With summer just around the corner, now is the perfect time to plan a warm weather getaway that won’t break the bank. Whether you’re jetting off to a tropical paradise or exploring a bustling city, getting the best travel deals requires a bit of planning. Here’s how you can save big on your next adventure.
Book airfare on Sundays. Data from the Expedia 2025 Air Hacks Report shows that Sunday is the cheapest day to book airfare, just as it has been the last four years in a row. According to the study, travelers who book domestic flights on Sundays can save as much as 6%, while those who book international airfare may save up to 17% compared to booking on Monday or Friday.
Be flexible with travel dates. Being willing to fly on different days of the week can also help you score some savings. Data also shows that flying domestically on Saturday instead of Sunday can save 17%, while flying internationally on Thursday instead of Sunday can save 15%.
Use fare comparison and deal websites. Several websites can help you compare flight costs across multiple airlines and destinations with ease, including Google Flights and Skyscanner. The Hopper app can even tell you when it’s the best time to book airfare and hotels to get the lowest price.
Leverage loyalty programs and credit card rewards. Frequent flyer miles, hotel loyalty programs, and travel credit cards can help you save on flights, accommodations, and even dining. Many cards offer sign-up bonuses that can cover a free flight or hotel stay.
Consider alternative lodging options. Hotels can be pricey in peak summer months, so consider alternatives like vacation rentals, hostels, and guesthouses if you want to pay less. If you can share a vacation villa or rental home with other family members or friends, you may be able to pay even less.
Bundle and save. Booking flights, hotels, and rental cars together through sites like Expedia, Kayak, or Priceline can help you score a lower total package price on your summer vacation. You can even search for vacation packages at a discount through your favorite frequent flyer program using options like American Airlines Vacations and Delta Vacations.
Don’t forget travel insurance. While it’s an added expense, travel insurance can save you thousands in case of cancellations, lost luggage, or medical emergencies. Some credit cards even offer free travel insurance when you use them to pay for your trip.
Scoring the best summer travel deals is all about planning, flexibility, and knowing where to look. By using these ideas, you can enjoy an amazing vacation without overspending. Start searching now, and you might just land your dream trip at a great price.
Summer work can be financially rewarding, but it can also come with tax consequences that are sometimes overlooked. Here are several ideas for managing your tax obligations that come with seasonal jobs.
Keep it separate. If you mow lawns, babysit or do another cash job where you haven’t filled out a Form W-4 for tax withholdings, the IRS may consider you to be a business for tax purposes. If you are considered to be in business, it’s a good idea to keep your business transactions separate from personal transactions. If you do comingle both types of transactions, the IRS may disallow all business expenses and leave you with a much higher tax bill.
Document your driving. If you are driving for business purposes, document your mileage as it happens. The IRS allows 70 cents a mile for the portion of driving time you spend on business use. Use an app or driving log to record your business driving, and don’t forget to hang on to all receipts.
Keep your receipts. If you want to deduct a business expense, you need to prove that you paid for it. The IRS says any recordkeeping system is okay as long as it clearly shows your expenses. Keep receipts, canceled checks, bank statements and other easy-to-understand records of what you spent the money on and when. Many bookkeeping and accounting systems can help digitize these records, making them easier to corral for tax time.
Calculate your estimated tax bill. Plan to file a tax return (it may be your first return) early next year. Depending on how much you make the rest of the year, you may get back every dollar that was withheld from your paychecks for taxes. If you were self-employed for your summer job, remember that you’ll need to set aside some of your earnings to pay federal, state, and local taxes.
Remember that all income is taxable. No matter how you earn your money, all earned income is taxable. Even tips, cash payments and income from freelance platforms must be reported on your tax return. If you receive a W-2 from an employer, the income is automatically reported to the IRS. If you freelance work, you might receive a 1099 form. But even if you don’t get a 1099, you’re still responsible for reporting all income you earn.
Summer work can provide much more than a temporary income boost — it can also be an opportunity to build good financial habits. By staying mindful of your tax obligations, you can avoid tax surprises and enjoy your hard-earned money.
Lowering your tax bill next year works best as a planned event. So if you are interested in breathing a sigh of relief come next April, consider a review of these four areas as you create and implement your tax plan for 2025.
#1 – Your Home
Your home can create unexpected tax liabilities. Property value appreciation, home improvements, and refinancing your mortgage influence how much tax you pay.
When your home’s value increases substantially, you might pay higher property taxes. Selling a home can also lead to capital gains taxes if you’ve lived in the property for less than two years or exceed the home sale exclusion amounts.
Tax Planning Tips for Your Home:
Get a professional property assessment to ensure you’re not overpaying property taxes. If so, know your location’s time frame and process to amend your property’s value in their formula.
Consider timing home improvements to manage potential tax consequences by being smart about when assessments are applied in your location’s property value.
If selling, understand capital gains exclusion rules ($250,000 for single taxpayers, $500,000 for married couples)
#2 – Your Investments
Review your refinance closing disclosure to identify deductible mortgage points or fees
Investment income can impact your tax bill. Capital gains, dividend distributions, and frequent trading can all cause tax consequences.
Different investments also face different tax rates: Short-term capital gains get taxed at higher ordinary income rates and long-term gains typically receive more favorable treatment.
Tax Planning Tips for Your Investments:
Implement tax-loss harvesting to offset capital gains
Hold investments for more than a year to qualify for long-term capital gains rates
Consider tax-efficient investments like index funds or ETFs
Maximize contributions to tax-advantaged accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs
#3 – Your Retirement
Retirement accounts offer financial opportunities. But they can also cause tax pitfalls. Required minimum distributions (RMDs), early withdrawal penalties, and the tax treatment of different retirement account types influence your tax bill.
Tax Planning Tips for Your Retirement Accounts:
Understand RMD rules and plan withdrawals strategically. Sometimes the most cost-effective plan withdrawals occur long before the RMD rules come into play!
Consider tax-efficient Roth conversions to manage future tax liability
Maximize health savings account (HSA) contributions as an additional retirement account
Explore catch-up contributions if you’re age 50 or older
#4 – Your Life Events
Major life changes can dramatically change your tax situation. Marriage, divorce, having children, changing jobs, or experiencing significant income shifts can all reshape your tax liability.
Tax Planning Tips for Life Changes:
Reassess your filing status as life changes may affect your tax bracket and deductions
Track new deductions and credits as life events like adoption or education expenses may qualify for specific tax breaks
Understand the age triggers built into the tax code and plan accordingly. This is especially important to understand as your children get older.
Sometimes your tax plan will show you an unavoidable, upcoming tax event, but you can plan for it to avoid a surprise. But other times your plan can help lower your tax liability, so it is best to begin as soon as possible.
