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<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="19945948" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Spirit-Airlines" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Spirit Airlines" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Spirit Airlines">Spirit Airlines</keyword> may file for Chapter 11 amid major debts after a failed merger with JetBlue.</li><li>The airline is saddled with debt of about $3.3 billion.</li></ul>Spirit Airlines stock plunged in premarket trading on Friday after a report that it may file for <keyword id="20424206" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chapter-11-bankruptcy" source="keywords">Chapter 11 bankruptcy</keyword> protection. Following a failed merger with <keyword id="20245146" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="JetBlue-Airways" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="JetBlue Airways" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="JetBlue Airways">JetBlue Airways</keyword>, Spirit had been grappling with heavy losses, making it difficult to manage its $3.3 billion debt load that includes $1.1 billion of secured bonds due within the next year, The Wall Street Journal <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/spirit-airlines-in-talks-with-bondholders-over-terms-of-potential-bankruptcy-filing-fdd23fae?st=oS9e7Q&amp;reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink">reported</a> late Thursday. The <keyword id="20376051" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="budget-airline" source="keywords">budget airline</keyword> is also exploring restructuring options to alleviate some of its financial pressures, though no filing is imminent, the Journal reported. The report pushed the carrier's stock down as much as 36% in premarket trade on Friday. The shares have fallen 86% this year. <keyword id="23550986" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="CEO-Ted-Christie" source="keywords">CEO Ted Christie</keyword> said on an August earnings call that Spirit was in talks with advisors and bondholders over its debt. While Spirit faces a turbulent future with a potential Chapter 11 filing, it isn't necessarily a death sentence for the airline. Rather, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/credit-score/what-is-chapter-11-bankruptcy">Chapter 11</a> allows businesses to reorganize their debts while continuing their operations. Other airlines have used the process to stay afloat. Most recently, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/scandinavian-airlines-filed-chapter-11-bankruptcy-after-pilot-strike-sas-2022-7">Scandinavian Airlines</a> filed for Chapter 11 in the US in 2022 following a pilot strike. The airline underwent a $3 billion restructuring plan to revise its fleet and raise money, while continuing to operate. The company emerged from bankruptcy in August. In 2005, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/companies-went-bankrupt-bounced-back-successful#delta-air-lines-filed-for-bankruptcy-in-2005-and-spent-a-year-and-a-half-restructuring-3" target="_blank">Delta Air Lines</a> filed for bankruptcy after shedding 6,000 jobs and slashing $1 billion in labor costs. By optimizing its Atlanta hub and increasing its international routes, the company recovered from its financial troubles and remains one of the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-and-worst-airlines-in-the-us-according-to-the-points-guy-2024-6" target="_blank">largest airlines</a> in the US. A potential bankruptcy filing could serve as a similar lifeline for Spirit's management of debt and finances. This came as Spirit <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spirit-airlines-ticket-changes-bundled-fares-bags-snacks-premium-seats-2024-7">bumped</a> its ticketing prices in July, shifting away from its ultra-low-cost model to boost revenue after suffering a $143 million loss in the first quarter of this year and a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/airlines-spirit-southwest-jetblue-struggle-profit-scrambling-changes-tickets-seats-2024-8">$193 million</a> loss in the second quarter. Spirit has been bogged by annual losses since before the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the travel industry's recovery, and continues to struggle against larger airlines that offer competitive fares. The airline has cut routes, furloughed pilots, and shrunk its operational capacity by nearly 20%. Spirit Airlines did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider outside normal working hours. Correction: October 4, 2024 — An earlier version of this story misstated the year Delta filed for bankruptcy protection. It was 2005, not 2007.

Spirit Airlines stock plunges after report it's considering filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Airbnb stock tumbled 14% in one day after the company predicted slowing demand.</li><li>Some former Airbnb diehards say they now prefer the consistency of hotels.</li></ul>Duane Brown jets off to international destinations seven or eight times a year.After staying in his first Airbnb in London in 2011, the 42-year-old digital marketer was so enamored with the concept that he became a host himself. He welcomed guests to his two-bedroom apartment in downtown Toronto for a year and a half.But Brown told Business Insider that more recent disappointing experiences with short-term rentals have led to a change of heart. On one trip to Budapest in 2019, Brown booked an Airbnb whose listing photos were shot at strategic angles that hid a dilapidated bathroom and damaged walls. Brown said he now stays in hotels, which he believes have a more consistent "standard of care.""If there are no independent hotels or Marriotts, well, then maybe I'd go to Airbnb, but there's always been at least one of those in a city I go to," he said.Brown is just one traveler, but in an earnings call last week, Airbnb cautioned investors to temper expectations for the third quarter due to waning customer demand. Even after announcing growth in bookings, the short-term-rental giant lowered its projected third-quarter earnings to between $3.67 billion and $3.73 billion, below the $3.8 billion analysts expected.Wall Street flinched and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/airbnb-stock-price-consumer-demand-slowing-inflation-travel-pandemic-spending-2024-8">Airbnb stock took a tumble</a> last week, dropping 14% in one day. The company also warned of a global dwindling of lead times, or the number of days in advance travelers book their stays, a sign of less enthusiastic demand.It's a far cry from the record-setting demand Airbnb saw immediately following COVID-19 lockdowns, when travelers craved private homes and acres of outdoor space. New data shows traveler demand for short-term rentals is stalling or waning in some parts of the US and for certain types of accommodation. Combined with some consumers' gripes over burdensome <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/airbnb-brand-morning-consult-market-research-cleaning-fees-chore-lists-2023-2">cleaning fees, lists of checkout chores,</a> increasing prices, and a lack of quality control, the short-term rental giant has some convincing to do in order to retain its loyal customers.Part of the issue is that travelers' perceptions of what makes a good travel deal have changed. Airbnb used to have a stronger upper hand for budget-conscious tourists. In 2019, hotels commanded an average of 49% more per night in large cities, according to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.airdna.co/blog/3-things-airbnb-hosts-need-to-know-about-hotels">March data</a> from short-term-rental analytics firm AirDNA. That gap shrunk to just 26% in 2022, AirDNA found.On the earnings call with investors last week, CEO Brian Chesky mentioned competing with hotels is central to the company's strategy. Chesky teased a possible expansion of hotel rooms available to book on Airbnb, tied to the company's ownership of last-minute accommodation platform <a target="_blank" href="http://HotelTonight.com">HotelTonight.com</a>. Last month, an Airbnb executive hinted that Airbnb guests could soon add <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/airbnb-exec-teases-new-hotel-style-perks-to-woo-travelers-2024-8">hotel-like extras, like spa treatments and personal chefs, to their stays.</a>"We are still investing in hotels," Chesky said on the earnings call, explaining that there are opportunities in the future to "sell new things, including hotels."<h2 id="a54a846f-a7f9-4336-836f-e2db7660d43d">Hotels are winning over travelers in some areas</h2>Demand for Airbnbs is stalling or slipping in some categories where hotels are competitive, according to AirDNA.In cities and suburban areas, traveler demand for Airbnbs and Vrbos is no longer rapidly rising like it was immediately following 2020. Instead, the share of demand for short-term rentals in suburban markets has remained flat over the past year, staying at around 9%, compared to this time last year. In urban markets, the share of demand for short-term rentals still hovers around 7%.AirDNA analyzed a group of five popular vacation spots in Florida, including Daytona Beach and Sarasota, and found demand for short-term rentals was weakest in the categories most likely to compete with single hotel rooms.Demand for one-bedroom short-term rentals in the five Florida markets grew by only 1% from 2023 to 2024, and demand for private rooms inside shared homes actually fell 8.7% compared to last year.AirDNA chief economist Jamie Lane said the fees associated with short-term rentals can be more of a burden for some travelers booking short stays or with smaller groups."It may make more economic sense to stay in a hotel, depending on how high the hotel rates are," Lane said.An Airbnb spokesperson said the company believes its offerings provide an elevated experience."Airbnb listings can provide travelers with amenities that can drive additional value and comfort — bedrooms for everyone, a kitchen to prepare a meal, a space to work, a backyard to socialize and play with pets and much more, unlike most traditional accommodations," a company spokesperson said in a statement to Business Insider.<h2 id="098d62da-accf-4c0d-bbfc-808d27249f99">Some avid travelers are falling out of love with Airbnb</h2>Seattle-based startup founder Adam Burgh, 40, booked his first Airbnb in Rio de Janeiro over New Year's Eve 2012. For seven years, he traveled South America, mostly staying in Airbnbs.Recently, however, Burgh said a recent experience with cleaning fees has turned him off from the site entirely.Earlier this summer, he was looking into a short getaway with his family to Whidbey Island, a ferry ride from Seattle. It was a last-minute trip and he checked the available Airbnbs, gawking when he saw listings with cleaning fees as high as $200 for the two-night stay."What do you do with a $200 cleaning fee? There's no way it should cost that much," Burgh told Insider.Instead, he scrapped the trip altogether and decided to put the money toward a longer vacation later this year.Burgh said he has recently preferred to cash in points for Marriott stays. In the past, he might've defaulted to booking on Airbnb. Now, he thinks twice."I'm going to go check hotels and see if this is actually the best value," he told Business Insider.

