The Thought Card: Smart Travel Tips & Vacation Planning For Financially Savvy Travelers

San Francisco is known for the Golden Gate Bridge, riding a cable car up and down its famous hills, and that unmistakable fog rolling through the city. But there’s lots more things to do in San Francisco than its iconic landmarks.

Andrew De Los Santos, a San Francisco local and passionate advocate for exploring the Bay Area, shares how to experience the city like a local, from must-see attractions and getting around to local eats, affordable experiences, and ways travelers can support the small businesses and communities that make San Francisco so unique.

Whether it’s your first trip to San Francisco or you’re planning your next visit, you’ll walk away with plenty of ideas to add to your itinerary.

Connect with Andrew De Los Santos

Instagram: @andrewtourssf

Substack: Andrew Tours SF

Other San Francisco Travel Planning Resources

• San Francisco Weekend Travel Guide (blog)
• Pacifica Weekend Travel Guide (blog)

💸 Need help saving for your next trip?

Book a Travel Savings Strategy Session!

In this personalized 1:1 session, we’ll create a savings plan tailored to your travel goals, timeline, and budget. Whether you're eyeing a big bucket list trip or want to take more getaways throughout the year, I’ll help you figure out exactly how to fund it.

👉 Let’s chat: https://thoughtcard.com/strategy-session

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast

This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.Smart Travel Podcast

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads.

Tell Me About Yourself

Help me improve the show with a short survey: https://thoughtcard.com/survey

Connect With Danielle Desir Corbett

Website: www.thoughtcard.com

Instagram: @thedaniellecorbett

Threads: @thedaniellecorbett

Work With Me:

Email [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Resources & Recommendations:

➡️ Find cheap flights from the U.S. and Canada with Thrifty Traveler Premium

➡️ Sign up for a high-yield savings account with Ally Bank

➡️ Sign up for Rakuten and earn $50 cash back on purchases

➡️ Earn more points and miles from your credit card with CardPointers

Support the Show Directly:

Support The Thought Card Podcast by leaving a rating and review in your favorite podcast app like Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Your feedback makes it easier for new listeners to discover our thoughtful conversations about travel, money, and building a life you love.

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend or family member.

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast

This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.Smart Travel Podcast

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads.

What if living abroad could cost less than staying home?

Travel writer and author Tim Leffel challenges what we think we know about the cost of living abroad. He shares where your money goes further, how to distinguish “cheap” from truly good value, what $2,000 vs. $5,000 a month can get you around the world, and how to test-drive international living without turning your life upside down.

If you’ve ever dreamed of living abroad but assumed it was financially out of reach, this episode might change how you think about what you can afford.

Binge our digital nomad Spotify playlist: https://thoughtcard.com/nomad-playlist

Read Tim’s Travel Books

• The World’s Cheapest Destinations
• A Better Life for Half the Price

Connect with Tim Leffel

Website: https://timleffel.com/

Nomadico Substack: https://nomadico.substack.com/

Instagram: @globetrots

Other Episodes You’ll Love

• How To Plan a Round the World Trip (Without Going Broke) - Episode 224
• Is Budget Travel Still Possible? What You Need To Know - Episode 195
• Backpacking For Beginners: How To Travel the World on $10 a Day - Episode 138

Tell Me About Yourself

Help me improve the show with a short survey: https://thoughtcard.com/survey

Connect With Danielle Desir Corbett

Website: www.thoughtcard.com

Instagram: @thedaniellecorbett

Threads: @thedaniellecorbett

Work With Me:

Email [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Resources & Recommendations:

➡️ Find cheap flights from the U.S. and Canada with Thrifty Traveler Premium

➡️ Sign up for a high-yield savings account with Ally Bank

➡️ Sign up for Rakuten and earn $50 cash back on purchases

➡️ Earn more points and miles from your credit card with CardPointers

Support the Show Directly:

Support The Thought Card Podcast by leaving a rating and review in your favorite podcast app like Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Your feedback makes it easier for new listeners to discover our thoughtful conversations about travel, money, and building a life you love.

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend or family member.

Think you have to put your big travel dreams on hold once you have a baby? Think again. Riana Ang-Canning of A Teaspoon of Adventure shares how she and her husband turned parental leave into a nine-month family adventure across Canada and Europe with their infant and dog.

But how do you actually make traveling with a baby work for nine months? And how much does it cost?

Whether you're family planning, traveling with a baby, or dreaming about a long-term family trip, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration to help you rethink what's possible.

