3 Ways We Saved Money on Our Trip to America
Traveling is the best—new places, new experiences, and let’s be real, all the snacks. But overseas trips can also add up fast. That’s why we went full #MoneySmartMode on our recent trip to the U.S., finding ways to save without sacrificing the fun. From cashback to biking around Miami, here are three super-simple hacks we used to keep more money in our pockets while living our travel dreams.
1. We Used ShopBack for everything 🛍️💸
If you’re not using ShopBack to book your travel, are you even traveling?! Before you even boarded the plane, you can be earning cashback on flights, accommodation, and even activities.
How it works: ShopBack partners with heaps of big travel sites like Booking.com, Expedia, and even airlines. You book through their link, and they send you cashback.
How you win: You use ShopBack to book your flights and hotels and earn cashback on bookings you were going to make anyway. By the time you get home, you will have a tidy little sum waiting for you in your ShopBack account. Free money? Yes, please!
2. We Booked Airbnbs with Kitchens 🍳🥗
Let’s talk about one of the biggest travel budget busters: eating out. While trying all the food is definitely part of the fun, eating every meal at a restaurant can drain your wallet faster than you can say “bottomless mimosas.”
Our hack: Instead of hotels, we booked Airbnbs with full kitchens. That way, we could cook our own breakfasts, prep snacks, and even whip up dinner when we felt like a cozy night in.
The savings: Groceries in the U.S. aren’t as cheap as back home, but they’re still way more affordable than dining out for every meal. Plus, we found cooking in our Airbnb a surprisingly fun way to unwind after a day of exploring. Bonus points for not having to leave our apartment to hunt down coffee every morning!
3. We Ditched the Uber for CitiBike in Miami 🚴♀️🌴
Miami was one of our favorite stops, but if you’ve been there, you know how quickly the cost of Ubers can add up. Between beach trips, restaurants, and sightseeing, those rides aren’t cheap. So, we swapped four wheels for two and jumped on CitiBikes.
Why we loved it: For just a few dollars, we rented bikes and cycled along South Beach, through Wynwood, and even to grab groceries. Not only did we save money, but we also got a workout (necessary after all the tacos we ate).
The savings: A day’s worth of bike rentals was often cheaper than a single Uber ride. Plus, we avoided traffic and got to soak in all the gorgeous views—two wins in one!
The Bottom Line
Travel doesn’t have to mean blowing your budget. By getting savvy with cashback apps, making a few meals at home, and swapping expensive rides for budget-friendly adventures, we saved a chunk of change without missing out on the fun.
If you’re planning your next trip, give these tips a try! Saving money while exploring the world? That’s the dream. 💖 Where’s your next adventure taking you? Let us know in the comments! 🌍✨
None of this is sponsored, just what worked for us!