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

Perfect for families and people of all ages, in this narrative-style episode, discover The Wild Center. At this natural history museum in Tupper Lake, learn about nature and the wildlife of the Adirondacks, New York, through outdoor and indoor experiences and exhibits. Some of my favorite outdoor exhibits include walking across the treetops at Wild Walk and viewing art at Forest Music but don't miss the animal encounters, hiking trails, and more.

This episode is made possible by The Wild Center in Tupper Lake, New York. All thoughts and opinions shared in this episode are my own.

Did you enjoy this episode? Let me know by leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Also, please take a moment to share what you'd like for us to cover next on the show. Request a podcast episode here.

Work With Me:

Email [email protected] for brand partnerships.

Read My Books:

1. Affording Travel
2. Traveling With a Full-Time Job
3. Managing Your Money As A New Homeowner

Follow on Twitter: @thethoughtcard

Follow on Instagram: @thedanielledesir

Link to episode: https://podcast.thoughtcard.com/the-wild-center/

Before you pack your bags or double-check your flight, don't forget your finances.

I'm walking you through the essential (and often overlooked) money tasks every traveler should complete before heading out.

These simple steps can help you avoid late fees, missed bills, and financial hiccups, so you can actually relax and enjoy your vacation.

✅ Grab the Vacation Ready Financial Checklist to stay organized every time you travel.

Read blog post: https://thoughtcard.com/vacation-financial-checklist/

✈️ Travel Smarter & Spend Wiser

➡️ Start saving now with the Jumpstart Your Vacation Fund Challenge – a 5-day action plan to build your dream trip fund!

➡️ Get inspired with my book Affording Travel – practical strategies to make travel a financial priority.

➡️ Grab the Vacation Ready Financial Checklist – Your go-to guide to prep your finances for your next trip.

📬 Join my newsletter for exclusive travel tips + resources

📱 Let's connect on Instagram: @thedanielledesir for inspo + tips

Have you ever considered grants to support your dreams and ideas? Think grants are only for researchers and nonprofits? Think again, my friends.

In early 2022, I launched a newsletter curating grants and other hard-to-find funding opportunities for U.S. creatives like writers, authors, journalists, podcasters, photographers, filmmakers, and artists.

What happened next was shocking!

Grants For Creators was an instant hit, gaining hundreds of subscribers. Grants For Creators encourages creatives to see themselves as worthy of funding through grants and other funding mechanisms.

In this episode, I share why grants are worth applying to as a creative and small business owner, how to search for grants, and how to get funding for your projects.

Read blog post: https://thoughtcard.com/how-to-find-grants/

Other Episodes You'll Enjoy

• How To Manage Business Savings with Gina Knox - Episode 193
• Lucrative Side Hustles to Make More Money with Daniella Flores - Episode 72
• How To Start a Purposeful and Profitable Side Hustle with Dielle Charon - Episode 43

Read My Books:

• We Are Financially Savvy Travelers

• Affording Travel: Saving Strategies For Financially Savvy Travelers

• Traveling With a Full-Time Job

• Managing Your Money As A New Homeowner

• Iceland: Nature, Nurture & Adventure

Connect With Danielle Desir Corbett

Join my newsletter: https://thethoughtcard.substack.com/

Website: www.thoughtcard.com

Follow on Instagram: @thedanielledesir

Work With Me:

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

Resources For Financially Savvy Travelers

TravelPayouts make more money as a travel creator recommending travel brands using this affiliate marketplace.

GigSky is a powerful eSIM that provides service in over 190 countries, both at sea, and in-flight. Avoid high roaming fees and connect to Wi-Fi at all times while traveling. Save 10% using the promo code 'THETHOUGHTCARD10'

CardPointers for figuring out which credit card to use to maximize points and miles. Save 30% using our link.

SafetyWing for travel medical insurance in your home country or anywhere you travel.

Trade and Travel by Teri Ijeoma for learning how to trade in the stock market as a day trader or swing trader.

