The Ultimate Summer Plans for Americans Beating Inflation and General Economic Spending

Smart Strategies to Enjoy Summer Fun Without Letting Inflation Deflate Your Wallet

Summer is here, and the sun is shining bright, but so is the reality of rising prices. Between the grocery store sticker shock and those seemingly unavoidable gas hikes, many Americans are wondering: How do I enjoy the ultimate summer without breaking the bank?

Fear not, savvy saver. You don’t have to cancel your vacation or skip that backyard BBQ. With some smart planning and a dash of creativity, you can still savor summer’s best moments while beating inflation and reigning in your spending.

Here’s your ultimate playbook for a fun, fulfilling, and financially friendly summer.

1. Embrace the Staycation (But Make It Epic)

Why spend hundreds on airfare when your own city is a treasure trove waiting to be explored? Staycations have come a long way and this summer, they’re your wallet’s best friend.

Rediscover Local Gems: Museums, parks, historic districts, or quirky cafes you’ve never been to? Now’s the time to play tourist in your hometown.

Picnic Like a Pro: Pack a basket with fresh local produce (or leftovers from the fridge!) and hit a nearby park for a relaxing outdoor meal.

Backyard Movie Nights: Set up a projector or just use a laptop for a movie marathon under the stars. Bonus points for popcorn and fairy lights.

2. Get Creative with Transportation

Gas prices might sting, but that doesn’t mean your summer plans have to stall.

Bike Adventures: Dust off that bicycle and explore local trails or bike-friendly neighborhoods. It’s free, eco-friendly, and a great workout.

Carpool Like a Boss: Planning trips with friends or family? Share rides to split gas costs and multiply the fun.

Public Transit Hacks: Many cities offer summer passes or discounted fares. Check your local transit authority for deals, it can be a surprisingly smooth way to get around.

3. Cook at Home, but Make It a Party

Eating out can drain your budget fast. Instead, transform cooking into a social event.

Theme Nights: Taco Tuesday, pasta night, or DIY pizza, invite friends over and let everyone customize their meal.

Farmers Market Finds: Fresh produce is often cheaper and tastier at farmers markets. Try seasonal fruits and veggies to keep costs low.

Batch Cook and Freeze: Make large batches of soups, stews, or casseroles to enjoy all week without extra effort or spending.

4. Affordable Outdoor Fun

Summer’s greatest pleasures are often free or low cost.

Beach Days: Pack your own snacks, sunscreen, anda good book. If the ocean’s too far, find a lake or river beach nearby.

Hiking and Nature Walks: By the way this is my favorite option. National and state parks often have free or low-cost entry. You’ll get exercise and fresh air without spending a dime.

Community Events: Many towns host free concerts, movie nights, or festivals during summer, check your local listings and mark your calendar.

5. Smart Shopping & Budget Friendly Gear

If you need new summer gear, smart shopping can save you a bundle.

Secondhand Treasures: Thrift stores and online marketplaces are goldmines for summer clothes, camping gear, and more.

Couponing & Deals: Use apps and websites to snag discounts before buying anything new.

DIY Upgrades: Sometimes a little creativity can revive what you already have, tie dye old shirts, repaint worn out chairs, or repurpose jars as garden planters.

6. Plan a Mini Trip, Not a Mega Expense

Vacations don’t have to be expensive getaways. Consider:

Weekend Road Trips: Choose destinations within a few hours’ drive to cut fuel and accommodation costs.

Camping: Whether in a tent or a budget-friendly cabin, camping offers a connection with nature and big savings.

Off Season Travel: If your schedule allows, travel during shoulder seasons when prices drop but weather’s still pleasant.

7. Keep an Eye on Your Energy Use

Summer energy bills can spike with air conditioning running full blast. Small habits make a difference:

Close Curtains During Peak Sun: Keep your home cooler naturally.

Use Fans: Fans use far less energy and keep you comfortable.

Unplug Devices: Chargers and appliances on standby still use electricity.

Final Thoughts

Inflation may be stubborn, but your summer doesn’t have to suffer. With a little planning and a big dose of creativity, you can craft a summer full of memories, without the dreaded sticker shock.

Remember, the best summers aren’t measured by how much you spend, but by the moments that make you smile. So grab your bike, invite a friend over, and soak up the sun. Your budget (and your sanity) will thank you.

Airbnb or Actual Hotel? How We Choose Based on How Much We Hate Talking to Hosts

A Traveler’s Guide to Choosing Lodging Based Entirely on Avoiding Human Interaction at All Costs

Let’s be honest: we didn’t get into adulthood because we enjoy talking to strangers about key drop boxes, scratchy towels, or the mystery of the 17 step coffee machine in someone’s "charming urban flat." We got here by Googling how to boil eggs, nodding our way through office Zooms, and doing everything humanly possible to avoid unnecessary human interaction.

So when it comes to travel, the biggest decision isn't location or price. It's a simple question of "Will I have to speak to a human being I don’t know?"

