Affordable Luxury in Franklin, Tennessee: How to Experience Upscale Southern Charm Without Breaking the Bank

When people think of luxury travel destinations, they often imagine five-star resorts, extravagant meals, and price tags that make their credit card sweat. But Franklin, Tennessee offers something a little different. Just south of Nashville, this charming Southern town has mastered the art of affordable luxury...if you know where to look!

Franklin is undeniably upscale. Beautiful historic homes line the streets. Boutique shops fill downtown storefronts. Award-winning restaurant serve elevated Southern cuisine. Yet what makes Franklin special is that many of its most memorable experiences don't require a luxury budget.

Whether you're planning a girls' getaway, couples trip, or a weekend escape, here's how to enjoy the best of Franklin while keeping your spending in check.

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Would I Go Back? Reexamining Vietnam

There are some destinations that leave an impression on you long after you return home. Vietnam is one of those places. 

As part of my "Would I Go Back?" series, I like to reflect honestly on destinations after the excitement of travel has worn off. Some places are amazing once and feel compete. Others leave you already planning your return before your suitcase is unpacked.

Vietnam firmly falls into the second category.

Not only would I go back to Vietnam, but I actually think Vietnam is a country that deserves a return visit. After spending time there, I realized how impossible it is to fully experience the country in a single trip. Vietnam is massive, layered, diverse, and constantly changing from one region to the next. The more I saw, the more I realized how much I didn't see. 

And honestly, I loved that feeling.

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Vancouver, Washington: One of the Best Easy Weekend Trips from Seattle

If you're looking for an easy Pacific Northwest getaway, Vancouver, Washington might just be one of the most overlooked destinations in the whole region! Located just across the Columbia River from Portland, this charming city offers a walkable downtown, a beautiful waterfront, fantastic restaurants, and plenty of local character.
For travelers searching for weekend trips from Seattle or Tacoma, or even a day trip, Vancouver, WA delivers the perfect mix of convenience and charm! It's close enough for a spontaneous getaway but full enough of things to do that you can easily spend an entire weekend away exploring.
Between browsing vintage shops, walking along the waterfront, eating your way through local restaurants, and discovering the city's history, Vancouver is the kind of Pacific Northwest destination that gives you that off the beaten path feel. You'll leave feeling like you chipped away at one of those spots that no one else knows about, so get out there and enjoy it before anyone catches on!
Here's how to plan the perfect Vancouver, Washington getaway.

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What No One Tells You About Driving in Ireland

Driving in Ireland looks dreamy in the photos. You see the winding roads cutting through the impossibly green hills. Stone walls lining the countryside. A castle appearing literally out of nowhere. It feels romantic and cinematic and slow.
And it is.
But what no one really warns you about driving in Ireland is that it requires more focus than you expect. After multiple trips exploring far beyond Dublin and into the rural corners that lead to places like Sliabh Liag, Croagh Patrick, and the Rock of Cashel, we've learned that driving in Ireland isn't hard, it's just different.
And if you go in prepared, it becomes one of the best parts of the trip.

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How to Travel the World While Still Being a Cheapskate {In the Best Possible Way}

Let's get one thing straight: being cheap doesn't mean being miserable, cutting corners that ruin your trip, or sleeping somewhere that makes you question all your life choices! For me, being a cheapskate traveler means spending money intentionally so I can travel more often, for longer, and with less stress. It means knowing where to save, where to splurge, and how to stretch a dollar without sacrificing the experience.
Over the years, I've traveled both domestically and internationally, visited places most people assume must be "expensive" and still managed to stay within a realistic budget. I'm not a luxury traveler, but I'm also not backpacking on $10 a day. I live in that sweet spot in the middle and it's honestly my favorite way to travel. 
If you've ever thought, I'd love to travel more, but I just can't afford it, than this post is for you!

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The 30 Best Items to Sell in January {to Fund Your Next Trip}

There is something about January that makes us want to clear the clutter, get organized, and start the year fresh. It's a natural reset button. But what most people don't realize is that January is also one of the best months of the entire year to make extra money simply by selling things you already own.
If you're dreaming of travel in 2026, want to kick off a "Trash to Travel" challenge like I did this year, or just need motivation to declutter, January is your month. Thanks to New Year's resolutions, new hobby goals, fitness kicks, and people looking for deals after holiday spending, certain items sell incredibly well this time of year.
Whether you want to earn a few hundred dollars or fund an entire trip, here's your ultimate guide to the 30 best things to sell in January and how to get the most money for each item!

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How to Save Money on Popular Vacation Rentals (Without Sacrificing Location or Comfort!)

