Travel Smart, Live Well: Linda King's Guide to Budget-Friendly Adventures

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In this exciting episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we welcome Linda King, the founder of Smart Travelista, author, and travel writer who is passionate about helping others travel smartly without breaking the bank. With a background in banking and travel, Linda shares her expertise on how to explore the world while saving money through savvy planning and resourceful strategies.
Linda discusses essential tips for budget-friendly travel, including the importance of booking directly with airlines and hotels, and how to take advantage of free walking tours and local supermarkets to minimize costs during your trips. She also dives into the world of airline loyalty programs, offering insights on how to accumulate points efficiently and redeem them for free flights, making dream vacations more accessible.
Listeners will learn about the art of bargain shopping in various destinations, from bustling markets in Asia to the best practices for negotiating prices without losing out on quality. Linda emphasizes the importance of safety and health while traveling, providing practical advice for solo travelers and those venturing into unfamiliar territories.
In addition to travel tips, Linda shares information about her writing, including her 14 books available on Amazon, which cover everything from travel guides to entertaining stories of her own adventures. She invites listeners to explore her blog for valuable resources, travel tips, and to sign up for her newsletter to receive a free Smart Travelista guide.
Join us for an informative conversation that will inspire you to embark on your next adventure with confidence and creativity, all while managing your travel budget effectively. Linda's passion for travel and her commitment to helping others make the most of their journeys shines through in this engaging episode.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- Tips for saving money before and during your travels
- How to effectively build airline points and redeem them for free flights
- Strategies for successful bargain shopping in different cultures
- Safety and health best practices for travelers
- Insights into Linda's books and where to find her travel resources
For more information about Linda King and her work, visit  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D8CNHLB5 and check out her social media for the latest travel tips and updates.

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:00

Welcome to the Living the Dream Podcast with Curveball. If you believe, you can achieve. Welcome to the Living the Dream with Curveball Podcast. A show where I interview guests that teach, motivate, and inspire. Today I'm joined by the author, blogger, and travel writer Linda King. Linda is the founder of Smart Travelista, and she created that out of the love of traveling and saving money. She is a former banker and travel agent. So we're going to be talking to Linda about her company and her writing and what she's up to and gonna be up to. So Linda, thank you for joining me.

SPEAKER_00 0:57

Well, thank you for that lovely welcome, Curtis, and I'm happy to be here.

SPEAKER_01 1:02

Why don't you start off by telling everybody a little bit about yourself?

SPEAKER_00 1:06

Sure. So I'm Linda King. I'm the founder of The Smart Travelista. My background, as Curtis has loved as said, is in travel and money. I'm also known as a best-selling author, travel blogger, and travel coach, and also travel writer. So for me, traveling without spending a lot of money is something many people struggle with. And my aim is to help others travel in quality without paying the high cost. And really my bigger game is to coach others in implementing these money-saving strategies consistently so they enjoy lifelong travel as I have done.

SPEAKER_01 1:47

Well, give the listener some best practice tips on saving money while traveling.

SPEAKER_00 1:57

So really, there's a lot of money that you can save booking it online yourself. So if you feel that you can do that, um, you know, you're going to save a bit of money doing it direct with the companies, so the airlines, the hotels, and other travel companies. So there's really two parts to it, Curtis. There's before you travel and while you're traveling. So there are a lot of tips before you travel. So it's all in the prep and the research that you do, and obviously booking it online directly. And then there's also, you know, when while you're there. So, you know, um, if you haven't been to the place, is there a free walking tour that you can do? You know, can you utilize supermarket buying supermarket food instead of having meals every meal of a day? So there's a lot of different um tips around that. Um, and it's just, you know, if people are not familiar with some of these things, and I'm sure your listeners are familiar with some of these tips, it's just about consistently doing it every trip. And what happens is you save a lot of money, which you otherwise would have spent on your trip. That money then can go into your kitty to go for the next trip. So you're all already planning and and paying for your next trip. So if people really want to get serious about it, it's about how you set up a system and just consistently do those things to then have that extra money where you can go on an extra trip. And I think as travelers, that's what we all want to do. We want to go everywhere and we also want to travel as much as we can. So it's all about you know managing the budget so you can do that.