Airbnb's struggles go beyond people spending less. They're losing some travelers to hotels.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Russia's consumer sentiment hit a high in June as its wartime economy boosted spending.</li><li>The sentiment index has risen since April 2022, despite the Ukraine invasion.</li></ul>Russian consumers are spending large and feeling big about their finances.In June, Russia's consumer sentiment hit a high not seen since the 2000s, according to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.levada.ru/en/ratings/socio-economic-indicators/">Levada Center, Russia's last major independent pollster.</a>Levada's consumer sentiment index has been moving steadily upward since April 2022, barely two months after Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022.Despite sweeping sanctions, Russia's economy has appeared resilient due to growth generated by driven by wartime state spending on military activities and subsidies.This growth is majorly <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-economy-ukraine-war-winners-wealth-redistribution-social-mobility-putin-2024-6">boosting incomes</a> in Russia amid a severe labor crunch partly due to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-economy-population-decline-worker-shortage-growth-outlook-ukraine-war-2024-8">its shrinking population.</a><h2 id="62fdb67d-76a5-40b8-85df-dfebf3c4dcc0">Russian consumers are on a spending spree</h2><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-economic-growth-slowed-q2-amid-concerns-of-overheating-2024-8">Russia's GDP grew 4%</a> in the second quarter of this year from a year ago. It's a slowdown from the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-economic-growth-slowed-q2-amid-concerns-of-overheating-2024-8">5.4% growth logged in the first quarter,</a> but it's still robust growth. In contrast, the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.bea.gov/data/gdp/gross-domestic-product">US economy</a> grew 2.8% in the second quarter of this year.Russia's booming economy has boosted <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russian-economy-overheating-consumer-spending-tourism-central-bank-interest-rate-2024-7">consumer spending,</a> in particular on culture, hotels, transportation services, and personal services, according to a <a target="_blank" rel=" nofollow" class="" href="https://www.ft.com/content/3e2b2e63-082e-4058-ba92-dea580d4f40c">Financial Times</a> analysis of official data last month.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russian-economy-overheating-consumer-spending-tourism-central-bank-interest-rate-2024-7">According to the FT, consumption per capita</a> in Russia increased by more than 20% from 2021 to 2023. In particular, spending on travel surged more than 90% thanks to a boost from domestic tourism.Last year, Russia's imports of cognac and sparkling wine surged 18% and 80% from 2019, respectively, according to an estimate from the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2024/08/11/vladimir-putin-spends-big-and-sends-russias-economy-soaring">Economist media outlet.</a>Broadly, "consumption is booming due to a combination of massive budget spending and labor force shortages leading to strong wage pressures," Bartosz Sawicki, a market analyst at the fintech Conotoxia, wrote in a note last month.<h2 id="6a011a47-d493-4e5f-ab2c-9b884cd2ded6">Economic growth could halve in the second half of 2024</h2>The good times are unlikely to last.Economists polled by <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-08-09/russia-braces-for-war-driven-economy-to-run-out-of-steam">Bloomberg</a> expect growth to slow to about 2% over the second half of the year.The current boom is "a last growth spurt before Russia's economy starts to markedly cool," said Alex Isakov, an economist covering Russia at Bloomberg Economics.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russian-economy-overheating-consumer-spending-tourism-central-bank-interest-rate-2024-7">Russia's central bank</a> recently hiked rates to 18% in an attempt to cool inflation as the economy sees "considerable" overheating.Such high rates mean consumer spending, too, could cool."'Civilian' industries are unlikely to be in a good place to serve as a substitute driver for growth as more consumers face the reality of borrowing at 20% rates or above," said Isakov.

Russians are spending big on travel and cognac. But the boom is just one 'last growth spurt,' says an analyst.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>More TikTok users are using the app to find their next vacation, the company's travel lead told BI.</li><li>Companies have leveraged the destination dupes trend, promoting alternatives like Bruges over Paris.</li></ul><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-ban-explainer-bill-courts-2024-4">TikTok</a> is helping travelers find new places for a vacation as users increasingly use the app for search rather than just scrolling for entertainment.That's according to Hannah Bennett, the travel lead in TikTok's global business solutions team. "People are now really leaning into TikTok to search for <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-trips-to-book-for-2024-underrated-destinations-travel-planner">the next destination</a>, where to travel, and who to fly with," she told Business Insider.Bennett said that since 2021, TikTok has seen a fivefold increase in views of travel content. In a survey of UK users last year, 82% said the app inspired them to consider new destinations.Bennett told BI the "<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/top-2024-destination-dupes-according-to-intrepid-travel-2024-5">destination dupes"</a> trend has been noticeable, with users interested in a location that's "not completely off the beaten track, but somewhere that's a little bit more undiscovered."Travel companies like Booking.com and Expedia have been leaning into the travel dupe hype with videos on the app promoting <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/major-tourist-cities-alternatives-2017-6">alternative destinations</a>. As examples, Bennett pointed to people choosing to visit Albania or <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/millionaire-lifestyle-montenegro-yachts-luxury-photos-2019-4">Montenegro</a> instead of Greece or Italy, or the Slovenian capital <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-european-cities-according-to-frequent-traveler-2024-4">Ljubljana</a> instead of Prague. Taipei and Zanzibar have also recently seen more traction, she added.A record 6.19 million people visited Slovenia last year, and the Zanzibari government's most recent statistics show a 66% increase between February 2022 and this year.Airlines have also been taking advantage of TikTok's popularity.Bennett recalled how <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ryanair-easyjet-wizz-europes-budget-airlines-compared-2024-5">easyJet</a> capitalized on the virality of scenes from "Airline" — a reality TV show about the budget airline — by reconnecting with its former operations manager Jane Boulton to make a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@easyjet/video/7315094126217743648">video</a> for TikTok.She also said she liked how <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/british-airways-first-class-learned-how-to-be-cabin-crew-2023-4">British Airways</a> "championed their crew" in videos, making the company more personable. "We've focused very much as a company on the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-shop-better-at-keeping-customers-than-temu-shein-2024-4">e-commerce side</a>, and now we're able to really lean into travel as we continue to see that steady growth following COVID," Bennett told BI.Booking a holiday isn't an option on TikTok Shop, but she said the app will "dynamically serve you the destination that we think you would like based on the algorithm.""So the ultimate purchase will happen on the brand's website, but we'd be able to track that and optimize toward it, which is the next step for our brand conversations."

