This is a collaborative post. All opinions are my own.

In case you haven't noticed, the new "American dream" isn't owning a big fancy house in the suburbs. It's freedom and travel. Millennials don't care as much about things...we're all about experiences. We aren't as loyal to jobs as previous generations, and we're not as dedicated to climbing the corporate ladder. We care a lot more about how much vacation time we get. And can you blame us? Many of us saw our parents commit themselves to work, only to get laid off and maybe even lose their house in the Great Recession. So we're not about to wait for retirement to enjoy travel, and we're a lot more skeptical of the idea that jobs will be loyal back to us, or that a big house is a "good investment." We're also a lot more likely to seek out creative, nontraditional ways to earn money, prioritizing the freedom to travel over the security of a 9-to-5 job. So while millennials might be "killing" a bunch of other industries, I'm pretty sure we've increased the level of travel. But with that increase comes a lot of myths that have been accepted as truth. Here are four common travel myths to rethink.

1. Tourist Stuff Isn't Worth It

"Tourist attractions are expensive, overcrowded, and inauthentic. Better to go off the beaten track and save your money." You hear this a lot when planning a trip to a popular destination. But how did those tourist attractions become so popular in the first place? Because they're usually iconic places you want to see, with incredible beauty or historical significance. It's certainly worth seeking out hidden gems as well...but it would be a shame to go to Paris and skip the Eiffel Tower. Some “tourist traps” are genuine attractions and you'd probably regret not seeing them for yourself. Plus, the commercial stuff always comes with discounts. For instance, if you're planning a trip to New York, there's an all-inclusive skyscraper pass to help you stay within your budget.

2. Traveling Is Always Super Expensive

Yes, traveling CAN be super expensive. But there are plenty of ways to cut down costs. My favorite "travel hack" is to use credit card signup bonuses to earn points for free flights and hotel stays. Make sure you pay off those credit cards in full every month, or your credit rating will drop and your only option will be loans with bad credit. Another way to really cut down your expenses is to rent out your home on Airbnb while you're on your trip. You might recoup your travel costs, or maybe even earn money while you're gone! Make sure to factor in the cost of hiring someone to clean your place in between guests. And a BIG way to save is to choose a destination with a low cost of living. Places like Thailand, Croatia, and Mexico have incredibly cheap food and lodging that can make a huge difference...but be very careful to do your research and follow any safety recommendations. Even though it's never free, travel is one of the best things to spend money on. It refreshes the mind and builds incredible memories...and it doesn't have to be prohibitively expensive.

3. Exchange Rates Don’t Matter

I remember my parents used to exchange money and bring local currency whenever we traveled out of the country. Nowadays, people don't seem to do that. I think most people think exchange rates don't matter. It's convenient to just travel with their regular credit card, and when they look at their bank statement later, they don't even realize that unnecessary extra fees have been added on to every purchase. This is because of something called dynamic currency conversion, which is a process that adds on extra fees. To avoid it, you should pay in the local currency or use a travel credit card that doesn't charge foreign exchange fees.

4. Black Friday Is The Best Time To Book Travel

Yes, Black Friday is a day of discounts and promos. But don't put all your eggs in that basket! If you know you have a trip coming up, start looking for deals now. Often the best time to save money is the off-season. Don't wait, and don't assume Black Friday and Cyber Monday will have the best prices...keep checking throughout the year, on days and months that aren’t popular. Mid-week is often a good bet as people are at work. I've heard that Tuesdays are typically the best day to book travel, but don't trust that blindly, either. Just keep looking until you get a sense of what prices typically are. Then you'll recognize when you see an amazing deal you should jump on.

I strongly feel that travel is a good use of time and money. I guess I'm a typical millennial in that way! Even though Ben and I are trying to focus on building up our savings right now, we still prioritize travel and build it into our budget. With young kids, trips require more logistics and more money now, but we still find that traveling together as a family is an incredible experience we never regret. And the memories we gain together are priceless!

Name, please

Email (hidden)

URL, if you wish

Comment