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When in Rome... New Orleans is America’s most ha When in Rome... New Orleans is America’s most haunted city so on our road trip last year, hubby and I went on a NOLA ghost tour. That tour sparked our interest in other haunted locations so we checked out the ‘Ghost Adventures’ Series on @discoveryplus. And since we spend a lot of time in hotels and have visited the haunted Read House Hotel in Chattanooga, we decided why not watch the special ‘Ghost Adventures: #CecilHotel’ too. Have you heard about this LA hotel? Subscribe to #discoveryplus to stream with a loved one and #NeverStreamAlone. #ad #GhostAdventures
🎶 Happy Birthday to ya, Happy Birthday to ya, H 🎶 Happy Birthday to ya, Happy Birthday to ya, Happy Birthhhhdayyyy! 🎶 I cannot believe my youngest child is 5, insert all the tears. Kennedy my love you are the most morningist morning person I’ve ever met.  You are smart, full of energy, kind and a natural comedian. Wishing you the best in this next year around the sun.

P.S. thank you @lovelydarlingspicnic for the most perfect Princess picnic for my baby girl.
New York, New York, the place of all of our births New York, New York, the place of all of our births, we usually visit multiple times a year. When @bookingcom asked us to write a love letter to a destination we want YOU to travel to one day, I could think of no greater city. Whether we’re stuffing our faces at our favorite soul food restaurants in Harlem, enjoying the millions of activities the city has to offer, or screaming at the top of our lungs on all the rides at Coney Island in Brooklyn we always enjoy our visits. There is truly no place on Earth like NYC and we cannot wait to be reunited. What city in the US holds a special place in your heart? #LoveLetterstoAmerica #LoveLetterstoNewYork
Individual time with each of the girls is so impor Individual time with each of the girls is so important to me. While I usually take each of them on a trip alone with me every year, these days I'm settling for any small win I can get. Today that was making a simple meal with Jordyn, thanks in part to @campbellswellyes. What wins have you had this week? [AD] #LiveBright
Today my friend gave me a compliment and my first Today my friend gave me a compliment and my first instinct was to downplay it. To tell her I really wasn’t that good, that what I am doing isn’t that special. I stopped myself, because I have a horrible habit of pushing peoples compliments away. I don’t know if it’s because I don’t want to come off as not being humble or what, but it’s something I’m working on.

So today I sat in the compliment and appreciated it. What she said actually meant a lot to me and I told her it took me everything to just say thank you, admittance is the first step to recovery right? Am I the only one who struggles with just accepting a compliment? I also struggle with sharing my wins, even though I will celebrate others without a second thought. Two things I’m working on in 2021. Anyone joining me?
Sometimes we only have a moment to get outside and Sometimes we only have a moment to get outside and play so being able to easily take a snack to go is important to us. @campbellswellyes Sipping Soups are ready in one minute allowing us to maximize our short breaks and get outside for some fresh air. How are maximizing your family time these days? [AD] #LiveBright
Solo pics because she was really serving looks, as Solo pics because she was really serving looks, ashy knees and all. Why do kids insist on sliding all over the floor on their knees? I wish I could find out on the next episode of Dragon Ball Z but I digress. #essencestyle

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The Best Travel Apps You Need to Download Now!

September 27, 2018      Trip Planning Tips

Whether you’re a new or experienced traveler we’re all looking for ways to make travel easier. From finding affordable flights, attractions and making sure you don’t get lost travel can sometimes be overwhelming. In this article, I’ll share the best travel apps you need to download now to help you before, during and even after your travels.

The Best Travel Apps to Save Money on Flights

Skyscanner

Skyscanner is the best way to find affordable flights. Whether you have a specific location you’d like to travel to or have specific dates you have to travel on, Skyscanner quickly and easily finds you the most affordable options. Don’t like the price you see? Set an alert for when prices change. In addition to flights, Skyscanner can also help you with a hotel and car rental. Thanks to Skyscanner we found $400 tickets to Amsterdam and our $520 roundtrip flights from Miami to Kenya. The best part is Skyscanner is free and they are available on the web or you can download their free app here.