TikTok's algorithm is helping travelers discover the next hot vacation spot and lean into trends like 'destination dupes'

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Luxury air travel is on the rise, including the use of private jets and premium tickets.</li><li>The pandemic's 'revenge travel' trend has people spending more on luxury air experiences.</li></ul>It's official: 2024 is the year of luxury air travel.Travel experts told Business Insider they had noticed an uptick in clients opting for luxury air travel experiences, from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/travel/cheap-private-and-semi-private-jet-companies">private jets</a> to first-class and premium-class plane tickets.Oliver Bell, cofounder of luxury travel company Oliver's Travels, said this trend could be partly attributed to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-travelers-splurge-on-for-vacation-trends-2023-11">"revenge travel,"</a> where people are "willing to spend more for incredible experiences" in the aftermath of the pandemic.According to a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/travel-rewards/survey-travel-plans-2024/">Forbes Advisor survey</a> of 1,000 Americans in January of this year, 39% of people say their travel budget in 2024 will be higher than the previous year. (That's down from 45% of people surveyed in 2023.)But you don't have to be flushed with cash to experience luxury air travel. You just have to do your research.<h2 id="25da4617-0b4d-4011-8213-256137508460">Semi-private jets are often overlooked</h2>Private jets are one of the most obvious ways to travel in luxury, but according to Bell, they are often overlooked because people assume they are too expensive."A lot of people assume that flying private is only for the rich and famous, the Elon Musk's of the world," Bell said."Of course, it's by no means a 'cheap' way to fly as it still will typically be more expensive than flying commercial, but it is much more accessible than people think, which could be why we're seeing an increase now that people are becoming more aware," he added.As <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/travel/cheap-private-and-semi-private-jet-companies">BI's </a>Alesandra Dubin previously reported, June 2022 had the most private flights in the US since October 2007.<div type="image" title="The interior of a private jet" height="1412" width="2122" msid="111292048" hostid="261" sizebytes="222128"></div>Dubin recommended booking a publicly available seat on a "hop on" semi-private jet flight to save money. Numerous private regional airlines, such as JSX, offer this option.JSX offers various routes from private terminals across the West Coast and Texas. Passengers don't have to worry about crowds or security lines, and with a maximum of 30 passengers on each flight, you can get the feeling of flying private without actually hiring your own jet.In June 2021, Dubin wrote about her experience traveling from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/travel/jsx-airlines-review">LA to Vegas on a JSX flight for $99</a>. Her ticket included a free checked bag, snacks, and drinks, including alcohol.Alternatively, some private jet companies offer subscription services where you get full access for a set fee every month. For example, <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored" href="https://www.surfair.com/">Surf Air </a>is an LA-based private jet company that offers unlimited private flying memberships for $295 per month or $3,540 annually."Instead of having to wait in long queues with limits on baggage or extra payments required, you can arrive as little as 15 minutes before your flight, board directly, and enjoy complete comfort and privacy," Bell said.<h2 id="2150fcfb-a6a5-4a66-aaff-d457716c9988">Affordable or 'middle-of-the-road' luxury</h2>Some passengers can travel in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/use-amex-points-ana-first-class-flight-worth-14000-2022-3">first or business class for less</a> using credit cards or airline reward points.But for less frequent flyers or those who don't have the points, there are alternative options.David Guthrie, founder of safari company Tent with a View, said he has noticed an increase in clients opting for "middle-of-the-road luxury" options, such as premium-class plane tickets.He said it's become common for airlines to offer a "more elevated experience compared to standard economy," but these options are "not nearly as plush or pricey as first-class or private charters."Airlines, including KLM, Delta, and United, offer premium or comfort-class tickets.<div type="image" title="united airlines exterior plane" height="683" width="1024" msid="111292050" hostid="261" sizebytes="73752"></div>Each airline offers different perks. With <a target="_blank" href="https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/travel/inflight/united-premium-plus.html">United Airlines' Premium Plus</a> package, passengers will get bigger seats, more legroom, and an amenity kit with skincare products from TheraFace, including eye serum, facial spray, hand cream, and lip balm.It also includes free alcohol, upgraded meal cutlery, and noise-canceling headphones on board, as well as larger TV screens, priority check-in and boarding, exclusive security lanes, and priority bag handling.According to Martina Coogan, head of United Airline's corporate sales in the UK and Ireland, fares start at around $1,077.Coogan told BI that Premium Plus is "gaining in popularity with both leisure and corporate travelers, and we expect this trend to continue."He said it's an especially popular option for passengers traveling on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/united-airlines-premium-economy-upgrade-japan-us-worth-it-2024-5">long-haul flights</a> from the US to the UK.Meanwhile, with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.klm.co.uk/information/travel-class-extra-options/premium-comfort-class-seats">KLM's premium comfort package</a>, passengers are seated in a "quiet cabin" with up to 28 seats with 17cm more legroom and 7.5cm more recline than an economy seat. Guthrie said this package is popular among his clients, who appear to spend double the amount on premium comfort tickets compared to economy.Similarly, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.delta.com/us/en/onboard/onboard-experience/delta-comfort-plus">Delta's Comfort Plus package </a>offers more legroom (though it's not clear by how much), early boarding, dedicated overhead bin space, and complimentary snacks on flights over 900 miles and drinks on flights over 251 miles.

Luxury air travel is on the rise. Experts say you don't have to be rich to experience it.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Nadia Said is a 25-year-old IT project manager at a Fortune 100 tech company.</li><li>She grew up believing a job provides financial security but is risking it to take an adult gap year.</li></ul>This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation and emails with Nadia Said, a 25-year-old IT project manager at a major tech company where she started working full-time in 2020.Said has been working from Asia since May but plans to quit in September to go on an adult gap year, also known as <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-plan-save-job-career-break-mental-health-2023-9">a career break</a>. Said did not want to disclose the name of her company for privacy reasons, but her employment has been verified by Business Insider.The following essay has been edited for length and clarity.I come from a big family. My parents are both Indian immigrants.The message that I got when I was younger, seeing my parents go through what they went through, is that a job can provide you that stability you need to pursue your other passions.When I was in my second year at Temple University, I got the opportunity to work at my company as an intern.<div type="image" title="IT project manager Nadia, wearing a long-sleeved top and smiling." height="960" width="1280" msid="112746140" hostid="261" sizebytes="78998"></div>I was juggling working with a full-time student workload in a challenging degree. I graduated in December 2019 and was able to get a full-time job offer.<h2 id="970e8426-48d3-446b-93bb-a27aa4273250">My workload kept piling up in an industry that wasn't as stable as I thought</h2>I joined in 2020. A few months later, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/great-resignation-what-to-know-who-is-quitting-2021-9">the Great Resignation</a> took place. I saw a lot of my teammates quit, transfer, and move on.I went from being this fresh grad trying to get as much experience as possible to helping with this increasing workload — with fewer people.I was consistently handed really challenging projects. It seemed like if I couldn't deliver, there was no one else. Everyone else was stretched thin, and there was no new hiring at this time.In late 2022, the company announced it was going to be doing layoffs.<div type="image" title="Members of the Alphabet Workers Union (CWA) hold a rally outside the Google office in New York in response to layoffs in February 2023." height="852" width="1280" msid="112746142" hostid="261" sizebytes="73194"></div>At that time, a lot of companies were starting to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/layoffs-sweeping-us-these-are-companies-making-cuts-2024">announce layoffs</a> — all the big ones, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, everyone.For someone who went into this field because of the job security, it seemed like, "OK, it's not as secure as I thought." I was talking to a friend who was working at a tech company. She told me, "If they lay me off, it's fine. I'll just take my savings and travel to Asia until I figure out what's next for me."I was like, "Oh my God, you can do that? You can just decide to take a year off?"<h2 id="fa1e88fa-521f-4786-b52a-38982138a13f">I've budgeted $15,000 for my year off in Asia</h2>Later that year, I took 10 days off, and I traveled to South Korea.Coming back from that trip and seeing the impending layoffs, and also being fairly burned out from working five years straight at this really high-tech company, I started to put my plans in motion.I am preparing to take an adult gap year in September. It took about a year of planning. I wanted to be sure of my decision. I wanted to make sure I had enough in savings. I budgeted $15,000 to spend on the year.It helped that I was moving to Asia. With the currency exchange and everything, it is more reasonable for me, versus if I took a year off and traveled through Europe or even the States.I would love to spend time in India and reconnect with my culture.Working so far away in the States, I haven't been able to visit since I was a kid. It's really exciting for me that I might be able to spend months there.<div type="image" title="Nadia Said wears a purple saari and coordinating jewelry." height="1280" width="960" msid="112746294" hostid="261" sizebytes="75046"></div>I want to spend the time developing a good health routine for myself.I also want to spend some time <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-companies-are-teaching-workers-ai-skills-2024-4">upskilling</a> — tech is moving so fast that I need to try to keep up as much as possible. I also want to spend time on simple things, like reading books and meeting new people.I also want to preserve my mental health.I know that if I keep going in the long run, it's not going to be healthy for me. I definitely have a fair bit of anxiety going to work.<h2 id="a72ed2e7-e2e7-452f-a3d9-ee8160c8fe71">I know I'm taking a risk, but I'm putting myself first</h2>My parents are confused by the idea. That wasn't something they could ever think of.My mom mentioned <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/investing/financial-independence-retire-early">the FIRE movement</a> to me. She said, "Why don't you continue to work for the next 10, 20, 30 years, and you can just retire early, and then you won't have to work again?"But for me, there's so much uncertainty. Your plan to keep working could just be stopped by a layoff.Going through the pandemic really taught me and a lot of my peers that the future is not really promised.There's a rejection of hustle culture. What's the point of giving so much loyalty? We definitely know that no job is going to be loyal to us.I'm definitely taking a step back in my career. I've built up all this clout over time with this employer. If I continued to work at the pace I did, I would have another big promotion in two years.My big fear is that when I come back, I'm going to be ready to get a job and there won't be one available for me.But I truly believe that taking a break will make me a better employee.I will return with more knowledge and experience that's needed to do the job.

