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Here's How To Enjoy A Summer Vacay Without Breaking The Bank
If you're sticking to a budget this summer but want to have the usual fun in the sun, you don't necessarily have to skimp on what you want to enjoy. In fact, you wouldn't be alone with the smart move of saving those coins since, according to a recent survey, a large percentage of your peers are doing the same.
And if we want to talk specific numbers, almost 21% of respondents surveyed plan to spend $500 to $999 for their next summer vacation, while almost 27% plan to spend upwards of $2,000. Whether your budget is close to, more, or less, try these simple tips to create the perfect budget for your travel adventure in the coming months:
1. Keep it real with yourself about what you can actually afford and maximize that sum, no matter how small or large the amount.
Oftentimes, we might be influenced via social media to invest in grand luxurious vacations (as 50% of people under 40 "use social media as a source" for travel inspiration), but if you can't afford a 20-day jaunt around Europe, there are still many other good options to consider based on your budget. Once you've set a number, figure out how you can stretch your dollars or save on some aspect of your trip.
For example, if you're going to be exploring a city (or two) for most of the daytime hours during your trip, why splurge on a luxury hotel? Find vacation rentals that offer luxury touches (via the decor or extras offered during your stay) or use perks offered via credit cards, memberships, sites like LivingSocial, or hotel loyalty programs.
If a luxury stay is your thing, join a Facebook or other online group on their trip or link up with your girls or favorite family members, instead of going solo. You can split the costs, take advantage of payment plans, and really maximize how you're spending money on your vacation.
When settling on a number based on what you can afford in consideration of your income, living expenses, and debt, be sure to include a limit on how much you'll spend on each aspect of the trip---including boundaries on actual cash you'll spend while there---and stick to it.
2. Do your research on your dream destination and watch how and where the locals eat, enjoy their leisure time, or spend their money.
One thing I've learned after practically moving to a place where I was once just a tourist is that watching how the locals live can save you time and money when planning a vacation. Follow a few travel creatives and professionals in that locality and take note of the areas, attractions, and other aspects of your trip that might align with the content they share. Typically locals not only know the spots that are off the beaten path, but they also know where and how to save a few coins while having fun in their communities.
It's great to follow and be inspired by U.S.-based travelers, but some are simply following trends that are, to be frank, quite expensive to keep up with, or they're sharing content via all-expenses-paid opportunities to market a place or experience in exchange for their influence or audience.
Travel enthusiasts, tour companies, and other professionals actually based where you want to vacation can offer clues as to how to have a good time without breaking the bank, and even if their content doesn't specifically force-feed you cookie-cutter itineraries, you can still take note of the places they visit on a regular day (or the nearby destinations where they vacation) and do a little online digging for yourself to create an affordable itinerary that works for you.
I've found off-the-beaten-path beaches, rivers, and entertainment options that are not swamped with tourists (and thus, are less pricey but just as spectacular, if not more) by doing this---simply vacationing as the locals do.
LeoPatrizi/Getty Images
3. Skip the DIY approach, and book via a travel agent or consultant.
This is one of the best ways to stay on budget when planning a vacation, since, at the onset, it's something you establish with the professional in order for them to be able to do their job. Once you've locked in how much you're willing to spend, they can use their savvy to fill in the blanks with amazing experiences that you might not be aware exists and use their contacts, experience, and industry know-how to get you deals to make your dream trip a reality.
If you can find an agent who works from commissions, you've hit the jackpot, but sometimes, even if you have to pay a service or planning fee, it can be worth it depending on the scope and length of your vacation. The best way to find a reputable travel agent is through referrals from family, friends, or online travel groups or by ensuring they have the proper certifications and asking lots of questions before agreeing to work with them. If they work for a reputable, well-known agency, that's even better.
Source: RgStudio/Getty Images
4. Ignore the negative hype and simply book your trip for the off-season.
Just because it's so-called "low season" in a destination doesn't mean it's not a great opportunity for the best summer vacation of your life. With global warming and so many other factors shifting what affects a good time during vacation, be open to visiting a destination that might not have made the list of top summer spots but suits your needs just as well.
For example, you can travel to places like Cabo San Lucas during "low season" and still have a lot of fun while the tourist rush has slowed, hotels offer lower room rates, and more options are activities and excursions available to book at competitive prices. While it might be a bit chilly at night, you can still enjoy poolside cocktails, beach club day parties, and cultural experiences during the day and wear light layers at night for phenomenal sunsets and other evening activities. Flights are typically cheaper as well during some low seasons depending on where you're flying to and from.
Staycations are also a great idea when it's not peak season since you can enjoy the paradise that's just a city or state away without others crowding the roads, beaches, and other attractions because they've traveled out of town to do so.
You don't have to give up your desire to enjoy the summer vacation you deserve just because you're sticking to a budget. With these tips, there are so many options to make the most of your hard-earned dollars without compromising on quality and experience.
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'Love Island USA' Star JaNa Craig On The Reality Of Black Women On Dating Shows
Love Island USA just wrapped up its sixth season, and it has been the talk of the town. According to Nielsen, it's the No. 1 show on streaming, proving it's just as entertaining as the UK version. One of the reasons this season has been successful is due to the authentic relationships formed between the islanders in the villa.
You have the sisterhood between Serena Page, JaNa Craig, and Leah Kateb, aka PPG, and the real relationship moments between couples like Serena Page and Kordell Beckham, who were named the winners of this season. The other finalists include Leah Kateb and Miguel Harichi, Nicole Jacky and Kendall Washington, and JaNa Craig and Kenny Rodriguez.
