Season 1 of the Lazy Budget Travel Tips podcast is officially wrapped!

In this short update, I’m sharing why I’m taking a quick break before launching Season 2, what’s on the horizon this fall, and how you can stay connected in the meantime.

Here’s what you’ll hear:

• Why I’m pressing pause to recharge and prep for Season 2
• Our upcoming two-week Florida RV trip (our longest yet—and Sky’s first big adventure 🐾)
• Speaking at the Travelmore Conference in New Orleans this October 3-5th
• Heading to the UK with Brandon—his first overseas trip since 2016—flying Virgin Atlantic Upper Class ✈️
• How you can help shape Season 2 by sharing your episode ideas and questions

👉 Stay connected with me during the break:

• Instagram: @travelingfranklins
  
  
• Facebook Group: Lazy Budget Travel Tips
  
  

Thank you for being part of this community—I’m so grateful for your support. Season 2 is coming soon, and I can’t wait to bring you more tips, stories, and strategies to help you travel more for less.

And as always—keep it simple, keep it fun, and keep exploring!

Support the show

Full episodes, including video, are available on Youtube.

Check out more from Genni:

• Join the Lazy Budget Travel Tips Facebook Group
• Grab the FREE Budget Travel 101 Course
• Follow Genni on Instagram
• Traveling Franklins Blog
• Get the Weekly Newsletter!

Show Support for the Podcast: Check out my Credit Card Links (no cost to you) or Buy Me A Coffee (or Burrito iykyk)

If you’ve ever booked the cheapest flight… only to find yourself on a three-layover marathon wishing you’d spent a little more, this episode is going to change how you search forever.

I’m joined by Taima Ramsey from Poor in a Private Plane, who’s made a career out of finding luxury travel experiences without the luxury price tag.

Together, we’re breaking down how to find the best flights—not just the cheapest—so you can travel in comfort without blowing your budget.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why “budget” doesn’t have to mean “cheap” (and how to get intentional about your travel choices)
• How to use Google Flights Explore to discover destinations you didn’t even know were possible
• The price tracking trick that saved Taima’s parents $400 in just 24 hours
• The “date grid” feature that can shave hundreds off your airfare
• Hidden tools like the Points Path Chrome extension for points and miles fans
• Why booking direct is usually smarter than third-party sites
• Taima’s “Travel Roulette” method for spontaneous, affordable trips
• Mistakes to avoid when using points & miles so you get the best value

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Introduction
• 00:56 Taima's Journey to Luxury Travel on a Budget
• 02:43 Defining Budget Travel vs. Cheap Travel
• 04:28 Strategies for Budget Travel
• 08:57 Google Flights: A Powerful Tool for Travelers
• 13:16 Exploring Google Flights Features
• 24:19 Other Travel Search Engines and Tools
• 33:29 Favorite Airlines and Travel Preferences
• 34:22 Traveling to the Philippines: Flight Challenges
• 34:35 Loyalty to Delta and Its Partners
• 35:41 Avoiding Budget Airlines
• 37:25 Budgeting for Better Travel Experiences
• 38:37 Finding the Best Flight Deals
• 40:30 Maximizing Points and Miles
• 40:42 Planning a Trip to Mexico on a Budget
• 42:22 Using Google Flights for Travel Planning
• 47:01 Mistakes to Avoid When Using Points
• 52:11 Rapid Fire Travel Questions
• 56:54 Travel Roulette: Planning Spontaneous Trips
• 58:52 Final Thoughts and Where to Follow

Links & Resources:

• Taima’s Blog: Poor in a Private Plane
• Taima’s Facebook Group: Luxury Travel on a Budget Insider Tips
• Points Path Chrome Extension: Download Here

Follow Taima:
Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok – @poorinaprivateplane

Support the show

Full episodes, including video, are available on Youtube.

Check out more from Genni:

• Join the Lazy Budget Travel Tips Facebook Group
• Grab the FREE Budget Travel 101 Course
• Follow Genni on Instagram
• Traveling Franklins Blog
• Get the Weekly Newsletter!

Show Support for the Podcast: Check out my Credit Card Links (no cost to you) or Buy Me A Coffee (or Burrito iykyk)

In this episode of the Lazy Budget Travel Tips podcast, I’m joined by Iran—someone who proves you don’t need to do everything perfectly to travel big with points and miles.

Iran started just like many of us: no clue about travel rewards, just a tempting Delta offer in her inbox.

Fast forward a year, and she’s booked a $7,400+ trip to Kauai for her family—flights, Hyatt stay, lounge access, and upgrades included—for under $50.

And now? She’s planning a $30,000 Europe adventure using points.

Iran shares:

• How she got started with zero knowledge and one Delta card
• Her strategy for booking Hyatt stays and Virgin Atlantic flights
• Mistakes she made (including a Hyatt status mishap)
• Why flexible points came later—and how that actually helped
• Practical tips for beginners, including travel budgeting and credit card strategy

Iran’s story is down-to-earth and encouraging, especially if you’re just starting out or still figuring it all out.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Introduction to Lazy Budget Travel Tips
• 01:14 Iran's Journey into Travel Rewards
• 02:13 First Steps with Travel Credit Cards
• 05:15 Diving Deeper into Points and Miles
• 06:39 First Redemption and Kauai Trip
• 08:52 Booking Strategies and Tips
• 16:31 Upcoming Europe Trip Plans
• 24:33 The Value of Small Redemptions
• 25:16 Starting with Co-Branded Credit Cards
• 25:58 Flexible Points and Credit Card Strategies
• 29:26 Debunking Credit Card Myths
• 33:15 Rapid Fire Questions
• 43:39 Dream Destinations and Final Thoughts

Links + Mentions:

• Follow Iran’s travel adventures on Instagram: @myvacationstation
• Join the Lazy Budget Travel Tips Facebook Group to share your wins, ask questions, and suggest future episode topics

Support the show

Full episodes, including video, are available on Youtube.

Check out more from Genni:

• Join the Lazy Budget Travel Tips Facebook Group
• Grab the FREE Budget Travel 101 Course
• Follow Genni on Instagram
• Traveling Franklins Blog
• Get the Weekly Newsletter!

Show Support for the Podcast: Check out my Credit Card Links (no cost to you) or Buy Me A Coffee (or Burrito iykyk)