In the eternal battle between Airbnb and Actual Hotels, the decision matrix boils down to this: How strong is your aversion to small talk, logistical chaos, and the phrase ‘make yourself at home’? Buckle in. We’re about to dissect this with the same scientific rigor as a middle school science fair project.

1. The Airbnb Experience: The Price of Personality

Airbnb, on paper, sounds magical. “Live like a local,” they say. “Stay in a unique home,” they promise. What they don’t say: You’ll also have to decode vague messages from Brenda, a self proclaimed “travel enthusiast and plant whisperer,” whose instructions for getting into the unit resemble the Da Vinci Code.

Let’s walk through a typical Airbnb experience:

Step 1: The Booking Dance

You find a cute listing. Clean, stylish, aggressively filled with succulents. You click “Request to Book.” Seconds later, you receive a message: “Tell me a little about yourself and your reason for visiting!”

Why, Brenda? Why do you need to know? This isn't a therapist’s office. I'm not unpacking my emotional baggage; I’m trying to drop off my actual baggage and sleep.

Hotels never ask why you're visiting. In fact, they don’t care. You could walk in dressed as a walrus holding a tire iron and they’d say, “Credit card and ID, please.” God bless their indifference.

Step 2: The Check-In Charade

Airbnb hosts often offer “self check-in,” which sounds straightforward until you discover it involves:

1. A lockbox under a ceramic frog,

2. A keypad with a code that expires every 6.5 minutes,

3. A neighbor named Carl who “keeps an eye on things” and definitely has opinions on your luggage.

Some hosts insist on meeting you to “explain the house.” No. If I wanted a guided tour, I’d pay extra for the Louvre. I don't need an in depth seminar on how your vintage toaster works.

Step 3: The Emotional Labor of a 5 Star Review

After your stay, the host sends you a novella length message:

"Hey, it was so lovely hosting you. If there’s anything we could have done better, please let us know directly, but if you loved it, we’d really appreciate a 5-star review! Every star is like a hug from the universe! <3"

Now you're trapped in a hostage negotiation with your conscience. You weren’t thrilled about the mildew smell or the surprise cat, but can you really tank Brenda’s dreams?

Hotels? No one asks you to emotionally validate the bellhop’s sense of self worth. You fill out a survey (or don’t) and move on. It’s transactional bliss.

2. The Hotel: Cold, Clean, and Comfortingly Impersonal

Hotels are the introvert's utopia. You walk in, they say “Welcome.” You leave, they say “Have a nice day.” That’s the extent of your required communication. It’s glorious.

Pros of Hotels:

1. Fresh towels magically appear.

2. There’s a number to call if the toilet breaks.

3. You don’t need to beg anyone for a 5-star review.

4. Nobody has an acoustic guitar mounted on the wall ironically.

Let’s talk about the best feature of hotels: 24-hour front desks. You show up at 2 a.m. with jetlag, looking like a gremlin? They’ll still give you a key and only mildly judge you. Brenda from Airbnb, on the other hand, shuts off her phone after 10 p.m. because of her “wellness boundaries.”

Also, hotel beds are designed by a team of Swiss engineers and NASA sleep scientists. Airbnb mattresses range from “college futon” to “someone’s weird attempt at minimalism.”

3. The Host Scale: Measuring Social Interaction Terror

We’ve created a highly scientific metric to help you decide between Airbnb and a hotel based on your tolerance for human interaction.

Host Scale: Measuring Social Interaction Terror

Interaction Scenario	Airbnb	Hotel	Anxiety Score 1–10
Booking process	Light interrogation	Credit card and done	Airbnb: 7 / Hotel: 1
Check-in at midnight	“Let me know ETA!”	“Anytime, sir.”	Airbnb: 8 / Hotel: 1
Trouble with toilet	“Try jiggling the handle”	Maintenance in 5 mins	Airbnb: 9 / Hotel: 2
Leaving a review	Emotional hostage	Optional survey	Airbnb: 6 / Hotel: 0
Chance of seeing host in pajamas	Moderate	Zero	Airbnb: 5 / Hotel: 0

Total average anxiety score? Airbnb: 7. Hotel: 1.2. That’s science, baby.

4. Common Airbnb Tropes That Should Be Nationally Regulated

Let’s explore the recurring elements of Airbnb listings that should honestly be punishable by Yelp review shaming:

“Rustic charm” = The plumbing growls like a wounded animal.

“Eclectic decor” = You will sleep beneath a taxidermied goat wearing sunglasses.

“Open-concept bathroom” = There is a toilet in the living room. No wall. No dignity.

“Pet-friendly” = A feral cat named Sebastian will absolutely judge your every move.

Hotels, by comparison, don’t try to pretend the mini fridge is a cultural experience.

