Google Will Give You Money For Trips

I'm currently in Guatemala, and I'm surprised by how much Spanish I understand.

It feels great to be able to have a conversation with people in another language without asking, "Do you speak English?"

My secret for learning Spanish is Duolingo, flashcards, and the El Chapo series on Netflix.

• I don't like telenovelas, so I had to find a way to make learning Spanish fun for me. 🤷🏽‍♂️

Thanks, Duolingo and El Chapo!

Have you ever delayed booking a flight because you weren't sure that you got the best price?

This happens to me all the time.

What tends to happen is that I forget to book altogether, and then I miss the discount.

Google Flights, my favorite way to find flight deals, has a trick that refunds you the difference in the event of a price drop.

And this service is free!

Here's how it works:

1. Look for a flight deal with the price guarantee badge.
2. Book your flight.
3. If the price drops from the time of your purchase to the departure date, you get paid.
4. It's that simple.

Don't worry, Google will send you an email automatically if the price drops, and you'll get paid in your Google Pay account. 

A couple of things to note:

• Must depart from the US (round trip or one-way).
• Must sign in with a Google account.
• Must click on the "Book on Google" link. DO NOT BOOK DIRECTLY THROUGH THE AIRLINE.
• The refund amount has to be between $5 and $500 dollars.
• If you cancel the trip, you won't get the difference. Nice try!

Link for more information: https://support.google.com/travel/answer/9430556?hl=en

Give it a try and let me know what you think.

Have you used this trick before?

Cocktail of the Week

The Espresso Martini was created in the late 1980s by cocktail legend Dick Bradsell at the Soho Brasserie in London. The story goes that a famous model requested a drink that would "wake her up and mess her up," and Bradsell crafted the Espresso Martini in response.

• Recipe for the Espresso Martini:
  • 1.5 oz vodka
  • 1 oz coffee liqueur (such as Kahlúa)
  • 1 shot of espresso (cooled to room temperature)
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • Coffee beans (for garnish)
• How to prepare the Espresso Martini:
  • Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
  • Add the vodka, coffee liqueur, cooled espresso, and simple syrup to the shaker.
  • Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds to chill and combine the ingredients.
  • Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass.
  • Garnish with a few coffee beans on top.
     

Random Travel Thought

Some travel habits die hard… like living out of a bag.

Follow me on Instagram.

The Plug

Cheap flights:

• Going.com: This might be the only discounted flights website you need. It’s a paid service that sends you notifications when deals become available, but they expire in a couple of days so Act Fast!! 
• Secret Flying 🤫: This website emails you about free flight opportunities and even better… it doesn’t cost a thing!!
• Skyscanner: An older, but still reliable website that’s also *FREE* so there’s no reason not to use it. Use the "Explore the World" feature and set your departure date to "Whole Month" to find the cheapest deals.

Insurance:

• Safety Wing: I use Safety Wing as my travel insurance because the plans are flexible. You can easily insure a 1-week trip for like $11 dollars which is less than the cost of a cocktail at the bar.

Travel Gear

• Compression socks: Sitting for extended periods of time is not good for the body, so keep yourself healthy enough to go on more trips. Link
• Apple AirTags: Consider getting Apple AirTags for the peace of mind of always knowing where your luggage is. Link
• Smart Phone holder: It's a foldable sheet that can be used as a stand for your iPhone or iPad.Link
• Packing cubes: Having a separate container works wonders for keeping clothes wrinkle-free. It also makes packing/unpacking much easier.Link
• Donut Power Strip: Power outlets are always in demand, but sometimes they're in weird spots. I use this bagel because it's lightweight, and I don't have to think about it. Link
• Travel Case Organizer: Cable organizers can be a pain, but this is what I use to keep my cables organized. Link
• Backup batteries: I like these backup batteries because they have three important components for me: 1. They have enough power to recharge my phone multiple times at once, 2. Are small enough to put in my pocket, and 3. Are sturdy enough to survive a fall. Link
• Yoga Mat: I use this thin mat to get my stretching in even when I'm traveling. Link
• Jump Rope: It's so easy to bring a jump rope with you for exercise because it weighs almost nothing and takes up no space. Link
• Liquid IV: Great for hydration to keep you from dying. When you're traveling, it's time to live it up!  Link
  
  *Above are Affiliate links at no additional cost to you.

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