I'm quitting my job at a big tech company to travel. Hustle culture is overrated — I'm taking a year off. 

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Some white-collar parents are leaving their jobs to take family gap years.</li><li>They say it's a reprieve from American life and a way to spend time with their children.</li></ul>Claire Williams and her husband Matt had what you might call a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/infp/comments/13874zk/most_americans_today_have_what_are_known_as/">Cadillac problem</a>.They were trying to figure out how to best use some money they'd saved. They thought about buying another home or adding an extension to their current one, but while spending time with their kids in quarantine, they realized what they needed more than anything was time."We thought, how do you buy time?" Claire, 40, told Business Insider. "The answer we came up with was stepping off the hamster wheel out of the daily grind."So, Matt left his job of 11 years at an architecture and engineering firm and they set off in June 2022 to travel the world for a year with their then 13-,10-, and 7-year-olds to bond, broaden their worldview, and show the kids "that there are many different ways to live, work, and be happy," said Claire, a stay-at-home mom.From surfing in Sri Lanka to riding camels in the Sahara, they traveled to six continents and 26 countries. They rented out their Bay Area house, cooked a lot while on the road, and meticulously budgeted for each country, estimating that they spent just shy of $100,000 living abroad for a year, excluding flights, insurance, and back-at-home costs like a storage unit.Family gap years like this are a chance for 30- and 40-something white-collar parents who have enough cash to leave their jobs behind to show their kids a different way of life. It's a sabbatical with a twist — the kids are in tow and they're leaving their schools behind, too. Parents said they typically mix homeschooling on the road with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theworld.school/">worldschooling</a>, which prioritizes immersive travel as education.For a certain set, making a non-traditional move like leaving it all behind to take your kids around the world became even more appealing when the pandemic forced us to rethink life's possibilities.It's sticking around as the world somewhat normalizes; Reddit is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/askSingapore/comments/1ary3p0/family_gap_year/">littered with threads</a> looking for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskIreland/comments/1aokv9h/has_anyone_here_had_a_family_gap_year_in_spain_or/">family gap year advice</a>, which posters can easily find in various <a target="_blank" href="https://slowcamino.com/">blogs</a>. Travel with immediate family is the top travel trend for 2024, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.virtuoso.com/getmedia/90c4929f-3d17-4bf2-ae87-4fad8dc38a52/2024-Luxe-Report-Global-Release_FINAL.aspx">per travel network Virtuoso's Luxe Report</a>. Parents said that while traveling for a year makes finding alone time hard and planning on the go is tiring, the family time is priceless and it can be an escape from the stresses of the modern American economy.<h2>'We wanted to enjoy our kids while we were still their favorite people'</h2>The 2020s economic landscape sent some families packing their bags. More than <a target="_blank" href="https://www.statista.com/chart/26186/number-of-people-quitting-their-jobs-in-the-united-states/#:~:text=In%202022%2C%20more%20than%2050,a%20red%20hot%20labor%20market.">50 million Americans</a> quit their jobs in 2022 as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/01/special-burnout-stress">burnout and work stress</a> soared. Inflation hit a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/inflation-report-cpi-september-prices-rent-fed-rates-recession-outlook-2022-10">40-year high</a>, leading to the Federal Reserve trying to fight back by raising interest rates.At the same time, those who owned real estate and stocks saw <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/millennials-saw-wealth-grow-double-during-pandemic-2024-4">a major spike in wealth,</a> and those who worked from home found increased flexibility, both sparking new possibilities in lifestyle.Jennifer Spatz, founder of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.globalfamilytravels.com/">Global Family Travels</a>, said she started receiving requests two-and-a-half-years ago in a newly vaccinated world from families looking to travel and educate their children for a year. She now offers a family gap year and extended travel planning service for $80 to $100 an hour. Once itineraries are approved, she works with travel partners to collect commissions on hotels and experiences."It could expand into a big business," she said, adding that her family gap year clients typically have disposable income and kids around 8 to 11 years old. Parents agreed that pre-high school years are the prime time, while kids are young enough to still value family time and old enough to absorb new experiences."We wanted to enjoy our kids while we were still their favorite people," said Amy Chang, 44. "If we took time off when they get to high school or college, that doesn't do us any good in building relationships with them because they're going to have their own lives by then."Chang and her husband Allen were among the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/physician-health/pandemic-pushes-us-doctor-burnout-all-time-high-63">63% of physicians </a>burned out after working through COVID-19. She said their jobs put them in a privileged position to save money, as did having few student loans, living in a house they could afford on one salary, and driving the same car for 12 years. With a solid financial cushion to cover a year's mortgage and traveling, they left central Massachusetts with their then 9- and 7-year-olds in August 2022 for a road trip around the US to visit national parks before heading off to Asia and Europe.<div type="image" title="Amy Chang and her family in Venice, Italy" height="480" width="640" msid="109759636" hostid="261"></div>They rented an RV from a local family, cooked on the go, and stayed in Airbnbs. They stayed under budget, which included their savings plus room for an emergency fund after returning home."Even though it was a huge expense, it was worth it…even if it means working a little longer on the tail end of our careers," she said.<h2>World lessons, no classroom required</h2>No family gap year is complete without immersive travel. Parents said they've read "The Iliad" while in Greece, attended worship services from different religions, and taught their kids how to navigate a foreign city — all parts of their desire to provide their kids with real-world schooling.They typically value regenerative tourism, which involves giving back and positively impacting places as you travel. They want a local's experience rather than a cruise or all-inclusive resort, Spatz said. She often plans trips that involve work and education aligned with the <a target="_blank" href="https://sdgs.un.org/goals">United Nations Sustainable Development Goals</a>, like gender equality or access to clean water. For example, one of her families will be wrapping up their gap year in July in a remote Nepal village, working with a woman who started a school."It's learning about the different cultures and history, but taking the kids out of that traditional classroom," she said.Claire wanted to "get beyond the surface" by participating in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.workaway.info/">Workaway</a>, in which they stayed with local families in exchange for helping them around the home. In Sydney, Australia, they helped a family clean chicken coops on a 300-acre cattle farm. In Santiago, Chile, they helped care for baby quails on a poultry farm. It allowed them to save money and live with locals side-by-side, she said.Marisa Vitale, 47, has been experiencing different ways people live around the world, often choosing non-touristy areas to understand how the neighborhood works. She and her family lived in a Spanish-intensive homestay in Guatemala, with an indigenous Hmong family in Vietnam, and in an Argentine estancia to learn how the gauchos work the land.For her 11-year-old-twins, she said has been "a masterclass in history and anthropology," adding that her kids write reports and create art projects for each country they visit."Right when they're on the cusp of becoming young adults, what better way to understand who they are and how they feel in their skin than to take them through a wide variety of ways to live," she wrote over email from "deep in the desert" of Jordan, where they were staying in a Bedouin cave. "Empathy, kindness, and patience are the main things I take away from traveling. We wanted our kids to see those in so many different faces and places across the globe."<div type="image" title="Marisa Vitale and family" height="3088" width="2316" msid="109759639" hostid="261"></div>Her family plans to return to their Los Angeles home, which they rented out, this July. She halted her work as a self-employed photographer and her husband is on a yearlong sabbatical from his 15-year government job. While their monthly budget changes depending on where they're traveling, she estimates that they spend about $10,000 a month between lodging and general expenses, with a small amount of leeway for splurging on an experience.<h2>A year later</h2>A gap year also proves educational for parents. It helped Chang and her husband recalibrate their work lives. She's now doing shift work as an OB-GYN hospitalist — a better work-life balance than her previous work in private practice — and her husband is doing a fellowship to figure out how physicians can use AI."He wouldn't have been able to research or think about that at all if he hadn't had the time off," she said.Re-entry was a little harder for Claire, despite Matt returning to his previous job. She said traveling cost them an average of $261 per day, less per day than their daily life in California. That included food and beverage, lodging, entertainment and experiences, ground transportation and fuel, and miscellaneous living expenses like medicine or SIM cards."When you remove your mortgage, gas, insurance — there are so many little things that are gone when you're on the road," she said.Right now, they're living in Salt Lake City for two years as they contemplate what's next and prepare to launch a podcast about their travels. She hopes to keep the adventure going."Our time abroad felt not overwhelmed by consumerism," she said. "In the U.S., everything from highways to shopping to grocery stores is just really big and loud. So much of our gap year was really quiet and authentic and simple."