5. Final Verdict: Which Should You Choose?

Pick Airbnb if:

1. You enjoy scavenger hunts disguised as check-ins.

2. You crave personality, even if it’s terrifying.

3. You don’t mind learning how to use six remotes just to watch basic cable.

Pick Hotel if:

1. You just want to lie in a bed without emotional consequence.

2. Your idea of vacation doesn’t involve decoding a host's personality.

3. You have a soul crushing hatred for talking to strangers about Wi-Fi passwords.

Conclusion: The Heart Wants What the Anxiety Level Tolerates

We live in a world full of choices. But when it comes to where you lay your travel weary head at night, the real choice is between human interaction and glorious impersonality. Do you want a curated artisanal experience that involves emotionally negotiating your way through a stranger’s home? Or do you want a clean room, a TV you don’t need a manual for, and the sweet, sweet silence of a front desk clerk who couldn’t care less why you’re here?

In the end, there’s no wrong answer, just know yourself. And if knowing yourself means never having to discuss the “energy of the space,” you know where to stay.

The Ultimate Couples Travel Guide to Villajoyosa: Where Love Meets... Fish Markets

A Haphazard Lovers’ Guide to Surviving (and Maybe Even Enjoying) Villajoyosa, Spain

Welcome, hopeless romantics and reluctant plus ones! If you're on the verge of booking a “life changing” couples getaway and accidentally stumbled upon Villajoyosa, Spain, congratulations. You’ve either been influenced by a suspiciously serene Instagram reel or you've confused it with Ibiza. Either way, you've landed in the technicolor fever dream of coastal Europe, and your relationship may never be the same.

Why Villajoyosa?

Let’s face it. Paris is overrun with influencers and pigeons, Venice is 90% humidity and 10% overpriced gondola, and Santorini has more photo shoots than sunsets. So why not pack your emotional baggage and jet off to the underrated, over tiled, painfully charming town of Villajoyosa?

Nestled along Spain’s Costa Blanca which translates roughly to “Where sunscreen becomes a second skin”, Villajoyosa boasts a romantic appeal best described as: If a gelato shop married a crayon box and their kid got into coastal architecture.

Day 1: Arrival & Mutual Bickering

As you arrive one of you lugging a suitcase large enough to hold a third regret, the other pretending not to sweat, you’ll immediately notice the riot of pastel buildings. Locals say they were painted bright so fishermen could see their homes from the sea. You’ll say it’s cute. Your partner will say you already posted the same photo twice on Stories. Love is alive.

Where to Stay

Book a converted fisherman’s house, now marketed as a “boutique villa” (read: 400-year-old plumbing with linen drapes). There’s no better way to test your relationship than sharing a bathroom designed during the Spanish Inquisition. Charm? 10/10. Wi-Fi signal? Ha.

Pro tip: If you’re hoping for a modern resort, you’ve confused Villajoyosa with Benidorm. Please return to your search for “Top 10 resorts with buffet and zero cultural interaction.”

Day 2: Chocolate, Sunburn, and Silence

Begin your romantic itinerary with a visit to the Valor Chocolate Museum, because nothing says “eternal devotion” like watching cocoa beans being ground into oblivion. You’ll learn fun facts like: “The founder of Valor once consumed 2 kilos of chocolate in a single sitting and still lived to 87,” which raises more questions than it answers.

Romantic Activity #1: Public Sweating

Take a stroll along the palm lined beach promenade, Playa Centro. You will think it’s romantic. Your partner will realize they forgot to bring flip flops. Now you're arguing next to a nudist in snorkeling gear. Classic Mediterranean tension builder.

Lunch: Seafood Roulette

Head to the fish market for lunch. Locals recommend asking what’s fresh, which means your waiter will bring you a tentacled creature you must now pretend to enjoy. Your partner, who told you they were “totally adventurous eaters,” is Googling “is this fish or alien?” under the table. Smile. This is love.

Day 3: The Scenic Walking Tour You’ll Never Finish

After a hearty breakfast of espresso and something suspiciously dry labeled “artisan toast,” you’ll set off on a guided historical walk. Your guide is an ex philosophy professor named Roberto, who will explain in great detail how Villajoyosa has withstood pirate invasions, economic collapse, and worst of all, package tourism.

You will begin the hike up to the Torre de San José, an ancient Roman funeral tower, because nothing screams honeymoon like contemplating mortality under a blazing sun. If your relationship survives this walk, consider upgrading your commitment to joint mortgage status.

Pro Tip:

At some point, one of you will suggest turning back. The other will insist, “We’re almost there.” You are not almost there. You are now in a performance of emotional resilience.

Day 4: Market Day & Deep Relationship Reflection

It’s market day! Time to wander through endless stalls selling linen pants, oversized sunhats, and objects labeled “artisan” that may or may not be glued pasta shells. Buy matching straw fans and argue over whether that makes you “cute” or “basic.”

Couples Challenge: Shared Shopping Decisions

Watch the love of your life try to haggle in broken Spanish for a ceramic plate you’ll break in transit. Then spend 20 minutes arguing whether it’s ethical to buy a “handcrafted” tambourine from a vendor wearing Crocs and blasting reggaeton.

Day 5: When in Spain, Drink Like the Spanish (Responsibly, Please)

Time for a winery tour! Because nothing improves communication like several glasses of locally fermented honesty. Head to a small, family owned vineyard nearby where a man named Esteban will pour you glasses until your relationship achieves a transcendent level of clarity... or chaos.

