5 to $20+ per day. I\u2019m not suggesting that you forgo using data while traveling; I couldn\u2019t imagine being without Google Maps and WhatsApp while on the go. <\/p>\n Instead I always opt for an e-sim over using my data from back home. I use the brand Airalo, and while the prices vary based on the country I\u2019m in, I\u2019ve never spent more than $10 for an entire trip. The best part is that the sim is automatically added to your smartphone, so you don\u2019t have to worry about tracking down a physical sim card while abroad.<\/p>\n Hotel food and drink is tempting\u2014rooftop bars, colorful brunch menus, and room service are always a fun experience. However, hotel food and tourist restaurants in general are always way more expensive than going to the local haunts, or eating the way locals do. <\/p>\n For example, while living in Istanbul, I always bought my morning simit (Turkish bagel) from a street seller, the way my local friends did. It cost me less than a dollar to have an authentic Turkish breakfast, whereas Turkish breakfast restaurants in tourist areas can cost upwards of $50+.<\/p>\n I\u2019m not suggesting you go over budget just to get credit card points\u2014but I\u2019ve found that putting everything on my credit card and paying it off in full at the end of the month has been a great way to rack up points that can go toward free flights. <\/p>\n You\u2019ll want to make sure you opt for a co-branded airline credit card to make the most of this and shop around before opening anything, as many credit cards offer great welcome bonuses (as in, enough bonus points for multiple free flights).<\/p>\n It doesn\u2019t matter if I\u2019m traveling long term or short term\u2014I always try to book accommodations with a kitchen. It doesn\u2019t mean I always cook while I\u2019m traveling, but having the space to store things like coffee, wine and beer, fresh fruit, and even breakfast pastries, means that you won\u2019t be as tempted to spend on unnecessary food items while out and exploring.<\/p>\n The post 5 Ways to Maximize Your Savings While Traveling Abroad, According to a Digital Nomad<\/a> appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nChoose an E-Sim Over Your Home Phone<\/h2>\n
\nFind Out What Locals Eat and Drink<\/h2>\n
\nCapitalize on Credit Card Points<\/h2>\n
\nBook Accommodations With a Kitchen<\/h2>\n
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