Hopper

Who hasn’t searched for a flight and hesitated on purchasing it? Will the price go lower and you end up spending more money than needed? Or will it go and you’re making a big mistake if you don’t purchase it now. Stop wondering and download Hopper now! It predicts prices with 95% accuracy up to 1 year in advance that way you know if it’s the right time to buy.

The Best Travel Apps to Book Affordable Lodging

Airbnb

Vacation home are always a more affordable option for families or large groups over hotels. Airbnb is one of the leading sites to find these options worldwide. Thanks to Airbnb we saved $600 over booking a hotel in Copenhagen and scored a $90/night 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath apartment in Cartagena. Haven’t used Airbnb yet? Sign up here and save $40 on your first stay. You might also be interested in reading this 8 Tips to Guarantee a Great Airbnb Experience. Download the Airbnb app now for iOS or Android.

HotelTonight

Have your plans changed or did an unexpected cancellation occur? Easily find the cheapest hotel with HotelTonight. Hotels give HotelTonight their unsold rooms which allow you to get the best deals on last minute bookings. Who doesn’t want a 5 Star hotel at a 2 Star price? Sign up for HotelTonight and use promo code “TTRAVELINGCHILD” for $25 off your next booking.

Expedia

With Expedia’s new Add-On Advantage feature you can save a ton of money on hotels up to 24 hours before your trip after you’ve booked a flight or car rental. Traditionally you would have to book these at the same time to get the discounted bundled price but not anymore. On our recent trip to Disney World we were able to score a $129/night two-bedroom suite 15 minutes from the park using the feature. Download the app on any smartphone here.

The Best Travel App to Check Reviews

TripAdvisor

Before booking any hotel or tour I always check TripAdvisor. I love that they allow photos from real travelers because it’s always the worst when the photos on the hotel’s website wowed you and you get there and it is not the same. Not only does TripAdvisor let you search reviews of hotels/tours there are also forums about specific destinations which you can search for any questions you have or pose your own. Within these forums are destination experts who will answer your questions plus you’ll get tips from others who have visited to answer the question you have. We’ve used TripAdvisor to help us choose hotels and tours in Costa Rica, Hawaii, and Bangkok. iOS users can download the app here, while Android uses can download it here.

The Best Apps for Discounts on Attractions, Restaurants, and Getaways

TravelZoo

If you’ve never heard of TravelZoo you are missing out! They offer discounts on restaurants, spas, activities, and even hotels all over the world. We used them to get great restaurant deals in Chicago. In addition, they offer vacation packages where you can save thousands of dollars. These vacation packages typically include, airfare, accommodations, activities plus an expert guide. Download their app now!

Groupon

Before I book anything I check Groupon to see if the tour company or restaurant I plan on patronizing has a deal. Not can you find deals directly from the companies but often times Groupon has promo codes for an additional 20% off. Even when we aren’t traveling but looking for something to do or somewhere to eat at home Groupon saves us so much money! I haven’t tried any Groupon Getaways yet but they look super appealing and affordable, hoping to try one soon! As a bonus if you log into your JetBlue TrueBlue account and visit Groupon through their shopping portal you will earn extra miles on your purchase. I wrote a post on 12 Ways to Earn Miles Without Flying, these practices have earned us roundtrip flights to Chicago for our family of four.

The Best Travel Apps to Book Tours

Viator

Finding trustworthy tour companies can be overwhelming. Not with Viator! Search attractions for the destination you’re visiting with this platform that allows you sort by interests, tour length and more. We’ve used Viator in Morocco, Rome, Aruba, and Paris. Download Viator for iOS here or on Google Play here.

Get Your Guide

Get Your Guide also has tours all over the world. I love that they offer personal recommendations before and during your trip help with making sure you’re having the time of your life. Download their app here.