Read: 9 Lessons One Family Learned Traveling During Parental Leave

Read: What 9 Months of Long-Term Travel Actually Costs

Connect with Riana Ang-Canning

Website: https://teaspoonofadventure.com/

Substack: https://teaspoonofadventure.substack.com/

Instagram: @teaspoonofadventure

Other Episodes You’ll Love

• How To Plan For Maternity Leave When Self-Employed - Episode 125
• Listen on Apple Podcasts
• Listen on Spotify
• Listen on Any Podcast Player
• Maternity Leave Mistakes I Made As a Employed Work-From-Home Mom
• London On a Budget - Episode 232
• Listen on Apple Podcasts
• Listen on Spotify
• Listen on Any Podcast Player
• Paris Travel Guide - Episode 205
• Listen on Spotify
• Listen on Apple Podcasts

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast

This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.Smart Travel Podcast

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads.

Tell Me About Yourself

Help me improve the show with a short survey: https://thoughtcard.com/survey

Connect With Danielle Desir Corbett

Website: www.thoughtcard.com

Instagram: @thedaniellecorbett

Threads: @thedaniellecorbett

Work With Me:

Email [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Resources & Recommendations:

➡️ Find cheap flights from the U.S. and Canada with Thrifty Traveler Premium

➡️ Sign up for a high-yield savings account with Ally Bank

➡️ Sign up for Rakuten and earn $50 cash back on purchases

➡️ Earn more points and miles from your credit card with CardPointers

Support the Show Directly:

Support The Thought Card Podcast by leaving a rating and review in your favorite podcast app like Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Your feedback makes it easier for new listeners to discover our thoughtful conversations about travel, money, and building a life you love.

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend or family member.

Think London is too expensive for your travel budget? Think again.

With the right strategy, you can experience this iconic European city without blowing your entire vacation budget.

Carli Rasschaert from Adventures With Carli shares how to do London on a budget while still having an amazing trip. We’re breaking down the biggest money mistakes travelers make in London, where to find better value on accommodations, how walkable the city really is, and how to enjoy some of London’s best experiences for free.

Connect with Carli Rasschaert

Website: https://adventureswithcarli.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@adventureswithcarli

Instagram: @adventureswithcarli

Other Episodes You’ll Love

• Tips For Planning a Europe Trip For First-Timers - Episode 201
• Listen on Apple Podcasts
• Listen on Spotify
• Listen on Any Podcast Player
• Paris Travel Guide - Episode 205
• Listen on Spotify
• Listen on Apple Podcasts

Tell Me About Yourself

Help me improve the show with a short survey: https://thoughtcard.com/survey

Connect With Danielle Desir Corbett

Website: www.thoughtcard.com

Instagram: @thedaniellecorbett

Threads: @thedaniellecorbett

Work With Me:

Email [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Resources & Recommendations:

➡️ Find cheap flights from the U.S. and Canada with Thrifty Traveler Premium

➡️ Sign up for a high-yield savings account with Ally Bank

➡️ Sign up for Rakuten and earn $50 cash back on purchases

➡️ Earn more points and miles from your credit card with CardPointers

Support the Show Directly:

Support The Thought Card Podcast by leaving a rating and review in your favorite podcast app like Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Your feedback makes it easier for new listeners to discover our thoughtful conversations about travel, money, and building a life you love.

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend or family member.

Welcome to The Thought Card — a travel podcast exploring the money side of travel, from where to splurge to smart ways to save on epic trips across the globe.

No fluff, no shame — just proven strategies from host Danielle Desir Corbett and fellow financially savvy travelers finding creative ways to build a travel-filled life on their own terms.

New episodes drop every other week. Follow The Thought Card wherever you listen to podcasts.

Connect With Danielle Desir Corbett

Website: www.thoughtcard.com

Instagram: @thedaniellecorbett

Threads: @thedaniellecorbett

Work With Me:

Email [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast

This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.Smart Travel Podcast

Think you hate cruises? You might just hate big ships.

Today, we’re exploring the world of small ship cruising — an intimate, more immersive way to travel that feels completely different from what most of us picture when we hear the word “cruise.”

Joining me today is Mikkel Woodruff, co-founder and editor of Sometimes Sailing, and co-host of the travel podcast Small Ship Cruise Talk.

Mikkel shares why small ship cruising has such a loyal following, what makes it different from traditional cruises, and how it can offer a completely different way to experience the world.