You’ll discover your partner’s nuanced opinion on your toothbrush etiquette. You’ll respond with an impromptu flamenco move. The wine is working.

Later, dine al fresco on tapas. Your partner will mispronounce “gambas al ajillo”, and the waiter will smirk just enough to start a new inside joke you’ll carry into your 80s (or at least to the flight home).

Day 6: Cultural Immersion or Mild Discomfort

Visit the local church, Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, because spiritual architecture has a way of silencing the ongoing debate about who forgot to pack the sunscreen.

Sit in the pews and absorb the peaceful atmosphere while considering if this could be your future wedding venue. Or just Instagram the stained glass and call it “deeply moving.”

Then pop into the Vilamuseu, the local archaeological museum, where you’ll marvel at ancient amphorae and Roman sandals that somehow still look trendier than your Birkenstocks.

Day 7: Beach, Reconciliation, and Strategic Nap Time

Your final day. Head to Playa El Paraiso, less crowded and more “we might skinny dip if no one’s looking.” Bring wine, olives, and emotional baggage from last night’s tapas fueled conversation about who’s more “emotionally avoidant.”

Lie side by side on the warm sand. The waves crash gently. You look at each other and realize: this town, with its sensory overload of colors, smells, and mismatched tile patterns, may not have healed your relationship. But it did provide endless distraction from it. Which is arguably better.

Parting Thoughts from the Love Trenches of Villajoyosa

You came to Villajoyosa for romance. You found mismatched ceramics, existential hikes, and a sea urchin you accidentally sat on. But between the shared gelato, mildly traumatic hiking excursions, and late-night confessions over sangria, you discovered something sacred:

Your partner has questionable taste in souvenir T-shirts, but impeccable taste in choosing you.

And that, dear readers, is the real journey.

The Ultimate Villajoyosa Packing List (for Couples Who Think They’re Ready)

1. SPF 50 and patience

2. Phrasebook with “Where’s the nearest pharmacy?”

3. Extra suitcase space for two dozen handmade mugs you will never use

4. Open heart. Closed mouth (during arguments in public).

5. Portable charger (because someone *always* forgets)

6. A flexible attitude toward hygiene and historical plumbing

7. Zero expectations. 100% snack budget.

Final Rating:

Romance: 8.3/10 (discounted for sun rash and tapas induced arguments)

Instagrammability: 9.7/10 (as long as your angles are tight and your captions vague)

Likelihood of proposing here: 3.2% (but 84% chance of a very intense DTR conversation)

Will you come back?: Probably not. But you’ll talk about it like you lived there for a year. 

10 Remote Jobs You Can Do Together Without Ruining Your Relationship

Or: How to Work Side by Side Without Passive Aggressively Unplugging the Router

If you’re a couple traveling the world, living that laptop lifestyle, and somehow still speaking to each other, congratulations, you’re already ahead of 70% of us.

Working remotely as a couple sounds like a dream. Two laptops. One beach. Unlimited freedom. No commute.

But no one talks about the dark side:

– Stealing each other’s charger.

– One of you typing like a horse in tap shoes.

– Syncing schedules with someone who thinks “just one more video call” means 90 minutes of you quietly aging in the corner.

So, if you’re going to work remotely as a couple and not end up as a true crime podcast episode, you’ll want jobs that suit both of your skill sets, travel lifestyles, and personalities, preferably ones that don’t require a shared Google Calendar and therapy subscription.

Here are 10 legit remote jobs you can do together, with humor, real life insight, and a healthy dose of honesty.

1. Freelance Writing & Editing Duo

Division of labor: One writes, one edits, both get annoyed when Grammarly disagrees.

Great for couples who: Can handle creative criticism without emotionally combusting, this isn't me.

Real talk: If you can write engaging blog posts, website copy, travel guides, or product descriptions, there’s money to be made. Bonus if one of you knows how to use commas correctly (it’s not “wherever it feels right”).

Warning on freelance writing: You will argue over tone, headlines, and whether "moist" is ever an acceptable word choice.

2. Graphic Designer + Copywriter Power Couple

Division of labor: One makes it look pretty, the other makes it make sense.

Perfect for: Couples who like brainstorming in cafés without throwing flat whites.

Reality check: This duo is a goldmine for brand work, marketing agencies, or startups. Sell yourself as a “done-for-you creative team” and charge like you mean it.

3. E-commerce Store Owners (aka “We Sell Weird Stuff Online”)

Division of labor: One handles product sourcing, the other handles customer emails that slowly destroy their faith in humanity.

Great for: Couples who love logistics and spreadsheets more than actual conversations.

You can drop ship, sell handmade goods like we did, launch digital templates, or offer vintage finds which makes for great travel activity, treasure hunting. Use sights like Etsy, Shopify, or even Gumroad, take your pick.

Warning for couples in ECom: Managing shipping from a co-working space in Bali is as fun as it sounds. (It’s not.)

4. YouTube Couple (That People Actually Like)

Division of labor: The charismatic one films the other edits. Both of you do not to notice the hate comments.

Ideal for: Introvert couples who enjoy storytelling, performing, or oversharing with strangers they never have to meet.