Some millennial and Gen X parents are leaving it all behind to spend 6 figures on a family gap year. Here's how they budget and 'worldschool' their kids. 

<ul><li>Amazon Prime Day sale is now live for Prime members. </li><li>The sale features new product launches and exciting deals across categories. </li><li>Here are some great deals under ₹1000 that you shouldn’t miss.</li></ul>The Amazon Prime Day sale is here, with some exciting deals across categories. The two-day sale starts on July 23rd, 2022, and ends on July 24th, 2022. The weekend sale is exclusively for Prime subscribers. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#000000;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Our top picks </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;"><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/article/best-laptops-deals-and-discount-in-amazon-sale/articleshow/93058952.cms">Best deals on laptops</a> </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;"><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/article/best-deals-on-gaming-accessories-like-monitors-keyboards-headphones-and-more/articleshow/93059149.cms">Best deals on gaming accessories</a> </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;"><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/best-amazon-prime-day-deals-on-gaming-laptops-from-asus-msi-lenovo-dell-and-more/articleshow/93059717.cms">Best deals on gaming laptops</a> </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;"><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/best-amazon-sale-deals-on-kitchen-products/articleshow/93059833.cms">Best deals on kitchen products</a> </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;"><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/amazon-prime-day-deals-and-discounts-on-office-chairs-table-mouse-keyboard-webcams/articleshow/93060466.cms">Best deals on work from home essentials</a> </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;"><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/the-best-prime-day-deals-under-5000-offers-that-you-can-grab-on-a-budget/articleshow/93059901.cms">Best deals under ₹5,000</a> </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;"><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/best-deals-on-premium-headphones-in-amazon-sale/articleshow/93059992.cms">Best deals on premium headphones</a> </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;"><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/best-prime-day-deals-on-apple-devices-discount-and-offers-on-iphone-13-series-latest-ipad-macbook-airpods-and-more/articleshow/93060235.cms">Best deals on Apple products</a> </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;"><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/amazon-prime-day-2022-deals-on-mobile-phones-and-tablets/articleshow/93060194.cms">Best deals on mobiles and tablets</a> </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;"><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/prime-day-2022-sale-could-be-the-best-time-to-buy-amazon-devicesbig-discount-on-kindle-echo-speakers-and-fire-tv-stick/articleshow/93060439.cms">Best deals on Amazon devices</a> </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;"><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/ecommerce/news/amazon-sale-best-deals-on-smart-led-tv-television/articleshow/93059258.cms">Best deals on TVs</a> </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;"><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/news/best-prime-day-deals-on-fashion-and-beauty-products/articleshow/93060892.cms">Best fashion and beauty deals</a> </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;"><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/article/best-amazon-prime-day-deals-and-offers-on-speakers-headphones-soundbars-and-more/articleshow/93059730.cms">Best deals on speakers and headphones</a> </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;"><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/best-deals-on-fitness-products-gym-equipment-fitness-trackers-treadmill/articleshow/93060383.cms">Best deals on fitness products</a> </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;"><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/prime-day-deals-offers-ac-tv-fridge-washing-machine-and-dishwasher/articleshow/93061585.cms">Best deals on large appliances - AC, Refrigerator, Washing machine and more</a> </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;"><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/ecommerce/news/best-deals-and-offers-on-smartwatches-smart-bands-and-other-wearable-devices/articleshow/93059424.cms">Best deals on wearables</a> </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;"><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/best-deals-offers-on-office-and-gaming-chairs/articleshow/93060879.cms">Best deals on office and gaming chairs</a> </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;"><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/news/best-prime-day-deals-on-sofa-tables-recliners-beds-and-furniture/articleshow/93062082.cms">Best furniture deals</a> </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;"><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/news/best-prime-day-deals-on-home-improvement-products/articleshow/93063417.cms">Best deals on home products</a> </td></tr></tbody></table> Amazon has got you covered this Prime Day with offers in every category. Including some exciting deals which you can find under ₹1000. Mi 10000 mAh power bank <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B08HVL8QN3" comment="amazoncard" text="B08HVL8QN3">B08HVL8QN3</cmsannotation> Let’s start with charging up our devices. The Mi power bank is portable as it is stylish. With a 10000 mAh capacity, you can rely on it to charge your smartphones and Bluetooth devices. It has 2 USB output ports, a USB Type-C output port, and a micro USB port. It supports 18W fast charging and can power up to 2 devices in one go. Mi LED smart color bulb <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B08JLLP7BP" comment="amazoncard" text="B08JLLP7BP">B08JLLP7BP</cmsannotation> A bulb that listens to you. The Mi LED smart bulb is a smart home lighting solution that listens to you. It is compatible with Google voice assistant and Alexa; not only that, you can adjust its brightness, colors and color temperature. Boult Audio AirBass Propods X TWS Buds <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B09ND94ZRG" comment="amazoncard" text="B09ND94ZRG">B09ND94ZRG</cmsannotation> These budget TWS buds are all-rounder. They come with IPX5 water resistant rating, which means you can use them while working out. They have touch controls, and you can access voice assistants from them. The audio quality is also decent. Boult claims you can expect upto 32 hours of battery life from the TWS buds. Yozo Handheld Car Vacuum cleaner <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B09B9W3MBF" comment="amazoncard" text="B09B9W3MBF">B09B9W3MBF</cmsannotation> Who doesn’t like clean cars? Yozo’s handheld car vacuum cleaner makes sure your ride is uber clean. It's a 120W 12V portable wet and dry dust cleaner. It can be plugged into the adapter docs in your car. It gets multiple extensions so that every nook and corner of your car is clean. This can be a great investment for you. Mivi Roam 2 Bluetooth speaker <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B08PGYLCQB" comment="amazoncard" text="B08PGYLCQB">B08PGYLCQB</cmsannotation> This portable speaker by Mivi, if you like traveling or otherwise like, amplifies your music for a small gathering. It features a 5W speaker unit that delivers clear audio. The build quality is solid, and it is also waterproof. With an in-built mic, you can also access voice assistants with it. On 70% volume level, you can expect upto 24 hours of battery life from the speaker. Bestor Portable Ruff 12-inch LCD memo digital tablet <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B08CZP7QXJ" comment="amazoncard" text="B08CZP7QXJ">B08CZP7QXJ</cmsannotation> A perfect gift for kids, this 12-inch LCD memo pad is great for them to make notes and draw. It not only saves paper but helps them be more creative. The 11.4-inch screen is a huge canvas for kids to draw, write and have fun. 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The best prime day deals under ₹1000 — super affordable deals and offers

