Author: Zuri Blake
Section: Finance
Let me be clear: You don’t have to choose between seeing the world and saving your coins. As your go-to guide for Black travel and financial ease, here are three practical ways to travel beautifully — and stay in budget.
Step 1: Set a Real Budget — Then Cut It in Half
Most people plan with fantasy numbers. I want you to build your travel plan around your real life. Start with your monthly income, set aside your bills, then calculate what you can spend on travel. And then? Cut it in half. Why? Because real travelers know it’s not about the price tag — it’s about the experience.
Step 2: Pick Dates First, Destination Second
Don’t fall in love with a location until you’ve priced the dates. Flexibility is power. Shoulder seasons (right before or after peak tourist times) can slash your costs by 40% or more. Set Google flight alerts and pounce when deals drop.
Step 3: Learn the Art of the Micro-Trip
You don’t need 10 days in Morocco. You need 2 days in Montreal, or 1 perfect night in a Hudson Valley spa. Weekend trips that feel luxurious can be done under $200. Invest in joy — but don’t mortgage your peace.
Travel should feel rich — not risky. And with planning, it can.
— Zuri Blake, Financial Contributor
