Have someone flying in to visit this summer? No more tracking them online or trying to figure out if they’ve been delayed if you use this hack.
House swapping is hot right now – Do it the right way
Want to try out a new city or travel over the long term for cheap? You need to know about home swapping. There are dozens of home-swapping groups on Facebook for everyone from women over 50 to vegans who like baseball. But it’s not for everyone, and you have to do your homework.
Swap smart
My advice: Eat the fee the first time and use a third-party site to see if home swapping is for you. (I’ve got options and costs below.) You can try it by yourself to avoid fees, but be sure to do your due diligence and create an agreement.
🚩 Secrecy is the biggest red flag. If the other party refuses to video-chat on a platform like FaceTime or sign a formal agreement, move on. Ask about security systems and anyone else who has access to the property while you’re staying there, too.
What about your home?
If you’re a renter, check your rental agreement for restrictions and rules around subletting. And if you own your home and still owe on your mortgage, see if your loan agreement lets you rent your place.
Take precautions. Have a plan in place for unexpected maintenance problems and a local contact for your swapper to reach out to about plumbing issues, TVs or pests.
Lock any closets and rooms off-limits to guests, and store all your valuables in a portable safe (this one’s $19).
Insurance is part of this convo, too. Ask if your renter’s or homeowner’s policy extends to anyone you swap homes with. You may need additional coverage.
🦺 Guardhog and Pikl specialize in insurance just for home sharing. Who knew?
Arrivederci, beaches
When you’re getting started with home swapping, going through a vetted third-party website is your safest bet. Here are a few to check out:
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Taking a summer vacation? Don't make these dumb mistakes
Did you hear about the woman who was scammed out of her $15,000 Carnival cruise? A day before the family was supposed to board, Tiffany found the trip she’d spent a year planning had been canceled … and not by her.
Play on, player
Summer is playtime. I wrangled up a few great beach or outdoor lawn games for hosting, travel or just weekend fun.
- Keep it classic: This bocce ball set is 19% off and comes with its own carrying case.
- Get the kids off their screens: This game set is a party in a box for the younger members of your summering crew, with four games in one. Select the size for kids ages 3 to 7 or 5 to 10.
- Light up the night: A lightweight, light-up flying disc is good for parties that go past sunset, which is pretty late these days! Woo, it’s 15% off.
- Backyard bowling: An outdoor (or indoor, for rainy days) bowling set for 22% off. Strike!
- Tabletop playing: Give your feet a rest from the other games and play a hook-and-ring game (15% off).
- Create your own course: Most putting games are pricey, but this set of two putting cups is a steal on sale for $8.99. Get a bunch and create your own 18.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
⌛ Quick travel booking tip: Based on average round-trip flight ticket prices, you can save up to 15% when you book on a Sunday. The cheapest day of the week to travel is Wednesday.
When a deleted text message isn't
Think your deleted text messages are gone for good? One husband found out the hard way and is now suing Apple for over $6 million. Also, rough times ahead for discount travel sites, the best weather apps to keep you updated, and apps that make grocery list-making a breeze.
Havana good time: Millennials say they’re overwhelmed by booking trips online. Instead, they give a real, breathing travel agent a budget and a few dream destinations, and they let them handle the rest. It doesn’t come cheap, though — think $15,000 or more. Gotta get those pics for the ‘gram!
I’m not a wave, but I travel. I’m intangible and can carry a conversation. What am I?
900% increase
In travel scams in the past year. That’s according to Booking.com, at least. ChatGPT has made it easier than ever to generate realistic scam emails. Do I believe there’s been an increase? Absolutely, but 900% …?
Best dashcams for 2024
Fourth of July is right around the corner, and we’re in for record-breaking holiday traffic. Some 71 million people are expected to travel over 50 miles during the week — the most on record.
I don’t mean to be a downer, but record-setting travel also means record-setting accidents, crashes and road rage. And being a defensive driver isn’t the only way to protect yourself on the road.
Your smart speaker can detect smoke and carbon monoxide alarms – Here's how
Your Amazon, Google or Apple smart speaker has a lifesaving feature I bet you don’t know about: It can tell you if there’s smoke or carbon monoxide (CO) in your home.
The speaker can’t actually detect smoke or CO, but it can “listen” for devices that do. So, if your smoke or CO alarm goes off and you’re away from home, your smart speaker can ping your phone, saving your property, belongings and precious pets inside.
New travel term to know: Some men are bragging about “rawdogging” flights. This means they forgo all forms of entertainment while in the air. For some, it’s a form of meditation; for others, it’s a challenge to deprive themselves of all creature comforts, including free snacks. Movies and champagne for me, please.
🏨 I have no reservations about this travel tip: Google Wallet now lets you add hotel keys directly to your phone. Open the hotel’s website, app or email, and hit the Add to Google Wallet button. When you reach your room, hold your phone near the door handle to unlock it.
🚗 New travel rule: Only ride in a self-driving car during the middle of the day. A study of more than 2,000 autonomous vehicles found they’re 5.25 times more likely to cause accidents in early morning, twilight and low-light conditions. They’re nearly twice as likely to mess up turns compared to human drivers, too. Yikes.
38% of millennials and Gen Z
Love travel agents. Turns out, planning a trip takes a lot of work. After nearing extinction, travel agents are making an unexpected comeback. Only 12% of Gen X and 2% of baby boomers felt the same. I hear you: “I need six months of vacation twice a year.”
Bumpy skies for discount travel sites like Expedia, Kayak and others
Tired of online booking? You’re not alone. Here’s why many are ditching travel sites for travel agencies.
Get the best vacation deals, without getting scammed
Aloha! I’m so excited. I just booked a trip to Hawaii. I scored a great hotel, a fabulous room and a knockout price (hello, extra night free!), so I figured there’s no better time to share my tricks.
And, because cyber creeps are everywhere, I have travel scams to warn you about, too. Let’s book your summer vacay or upgrade the one you have the right way.
✈️ They’re spying on you: Travel apps including Airbnb and Booking.com are harvesting your data. Flight and hotel booking app Travelstart, for instance, can access your camera to take pics and videos. MakeMyTrip has 50 million downloads … and it can read your text messages. Check out the full list of snoopy apps. It just never stops.
✈️ Get through the airport faster: Over 3 million people a day are expected to pass through the TSA’s security screenigs this summer. If you’re traveling internationally, download the free Mobile Passport Control app. It’ll let you submit your travel docs, photo and customs declaration info ahead of time. Get it for iPhone or Android. You’ll thank me so many times for this tip!
The art of the upsell
Did you hear United Airlines is going all-in on a new, premium, expensive business class? Private check-in, a fancy lounge with sit-down dining, nice pajamas and a mattress pad, extra food on the plane, and (my favorite) press a button and someone will whiz over with champagne. Cha‑ching.