<ul><li>Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget for 2022-23 in Parliament on Tuesday.</li><li>This year's budget is indexed towards startups, MSMEs, infrastructure projects, rural revival, digital payment apps, telecom growth and affordable housing.</li><li>We reached out to digital, media and creative agencies to understand how the increased focus on digitalisation, sustainability, blockchain and push to MSME can impact the ad and marketing industry.</li></ul>Be it the introduction of a Digital University to make education accessible across the country or the proposed launch of a Digital currency by the Reserve Bank of India to the government’s focus on promoting digital payments and fintech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made it is clear that digital is the way forward. The Union Budget 2022-23 aims to boost the country's digital infrastructure and enable a cashless economy. The government also announced that it will set up an Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics (AVGC) promotion task force to give a push to the animation and gaming industry. To facilitate the roll-out of 5G mobile services in India, FM Sitharaman said that Spectrum auctions will be conducted in 2022. This, in turn, will give impetus to Voice, Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality and pave the way for the Metaverse. The Digital Rupee using blockchain will help Indians accept virtual currency and accelerate cryptocurrency exchange in India. Overall, the budget also shows a promise for Electric Vehicle brands, digital payment apps, MSMEs, gaming industry and start-ups. We reached out to digital, media and creative agencies to understand how the increased focus on digitalisation, sustainability and blockchain can impact the advertising and marketing industry. Here’s what they said: Anupriya Acharya, South Asia CEO, Publicis Groupe: The Budget is positive, growth-oriented and with reforms in the right direction. The advent of 5G is sure to transform communications – for our industry it will help creation of better AV, voice and AR/VR experiences. It will also fuel digital payments, streaming entertainment, gaming, e-commerce, tele-medicine etc which in turn will aid more Unicorns! It is also heartening to note that a special Task Force is being set up for AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comic) as this will help us build the much needed capacity both for domestic as well as global markets. And then there have been no changes in income-tax slabs for people, which many consumer segments were worried about. This in turn boosts consumer sentiment. From e-passports, to battery swapping for electric vehicles, setting up of optic fiber in the remotest of villages, setting up of a digital university and skilling through an e-portal, the big push is for technology, digital infrastructure and empowerment. Narayan Devanathan, Chief Client Officer, dentsu India: Having gone through the 38-page document of the Finance Minister’s budget speech, I decided to do a search for a couple of words that I thought kept repeating throughout her speech. The words “will be” occurred 110 times in the entire speech. When I narrowed my search to the single word “will,” the number rose to 362. To me, those two words sum up the essence of what this year’s budget is and is not. What it is, is a future-focused budget, aiming at the distant vision of India@100, with a 25-year Amrit Kaal lead-up. What it is not, and what I felt was sorely needed this year of all years, is a present-focused budget. A punishing 2021 for the aam aadmi with more-than-usual expenditure on health and sustenance meant the general populace was looking for immediate relief that would place more cash in their household budgets. That did not happen. Nor was there any extraordinary investment in relieving the healthcare expenditure burden. For all the importance of farmers in upcoming poll-bound states, there was neither major sop nor stimulus given to back the importance of agriculture as a spine if not engine of the economy. Even the MSME sectors were only handed a slightly longer lease of life with the extension of the ECLGS, but there was no real move to stimulate consumption by placing more cash at consumers’ disposal, for example, extending LTA claims to restaurants (and not just accommodation). There is perhaps plenty for the industry to cheer about since it can afford to think about the future and a slightly longer term than just the here and now of survival. The stock market did cheer up even before the FM’s speech, but that only served to underscore the dichotomy between the real health of the population and the Minority of Haves. When the general population probably can’t afford to wait for the benefits of trickle-down economics to reach them in yet another trying year, the dreams and wheels of a consumer-driven economy might move slower than the industry might like, despite the many future-facing and progressive policies announced. Virat Tandon, Group CEO, MullenLowe Lintas Group: The union budget can be termed as consistent with the government's vision to reach the 5 trillion GDP mark by 2025-26. Hence, the strong focus on capex to boost infrastructure that connects and streamlines middle India and provides the engines of entrepreneurship across the length and breadth of the country. It also shows India's commitment to bring a digital first economy with the 5G rollout planned for next financial year, clarity on India's policy for cryptocurrency, data centres, EVs and our very own digital Rupee. Start-up culture will continue to flourish with the right policy framework. These investments and policies will generate jobs and go a long way in inclusive and sustainable growth for Bharat. Anurag Bansal, COO &amp; CFO, DDB Mudra Group: This Union Budget looks neutral, with no major changes in taxation. The launch of digital Rupee based on blockchain technology is a big move to bring in official cryptocurrency in India. New e-passports with embedded chips would definitely ease overseas travel. Managing the Fiscal deficit while pushing for growth and investments is a great balancing act taken on by the government. It will give a boost to capital investments and infrastructure development. Kartik Sharma - Group Chief Executive Officer – India, Omnicom Media Group: With an impetus on holistic growth, developing infrastructure and job creation across sectors, the 2022 union budget shows promise with a focus on the big picture. Reviving economic growth in the post-pandemic environment has been a focus for this government and this progressive, digital-first, and development-oriented budget reflects that. Not only does it provide a boost to the MSME, agriculture and healthcare verticals, but also signals that investing in infrastructure today will connect India better tomorrow. With an increased focus on digitization, some of the standouts for me were that the budget recognized the current gaps and opportunities within the education sector, and is advancing towards uplifting India with the creation of a digital ecosystem - one that is focused on upskilling and creating more employment; aligned with the dynamic needs of today. It also aims to further strengthen communications in the rural sector and build upon the overall financialization of India. Furthermore, while the rollout of a 5G ecosystem will improve the quality of services, the launch of digital money, supported by blockchain, signals an increasing focus on transparency. With consistency in strategic direction and focus on propelling the MSME and start-up ecosystem, this is a welcoming budget for new-age businesses and a hopeful one that will ultimately lead to a boost in the A&amp;M industry as well. We're at the cusp of the next stage of India's digital revolution and although certain factors like data privacy still remain an area to be delved deeper into, as infrastructure and banking penetrate further into rural India, we’re looking hopeful and strong to transform into a forward-leaning digital economy of tomorrow.” Deepak Mittal, CEO and Co-Founder, TO THE NEW: The government's unprecedented commitment to technology innovation and adoption in this union budget is highly encouraging. Breakthrough developments and futuristic technology such as the introduction of digital currency, the rollout of 5G within FY22-23, and e-passports using embedded chips are exciting for the country's future. Among the measures announced, the budget highlights special incentives to startups and the launch of a progressive, new portal encouraging a digital ecosystem for skilling and upskilling. These initiatives will serve as a successful catalyst for the country's economic growth. Atul Shrivastava, Group CEO &amp; Executive Director at Laqshya Media Group: The union Budget underlined the government’s focus on long-term growth. As India’s economic growth is estimated to be 9.2% in the upcoming financial year so it would be good for all the industry and with overall growth, we are sure advertising &amp; media will also show remarkable growth which was low due to the pandemic in the last couple of years. As