We planned not one, but two beach vacations this year on totally opposite coasts of the United States. I heard more than once from readers in my DM's that they'd been dreaming of going to those locations but they were finding them too expensive! If you are dreaming of the perfect family or couples getaway, the cost of accommodations at some of those popular locations can feel like a reality check. Heck, we even found that ourselves as I looked for rentals at both Kiawah Island, South Carolina and Seabrook, Washington. Both of these are resorts and master-planned vacation communities that often promote their rentals through official real estate management companies. While convenient, that booking route can also come with steep markups, resort fees, and hidden charges. 
The good news? There's another way. With just a little research and flexibility, you can often rent the exact same or similar properties for significantly less without giving up the prime location or amenities. The secret is renting privately or off the official real estate listing site. I've done it myself, and it can be the difference between being priced out of a location or enjoying it well within your budget. 
Here's how you can save money while still enjoying some of the most beautiful vacation communities in the United States!

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My First Small Group Tour Travel Experience: An Honest Review

Several months ago, I challenged myself to sell or resell items for one month as part of something I called Trash to Travel to create a travel budget from nothing. At the end of the month, the budget dictated where I would go. I didn't know when I started the challenge if I would be taking a staycation locally or if I'd be able to afford a bucket list trip. Well friends, I'll bury the lede and tell you that I did indeed create enough of a budget through reselling to fund a 10 day trip to Vietnam, a bucket list destination for me. At first, it felt like the travel possibilities were endless, but I took a lot of things into consideration. And as someone who has for years planned and created her own travel itineraries, I chose to join a small group travel company. 
Full disclosure, this is not sponsored at all. I receive NO kick back from the travel company, as far as I can tell they don't even have an affiliate program. The thoughts are 100% all mine and were not swayed at all by any compensation or any free incentives. I paid for the trip myself and have the receipts to prove it. 
Taking a small group tour turned out to be one of the most rewarding travel decision I've made. It provided the perfect balance of structure and flexibility, cultural immersion and comfort, and the trip exceeded my expectations in every way. 
When I booked this trip, I knew travelling solo would add an additional layer to my experience, and I'm so grateful that I was pleasantly surprised and think that I chose the right small group travel company for this trip. If you are like me and are a solo traveler looking to make friends, a couple wanting a guided experience, or someone craving authentic cultural connections without the logistical headaches, here's everything you might want to know about booking your own small group tour.

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Trash to Travel Challenge: What I Learned in a Month of Reselling to Create a Travel Budget From Nothing

I started this trash to travel challenge on a whim. Any time I post about reselling {often in my Instagram stories}, I always get questions about how I do it. A quick response to someone who dropped into my DM's, had my mind spinning, and the challenge was created. You see, when I started reselling items about 25 years ago, there weren't many platforms out there. You were often limited to reselling by having a garage sale, and while I love going to them, I don't always like having them! Things have changed so much, and nearly everyone has access to reselling their items for a profit, they just need that little push. As I've shared my experience during my trash to travel challenge, I have heard from many people that I have given them the push that they needed to start listing. After 31 days challenging myself to resell items and create a travel budget from nothing, I learned a few things too. Yes, even with decades of experience, I took away a few nuggets. Are you ready to see what they were?

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Doha Layover Guide to Getting Rest

When a couple travels together, you might have different travel styles. I'm less, how do I say this, precious, and my husband has a bit more dignity. I would happily save money during a long layover and stretch out on the airport floor using my backpack as a pillow, but he would much rather stick to his normal regularly scheduled programming with a warm bed and private room. We found ourselves with a long layover in Doha, Qatar, a major hub for international travel on both ends of our trip to Africa during the evening hours, not ideal for exploring the city. We {read he} was looking for a place to rest, and we tried two of the best options within the airport-the Oryx Airport Hotel and Sleep n' Fly pods. Here's a  little comparison of both as well as some other ideas for spending your layover in Doha.

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The Perfect Weekend in Pasadena, California

I was recently cast in my very first commercial and naturally it was filming in Los Angeles. I say this like this is some every day occurrence, but friends, it is not. But it did take me to LA for a mini trip and I was left with more time on my hands to explore than I was anticipating. And explore I did! When people think of LA they often think of Hollywood, Santa Monica, or maybe even Disneyland. But I found that Pasadena is a destination in its own right. With its charming Old Pasadena district, world-class dining, cultural attractions and basic proximity to all the major LA hot spots, Pasadena makes a great home base for your Southern California adventures! I've got some tips to make the most of your visit.

