Ten million Americans own timeshares and reports are that most are not happy. The number that want to get rid of their one week vacation condo is as high as 85 percent! There are so many people that want out, that there are dozens of firms offering timeshare cancellation services. So-called 'timeshare exit firms’ seem successful at what they do, but pricey (as much as $4,000 for their help). What Is The Problem With Timeshares? I know people that treasure and use their timeshare, so why are so many people unhappy? The biggest issue is the annual maintenance fee, which... Read more →
Americans are retiring in foreign countries for access to low cost health care, inexpensive housing, and a lifestyle more than double what they have in the United States. The trend has even caught fire with younger people (known as digital nomads) that are making their living online and traveling the world. Jason Holland, an editor with International Living joins Jim to discuss the latest trends among expats, including overlooked destinations such as Peru, Dominican Republic, Roatan, Bolivia, Colombia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia. Also discussed on this episode is retiring to Mexico and Ecuador. Read more →
An interesting article in Market Watch discussed the unusual price savings realized when buying two one way tickets instead of round trip airfare. I use several websites to shop for airfare when I travel, but my favorite is Google Flights. I love the fact that Google Flights will automatically include one way ticket prices on their platform. I was looking for a flight for my wife for a summer trip to California and this is exactly what happened. The best deal on Google Flights ended up being two separate one way tickets and the difference was more than $50 in... Read more →
Rental car insurance is downright expensive ($10 to $30 a day), but I understand why people buy it. Your rental agreement makes you responsible not just for damage to the vehicle, but also for loss of use. This means that on top of the repair bill, you will be charged each day the car is out of service. In general, the auto insurance coverage you have will follow you when you are driving a rental car (be sure and check that this is the case with your insurance company). Your auto insurance will not likely pay for 'loss of use'... Read more →
How I get airfare so cheap that my friends think I am lying! How to find cheap airfare to Europe, Asia, South America, U.S., and worldwide. How to always get the lowest airfare. Read more →
Jim shares how he has recently been able to extensively travel to Europe, Asia, and Central America, using little known strategies to get the cheapest airfare, and hotel deals. He shares the websites he uses and how to effectively analyze reviews to get great accommodations at affordable prices. How to get round trip airfare to Europe for less than $500 and much more! Read more →
Jim discusses his recent trip to Seoul South Korea. How he was able to do the trip for less than $2,000, what surprised him most about the city of Seoul, was it safe?, and what projects brought him to Asia. Read more →
Wade Shepard is a growing part of the 'perpetual traveler' movement. He has traveled to more than 88 countries and makes his living as an itinerant writer. Shepard shares insights into this new traveling lifestyle that has become especially popular among millennials. Also discussed is the exploding opportunity of travel vlogging. Read more →
Regular readers know that I am a minimalist when it comes to add-on protections like warranties. In recent years, however, I have been opting for travel insurance on my international trips. I have never had a claim until my recent trip to Ecuador (my laptop and cell phone were stolen while I was riding a coach bus). I have to admit I was surprised at what happened when I submitted my claim - watch videos below. One important aspect of buying travel insurance is to be sure and understand your coverage. The site I personally use is InsureMyTrip.com. The ability... Read more →
He was a broke college student but figured out a way to take a deluxe vacation on spring break using credit card rewards. Now, several years later, he has taken his credit card rewards strategy to an Olympic level traveling the world for free and teaching people his strategies through his website, 10XTravel.com. Read more →
A few years ago I decided that I wanted to really master the art of cheap travel. The result has been so many wonderful memories and experiences. If you are a regular reader, you have no doubt read my strategies on how to take a super cheap weekend trip , or grab a vacation deal to Europe, or my popular method for finding the cheapest airfare in under one minute. Looking for that elusive cheap plane ticket can be both frustrating and time consuming. Even more of a headache is keeping track of mileage points and trying to cash them... Read more →
Dan Prescher, Editor Of International Living, joins Jim to discuss how Americans are living overseas for $1,500 per month and less. Locations like Panama, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Mexico are seeing an influx of Americans. With access to low cost healthcare, inexpensive housing and food, Americans are living on less than half of what it costs them to live in the United States. Read more →
Jim discusses the huge financial benefit of geographic arbitrage, why the Sinclair Broadcast statement was much about nothing, who the trade war will really hurt, will Zuckerberg gain or lose from testifying on Capitol Hill?, and a major change coming to your credit cards this year Read more →
Many regular readers know that I have been writing and talking a lot lately about how to find travel deals. After just returning from Europe, I guess I have the 'travel bug' and am more excited than ever about planning future trips. I have been doing a lot of research trying to decide on our next trip, and along the way I have been seeing frequent mentions of house sitting as a strategy to get free accommodations. So, I decided to dig a little deeper into the idea... To my surprise, house sitting has really become a big deal -... Read more →
Jim discusses his trip to Italy and Switzerland. Chuck Norris' favorite restaurant in Rome, a tour of the Colosseum, 200 MPH trains, pickpockets, saving money on international travel, and much more. Read more →