SPEAKER_01 3:45

We'll talk about some ways that people can build up airline points or miles so that they can do some of their travel and fly for free.

SPEAKER_00 3:55

Yeah, so this is a big one, a big way to save money. So what it really is about, Curtis, is that you need to identify what are the airlines that you're going to be traveling on most of all. And obviously, this depends on where you're living in in the world. Is there an airline that you always consistently travel with? Or are you is it in a um airline alliance with other airlines that potentially you will travel with? So it's about identifying that. Now, you can either have one airline loyalty program or you can have multiple. So it's really up to you. And it's about the ways in which you build a strategy to build the points. So, in my opinion, you can do points at a low level, but if you really want to get the maximum benefit, you need to really go in seriously. So it's about firstly joining that program, understanding the program, understanding the partners that are attached with that program, and then utilising those partners to then build points. So I don't know about where you are, Curtis, but in Australia, we can build points and which doesn't involve flying. So flying obviously is your fast track to getting a lot of miles, but there are also other things that you can do that you can still build the points passively without flying or traveling anywhere. So it's if you're just about combining these two, and obviously, too, when you first start your program or programs, identify where you want to go. So is it short-term or short haul trips that you want to take? Is that your goal to redeem and get a free flight? Or is it further afield? Is it, you know, a real long haul flight? So the things that you do for a short uh redemption that's not going to take many points is going to be very different to what you do if you were to say, I'm going to London in business class or economy. So it's just about thinking, okay, where is my dream trip that I want to go um without paying for it? What am I having, what what do I have to do to get there? So what are the steps? How many points do I need to accrue? And then, you know, finally when you've got those lovely miles inside your account, it's about then um getting that flight and getting on that, you know, getting on that flight and going, you know what, I haven't paid for this trip. How wonderful is that?

SPEAKER_01 6:35

Well, for those who might be interested in bike and shopping, talk about some places that they can go to take advantage of some deals.

SPEAKER_00 6:44

Yeah, bargain shopping is one of my favorite topics. I I'm a big shopper. So bargain shopping, um it it depends on where you're going. So if you're going, say for instance, you're going to Asia, there's a lot of markets there. You can bargain and bargain and bargain. Um, but it's about where you're going. So you're going to go somewhere like Europe or the US, you're going to go to an apartment store, you can't bargain. There's no bargaining really there. But the markets and other smaller shops is where the bargains are going to be had. So again, it comes back, Curtis, to the research. You for instance, one of your listeners might want to go to Bali. All right. Um, so there's shopping centres in Bali in the middle of CUDA, but there's also a lot of markets. So it's about if you're in that market and say you're looking for a lovely handbag or some, you know, clothing, the first thing you need to do is go into that market and look at the prices and ask the vendors what the prices are. Now, usually they're going to have a massive price, and it's about how you bargain them down. So, say for instance, I'm looking for a handbag and I really love one, and I'll say to them, How much? And they'll say, you know, um, a really high price. What I normally do is I go to a few vendors that are selling the same item and ask them, and then usually it's a bit cheeky, but what I normally do is whatever they're asking for, I will say half, which is quite shocking to them because you know, obviously they've got a high price because they want to make some money. Um, and it's just about how you negotiate that. So um one thing about bargaining, don't show your in, don't you you you want that, say you want that handbag, but don't be overboard in your interest about it, because if you really show that that um seller that you're really interested, then they're not gonna give you the cheapest price. So be willing, if the price and the negotiation doesn't go well, to just walk off. Normally, when you start walking off, that that seller's gonna go, okay, okay, I'll take that price. Um, but yeah, it's just about how you identify to yourself what that item is worth, and then maybe be a bit cheeky in in a nice humorous way and offer about half. That's what I normally do. And you'll get somewhere in the middle or sort of somewhere around that. And you know, it's it's what you are willing to pay for something. Doesn't matter what someone's telling you it that they're gonna charge you, what are you willing to pay for it? And if they're willing if that matches, then you get that item. So it's just about doing your research, talking to people. You might actually even want to talk to where you're staying, your hotel. Ask them. You'll you know, you might say to them, I'm looking for a handbag like this, what is a good price to pay for it? So it's using all the people that are around you that are the experts, and then get then feeling your way through that market um and you know, getting that item.

