The cost of living on the road can add up quickly, but one woman who’s visited all 50 US states and each of the seven continents has shared her hard-earned cost-cutting moves to help other travelers save money.
Ashley Nealy, 35, of Atlanta wrapped up her epic 50-state challenge in October 2022 with a visit to the snowy Alaskan wilderness. On one trip alone, she crossed six states in five days.
The avid explorer, who has traveled both nationally and internationally, says one of her best money-saving tips is to avoid buying large quantities of overpriced souvenirs and gifts for friends.
She told Insider that she “stopped spending money on certain souvenirs a long time ago” after realizing that trinkets she would buy for friends and family – like magnets and t-shirts – were completely irrelevant because they were places which she did not visit.
Ashley Nealy, 35, of Atlanta, had several stops along the way, ticking off six states in five days on one trip
Wyoming was one of her favorite states because she loved Yellowstone National Park. She concluded her epic challenge in October 2022 with a trip to the snowy Alaskan wilderness
She explains: “I now use several criteria to determine whether I should spend money on a souvenir, including availability in other parts of the country.
“In Vermont, I bought pure maple syrup from a local farmer. It wasn’t available online and it would have cost a lot more money to ship. I also bought a special cheddar cheese that was only available at Cabot Creamery in Vermont.”
Ashley warns that airport souvenirs are particularly expensive and that you should explore the local shops at your holiday destination to find the cheapest goods.
And before you part with your money, “always ask yourself if you have a good reason to buy it.”
Another wallet-friendly tip from the globetrotter is to never book accommodation away from the action.
While hotels outside the city can be a bit cheaper, she says you’ll end up spending more on transportation costs like taxis, rental cars and parking in the long run.
Before booking accommodation, Ashley recommends researching attractions within walking distance to ensure you’re not too far from the places you want to visit.
Some hotels also offer free or discounted shuttles that run around town or to the airport. So this can be another option if no central locations are available.
When it comes to food, the American says she tries to avoid restaurants she can find in her hometown or state.
The only exception is if she visits a location with the largest location in the chain, or if that’s where the original outpost is located.
She adds: “I’m also willing to go to a recognizable chain if they have a special menu that I can’t find anywhere else [or]… I try out casual chain restaurants that I can’t find at home.”
At restaurants or food vendors, Ashley tries to choose dishes and drinks that are unique to the location. For example, poutine in Vermont and cheesesteaks in Philadelphia.
If you’re really looking to cut costs, Ashley says many restaurants offer free samples of items you might want to pass on.
After traveling both nationally and internationally, the avid traveler has learned a lot about cutting her expenses
She reveals, “At the Cabot Creamery in Vermont, the clerks gave me free cheese samples and pure maple syrup.”
One of the biggest travel savings, Ashley says, is on rental cars.
While renting a car can be expensive, navigating to a new destination can also be very stressful, detracting from your experience.
Before buying a rental car, she recommends researching public transportation options, as trains and buses are likely to “get you where you need to be for a fraction of the price.”
Finally, Ashley says stocking up on freebies at hotels and airports can go a long way in saving important dollars.
For example, in hotels, minibars usually serve complimentary water, tea and coffee.
If breakfast is included, it’s worth bringing extra snacks, and some hotels offer evening receptions that may be worth attending.
As for toiletries, the Adventurer recommends traveling with mini containers that you can fill with hotel supplies.
So you don’t have to spend money on shower gel, shampoo and conditioner when you travel.
Airports now usually have water stations, so a refillable water bottle is one of Ashley’s essential travel essentials.
“It saves me even more money,” she says.
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James is an author and travel journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a love for exploring new cultures and discovering unique destinations, James brings his readers on a journey with him through his articles.
