Travel and Entertainment

There’s no reason why your travel and entertainment plans need to be put on the shelf just because your overall budget is tight. And when you do travel,  take steps to make your trip as comfortable and stress-free as possible.

Here are some great ways to enjoy cheaper vacations and inexpensive travel, ranging from 9 Ways To Guarantee A Fabulous Family Vacation, to How to Survive—and Not Go Broke—When Stranded in an Airport, to 9 Incredibly Simple Hacks to Take Stress Out of Flying. After all, what are work and savings good for if you can’t enjoy the fruits of your labor now and again?

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Little-Known Airline Rules That Can Trip You Up

You know that moment when a trip is going smoothly… until it suddenly isn’t? Airline rules have a funny way
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5 Simple Money Habits That Change Everything

Tired of feeling like your money manages you instead of the other way around? Let’s flip the script. By focusing
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The Best Fun You Can Have Without Spending Much

Looking for hobbies that won’t eat up your paycheck? These frugal hobbies deliver big joy for little (or no) cost.
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Gratitude on a Budget: Cheap and Cheerful Ways to Give Back

Giving back doesn’t have to mean giving big. With a little creativity (and maybe a touch of duct tape), you
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Too Good to Be True? Here’s Why We Fall for It (and What to Do Instead)

We all like to believe we’re too smart to fall for a scam. But then a flashy opportunity with a
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Cheap Summer Trips That Are Big on Fun, Not Cost

You don’t have to be bored on a budget this summer. Whether you're a parent with stir-crazy kids, a single
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Simple Ways to Cut the Cost of Streaming Services in 2025

n this guide, Mary breaks down the different types of streaming—from live TV replacements to hidden free gems—and help you
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6 Science-Backed Reasons Gardening is Good for Your Health

There’s something magical about getting your hands in the dirt. Whether it’s the smell of fresh soil, the warmth of
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Who Knew? Living Below Your Means Is Suddenly in Style

Would you believe that living below your means (LBYM) is suddenly the hot new trend? I know—shocking, right? Some of
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The Top Credit Card Debt Questions Readers Ask

If you were to dive into my inbox, you might assume lots of questions on laundry, copycat recipes, or what
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Can You Ace This Classic Christmas Movie Trivia Quiz?

Christmas, the most wonderful time of the year. For many, it’s a time to spread holiday cheer and participate in
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You Need a Family Vacation: Tips and Ideas for Budget-Conscious Travelers

When I was a kid, family travel meant kids crammed into the back seat of a sedan, poking and elbowing
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11 Mistakes to Avoid When Booking Your Next Flight

Most of us intuitively associate vacation and travel with huge expenses. But it doesn’t have to be that way. With
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15 Smart Travel Tips to Make Your Next Trip Easier

Travel has a funny way of teaching us things the hard way, usually somewhere between a delayed flight, a questionable
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Staycation Ideas for Families: How to Have a Fabulous Vacation Without Leaving Home

Can’t swing a big getaway this year? You’re not alone—and good news, you don’t have to. A well-planned staycation can
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They Stopped Spending for a Year. Here’s What Happened

A few years back, Eric and Donna Reed shopped for groceries and household products only once a year. How on
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Cheap Date Ideas That Are Big on Romance, Low on Cost

Wallet a little thin this Valentine season? That shouldn’t mean you cancel all dates until things begin to look up
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Stranded at the Airport with No Money? Here’s How to Survive and Save

The busiest travel season on record began and will last through Jan. 5, An estimated 47.5 million passengers will fly
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Why More Is Never Enough—And the Simple Fix for True Joy

If there is one thing that will ruin your kids’ lives, it’s greed. Teach them while they’re young how to
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How One Small Money Habit Can Keep You Debt-Free for Life

Managing money well is not difficult. It's all the dumb little mistakes we make that we don't stop to fix
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Got Airline Miles? Act Now Before They Expire

If you willingly pay an annual fee for a credit card that earns air miles (most reward cards do come
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How to Break Bad Money Habits for Good

Money stress doesn’t usually come from one giant mistake. It sneaks in through tiny, repeated habits we barely notice. Swiping
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Lost Income? Read This Before You Panic

The news is shocking—millions of people being laid off or furloughed from their jobs is unthinkable. How do we wrap
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How Restaurant Menus Quietly Push You to Spend More

Before restaurant menus ever make it to print, restaurant owners hire menu engineers and consultants to bury super sneaky psychological
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The 1% Savings Plan: How Just a Little Can Make a Big Difference

It might be difficult to imagine how such a small change could make any difference at all, but this strategy
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10 Stress-Free Flying Tips for a Smooth Travel Experience

It goes without saying that when traveling by air, you need to get to the airport early. But this summer
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Secrets of My Inflight Survival Plan

You may know that I travel a lot. What you probably don’t know (and how would you since I’ve only
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How I Book Really Cheap Travel

Recently, while packing up files and expense records, I came across a file for a  business trip that could have
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25 Really Fun Tricks and Tips Every Traveler Needs to Know

Over the years I’ve collected a bunch of really great travel tips—some fun, some crazy, but all of them very
live the life you love half the price mary hunt

The Secret to Loving Life Without More Money

I’ll never forget the time I asked one of my young piano students what he wanted for Christmas. It was
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The Best Inexpensive Overnight Deal in the Best Vacation Spot on Earth

When it comes to overnight accommodations, I don’t care that much about how pretty the lobby might be; if the