I take back everything bad I’ve ever said about flying, cause I really miss my old jet-set life right about now!
As you know, travel was a big vertical for me — up until March 2020. Three days after Tom and I returned home from our Florida Keys trip in early March, the coronavirus was declared a pandemic. And in the following weeks, states issued stay at home orders, and we all had to start canceling our upcoming trips and vacations.
I’ve had a lot of friends and family ask me when I think it will be safe to travel again. The answer? I have no idea. I’m no medical expert, and I can’t predict the future.
One thing I am pretty adamant about? I won’t be booking any international trips for the rest of the year. Here’s why.
Domestic Trips are the Most Probable Right Now
The United States is the newest hotspot for coronavirus. We currently have the most cases reported in the world, and I worry that other countries might not accept U.S. tourists for the rest of the year. I hope that I’m wrong about this. However, I wouldn’t bank on being able to freely travel around the world as a U.S. citizen for a while.
As we head into summer, some popular destinations are starting to open up across the country. Let me be clear: at this very moment, I don’t 100% feel comfortable with domestic travel. I personally plan on staying at home for at least a few more weeks, if not longer. Before you book any trips, please review the latest CDC guidelines and research any local regulations that your destination might be enforcing.
That being said, I love traveling domestically. I think the U.S. is beautiful and diverse, and there are so many parts of the country that I still haven’t had the chance to explore yet. Once we’re a little more in the clear, I know my first big trip post-quarantine will likely be somewhere in the U.S. Heck, it might even be within driving distance of my home.
My Income is Very Unstable Right Now
I’m going to admit it: I’ve taken an economic hit due to the coronavirus, along with millions of other people in this country.
I’m still doing somewhat okay. I’ve been able to land a few brand deals, and I’ve earned quite a bit of affiliate income these last few months. But I’m making less than I was last year, and I’m not sure how long this will last.
Given the circumstances, I figure that now is a great time to save and try to pay down some bills if I’m able to. The future is still a bit uncertain, and I need to be prepared financially for any worst-case scenario.
If You’re Tempted By a Good Flight Deal…
There are some crazy flight deals out right now. I’ve seen $350 flights to Paris, $500 flights to Israel, and more. It pains me not to take advantage of those deals, but for now, I still plan on holding off.
If you do come across a fantastic flight deal, I’d highly recommend getting travel insurance just in case. Getting a full refund for flights hasn’t been easy for some folks. My family was scheduled to fly out to Idaho for a cousin’s college graduation this month, and they were only able to get airline credits. No refund was issued.
What are your thoughts on traveling post-quarantine? Let me know in the comments!
Photos by Tom McGovern