It can be travel vlogs, couple challenges, van life, or “What We Spend in a Week in \[Insert Quirky Town Here].” Monetize through ads, sponsors, affiliate links, and questionable merchandise.

Warning on couple content creators: One of you will want to reshoot the same sunset six times this one is me.

5. Online Course Creators (Yes, You’re Now Experts)

Division of labor: One builds slides, the other records voiceovers while trying not to sound like a hostage.

For couples who: Have real skills to teach and want to get paid while sleeping (the dream).

Language lessons, productivity hacks, graphic design, dog training, if you know something useful, someone will pay to learn it.

Warning: Your online course might be competing with 14,000 others. So, market wisely.

6. Virtual Assistants (Because Everyone Needs Help, Especially Founders With No Boundaries)

Division of labor: One handles scheduling and inboxes. The other does admin, research, or client ghostwriting.

Great for: Highly organized couples who are okay being digital background characters.

Clients include entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, and startup founders who say things like “crush it” unironically.

Warning: You will learn more about strangers’ lives than you ever wanted.

7. Online English Teachers / Tutors

Division of labor: Teach in shifts, or split age groups, one takes toddlers, the other handles the teens who’d rather be anywhere else.

Perfect for: Couples with teaching skills and a high tolerance for glitchy Zoom connections.

Platforms like VIPKid, Cambly, or Preply are great to get started. And yes, you can wear pajama pants while doing it.

Warning on teaching English online: Time zones matter. So do your neighbors, especially when you're yelling vowel sounds at 3 a.m.

8. Website & Branding Package Team

Division of labor: One codes or designs the site. The other does branding strategy, copy, or project management.

Best for: Creative couples who enjoy making small businesses look way more professional than they actually are.

This is a high ticket service. Charge accordingly, and include a “we don’t work with nightmare clients” clause in your contract. I'm not joking.

Warning: You'll start redesigning your own blog every 3 weeks out of existential panic.

9. Social Media Management Duo

Division of labor: One schedules, captions, and engages. The other creates graphics, reels, and cries over the algorithm.

For couples who: Can handle managing other people’s content better than they manage their own.

Plenty of small businesses, coaches, and influencers need help managing their feeds. Use this job to fund your own creative dreams.

Warning: You’ll definitely forget which account you’re logged into at least once. Cue the awkward.

10. Affiliate Marketing Dream Team

Division of labor: One builds the platform (blog, YouTube, email list). The other finds the links and creates chaos, we mean, strategy.

Great for: Longgame couples who don’t mind making $5/month for the first six months.

Affiliate marketing takes time, but if you can generate decent traffic to helpful content (like gear reviews, travel guides, or tools you actually use), it can pay well, eventually.

Warning: You may begin referring to everything you use as “potential affiliate material,” including toothpaste. Or your favorite haircare products you buy on Amazon and deliver to the Airbnb.

Final Thoughts:

Working together while wandering the world is a wild, wonderful, slightly chaotic experience.

Some days you’ll feel unstoppable. Other days you’ll argue over who gets the last charger and whether your client's email tone was “rude or just European.”

But if you’re adaptable, open minded, and not afraid of reinventing your skill set 12 times, you can absolutely make a living together on the road.

Just don’t forget:

1. Take breaks from work and from each other.

2. Set boundaries. Especially around deadlines and snack hoarding.

3. And always, always pack two power adapters.

How to Travel as a Couple Without Breaking the Bank

Love, Luggage, and the Art of Pretending You’re Not Broke Abroad

Let’s face it, adventuring with your partner is a fantasy wrapped in Pinterest boards, but the financial reality? Somewhere between “we’ll be fine” and “should we sell a kidney?” But never fear, aspiring globe trotters! Here’s your usable, sarcasm laced guide to romantic expeditions that won’t leave your wallet gasping for air.

1. The Almighty Budget Ritual (Mostly Symbolic)

Before embarking on any escapade, it's traditional to draft a financial plan. This rite is less about fiscal discipline and more about the illusion of adulting. Whip out a Google Sheet. Add thrilling categories like “housing,” “snacks,” “miscellaneous regrets,” and “bail money.”

Then, once you've allocated imaginary numbers to each section, ceremonially ignore them as soon as you're two airports deep and someone (definitely not you) insists on artisanal almond croissants that cost more than your monthly phone bill.

2. Picking a Place That Won’t Lead to Silent Resentment

Finding common ground on a location requires a level of diplomacy that would make the UN weep. One partner dreams of conquering ancient ruins. The other yearns to nap aggressively on a beach towel. Compromise with a third option: a city no one’s heard of, with just enough intrigue to justify a questionable decision.

For ideas, scour social feeds of influencers named something like “NomadicSaffron” or “ChakraAndChampagne.” Choose a destination based entirely on how it looks through the Clarendon filter, and not on its actual affordability, safety, or existence.