The Best Travel Apps to Avoid Getting Lost

Goolge Maps

I know most people already have Google Maps on their phones, if you don’t what are you thinking?!? However not many people know you can download offline maps for you’re visiting for when you don’t have service. Here are the instructions to do so on Apple as well as Android.

Maps Me

Maps Me was a lifesaver for us when we visited Cuba. It’s one of the largest offline map systems you can find. There’s a reason over 100 million travelers use Maps Me. Download it for Apple or Android here.

The Best Translation App

Google Translate

I’m often asked how we survive in countries we don’t speak the language. The answer is Google Translate, available on the App Store and Google Play. You’re able to get text translation in 103 languages by typing out what you’d like to say. If you don’t have access to internet which might be the case when traveling there are 59 languages available in their offline mode. My favorite option in the instant camera translation where you can translate text in images instantly by just pointing your camera. This is available in 38 languages.

The Best App to Stay Organized on Your Trip

TripIt

You’ve planned your trip to a t and now your at your destination. Your excitement causes you to forget where to get your rental car or the address for your tour after breakfast or tomorrow. Stay organized with TripIt and avoid sifting through hundreds of emails to find that address. TripIt pulls all your reservations and confirmations from your email and easily organizes your days for you. Download it here.

The Best Apps to Recoup Lost Funds

AirHelp

Is your flight delayed or canceled? Not sure if you are eligible for compensation or how to file a claim? Upload your boarding pass with AirHelp’s scanner and instantly check your flight’s eligibility for compensation. Download the app now from the App Store or Google Play.

The Best App to Speed Through Immigration

Mobile Passport

If you’re lucky enough to have your first city of entry  into the US from overseas as one of the 25 airports that Mobile Passport operates in you want to download this app now! Mobile Passport speeds you through U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The best part is there is no need to fill out a customs form (because really who ever has a pen, ok maybe that’s just me). You just take a photo of everyone in your family, scan your passport and skip the long lines. It’s typically even shorter than the Global Entry line and it’s free! Available at Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, both Houston airports, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Newark, Orlando, Phoenix, Pittsburg, Raleigh Durham, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Tampa, Washington Dulles, and West Palm Beach.

The Best App to Save Money to Travel

Dosh App

The Dosh App is one of the ways we save money to travel. Thousands of businesses partner with Dosh to offer it’s members cash back on their purchases. All you have to do is link any and all debit and credit cards to the app and each time you make a purchase at a participating store you get cash back. This is in addition to any miles, points, or cash back you earn directly from you credit card. Sign up here or using the referral code HAMBRICK and get $5 immediately.

Found this list helpful? Share it to help a fellow traveler!! What other apps can’t you live without when traveling?

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. TJ says

    October 2, 2018 at 6:28 pm

    Are there any sites that you can make payments on flights? Thank you!

    • Monet says

      October 3, 2018 at 10:32 am

      Hi TJ!

      Yes there are. I haven’t personally used them but Airfordable and Layaway Tickets both allow you to book flight deals at that cheap cost and pay over time with a small interest fee.

  2. Roslie says

    October 9, 2018 at 2:40 am

    Wow, this article was extremely helpful. I consider myself a frequent traveler, but wasn’t aware of the Mobile Passport app. Thanks for sharing definitely will be downloading it.

    • Monet says

      October 9, 2018 at 8:50 pm

      You’re welcome! I’m so happy to hear that even as a frequent traveler you learned something new!

  3. Randee says

    October 24, 2018 at 7:34 am

    Your family has inspired me to start traveling! I am 24 with no kids and if your family can make it a priority so can I! Thank you for all this information it is so helpful! I’m planning my first trip for December.

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Hey, I’m Monet!

Hey, I’m Monet!

A full time working woman, wife and mama of two. I use every last one of my vacation days traveling with my kids, hubby, friends or solo. Join me as I share my travel experiences and tips to make travel affordable and easier with the little ones. You can read more about me here.

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