While JaNa made it to the finale with her boo Kenny, her journey in the villa was far from perfect. Viewers saw the Las Vegas native get her heart stomped on a few times after many of her connections didn't work out.
At one point, it even looked like she was getting kicked off the island. While she had a lot of support from people watching the show, it was clear that she was in a position that many Black women on reality dating shows find themselves in: not being desired.
It has been an ongoing conversation among Black women watching reality dating shows as we see time and time again that non-Black women or racially ambiguous-looking women are often chosen over Black women, especially dark-skinned women. In a discussion with Shadow and Act, JaNa opened up about the support she received from viewers.
@cineaxries i love them đ€§ #janacraig #janaandkenny #loveislandusa #foryou #peacock #loveisland #janaloveisland #xybca #kennyloveisland #janaedit #loveislandedit #janaedits #loveislandusaedit #viral #loveislandusaseason6 #foryoupage #peacocktv
"You know whatâs so crazy? Iâm so grateful, because when I got my phone, the way theyâre making us The Princess and The FrogâŠI felt honored. I will be that beautiful chocolate queen if I need to be. And the comments like 'beautiful chocolate girl,' Iâm like, all Black women are beautiful. Thereâs the whole light skin versus dark skin, which breaks my heart. I just really donât understand that, but I will take pride and represent us well," she said.
She also candidly discussed her experience as a dark-skinned Black woman on the show. JaNa and Serena had been in the villa since the first episode, and they were the only dark-skinned Black women there. As new men aka bombshells came into the villa, they found themselves not being wanted by many of them.
"Me and Serena literally had a heart-to-heart before Kenny came in and sheâs like, I just donât think itâs fair that the Black girls donât get enough fair chance.' Every islander that came in, we were not their top pick. And we just [thought], maybe because weâre Black girls, and the dark-skinned Black girls. It sucked," she said.
"Iâm like, 'Serena, we know what we bring to the table. Weâre great personalities. A guyâs going to come in for us.' Thatâs when we manifested what we wanted, and thatâs when I manifested Kenny."
@ashleyvera__ We love to see it đ„° #loveislandusa #loveisland #loveisland2024 #janaandkenny #loveislandseason6 #peacock #realitytv #fypage
After many failed connections, Kenny came in and immediately turned JaNa's experience around. America watched the model get the care and attention that she deserved.
"Iâm not going to hold you. When I was in the bottom for a quick second, Iâm like, âThereâs no way America doesnât [ride for us]. I know Black America had to ride for me, but maybe because Iâm a dark-skinned ⊠hmm ⊠maybe ⊠you feel me? And you saw the Casa Amor lineup. Beautiful, beautiful light-skinned [women]," she said.
"We looked at each other like, 'Damn, Love Island did their big one with this. And every single Casa Amor girl was like, 'You girls are gorgeous, you guys are stunning.' They expressed love. You guys are beautiful and it felt good."
Although she and Kenny came in third place, JaNa is happy that she got her man in the end. "I think the thing Iâm most grateful about is the fact that this is a beautiful love story like you guys complement each other and thereâs no hate toward the skin color. Itâs all love and support. I love that more than anything," she said.
"Thatâs why I was like, 'I won,' even though I didnât win. And the fact that Serena won, we were like, 'Yeah, run that.' Either way, we won. And I love the support from all communities."
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'Industry' Star Myha'la Herrold Reveals Fiancé Slid In Her DMs After Watching Her On The Show
Myha'la Herrold is on a high while promoting HBO Max's series Industry. She plays Harper Stern, a tenacious recent graduate competing for a job at an investment bank in London. Now in its third season, Industry is garnering more and more buzz, and thanks to the show, Myha'la's star is on the rise. But that's not the only thing the Bodies Bodies Bodies actress has to thank the show for. The series led her to meet her now fiancé, Armando Rivera.
While visiting Late Night with Seth Meyers, she detailed the hilarious DM exchange between her and Armando and their engagement. "Season one comes out; it's deep Covid, 2020. And of course, I'm alone, and everyone is like, oh my god, are you having so much fun? The show's come out. I'm like, yeah, I'm literally alone," she said.
"So, of course, I'm going through my requests, and there's some great things, some like congratulations, some feet pic requests, some weird stuff--and there was just one that said, 'congrats on the show. I'm a huge fan. I wish you all the success in the world or something like that. And I said thank you, and the next day, I woke up to a string of video messages."
Myha'la Herrold and Armando Rivera
Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images
While she was annoyed by the number of video messages she received, one look at his profile picture had her singing a different tune. One of the videos Armando sent Myha'la was asking to interview her for a class project, and she decided to do it.
"The next day, we hopped on a Zoom and we were meant to be on five, ten minutes. Forty minutes goes by and he stops the recording, and then I was like, 'so where are you from?' Embarrassing," she said. "We hoped off and I was like 'oh, I'm in love with a stranger. How weird."
After following up with him about his class project, they continued to DM each other, and after three weeks, he asked for her number. They had FaceTime dates, and a month later, they finally met in person.
"Three and a half years later, he proposed, and now we're gonna get married," she said happily.
In a separate interview with Marie Claire, the 28-year-old revealed that Armando proposed to her in the doorway of their apartment, and they exchanged matching sterling silver rings from a vintage shop. âI tried on some sparkly things, diamonds, and it just didn't feel right on my body,â she said. Congrats to the two love birds.
Check out the full Late Night with Seth Meyers interview below.
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Feature image by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images