Get Outdoors 101 by Olivia Christine teaches you how to confidently plan outdoor adventures so you can unplug and de-stress. For $50 OFF, use the promo code 'ThoughtCard50.'

Knack Bags for stylish and functional backpacks perfect for weekend trips, business travel, or carry-on; laptop storage space and pack enough clothes for a 3-4 night trip.

Podcasting Gear and Equipment

• ATR2100x Dynamic Microphone

• Sony Dynamic Stereo Headphones

• Ausha for podcast hosting

• Streamyard for streaming and high-quality studio recording

• Swell AI for episode descriptions, show notes, and social copy

Has anyone else noticed how expensive summer travel is this year? With gas prices hitting digits we haven't seen before, along with fuel prices driving up the cost of airfare, travel this summer is pricey.

So now is a great time to chat about how to save money on summer travel, like tracking flight prices and tapping into your points and miles stash you've been hoarding over the last few years. Yeah, I'm looking at you!

Link to blog post: https://thoughtcard.com/save-money-on-summer-travel/

Connect With Danielle Desir Corbett

Website: www.thoughtcard.com

Follow on Instagram: @thedaniellecorbett

Work With Me:

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

Read My Books:

1. We Are Financially Savvy Travelers
2. Affording Travel: Saving Strategies For Financially Savvy Travelers
3. Traveling With a Full-Time Job
4. Managing Your Money As A New Homeowner
5. Iceland: Nature, Nurture & Adventure

How do you find the best hotel for your trip? Do you check for recommendations on TikTok and Instagram? Or start with a Google search?

In this episode, I walk you through my step-by-step process for finding and researching hotels using Tripadvisor—my go-to tool for honest reviews and helpful traveler insights.

Discover how I filter reviews, spot red flags, and make confident booking decisions that match my travel style and budget.

Explore Tripadvisor: https://tripadvisor.tp.st/ca0VRRPe

Read blog post: https://thoughtcard.com/tripadvisor-hotel-reviews/

💸 Need help saving for your next trip?

Book a Travel Savings Strategy Session with me!

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

Other Episodes You'll Enjoy

• How To Define Your Travel Style - Episode 102
• How To Achieve Your Travel Goals - Episode 182
• How To Plan a Vacation of Your Dreams From Scratch (blog)

Connect With Danielle Desir Corbett

Join my newsletter: https://thethoughtcard.substack.com/

Website: www.thoughtcard.com

Follow on Instagram: @thedaniellecorbett

Work With Me

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

Are you ready to buy a house? I've teamed up with Citizens Bank for a two-part homeownership series. In Episode 103, we discussed the pros and cons of the most common types of mortgages and how your mortgage can have long-term effects on your finances. In this episode, I unpack why having multiple bank accounts as a homeowner is crucial for better money management and the three bank accounts I recommend.

Disclaimer: This episode is part of a paid partnership between Citizens and The Thought Card Podcast. Any views expressed are not necessarily those of Citizens, and any other products mentioned are not endorsed or sponsored by Citizens. Mortgages are offered and originated by Citizens Bank NA NMLSID #433960. All accounts, loans, and services are subject to individual approval. Equal housing lender.

• [2:34] Benefits of having multiple bank accounts as homeowners
• [5:56] What is a mortgage fund?
• [9:41] What is a home emergency fund or home maintenance fund?
• Types of home maintenance repairs


• [8:04] What is a home renovation fund?
• [10:47] How we plan for home renovations

Read the blog post: https://thoughtcard.com/manage-your-money-as-home-owners/

Check out Citizens Ready to Buy a Home Hub, where you can access helpful articles and checklists, explore mortgage options and learn strategies for funding home repairs or home improvement projects. Such as 21 Unexpected or Hidden Costs of Buying a Home which details the common expenses homeowners forget about.

Citizens Ready to Buy a Home Hub also has informative videos that highlight mortgage myths and what comes next in the process after you've been pre-approved for a mortgage.

To ease your homeownership experience, Citizens offers resources and tools to help you feel more confident from application to move-in and beyond. Citizens has a 4.96 rating on Zillow and over 2,000 reviews you can browse through.

