Everything I Actually Use
No fluff. No paid placements. Just the tools, apps, and resources that make budget slow travel actually work.
Flights
I never pay full price for flights. Here’s exactly how I find deals that make sub-$1k trips possible.
Google Flights
My first stop for every trip. I use the calendar view to find the cheapest travel dates and the map view to find destinations I can actually afford. Free to use — no booking fees, no markups.
Skyscanner
When Google Flights doesn’t have the cheapest option Skyscanner finds it. I use the “Whole Month” view to see which days are cheapest at a glance. Especially good for international routes.
Going
This is how I find mistake fares and flash deals before they disappear. The free tier sends you a handful of deals per month — the paid tier is worth it if you travel more than twice a year.
Accommodation
Where you sleep is where most travel budgets either hold or blow up. These are the three platforms I use to keep accommodation costs low without sacrificing safety or comfort.
Booking.com
My go-to for hotels, guesthouses, and apartments. The filtering is unmatched — I can sort by price, free cancellation, and guest rating simultaneously. Free to use and they have options in every budget range.
Airbnb
Essential for slow travel. When I’m staying somewhere for two weeks or longer I always check Airbnb first — monthly discounts can bring the nightly rate down significantly below hotel prices.
Hostelworld
For the nights when I want community more than privacy. Private rooms in hostels are often cheaper than budget hotels and the social atmosphere makes solo travel feel less solo.
Money & Banking
Getting money wrong abroad is expensive. These are the tools that keep me from losing money to fees, bad exchange rates, and blocked cards.
Wise
The only card I travel with. Wise converts currency at the real mid-market rate with minimal fees. No foreign transaction fees, no markup. I’ve saved hundreds of dollars switching from my regular bank card.
Revolut
A strong Wise alternative with a great app interface. The free tier includes fee-free currency exchange up to a monthly limit — more than enough for most trips under $1k.
Charles Schwab Checking Account
The only US bank account worth having as a traveler. They reimburse all ATM fees worldwide — every single one. I use this as my backup card when I need cash abroad.
Travel Insurance
I skipped travel insurance on my first few trips. Then I talked to enough travelers who didn’t and learned from their mistakes. These are the only two I recommend.
Safety Wing
Built specifically for digital nomads and long term travelers. Subscription based — you pay by the month instead of per trip which makes it significantly cheaper for slow travelers. Covers medical emergencies, trip interruption, and more.
World Nomads
Better for shorter trips and adventure activities. If you’re doing anything physical — hiking, water sports, excursions — World Nomads covers activities that most basic travel insurance won’t touch.
Remote Work Tools
The tools that keep me employed and connected from anywhere in the world. None of these are fancy — they just work.
Notion
My entire work and travel life lives in Notion. Trip planning, content calendars, work notes, budget tracking — one app replaces five. The free tier is genuinely enough for most people.
NomadList
Before I go anywhere new I check NomadList. It rates cities on WiFi speed, cost of living, safety, and quality of life for remote workers. Saves me from booking somewhere with unreliable internet.
Solis WiFi Hotspot
My backup when hotel WiFi is unreliable and I have a deadline. A portable hotspot that works in over 130 countries. I don’t use it every trip but the times I’ve needed it it’s been worth every penny.
Packing
I travel carry-on only. Always. These are the things actually in my bag — not a sponsored list, just what works.
Compression Packing Cubes
The single item that made carry-on only travel possible for me. Compression cubes cut my clothing volume in half. I use the Baggu or Amazon Basics sets — both work perfectly and neither costs more than $30.
Osprey Fairview 40L Backpack
My carry-on of choice. Fits in every overhead bin I’ve encountered, has a separate laptop sleeve, and the hip belt makes long travel days bearable. Built to last years not months.
Reusable Travel Bottles
TSA compliant, leak proof, and they last forever. I refill mine from full size products before every trip. Sounds minor but not checking a bag because of liquids saves time and money every single flight.
Anker Power Bank
Dead phone in a foreign country is a bad day. I carry the Anker 10000mAh — small enough to fit in my personal item, powerful enough to fully charge my phone twice. Never travel without it.
Want The Full System?
Every resource on this page is part of a larger system I use to travel internationally for under $1,000. Get the complete breakdown — free.