5 Tricks For Making Cheap Travel Happen In 2017 | HuffPost Life

The experts share their tips.

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Lifestyle Editor, HuffPost

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Money is one of the biggest reasons Americans tend to skip out on travel. But trotting the globe doesn’t have to be a financial headache.

In the video above, finance expert Tiffany Aliche and travel guru Evita Robinson share their tips for making this the year you commit to working life-changing trips into your schedule and budget. Between saving wisely, cutting costs creatively and traveling efficiently, you can and WILL make travel a part of your life in 2017. Let’s go!

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Before You Go

10 Game-Changing Travel Apps

For cheap flights at the last minute(01 of10)

For comprehensive ticket info, it really doesn’t get any better than Google Flights. But if you must have an app that downloads to your phone, try Hopper: Its special focus on price comparison over time lends confidence that you’re choosing the cheapest flight. (credit:App Store)

For finding a hotel room, fast(02 of10)

Scroll the easy-to-read maps on HotelTonight for cheap hotel deals at the last minute and up to a week in advance. Keep in mind, though, that hotels sometimes overbook and therefore don't honor reservations made on third-party sites: It may be worth calling the hotel directly after using the app to see if they’ll give you the deal themselves. (credit:App Store)

To foresee flight delays(03 of10)

You can usually search your flight number on Google to see if it’s been cancelled or delayed. For those of us who prefer to be served, however, FlightAware sends push notifications with this information. (credit:App Store)

For all things airport security(04 of10)

My TSA was developed by the Transportation Security Administration itself, with a handy search feature that tells you whether certain items are accepted in carry-on luggage. You can also view real-time wait estimates for most airport security lines, to prepare for the slog before you arrive. (credit:App Store)

To make sure you get the best seat(05 of10)

Use SeatGuru when buying flights to see which seats have the most legroom, best carry-on storage, power outlets and more. (credit:App Store)

For cheap gas on a roadtrip(06 of10)

Tell GasBuddy your location, and get a list of gas stations in your proximity, with current prices per gallon so you can fill up at the cheapest one. (credit:App Store)

For free audiobooks(07 of10)

The robust "Free Books" section of the Audio Books app by audiobooks.com works for road-trippers who you don’t have a fancy audiobooks subscription but would like a title to pass the time. (credit:App Store)

For workouts on the road(08 of10)

You won’t get lost trotting around Grandma’s neighborhood with RunGo. Plan a route beforehand, and let the app guide you with turn-by-turn audio instructions as you run. Or try one of their pre-planned routes submitted by users in cities and towns nationwide. (credit:App Store)

For top-notch airport food(09 of10)

Sure, GateGuru promises to deliver real-time flight updates when you’re stuck in the airport. But its real selling point is a list of bars and restaurants in each terminal, complete with Yelp-like customer reviews. (credit:App Store)

For storing boarding passes in one place(10 of10)

Perhaps the best app for this is already on your phone: For Apple users, the Wallet app stores mobile boarding passes in, well, a virtual wallet, so you aren’t fumbling for your confirmation email in the security line. On an Android, PassWallet does the trick. (credit:Apple)

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