3. Accommodations: Rustic Vibes or Mold With a View

You may feel drawn to quirky rentals labeled “quaint” or “bohemian”—which is marketing speak for “questionable plumbing and probably haunted.” Shared bathrooms, bunk beds, or beds that are technically inflatable furniture with delusions of grandeur? All fair game, but seriously consider Airbnb properties on farms or tiny home villages you won't regret it.

If the rental’s rules include phrases like “don’t feed the ferrets” or “no chanting after midnight,” you’ve hit budget gold. Bonus points if your romantic retreat is located directly above a nightclub that exclusively plays early 2000s dubstep.

4. Packing: A Masterclass in Personal Space and Passive Aggression

There’s nothing like fitting two adult humans’ belongings into one mildly TSA approved suitcase to test compatibility. One of you packs three t-shirts, socks, and a dream. The other smuggles half a vanity drawer and three separate curling irons, just in case Iceland hosts a surprise fashion gala.

Want harmony? Use a system: one bag each, one shared bag for miscellaneous nonsense, and one emotional support pouch for when someone forgets to pack deodorant, you're welcome 

5. Getting There: The Budget Airline Hunger Games

Congratulations! You’ve booked a $14 flight. Here’s what it includes: a seat so cramped it defies the laws of geometry, no carry on, and the opportunity to pay $7 for a paper thin blanket that smells like vending machine Doritos. I'm not pointing fingers do yourself a favor and book the flight that won't leave your neck stiff and wallet empty. 

Flight deals to set your sights on savings

If you’re renting a car, prepare to reenact your favorite horror movie: “Lost in Suburbia: The GPS That Betrayed Us.” And if public transit is your method of choice, may your nostrils be strong and your patience stronger. That bus ride through the countryside may sound romantic until the driver stops mid route for what is described as a “goat emergency.”

6. Dining Delights: Shared Plates and Subtle Hostility

Builds intimacy by trying to “split a dish” while pretending you’re not counting fries. Economizing on meals often results in both of you nibbling resentfully at half portions while pretending that bread basket counts as dinner.

Explore local markets for some wallet friendly bites that may or may not be cooked to code so bring a lot of hot sauce or tums. Or stock up on mystery snacks from a convenience store and convince yourselves you’re “experiencing the culture.” Pro tip: if it’s vacuum sealed, aggressively spicy, and shaped like a tube, it’s either delicious or illegal in seven countries.

7. Activities That Cost Nothing (Including Your Enthusiasm)

Forget pricey tours. Why not walk six miles in the wrong direction for free? You’ll see the same sights, just from angles where the paint is peeling and nobody is selling selfie sticks. Museums with “donation suggested” signs are your new best friends, especially if you perfect the look that says “I would, but I left my euros in my other fanny pack.”

Nature also provides endless options, most of them mosquito laden and poorly marked. Forest trails, craggy coastlines, and public benches with questionable stains, true romance knows no price tag as long as there's a view.

8. Navigating Disagreements Without International Incidents

Even the happiest pair will hit a few potholes. Expect arguments over where to eat, who misread the bus schedule, and whether the third museum in a row was a personal attack. Disagreements are normal. So is yelling in whispers while smiling at strangers who definitely think you're honeymooning.

The trick is to embrace the inevitable clash. Find humor in the chaos. Laugh when one of you books a hostel with a mattress made of recycled foam and crushed dreams. Cry later in private, with snacks or just enjoy the moment together.

9. Expect the Unexpected and Lower Your Expectations

The weather will betray you. The “deluxe room” will have a leaky faucet and a view of a parking lot. A feral cat may adopt you. This is all part of the story you’ll tell your grandkids or, more realistically, your group chat.

The real memories come from mishaps, the time the zipline stopped mid air, or the day you both got sunburned and scammed. These are the moments you’ll look back on and say, “Wasn’t that awful? I’m so glad we did it together.”

10. Return Home Slightly Closer, Definitely Poorer

And just like that, your epic saga concludes. Your bank account whimpers. Your feet hurt. Your tolerance for airport pretzels has vanished. But look at you! You survived planes, trains, shared towels, and four kinds of public embarrassment.

You’ve tested the strength of your connection through missed connections. You’ve laughed in the face of overpriced tapas. And most importantly, you’ve done it all without financing the trip via pyramid scheme.

Final Thoughts

Exploring the world (or even just the next town over) with your significant other is like a crash course in logistics, diplomacy, and who snores the loudest. You don’t need a yacht or matching monogrammed luggage, just a sense of humor, low expectations, and maybe a few therapy sessions afterward.

So pack your bags, plan loosely, and let your shared misadventures become the glue that holds your romantic chaos together.

Bon voyage, bargain seeking duos.

Making Money While Traveling as a Couple: A Guide to Working, Wandering, and Not Breaking Up Over Wi-Fi Speeds

Yes, we quit our jobs to travel the world. No, we didn’t think it through. But we did figure out how to survive, work remotely, and still (mostly) like each other.

We used to believe love was all you needed.

Then we spent three weeks in a budget guesthouse in rural Arizona trying to share a single freelance contract, a crusty hotspot, and a shower that doubled as a toilet.

Spoiler: love didn’t cover the Wi-Fi bill.