Plan a Luxury, Small Ship Cruise Checklist: https://sometimessailing.com/how-to-plan-a-luxury-small-ship-cruise-with-a-printable-checklist/

Connect with Mikkel Woodruff

Website: https://sometimessailing.com/small-ship-cruise-talk-podcast/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sometimes-sailing

Instagram: @sometimessailing

10 Mistakes to Avoid on a Cruise: https://sometimes-sailing.myflodesk.com/yt-freebie

Other Episodes You’ll Love

• Are Disney Cruises Worth It? How To Decide - Episode 229
• Listen on Apple Podcasts
• Listen on Spotify
• Listen on Any Podcast Player
• Disney Cruise Tips For First Timers: What You Need To Know
• How To Budget and Save for a Cruise in a Year (or Less)
• Cruising On a Budget - Episode 164
• Listen on Apple Podcasts
• Listen on Spotify
• Listen on Any Podcast Player

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast

This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.Smart Travel Podcast

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads.

Tell Me About Yourself

Help me improve the show with a short survey: https://thoughtcard.com/survey

Connect With Danielle Desir Corbett

Website: www.thoughtcard.com

Instagram: @thedaniellecorbett

Threads: @thedaniellecorbett

Work With Me:

Email [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Resources & Recommendations:

➡️ Find cheap flights from the U.S. and Canada with Thrifty Traveler Premium

➡️ Sign up for a high-yield savings account with Ally Bank

➡️ Sign up for Rakuten and earn $50 cash back on purchases

➡️ Earn more points and miles from your credit card with CardPointers

Support the Show Directly:

Support The Thought Card Podcast by leaving a rating and review in your favorite podcast app like Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Your feedback makes it easier for new listeners to discover our thoughtful conversations about travel, money, and building a life you love.

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend or family member.

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads.

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast

This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.Smart Travel Podcast

If you've assumed train travel is too slow, too expensive, or simply not practical, this episode might change your mind.

Train travel expert Sojourner White busts common myths about traveling by rail and shares why more travelers are choosing the journey as part of the adventure.

From booking smarter to discovering some of the most breathtaking rail routes in the United States, Sojourner shares practical tips to help you decide if train travel is right for your next trip.

Connect with Sojourner White

Website: https://sojournies.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Sojournies

Instagram: @thesojournies

Train Trip Checklist: https://bit.ly/trainchecklist

Other Episodes You’ll Love

• How To Visit Two Cities for the Price of One with Airline Stopovers - Episode 196
• Listen on Apple Podcasts
• Listen on Spotify
• Listen on Any Podcast Player
• Affordable Vacation Spots in the U.S. for Your Next Getaway - Episode 173
• Listen on Apple Podcasts
• Listen on Spotify
• Listen on Any Podcast Player

Tell Me About Yourself

Help me improve the show with a short survey: https://thoughtcard.com/survey

Connect With Danielle Desir Corbett

Website: www.thoughtcard.com

Instagram: @thedaniellecorbett

Threads: @thedaniellecorbett

Work With Me:

Email [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Resources & Recommendations:

➡️ Find cheap flights from the U.S. and Canada with Thrifty Traveler Premium

➡️ Sign up for a high-yield savings account with Ally Bank

➡️ Sign up for Rakuten and earn $50 cash back on purchases

➡️ Earn more points and miles from your credit card with CardPointers

Support the Show Directly:

Support The Thought Card Podcast by leaving a rating and review in your favorite podcast app like Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Your feedback makes it easier for new listeners to discover our thoughtful conversations about travel, money, and building a life you love.

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend or family member.

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads.

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast

This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.Smart Travel Podcast

Thinking about booking your first Disney cruise, but not sure where to start? Brian and Sam from DCL Duo, one of the leading travel podcasts dedicated to Disney Cruise Line, answer the biggest questions first-time cruisers have.

Plus, we compare a Disney cruise to a Disney World vacation, discuss when it makes sense to combine the two, and share insider tips for making the most of your sailing.

Whether you're dreaming of relaxing on Castaway Cay, planning a family vacation, or simply looking for the ultimate Disney cruise guide, this conversation is packed with helpful Disney cruise tips every first-time cruiser should know before setting sail.

Read the blog post: https://thoughtcard.com/are-disney-cruises-worth-it/

🎧 Love cruising? Listen to my Cruise Tips Spotify Playlist for more cruise planning episodes.