SPEAKER_01 10:08

Well, you know, when people travel, they definitely want to be sure that they stay healthy and safe. So give us some best practice tips about staying healthy and safe during travel.

SPEAKER_00 10:19

Yeah, so safe it's safety is a big thing, um, especially if you're a solo traveler. Um in a group, you know, you've obviously got that little bit more protection, but you need to be really aware of your around your surroundings when you're traveling. Um, I think sometimes when we travel, we're so excited and and and you know, in awe of everything that we see, but we've got to understand that as a traveler, we are considered wealthy or rich, depending on where you travel. Um, you know, if you go to places like India or other, you know, poorer places, just the fact that you've been able to visit them um from somewhere overseas, you're considered wealthy. So they will um see you as a potentially an easy mark to to either rob you or you know, do other things. So it's just about being really self-aware. Um, it's hard sometimes when you're jet lagged. So if you've had been on a long trip, it's sometimes very difficult because you're very tired and um sometimes your brain's not really with it. So it's just about how you get yourself um really situationally aware when you're out and about. Um, just be aware of your surroundings, be aware of your belongings. So don't take all your belongings with you. Take a smaller bag that's in front of you and make sure that one, you're not taking all your money with you, um, that you know, that you're holding on to your mobile because uh a big uh thing overseas is people stealing other people's mobiles. They're a real easy uh win for a lot of thieves. They can change your phone back to factory settings and then sell it, especially your iPhone. So it's just about you know being really aware and careful around your belongings and try not to take too many of those. Um, obviously, some of these also Curtis are um common sense, but don't go down dark alleys at night by yourself. Um, also don't be careful around ATM. So when you're getting money out of your cash machines, um, so that that's probably my big tips. Um, and you know, around safety, health-wise, just make sure that wherever you are traveling to, that you understand what current diseases are there. Make sure you have your vaccinations, make sure you are allowing for at least six to eight weeks for vaccinations because sometimes you need multiple vaccinations. Um, you can get all this information on your consulate, country consulate website. Um, we've got one here in Australia, and I'm sure you've got one there in the US. Um, and it's just around um, you know, looking at that country and finding out, you know, what the potential health risks are and making sure that you take, you know, measures to make sure that your health's protected. And, you know, if you've got a bit of a weak stomach, just be really careful also around um street food because you don't know the hygiene of the person that's cooked that food and whether the actual meat is, you know, um good meat, like it might be a little bit old. Um, and so yeah, it's just about really common sense things to do where you're just protecting your health, because one thing you don't want to do is be on that aircraft on the way back home on a really long haul flight being sick, because that is a a vulnerable situation to find yourself in. You you you haven't got access to a hospital, you're up in the air, um, you might be you know 10 hours away from another um airport, and that's you know, can be end up being a dangerous situation. So it's just about using your common sense. Um, and also again, back to the research. Research before you take off, you can google these things, you can also look at other resources, and you can find out this information ahead of time so you can prepare yourself and have a really good trip when you get there.

SPEAKER_01 14:34

Well, talk to the listeners uh about your writing. You know, I know I know you got a book and you got uh a blog, so talk to the listeners about what they can expect when they read them and where they can get them and check them out.

SPEAKER_00 14:46

Yeah. So I've I've got 14 books on Amazon. Um so I've got two book series. One is the Smart Travelista Guides, which is around these tips and different travel topics, uh, to help the listeners uh to have a better trip, you know. Um, uh and so you know, I've I won't list all the books, but um, you know, I've got nine in that series. The Annex from Abroad, um, I've got five books. I've just launched um a new book actually, Annex from Abroad Hot Mess. So these books are around everything that could go wrong that did go wrong in my travels. So I've traveled quite a bit, and these are the entertaining and sometimes funny and shocking stories about what happened to me while I was traveling. Um, so the listeners um learn what not to do when they're traveling, um, and also about the people that I've the really great people that I've met. So um, yeah, I've got five books there, but the four book of the 14 books can be um bought on Amazon. Um, and yeah, at the moment I've got a really good special on the the hot mess, the new book. Um, my blog, um my website and blog. So my blog has got a lot of articles around travel um planning, um, also travel guides around how to save money when you're traveling. So a lot of good guides about saving money and different destinations that I've traveled to. Um, there's solo um tips there, so really something for everyone, but it's a travel hub where you can get travel information about different destinations that I've been to and also other travel information that it's handy. Um, and yeah, it's just the travel hub that also talks about my books, has the blog, um, and just everything um around travel. So I've also got travel resources. So if you go to the travel resource page, there's a lot of links um on travel deals. So that might be a really good place uh for the listeners to go to, to the travel resource page and also the book page. But um also if any listeners want to get a smart travelista guide for free, the ebook, uh if they sign up for my weekly newsletter, travel newsletter, they can get that also. Um so yeah, it's everything about travel um where we're saving money and talking about travel and really having a good time around it.