So like every delusionally optimistic couple, we quit our 9–5 jobs, packed our backpacks, and told the world we were “digital nomads.”

What we actually were: underprepared, overambitious, and deeply confused about how online invoicing worked.

But we learned, the hard way.

Now we make a (modest but real) living while traveling full time, writing, designing, creating content, and occasionally yelling “DO YOU HAVE THE PASSWORD?!” across charming South American patios.

This post isn’t a fluffy guide filled with “just start a blog!” vibes.

It’s for couples who want to travel the world together without selling their car, relationship, and souls in the process.

Let’s be honest:

Working on the road as a couple sounds dreamy, laptop on the beach, espresso in hand, sunset in the background.

In reality? You’re probably sitting on the floor of an Airbnb, arguing over which of you forgot to submit the invoice for that random side gig in USD instead of euros.

But if you're willing to be flexible, scrappy, and slightly delusional, you can make this life work.

So How Do You Actually Make Money While Traveling as a Couple?

Here’s the real talk version:

1. One of You Has to Be Good at Something Marketable

   — Writing, coding, design, marketing, teaching online, etc.

   — Or at the very least, pretending to know what SEO means.

2. The Other Should Be Good at Keeping the First Person From Quitting in a Wi-Fi Rage

   — Emotional labor = unpaid.

   — But also critical.

3. You Both Need a Plan That Doesn’t Start With “We’ll Just Go Viral”

   — Unless you’re okay with making content about your emotional breakdowns in hostels for likes.

4. Start Small, Scale Smart

   — You don’t need 10 income streams. You need 1 that actually works.

   — Bonus if it pays in a currency that isn’t imaginary.

5. Learn How to Sell Something Together Without Selling Out Your Sanity

   — A product, service, ebook, course, YouTube channel, spicy Etsy store, just anything that doesn’t involve your dignity (unless you’re into that, in which case, monetize it responsibly).

Real Ways Couples Like Us Make Money on the Road (That Aren’t MLMs)

Actual methods we’ve tried (and survived), including:

1. Freelancing Together Without Killing Each Other

2. Starting a Blog That Doesn’t Just Beg for Ad Revenue

3. Making Money From Travel Content Minus Becoming Soulless Influencers

4. Passive Income (That’s Not Just a Buzzword for “We Hope This Works Someday”)

5. Airbnb Hosting While Abroad (Also Known as Anxiety With a Side of Rent Checks)

6. Managing Brand Deals and Joint Taxes No Therapy Involved (but barely)

7. Selling Digital Products as a Couple Without Rage Quitting Canva

But First: The Honest Questions You Should Ask Yourselves

Before you dive headfirst into #LaptopLifestyleCoupleGoals, consider this:

1. Can you work in the same room without silently plotting each other’s downfall?

2. Do you both have a marketable skill, or is one of you just very emotionally supportive?

3. Are you okay with being broke in beautiful places?

4. Will you still love each other when your content gets 6 views and 2 of them are from your mom?

If yes, congratulations. You're ready to be a functioning, semi profitable travel couple in the modern world. You may not always know where your next gig is coming from, but at least you’re lost together. And possibly on a beach. With decent Wi-Fi.

Next up: 10 Remote Jobs You Can Do Together Without Ruining Your Relationship

Hidden Gem Vacation Spots Perfect for Couples (Who’ve Seen One Beach Too Many)

Skip Santorini, dodge the Maldives because romance Is Alive in the Weirdest Corners of the Earth.

You and your partner are unique. While other couples flock to Bora Bora like moths to overpriced citronella candles, you crave something, different. You’re not about that cookie cutter honeymoon with heart shaped towels and mimosas that taste like sadness. You want shared awe, unexpected wonder, lace with a little fear.

So, pack your mismatched hiking boots, update your will, and grab your least judgmental attitude because these are real, underrated vacation spots for couples who are over sunset clichés and ready for love in all the wrong (and wonderfully right) places.

1. Giethoorn, Netherlands – Venice Without the Chaos or Pigeons

Forget the gondolas. Try a whisper boat. Giethoorn is a village so peaceful it feels like it was designed by two introverts with a Ph.D. in romance and zero tolerance for car horns. With no roads, you’ll float past thatched-roof cottages like you’re in a Nordic fairy tale — one where nobody’s trying to sell you selfie sticks.

What You'll Do in Giethoorn

Paddle your love boat under arched bridges, argue over steering, then make up over waffles thicker than your emotional baggage.

Romance Rating:

9/10. Would elope here in wooden clogs.

2. Isla Holbox, Mexico – Cancun’s Cool Cousin That Doesn’t Brag

This island off the Yucatán Peninsula is where flamingos hang out like indie rockers who don’t care about your Instagram. Holbox (pronounced “hole-bosh,” not “whole-box,” you monster) boasts bioluminescent waters, zero cars, and beaches untouched by aggressive resort DJs.

What You'll Do in Isla Holbox:

Swim in sparkly plankton, eat ceviche with your hands, ride bikes like a couple in an indie rom-com montage.

Romance Rating:

11/10 if you like each other more when covered in salt and sand.