announced the National Highways to be expanded by 25,000 km under PM Gati Shakti mission. Highways are adding a new dimension to the growth of the OOH Industry as advertising on the Highways is emerging as very strong choice for brand building for many categories. Prasad Shejale, Founder and CEO, Logicserve Digital: The FM has announced a very progressive budget with an intention to widen India's horizons and outlook in the next five years, leveraging emerging technologies. The Government has addressed some urgent priorities underpinning the digital sector, including the launch of digital currency, API-based skill credentials, digital learning channels, digitization of manual processes, etc. On the digital connectivity front, the 5G spectrum auctions will finally make the dream of a tech-savvy India a reality, further boosting the country's digital infrastructure. Additionally, the launch of a design-led manufacturing scheme for the 5G ecosystem as part of the PLI scheme will ensure affordable broadband and mobile communication even in far-flung areas. The availability of high-speed internet connectivity in urban as well as rural areas will encourage marketers to experiment with blockchain, AR, VR. On the skilling front, initiatives like establishing a digital university will provide an opportunity for youth to learn new skills from the comfort of their homes. The creation of a new task force to build domestic capacity in the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comic (AVGC) sector is commendable. The overall budget is future tech-enabled and balanced. Ahmed Aftab Naqvi, Global CEO &amp; Co-founder, GOZOOP Group: While there will always be hope for more and better, the continued push towards digital, fintech and the boost for start-up ecosystem with the extension of tax benefits till March 2023 along with capping the surcharge at 15% irrespective of the amount of long term capital gains, will fuel the fire of entrepreneurship in our nation. Varun Duggirala, Entrepreneur, Co-founder of The Glitch, Author, Content Creator and a Podcaster: The twin announcements of the digital rupee and the taxation on ‘virtual digital assets’ is clearly a focused drive from the government to regulate the crypto space. What needs to be seen is how this plays out because regulating a decentralized space is a paradox in itself. Another point that stood out for me was the national mental health program. More than anything else it signifies the normalizing of mental health as a legitimate area of focus for us as a nation. Shrenik Gandhi, CEO and Co-founder, White Rivers Media: In my opinion, it is a fairly balanced budget. There is sufficient emphasis being laid on up-skilling, and making right investments in tech which is the need of the hour. The previous budget was more inclined towards setting up a strong foundation in the digital space, and this one is essentially focused on making further advancements. Besides, Digital Rupee being introduced is indeed, a great news across sectors and it will be exciting to finally watch it become a reality. It can prove to be a game-changer in India's future as transactions will become even more instantaneous. Speaking of the expected benefits, let’s not forget that this is India’s #Budget and not a Big Bazaar scheme announcement. So, the immediate benefit may not be seen right now but considering the long-term narrative, it is a fairly established budget. Sahil Chopra, Founder &amp; CEO- iCubesWire: While the general trend of the <keyword id="12134566" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="union-budget-2022" source="Orion">union budget 2022</keyword> has its emphasis on ease of doing business, I strongly believe, data and digital occupied the centerpiece of the budget. The plans to focus and promote the fintech and digital economy are a very strong positive move. New age technologies, keeping data and digital at heart of it will allow the tech enablers to transform multiple industries. For MSMEs, the government has plans to outlay Rs 2 trillion which is again a welcoming move that will help in enhancing startups as well as entrepreneurial opportunities for all. Besides, extension on tax exemption to startups and promotion of startups to facilitate ‘Drone Shakti’ through varied applications and drones as a service is also encouraging. The ambitious optical fibre to the villages under PPP in 2022-23 shall get the next 100M in the Digital Universe soon. To sum up, it’s a positive budget for the digital sector which has always vouched for a strong digital infrastructure in the country." Chetan Asher, Founder and CEO, Tonic Worldwide: The budget clearly will help the country march towards digital adoption and transformation in many sectors. With 5G rollout on the cards we will see an acceleration across the board. The digital rupee will put India right up on the map of advanced digital economies. Clarity on Digital assets and crypto will give it new impetus. All of these initiatives will help us emerge as leaders in adoption and growth of blockchain technology Ambika Sharma, Founder &amp; MD, Pulp Strategy: The Budget is interesting as the Government has focused on all sectors. The financial support for the digital payments ecosystem is a welcome move and further reaffirms the Government of India's digital banking push. This push on digitization will make way for more inclusion in the ecosystem. The focus on 'Ease of doing business is a great step, as it will further promote entrepreneurship in the economy” . The 2022-23 budget finely balanced fiscal retreat with supporting economic recovery. The budget focused on a familiar strategy of driving capital expenditure to drive growth, to crowd in private investment through higher public spending. Although markets could be disappointed with a higher fiscal deficit of 6.4% of GDP for FY23 than expected, it is perhaps prudent to not undertake aggressive fiscal consolidation at this nascent stage of recovery. While elevated market borrowings are likely to pressurize bond yields, the inclusion of green bonds in the borrowing plan is an interesting innovation. In terms of specific policy announcements, the move towards self-reliance through protection for domestic manufacturers (change in custom and import duties) aligns with the long-term goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat. The government has extended the startup tax holiday and concessional tax for manufacturing startups by a year. While that was on the cards, it doesn’t address the core need of startups to be given a longer tax holiday of 5 years as required. One of the most encouraging aspects of the budget has been the announcement to set up an AVGC (animation, visual effects, gaming, and comics) promotion task force to plan and build domestic capacity for serving domestic as well as global markets. Loss from the transfer of virtual digital assets cannot be set off against any other income. The creation of a unified logistics platform and the developments of 100 new cargo terminals in the next three years are significant steps in improving the supply chain ecosystem in the country. Infrastructure status given to Data Centers will provide a huge boost to the fast-evolving digital environment of the country. The fiscal outcome is broadly in line with our expectations with the government having continued its focus on infrastructure and rural demand. Himanshu Arya, Founder and CEO, Grapes: The Union Budget for the financial year 2022-23 has set the stage with an invigorated focus on ramping up the process of the digital revolution. The government’s focus on the digital ecosystem is a progressive move to render an inclusive landscape for job openings and entrepreneurial opportunities. The extension of tax incentives for startups for one more year will give a slight relief to the industry. I hope that the cash flow improves in the market. The Union Budget has various encouraging initiatives and is directed towards a more viable and flexible business ecosystem that completely aligns with the ideologies of Make in India. Siddharth Devnani, Co-Founder &amp; Director, SoCheers: Digital and digitization stood out as a strong overall trend in the Union Budget 2022. The budget put a great focus on long-term growth and given how intricately ‘digital’ was integrated into several measures, it can be seen as an integral part of that growth. Implementation of the Central Bank digital currency will definitively aid the growth of digital economy and finance in the country, opening doors for digital acceleration across sectors. The announcement about the new digital university and the renewed focus on digital learning, further presents an opportunity, especially to the fast-evolving Educational Technology sector. However, a definite plan on how this will pan out for all corners of India remains to be seen. Moreover, digital will also be leveraged in the set-up and operation of tele-mental health centres, providing the necessary focus and access to mental health services to the Indian masses. This comes as one of the most welcome move as it’ll contribute infinitely to the nation’s long-term growth.

