✈︎ How We Find Savings No Matter the Destination

+ A look into our worldschooling adventure

Author

Allie Rockwell
June 03, 2025

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Good morning ☀️ from Booked It On Points: A curated collection of travel tips and personal stories by me, Allie→ because you’re meant to experience meaningful travel no matter life’s constraints 👊🏽

Let’s dive in.

✈︎ Travel Story


From Airport to Affordable: A Traveler’s Guide to Saving Money Right Away

The first time we arrived in La Barra, Uruguay, we did what most travelers do—we walked into the first grocery store we saw. It was small, well-stocked, and wildly overpriced. A single bell pepper? Nearly $3. A carton of eggs? I didn’t even want to convert it to USD (but I did and it was $12 😢).

Lesson learned: Never assume the first shop you see is the best option.

Instead of panicking, we did something I recommend to every traveler—asked a local. A quick chat with our local host led us to a small, nondescript produce stand tucked away from the main tourist area. The prices? Less than half of what we had seen before. The quality? Even better 🙌

Here’s how to avoid overspending the moment you land somewhere new:

1. Don’t Rush to Buy Everything Immediately

It’s tempting to stock up right away, but take a beat. Scope out different grocery stores, local markets, and even bakeries before making big purchases. Tourist zones often have the most expensive options. Walk a few blocks away, and you might find dramatically better prices.

We found one spot that has 30% produce EVERY TUESDAY- and you can bet we take advantage of that discovery.

Struck gold with this discovery!

2. Ask a Local Where They Shop

This is the easiest hack. Whether it’s your Airbnb host, a barista, or the person working at the front desk of your hotel—locals know where to get the best deals. In La Barra, that simple question saved us a huge chunk of our grocery budget. It also helped us navigate the local bus system saving us $$$ on Uber costs.

3. Avoid Airport & Tourist Transport Traps

Upon landing, your first instinct might be to grab a taxi from the airport—but that’s often the most expensive option. Research ahead of time if buses, trains, or rideshare apps (ever hear of BlaBla car?) are available. Some destinations even have free airport shuttles to the city center.

4. Know the Exchange Rate And Use the Right Card!

If you're in a cash-heavy country, make sure you know the exchange rate before withdrawing money. Some ATMs default to charging in USD at terrible rates. Always select the local currency when withdrawing or paying by card.

Use a credit with NO FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEE. This card and this card are my 2 favorites for any country!

5. Utilize Google Maps to save $$

Find cheap food using Google Maps→ search for “restaurants” and then use the price filter to select the inexpensive ($) option. This will show budget-friendly spots in your area or wherever you’re traveling. You can also search for terms like “cheap eats,” “local food,” or “food trucks” for more targeted results. Be sure to check reviews and photos to get a feel for the vibe and quality before you go. It’s a quick and easy way to save money while still enjoying local flavors.

While trips can add up there are always small ways to save money. We use each of these tricks to make sure our budget can stretch even further!

✈︎ Our World Schooling Adventure

As you may know, we’ve been living abroad with Boundless Life, a community for traveling families that offers a project-based learning school for kids and built-in support for parents (as well as summer camp options!). Our kids are thriving in the school—making friends from around the world, engaging in hands-on learning, and growing more confident every day. Geo and I have found ourselves surrounded by kind, like-minded people, forming deep, meaningful connections that have made this chapter of life incredibly rich and fulfilling.

Each child completes a student-led conference and shows off the work they've been completing.

Beautiful classrooms that inspire learning!

Decode the Zeitgeist with 1440

Every week, 1440 zooms in on a single society-and-culture phenomenon—be it the rise of Saturday Night Live, Dystopian Literature, or the history of the Olympics—and unpacks it with curiosity-driven rigor. You’ll get a concise read grounded in verified facts, peppered with thought-provoking context and links for deeper exploration. No partisan angles, no fear-mongering—just the stories, trends, and ideas shaping how we live, work, and create.

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Winter has started to settle in here in South America. Unfortunately I’m bundling up, but I hope for all my friends north of me, you’re enjoying a beautiful and sunny WARM day!

Thanks for being here,

Allie & Geo