3. Kotor, Montenegro – The Other Adriatic, Now With 100% Less Crowds

Dubrovnik’s quieter, hotter sibling, Kotor offers medieval charm, fjord style scenery, and a whole lot of stray cats. Couples can get lost in labyrinthine alleyways, which is fun until you realize one of you left the map back at the Airbnb shaped like a castle.

What You'll Do in Kotor:

Climb ancient fortress stairs until your legs scream, then reward yourselves with fresh seafood and a wine that may or may not have been made in someone’s basement.

Romance Rating:

8/10. Points deducted for cardio induced arguments.

4. Český Krumlov, Czech Republic - A Fairytale, But With More Beer

This town looks like it was built by elves who got their architecture degree from Pinterest. It has a twisty river, a dramatic castle, and enough cobblestones to sprain your ankle romantically.

What You'll Do in Český Krumlov:

Float down the Vltava River in a raft you’ll absolutely fight over steering, then end the day in a medieval tavern where the waiter calls you “my liege.”

Romance Rating:

9/10. Extra points if one of you brings a cape.

5. Colchagua Valley, Chile – Wine Country for People Who’ve Had It With Napa

If you and your partner are into vineyards but allergic to influencer brunches, this South American stunner is your jam (grape jam, specifically). Located a couple hours from Santiago, the Colchagua Valley serves up world class reds, rustic charm, and not a single person saying, “I’m getting notes of leather.”

What You'll Do in Colchagua Valley:

Tour wineries without a single bachelorette party in sight, then sleep it off under the stars in a vineyard cabin with no Wi-Fi (finally, peace).

Romance Rating:

10/10. Especially after the third glass of Carménère.

6. Gjirokastër, Albania – For Lovers of Stone, Ghosts, and Solitude

This Ottoman era hill town is like the set of a romantic horror movie, minus the horror. Stone houses, narrow streets and views that could fix a relationship. It's gorgeous, under visited, and weirdly full of charm for a place that looks haunted in the best way.

What You'll Do in Gjirokastër:

Explore castles, drink raki you’ll regret, and whisper sweet nothings while pretending not to notice how steep the roads are.

Romance Rating:

8/10. Bonus if your couple aesthetic is “medieval Balkan mystery.”

7. The Azores, Portugal – Iceland, But Affordable and With Cheese

These volcanic islands in the middle of the Atlantic are basically what would happen if New Zealand and Hawaii had a moody, stunning baby and raised it in a cow pasture. Green cliffs. Hot springs. No crowds. Ideal for couples who want to feel like they discovered something.

What You'll Do in The Azores:

Bathe in thermal springs, hike into craters, and eat cheese made by cows who’ve seen more sunsets than you have.

Romance Rating:

10/10. Zero distractions. One hundred percent majestic seclusion.

8. Ronda, Spain – Suspended Over a Gorge Like Your Relationship in 2016

Ronda sits on a gorge so dramatic, it feels like a metaphor for your entire romantic history. And yet, it’s breathtaking. Hemingway thought so, and that man knew how to brood with a view. You’ll eat, drink, and watch sunsets from the edge of a cliff, ideally while wearing flowing clothing and not arguing about Google Maps.

What You'll Do in Ronda:

Wander whitewashed alleys, visit bullrings if you’re into that, or just dramatically stare into the abyss while holding hands.

Romance Rating:

9/10. Knock off a point if either of you is afraid of heights.

9. Faroe Islands – Iceland’s Secret Cousin with a Better Poker Face

Green cliffs. Dramatic weather. Sheep that judge your fashion choices. The Faroes are for the couple that watches murder documentaries together and thinks “this would be a great place to disappear into love or fog.”

What You'll Do in Faroe Islands:

Hike into landscapes that don’t look real, eat fermented fish you pretend to enjoy, and stay in turf roofed cabins that feel like a Wes Anderson set.

Romance Rating:

10/10 if you like your romance moody and misty.

10. Matera, Italy – Cave Life, but Make It Sensual

Matera, in southern Italy, is one of the oldest continually inhabited places on Earth. Most of the homes are caves carved into rock. Sound bleak? It’s not. It’s sexy, it’s mysterious, it’s like Airbnb, but ancient and slightly more likely to collapse.

What You'll Do in Matera:

Sleep in a luxurious stone cave, drink wine in candlelight, and bathe like Roman emperors who knew how to throw a date night.

Romance Rating:

11/10. What’s hotter than sustainable prehistoric seduction?

Final Thoughts:

Sure, you could go to Paris, or Bali or any place that has a Hilton and a printable travel guide that Paper Plane Tours Blog has written about. But where’s the adventure in that? You and your partner deserve a getaway that matches your shared quirks. Something weird, and intimate. Something with just enough unpredictability to keep things spicy and possibly mildly terrifying.

Whether it’s floating through a Dutch fairytale or getting mildly drunk in a Balkan ghost town, these destinations promise unforgettable moments and at least one inside joke that will live on long after you forget your passport again.

Now go, fall in love with the world. Just not in the same places as everyone else. That’s basic.