🎧Want to maximize your Disney World vacations with even more planning tips? Listen to our Disney World playlist on Spotify: https://thoughtcard.com/disney-playlist

Connect with Brian and Sam

Website: https://dclduo.com/

Instagram: @dcl_duo

Threads: @dcl_duo

Listen to DCL Duo on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Any Podcast Player

Other Cruise Content You’ll Love

• Cruising On a Budget: How To Save Money On Cruises
• Listen on Apple Podcasts,
• Listen on Spotify
• Listen on Any Podcast Player
• 40+ Thoughtful Gifts For Someone Going on a Cruise

Connect With Danielle Desir Corbett

Website: www.thoughtcard.com

Instagram: @thedaniellecorbett

Threads: @thedaniellecorbett

Work With Me:

Email [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Resources & Recommendations:

➡️ Find cheap flights from the U.S. and Canada with Thrifty Traveler Premium

➡️ Sign up for a high-yield savings account with Ally Bank

➡️ Sign up for Rakuten and earn $50 cash back on purchases

➡️ Earn more points and miles from your credit card with CardPointers

Support the Show Directly:

Support The Thought Card Podcast by leaving a rating and review in your favorite podcast app like Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Your feedback makes it easier for new listeners to discover our thoughtful conversations about travel, money, and building a life you love.

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend or family member.

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads.

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast

This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.Smart Travel Podcast

Should you book now or wait for a better travel deal?

Today, we’re pulling back the curtain with Susan Catto, Head of Publishing, Canada at Travelzoo, to uncover how travel insiders evaluate vacation deals, avoid costly booking mistakes, and find the best value in today's travel landscape.

Drawing on insights from millions of travelers and years of experience covering the travel industry, Susan shares practical tips to help you make smarter travel decisions and stretch your travel budget further.

Connect with Susan Catto

Travelzoo: https://thoughtcard.com/travelzoo

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjcatto/

Other Episodes You’ll Love

• Stop Overpaying for Travel with Insider Tips from Pauline Frommer - Episode 198
• Listen on Apple Podcasts
• Listen on Spotify
• Listen on Any Podcast Player
• How To Visit Two Cities for the Price of One - Episode 196
• Listen on Apple Podcasts
• Listen on Spotify
• Listen on Any Podcast Player

Connect With Danielle Desir Corbett

Website: www.thoughtcard.com

Instagram: @thedaniellecorbett

Threads: @thedaniellecorbett

Work With Me:

Email [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Resources & Recommendations:

➡️ Find cheap flights from the U.S. and Canada with Thrifty Traveler Premium

➡️ Sign up for a high-yield savings account with Ally Bank

➡️ Sign up for Rakuten and earn $50 cash back on purchases

➡️ Earn more points and miles from your credit card with CardPointers

Support the Show Directly:

Support The Thought Card Podcast by leaving a rating and review in your favorite podcast app like Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Your feedback makes it easier for new listeners to discover our thoughtful conversations about travel, money, and building a life you love.

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend or family member.

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads.

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast

This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.Smart Travel Podcast

After losing her job, Kelly Peeler made a bold decision: she bought and renovated a home on the Greek island of Milos—with no prior experience—and transformed it into an art residency designed for women to rest, create, and connect.

Kelly shares how burnout and years of living nomadically across Europe led her to Greece, why she chose Milos, and the vision behind building a global ecosystem for female artists.

We also dive into the practical side of making a move like this, including what it takes to buy property in Greece as a foreigner, how she searched for homes abroad, and what surprised her most about the cost of living, healthcare, and everyday life.

If you've ever dreamed about moving abroad, starting over, or designing a life that feels more aligned with who you are today, this conversation will leave you inspired to think bigger about what's possible.

Read blog post: https://thethoughtcard.substack.com/p/5-lessons-about-designing-a-life

Want to build your own art residency?

Kelly is hosting a LIVE workshop sharing key mistakes to avoid before you spend a cent and how to map out clear next steps for your specific situation. Learn more here.

Connect with Kelly Peeler

Art Residency Builder Workshop: https://www.kellypeeler.com/residency-builder-workshop

Follow on Instagram: @kellypeeler (Link: https://www.instagram.com/kellypeeler/)

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@kellypeeler

Other Episodes You’ll Love

• How To Plan an Adult Gap Year with Stephanie Perry - Episode 49

How To Teach Oversees with Adrienne M. Walker - Episode 129

Connect With Danielle Desir Corbett

Website: www.thoughtcard.com

Instagram: @thedaniellecorbett

Threads: @thedaniellecorbett

Work With Me:

Email [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Resources & Recommendations:

➡️ Find cheap flights from the U.S. and Canada with Thrifty Traveler Premium

➡️ Sign up for a high-yield savings account with Ally Bank

➡️ Sign up for Rakuten and earn $50 cash back on purchases

➡️ Earn more points and miles from your credit card with CardPointers

Support the Show Directly:

Support The Thought Card Podcast by leaving a rating and review in your favorite podcast app like Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Your feedback makes it easier for new listeners to discover our thoughtful conversations about travel, money, and building a life you love.

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend or family member.

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads.