Community Discussions
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What are the best strategies to find good deals on flight tickets?
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I’m planning a trip soon and want to make sure I don’t overspend on airfare. Flights often feel really expensive, and it’s confusing because prices seem to fluctuate constantly—sometimes they go up or down within hours or days. I’m looking for reliable tips or strategies that can help me find cheaper flight tickets without compromising too much on convenience or comfort. For example, are there specific days or times when it’s best to book flights? Are certain websites or apps better for finding deals? Also, are there any insider tricks like using flexible dates, booking connecting flights, or signing up for alerts that could help me save money? Any advice on how to navigate this would be really helpful!
Top Comment: Use the tracker on google flights. This will email you when there are price changes for flights. Being flexible with dates will also help. Generally, flying during the week (Tuesday through Thursday) and very early in the morning will lead to lower ticket prices. Learning how to pack your luggage efficiently can also reduce prices a lot. I have a travel backpack and a carry-on suitcase. For warmer trips, I can take about 10 days worth of clothes + sunscreen/hygiene stuff and two pairs of sandals/slides. Doing this saves me $70+ in checked bag fees.
What are some of the cheapest methods for general travel?
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I'm trying to book a trip for my girlfriend and I and we're really struggling to fit anything in our budget for a 4 day trip. Flights are anywhere from $600-$1400 no matter where we aim to go. Lodging can not be found under $200 a night for the cheaper flights, and the cheaper lodging options can not be found for flights under $1000. It's really hard for us to justify taking a 4 day trip if it will cost us 2 house note payments. Is there a trick to making travel plans? Neither one of us is well traveled but we would like to experience more of the world now that we are both out of school.
Additional information:
- Budget of $1500
- Currently based in the southern US
- Places we are interested in visiting: Colorado, Japan, Central/Northern Europe
- We like to hike but unfortunately camping is not a possibility
- We also want to experience some nights in the city
Top Comment: If you're in the southern US, have you looked at Mexico City? Flights ought to be reasonably affordable, and decent hotels are generally much cheaper in Mexico than in the USA. Not having a significant time zone change is also a nice bonus if you're only going for four days as well.
Is Cheap Flights Fares Legit? - Air Travel Forum - Tripadvisor
Main Post: Is Cheap Flights Fares Legit? - Air Travel Forum - Tripadvisor
Cheap airfare experience - Air Travel Forum - Tripadvisor
Main Post: Cheap airfare experience - Air Travel Forum - Tripadvisor
What are some things that are super cheap or free that are huge quality of life improvements for you?
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It can be something you do for fun or maybe something you make to eat. Just the "little" things in life that make a huge difference.
For me, my wife and I once or twice a month prepare some picnic food, toss it in a basket, and go eat at the local park on a beautiful lake 15 mins from us. We sit and talk about our week and life, or just BS. It's nearly free and we truly look forward to it.
I just think it is important to have things in life that you can enjoy or look forward to that are cheap/free.
Top Comment: If I volunteer to work as an usher at the theater for various touring shows (dramas, musicals, some bands) then I can sit in the back and watch for free
What is something that is super cheap, but vastly improves your quality of life?
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I’m thinking less than five dollars here. For me, it’s probably be incense sticks. They make me feel so calm and I love the smell 😄😄
Top Comment: I received a microwave splatter cover as a Christmas present. I heard it was bought at a dollar store. It's my most valued, most often used gift of the past many years.
Frugal vs Cheap
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A lot of people equate being frugal with being cheap.
Even some of those that identify themselves as being frugal, are actually cheap.
The reason for this is that if you're cheap, you spend the least amount of money you can now, which can end up costing you more money down the road quite inadvertently.
But a frugal person tends to consider down the road purchases when spending money today.
For example, a frugal person may spend more money on a bottle of mustard because, even though the price is more, the actual cost per ounce is less, and the frugal person knows, by simple calculation, that by the time they've used the whole bottle, they've spent less than if they just purchased the much smaller bottle repeatedly, even if it's on sale.
Buying in bulk the things that will last is the frugal way to go.
The cheapest price today is not always the chepest total cost.
What examples do you have of being frugal instead of just being cheap?
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For me, being cheap is saving money at whatever cost even if it hurts another person or relationship. Being frugal is more about maximizing all resources and sometimes that isn't choosing the cheapest option.
When Does “frugal” become “cheap”?
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I’m frugal but not as frugal as my wife. This by itself isn’t a bad thing. People see things differently. But when is someone being cheap as opposed to frugal? Opinions?
Top Comment: It becomes cheap if it impacts health or safety, or is done at someone else's expense.
What are things that people think are frugal but actually cheap?
Main Post: What are things that people think are frugal but actually cheap?
Top Comment: Frugal. Finding a great bottle of wine for less than $20. Cheap, taking a $2 bottle of wine to a wine tasting and drinking all of the wine that costs $100+ ( we had to change the rules because if this couple)
What every day items should you *not* get the cheaper versions of?
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Sometimes companies have a higher price for their products even when there is no increase in quality. Sometimes there is a noticeable increase in quality.
What are some every day purchases that you shouldn’t cheap out on?
One that I learned recently: bin bags.
Top Comment: As I'm painting the kitchen right now, I'd like to add masking tape. The cheap stuff I still had in the basement is total crap compared to the roll of professional masking tape the plasterer left me.
How do you decide if something is "cheap" or just a waste of money?
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I've been trying to save more and cut back on spending, but sometimes I feel like I'm buying cheap stuff just because it's cheap, and then I end up regretting it. Like, I'll grab a $10 pair of shoes or a $15 kitchen gadget and it either breaks or just never gets used.
At the same time, I don't want to fall into the trap of always buying "quality" stuff that costs 5x more when I'm not sure I even need it. I'm aware that cheap or expensive will be different for people in different countries, but some things stay the same, so how do you find the balance? When is it worth paying more, and when is it better to go with the cheaper option? If you have rules or personal examples, that would be cool.
Top Comment: If you're unsure if you need it much, buy cheap. If it breaks, buy quality Pair of shoes is gonna see much usage, so spending a bit more on a good quality one is a worthwile investment
Do I have a cheap mentality?
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Posting because I want to have opinions from random people on the internet hahaha. I’m starting to make good money, but I’m maintaining the same mentality I was raised with. I was raised with not too much money leftover every week, so budgeting was paramount. Even today, I rarely do big name brands, tend to stay in cheaper hotels (still clean and fine- just not fancy) and will be discouraged about food options at restaurants if too pricey. I view rental car upgrades, fancy hotels, expensive clothes, etc. as a waste of money. I feel like I can see through the marketing schemes. You’ll never catch me buying a bottle of avion water- I’ll be on the lookout for the .99 cent ones...... I am constantly thinking “is this a waste? Can I get this for cheaper?” Etc.
Am I cheap? Do I need to change my mentality? I make into the six figures and do not have the penny pinch by any means, but it’s hard to change brain patterns that were formed from childhood.
Top Comment: Am I cheap? You sound frugal. Frugal is being smart with your money and maximizing utility. Miserly is when you start being 'penny smart, pound foolish' and you act cheap to save money in the short term but may cost more in the long term (either via money, social connections, health, etc). My household income is quite high, and I still buy generic groceries, shop at Aldi, and drive a 15 year old vehicle, but none of those things have negative long-term outcomes. Frugal is going out to dinner with friends and ordering a less expensive entree and whatever drink is on special. Miserly is eating before you go out to dinner with your friends and ordering water so you can avoid buying a round of drinks.