The advertising industry voices its enthusiasm about the government’s steps towards boosting digital ecosystem in Union Budget 2022-23

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Allie Hubers, a freelance travel writer, spent $20,000 on cruises in 2022.</li><li>A two-week trip to Europe with her husband, which cost $12,000, was the most expensive one.</li></ul>This as-told-to story is based on a conversation with <a target="_blank" href="https://cruise.blog/author/allie-hubers">Allie Hubers</a>, a 29-year-old freelance travel writer. It's been edited for length and clarity. Business Insider verified Hubers' expenses.My husband Luke and I met in college at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota during our sophomore year. We have traveled together over the past 10 years, including trips to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/europe-train-mistakes-luggage-italy-switzerland-germany-austria-guide-delays-2024-2">Europe</a>, Asia, and Africa, and hopped on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/cruise">cruises</a> around countries like Morocco, Thailand, Malaysia, Croatia, and Italy.I'm a freelance travel writer, and Luke is a pilot with the US Air Force. He's been flying since he was 16. We both have high levels of wanderlust and traveling together is how we keep our marriage strong.We allocate a budget to travel every month and our favorite way to travel is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-save-money-cruise-royal-caribbean-room-upgrade-2024-3">cruising</a>. In 2022, we spent a total of $20,000 on cruises. The most expensive trip we went on was a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/european-international-cruise-mistakes-from-first-timer-2024-3">12-night cruise around Europe</a>.At the time, Luke had just returned from a months-long deployment, so we wanted to spend some quality time together. We had a $12,000 budget, which included the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cruise-packing-list-airtag-apple-bag-traveler-2024-2">cruise</a>, first-class airfare, tickets to an Ed Sheeran concert, and hotel stays. We had been saving for this trip for years. Here is a a breakdown of our budget.<div type="image" title="woman and man in front of field" height="3024" width="4032" msid="109116711" hostid="261" sizebytes="731958"></div>Cost of plane tickets: $4,000We spent $1,200 each on economy tickets with Delta Air Lines from Florida to London. We ended up upgrading to first-class <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/i-flew-business-class-across-the-world-on-a-top-rated-airline-and-came-home-on-delta-2016-2">Delta One</a> the night before our flight. The upgrade cost $800 each. We hadn't taken a special trip together for years, so the splurge was well worth it.This isn't standard for us, but an enticing upgrade offer was too tempting to turn down.<div type="image" title="woman and man posing on an island" height="2538" width="3011" msid="109116712" hostid="261" sizebytes="509584"></div>Cost of concert tickets: $476Luke and I are big fans of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ed-sheeran-ai-music-warn-tech-chatgpt-generative-ai-2023-8">Ed Sheeran</a>. He was playing a set in Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. We snagged general admission tickets for around $116 each.We both love his song "Tenerife Sea." When we first met in college, we added <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/where-to-stay-in-canary-islands-best-hotels">Tenerife</a> — an island in Spain — to our bucket list. We ended up going to Tenerife during our 12-night cruise, and it was just as beautiful as the song made it out to be.We also got tickets for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/imagine-dragons-dan-reynolds-ranks-diamond-songs-radioactive-worst-2023-7">Imagine Dragons</a> at the last minute, and those tickets were $244.<div type="image" title="woman and man posing in front of sea" height="1080" width="1620" msid="109116713" hostid="261" sizebytes="88982"></div>Cost of hotel stays: $621During our trip, we stayed in four hotels. We spent two nights at The Edition, a five-star hotel near Soho in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-places-to-stay-in-london-england">London</a>. While a night's stay at The Edition costs around $670, we used 60,000 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/best-marriott-bonvoy-credit-cards">Marriott points</a> each night and didn't have to pay cash.We also spent a night at The Montcalm East Autograph in London for $350 and our last night at the Renaissance London Heathrow for $111 before flying back to the US.To attend Ed Sheeran's concert, we spent a night at Newcastle Marriott Hotel Metrocenter, which cost $160. When we returned to London, we spent a night at Bankside Autograph Collection, a luxury hotel near the River Thames. A night's stay there costs around $600, but we used 45,000 Marriott points and redeemed our stay for free.<div type="image" title="woman and man in front of clock monument" height="3024" width="4032" msid="109116714" hostid="261" sizebytes="991758"></div>Cost of the 12-night cruise: $2,800The 12-night cruise on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/royal-caribbean">Royal Caribbean's</a> Anthem of the Seas was $2,800 for the two of us. We initially booked an <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-rooms-windows-balconies-not-worth-it-frequent-cruiser-2024">interior cabin</a>, the cheapest room category, and ended up getting upgraded to an obstructed balcony room a few days before sailing. The upgrade ended up being free.Stops along the cruise included Spain's Canary Islands, including Tenerife, and Lisbon in Portugal. We spent our days exploring new countries, having seaside cocktails, and reconnecting after so much time apart.<div type="image" title="woman and man riding camels" height="4000" width="6000" msid="109116715" hostid="261" sizebytes="824812"></div>Cost of food and transportation: $2,055We went on a three-night dining package for $240. On board the cruise, we purchased two <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/royal-caribbean-icon-of-the-seas-cruise-ship-kitchen-tour-2024-2">specialty dining meals</a> and on Chef's Table experience for $574. In total, including what we spent on food in London, we spent around $1,170 on dining out, coffee, and drinks.Transportation took a big chunk of our budget. Ubers, taxis, and scooters cost a total of $528. We rented a car to get us to and from the concert venue for $186, with gas costing around $40. We also took the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/train-london-berlin-uk-germany-review-eurostar-travel-transport-europe-2023-7">train</a> to get around, and that amounted to $131.<div type="image" title="woman in front of cruise ship" height="1537" width="2305" msid="109116718" hostid="261" sizebytes="138440"></div>Miscellaneous costs: $2,000We spent $639 on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/things-i-never-buy-on-a-cruise-frequent-traveler-2024-2">souvenirs, gifts, and shopping</a>. On board the cruise, excursions weren't free, so it cost us $214 for two excursions in the Canary Islands. Other expenses included internet on the cruise for $374 and roaming with T-Mobile for $103.We also flew my sister to Florida to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rover-side-hustle-pet-sitting-diversify-income-after-layoff-2023-5">watch the dogs</a> and provided her with a meal service for two weeks. That cost a total of $670.There was no skimping or budgeting for this trip. We had no regrets about the money we spent on this cruise vacation.

We managed to stretch our $12,000 European vacation budget to cover first-class plane tickets and a 12-night cruise. Here's how.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Whenever my five-person family travels, we try to save as much money as possible on flights. </li><li>I use the Google Flights "explore" feature to browse deals for a variety of dates and destinations. </li></ul>Since my family of five plans on <a href="https://www.insider.com/my-secrets-for-traveling-around-the-world-with-kids-2022-7">taking 22 trips this year</a>, we have to stick to our budget.One of the ways we save money is by finding great flight deals, so I've developed some tried-and-true strategies to make sure we book the least expensive fares possible.Here's how I find the most affordable flight options.<h2>Try searching for deals on Google Flights</h2>I've found almost <a href="https://www.insider.com/ways-wasting-money-on-plane-tickets-common-mistakes-2021-6">all of our air-travel deals</a> using Google Flights. The online flight-booking service is such a simple tool, but it allows us to find some great ticket prices.Thanks to inexpensive rates we found on Google Flights, we were able to book a Costa Rica trip earlier this year and a <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-bring-one-bag-on-trips-packing-tips-2022-8">five-week-long trip to Europe</a> last year without overspending on airfare.The best part is that this tool is completely free.<div type="image" title="Diana Blinkhorn hugging and holding daughters" height="975" width="1301" msid="93985682" hostid="261" sizebytes="119444"></div><h2>Use Google Flights' 'explore' feature</h2>When I look at Google Flights, I focus on the tool's "explore" feature.Since it isn't the first page that comes up on Google Flights, I worry that not enough people use it, but it's where I <a href="https://www.insider.com/best-ways-to-travel-on-budget-2018-2">find the best deals</a>. All I have to do is add my preferred travel dates, which can be as specific or flexible as I want, input my home airport, and hit the "search" button.Then, Google Flights does all the work for me. The deals show up on the map, and once I find one that fits, I can start building my trip.<h2>Be as flexible as possible with travel dates and destinations </h2>Most of the time, my family knows the general time frame of when we'd like to travel. However, we don't necessarily have specific dates or destinations in mind. This approach often works to our advantage, as browsing a range of places and dates opens up <a href="https://www.insider.com/affordable-european-cities-2018-7">even more affordable travel opportunities</a>.Being flexible during the planning process allows us to search for the best deals out there. <h2>Scroll through the Google Flights map and zoom in on different regions</h2>I spend a lot of time on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@mrsblinks/video/7052417675993206063?is_copy_url=1&amp;is_from_webapp=v1">Google Flights</a> looking for deals, and sometimes the best trip option doesn't immediately appear on the map.Google seems to suggest destinations that it thinks I'd like, but because I'm usually not set on one place, I like to <a href="https://www.insider.com/hard-to-reach-destinations-2018-12">find even more options</a> by zooming in on the map and clicking around areas that interest me.That way, I don't miss any amazing deals on flights to less-touristed spots. <h2>Some airlines offer cheaper rates at the airport than they do online</h2>Several budget airlines still have ticket-booking services at the airport. In my experience, the rates that airlines offer there are almost <a href="https://www.insider.com/best-and-worst-things-to-buy-in-an-airport-flight-attendants">always a bit lower</a> than the prices they list online. If I do preliminary research at home and head to the airline's <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@mrsblinks/video/7059408211153128750?is_copy_url=1&amp;is_from_webapp=v1">ticket counter</a>, I can usually save around $60 per ticket. When you travel with five people, that adds up to a significant amount of savings.I recently saved $300 on our flights to St. Thomas just because I bought our tickets at the airport instead of booking them online.It's worth noting that this tip <a href="https://www.insider.com/best-airlines-2018-12">doesn't apply to every airline</a>, so make sure you double-check before you drive to the airport. We've had the most success with budget airlines, like Frontier and Spirit.<h2>Plan ahead to hunt for the best deal</h2>In order to <a href="https://www.insider.com/best-countries-to-visit-travel-writer-recommendations-photos-2022-7">travel as much as my family does</a>, I have to do a lot of planning. Because new deals pop up as flight schedules change, I check online prices anywhere from once per week to once per day.If you want to take advantage of the ever-changing deals, I recommend monitoring prices as early and often as possible. As someone who regularly searches for flights, I can tell you that any day can be a good one to buy a flight. You never know when prices will drop.

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