If you enjoy this show, please consider leaving me a tip by buying me a coffee. With your support, I look forward to continuing to bring you informative personal finance and travel content every other week.

Are you ready to buy a house? June is National Homeownership Month, and to celebrate, I've teamed up with Citizens Bank for a two-part homeownership series where I'll share parts of my homeownership story, and we'll dive deeper into the most common types of mortgages.

Since there are many different types of mortgages that suit different borrowers, in this episode, we're covering the most common, including:

• [3:45] Fixed-rate mortgage
• [4:18] Adjustable mortgage
• [5:40] FHA mortgage
• [8:34] Conventional mortgage
• [9:33] Jumbo mortgage

Read the blog post: https://thoughtcard.com/types-of-mortgages/

For more information, check out the Citizens Ready to Buy a Home Hub, which includes an easy-to-follow application guide to help you understand the ins and outs of the home buying process.

• Common Mortgage Terms To Know by Citizens
• Mortgage Myths Debunked by Citizens
• Managing Your Money As A New Homeowner (eBook): Start your homeownership journey on the right foot. Learn simple ways to organize and optimize your finances so you avoid costly financial mistakes.

If you enjoy this show, please consider leaving me a (virtual) tip by buying me a coffee. With your support, I look forward to continuing to bring you informative personal finance and travel content every other week.

Disclaimer: This podcast is part of a paid partnership between Citizens and The Thought Card Podcast. Mortgages are offered and originated by Citizens Bank, N.A. (NMLS ID# 433960). All accounts, loans, and services are subject to individual approval. Equal Housing Lender. Member FDIC.

What is your travel style? Travel isn't one-size-fits-all, and there isn't one way to see the world, only what works for you. When I started traveling after landing my first job after graduate school, my funds were limited. As a result, I had to be creative and I eventually discovered my travel style which helped me align my spending with the items and experiences that mattered most. In this episode, learn how to define your travel style and how it impacts your finances.

Read the blog post: https://thoughtcard.com/travel-style/

About Our Sponsor

This episode is sponsored by Knack Bags, a slim and lightweight backpack for everyday use but also expands when you need it. Knack Bags are functional, accessible, and stylish. I love that it packs like a suitcase (opening horizontally) so you don't have to dig for items in the dark. Get a Knack bag and use the code 'TTCKNACK' to get a free TSA-approved lock with purchase; add the TSA lock to your cart with your Knack bag, enter the code and get it for free.

Before the pandemic, travel meant hopping on a plane and filling my passport with stamps. However, that all changed in 2020. Our borders were closed, and we did not feel comfortable traveling by plane, train, or bus anymore. So, as an alternative, we started exploring smaller cities and towns a few hours from home. Since then, we have become road trip warriors. As the weather gets warmer, you may be planning a road trip of your own, so now is a great time to chat about what to pack for road trips.

Read the blog post: https://thoughtcard.com/what-to-bring-on-a-road-trip/

About Our Sponsor

This episode is sponsored by Knack Bags, a slim and lightweight backpack for everyday use but also expands when you need it. Knack Bags are functional, accessible, and stylish. I love that it packs like a suitcase (opening horizontally) so you don't have to dig for items in the dark. Get a Knack bag and use the code 'TTCKNACK' to get a free TSA-approved lock with purchase; add the TSA lock to your cart with your Knack bag, enter the code and get it for free.

In Episode 83, I announced I was quitting my full-time job to pursue entrepreneurship. Since then, I have learned some important lessons about running a business.

As I celebrate publishing the 100th episode of The Thought Card Podcast (yay!), I'm introducing a new series called "Taking the Leap," where I share the behind-the-scenes of what it's like being a new entrepreneur. This episode explores the importance of creating passive income and why I've decided to scale down from 17 income streams.

If you're curious to learn more about my income streams, please share this episode with a friend. Once this episode reaches 1,000 downloads, I'll record an in-depth video of how I make money as a creator.