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Thinking Outside the Box to Save Money Abroad: Using Tesco Clubcards

Sometimes I stumble backwards into a new way to save money. If you're a savvy traveler like me, who knows that every penny you save is more money you can spend on more travel or experiences, then this tip is for you! It feels like one of my more genius ah ha moments that I learned while traveling abroad, and I'm happy to get to share it with you!

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Save Money on Airfare! Step by Step Guide to Getting a Fare Adjustment

Booking airfare can be one of the most stressful parts of travel planning. Especially because it's often one of the most expensive parts of trip planning. There's always that nagging thought of "what if the price drops after I buy my ticket?" Thankfully, there have been some changes in recent years {thank you global pandemic for SOMETHING}, and you just might be able to get a fare adjustment for airline tickets you've already purchased. I'm going to walk you through step by step what I do so that you can set up price alerts easily and point out which airlines make the process the easiest!

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How to Make the Most of Stopovers: Turn Layovers into Mini Vacations

Turning layovers into mini-vacations is a smart way to make the most of your travel experiences without incurring additional airfare costs. Many airlines offer free stopover programs, allowing travelers to explore an extra destination en route to their final stop. When I discovered this little trick, I thought it was so genius! I haven't stopped telling people about it and I highly encourage it so that you can make the most of your travel. You're already doing the travel, why not add in the option of exploring another country?!

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Practical Tips for Saving Big So You can Afford the Life You Really Want!

Saving money can often feel like a daunting task, especially when you are dreaming of big things like traveling the world and being financially free! One of my greatest skills is stretching a dollar and because of that, we've been able to pay off our home mortgage, send three kids out of state to college with no student loans, and have lived a Nordstrom life on a garage sale budget! I can't even say a Walmart budget because sometimes even that is more than I want to spend! I'm putting together a few practical strategies so that you can save more every day and make the dreams that you have a reality. Here are some actionable tips to help you save money without feeling deprived. 

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The Perfect Itinerary for 48 Hours in Olympic National Park

Tucked in the northwestern corner of Washington State, Olympic National Park is a haven for nature enthusiasts seeking diverse landscapes, unique ecosystems, and breathtaking views! This pristine wilderness encompasses nearly one million acres of untamed beauty, showcasing everything from lush rainforests and alpine peaks to rugged coastline. The Olympics really do have it all! In only 48 hours, you really can hit the highlights. This is the ultimate guide to help you make the most of your short but unforgettable journey through Olympic National Park.

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What to Do if Your Hotel has Bed Bugs

Never in a million years did I think I'd run into this problem, but we did. On night one of a three-week-long trip to Africa in a luxury hotel no less! We had our first encounter with bed bugs...that I know of. I guess I was just blissfully unaware for the whole of my life. Heck, even after squishing the pesky bug, we didn't even know that it was a bed bug until we used Google images to identify it solely out of curiosity. My body itched for days and now I'll never travel the same way again. Now that I know, here is what I'm doing differently. Here are some tips for traveling, signs to look for, and what to do if you do come across a bed bug infestation!

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Exploring the Hidden Gem: Theodore Roosevelt National Park

I recently took a cross country road trip with my youngest son to get him settled into his new home in Grand Forks, North Dakota where he is studying commercial aviation. When I was chatting with friends about our trip, I had at least a handful of people tell me that we needed to make it a point to stop at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Had we not had the National Park game, I would not have even known there was a national park in North Dakota, let alone one named after a president {the only one!}. I think the general consensus of those who told me about the park was that they didn't have high {or any} expectations and then they got there and they were blown away! After taking a detour to Teddy Roosevelt National Park, I'd have to agree. This is THE most underrated National Park that literally no one seems to know about! I've never had so many wild animal encounters at a National Park, seen such diverse and rugged landscape and in the end felt like I stumbled on a true hidden gem! You are going to want to read this and then book a trip immediately before the secret gets out!

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10 Packing Tips from a Recovered Overpacker

You guys remember the days when your checked suitcase was free and it could be up to 75 pounds? I used to pack just about darn near everything I could think I might need for a trip. I started traveling more and realized I needed less. Oh, and airlines started charging me to check my suitcase, and I'm cheap, so I learned quickly how to pack light! I'm not going to lie, it's a struggle every time I pack to not over pack, but it makes travel so much easier. I can pack for several weeks in just a carry on suitcase. Here are a few things I've started doing to help me be a reformed {recovered} overpacker.

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Splurge or Save on Cruise Extras

If you are planning on taking a cruise, you might feel lost with all the extras you can book with your cruise. From fine dining to excursions, you can spend a lot of additional costs to make your cruise better, more relaxing, and so much more! Here are some of the best cruise extras to splurge on and a few you should skip.

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