SPEAKER_01 17:22

Well, talk about the smart travel list uh to talk about what what your company does for travelers.

SPEAKER_00 17:30

Yeah, so um the smart travel list um company came about um because I was getting a lot of like getting a lot of questions about how I was saving all this money traveling. Um so I created that, and obviously I've got um travel background being a travel agent and also working in a bank. So both those things. For me, I love traveling and also love saving money. And I think most people are the same as me. Um so that that that's the reason I created the company. What I do um, you know, with the writing, but I've also do I'm a qualified coach. So I do a lot of travel coaching where people want coaching on how to do how to you know build their travel miles, how to be uh how to do a solo trip when they're never did they've never done it before, how to be more mindful about travel, how to travel more sustainably. So I do have that um service where people can come and have sessions with me where I can teach them those things. Um and so yeah, it's just uh everything to do with travel and saving money. Um, and if people go on my website, they can find out a bit more about that. Um, also people can reach out to me via social media um and via email. So I'm on all the social medias where um they can reach out to me. I love travel questions. I really love people reaching out and asking questions like that because it's it sometimes gives me the best ideas about what potentially there's a gap in the market. Um, but also I love answering those questions because it gets me thinking um about other things and and and other things that I can share with you know people.

SPEAKER_01 19:19

Well, tell us about any upcoming projects that you're working on that listeners need to be aware of.

SPEAKER_00 19:25

Yeah, so I've got another um annex from a broad book um that I've got the first draft. So that'll be number six in the series. Um I'm I've got some other projects that I'm working on um in the travel space, but probably early stages at this point, so I sort of can't talk about um any of that. But people want to sign up and connect with me, then they can keep an eye on what's going on. Um, on Friday I'm going um overseas again, going to New Caledonia. Um, so I'll be doing a bit of blogging about that. Um, and further afield, obviously, more travel um and writing and blogging. So, yeah, very busy, always a busy time at the Smart Travelista, uh, but loving everything that I'm doing and love sharing everything with everybody.

SPEAKER_01 20:18

Well, they'll actually contact Apple so people can keep up with everything that you're up to.

SPEAKER_00 20:23

Yeah, so they can contact me on my email, um, which is um thesmartravelista at gmail.com. Um, you can also contact me on my um website, which is thesmartravelista.com with two chase. Um, I'm on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Threads, Blue Sky, Pinterest, LinkedIn. Um, so please reach out to me. I'm on um under the handle the Smart Travelista. Um, on X, I'm the underscore travelista. Um, but yeah, we'd love any everyone to reach out. Um and if you want to save money traveling and you want to travel the world, then come and visit me at my little part of the internet and we can travel cheaply together.

SPEAKER_01 21:10

Absolutely, guys. So, you know, it's coming up to the travel season uh summertime, at least here here in the United States. So check out Linda and uh everything that she's up to and uh get some of those tips that might help your your travels this summer, go a little cheaper. And you know, you can uh be healthy and safe on your travel and uh hopefully collect some of the airline points so you can take some of these vacations for free. Also, for all things living a dream, visit www.curveball337.com and share the website and the show to everybody that you know. Thank you for listening and supporting the show. And Linda, thank you for all that you do to help people save money while traveling, and thank you for joining me.

SPEAKER_00 22:00

Thank you for having me, Curtis. It's been a pleasure.

SPEAKER_01 22:03

For more information on the Living the Dream with Curveball Podcast, visit www.curveball337.com. Until next time, keep living the dream.