- RetireHub
- Posts
- How to Extend a Trip Without Breaking the Bank
How to Extend a Trip Without Breaking the Bank
Trivia: Who composed the one-movement orchestral piece Boléro (1928)?
RetireHub
December 04, 2025
Rise and shine, RetireHub community! ☀️ Your Thursday newsletter is here!
Today we’re sharing smart tips on How to Extend a Trip Without Breaking the Bank, along with the best deals, fun trivia, and more!
Until supplies run out, receive a free commemorative mug when you sign up for a paid subscription to RetireHub.
We were recently gifted a couple dozen of these mugs and want to pass them along to our loyal readers. If you sign up for a RH premium subscription (just $5/mo — less than a cup of coffee), we’ll send you one of these mugs.
Top Deals From Around The Web
We find the best daily online deals so you don’t have to!
💆 70% OFF – TipTalk Hand Massager with Heat & Compression
Soothe tired, achy hands with this cordless massager featuring heat therapy, adjustable compression, and targeted pressure for stiffness or arthritis relief. Lightweight and rechargeable, it’s perfect for daily relaxation, improving circulation, or easing hand strain from typing, crafting, or phone use. A thoughtful self-care gift for anyone who could use a little comfort.
🧴 33% OFF – 30-Pack Natural Beeswax Lip Balm Set
Keep lips soft and protected with this nourishing beeswax balm made to moisturize and soothe dry, cracked skin. Each tube is infused with natural ingredients that create a smooth, non-greasy finish—great for winter dryness, sensitive skin, or everyday pocket carry. A simple, practical stocking stuffer that everyone can use.
🎤 36% OFF – Ikarao Portable Wireless Microphone Duo
Turn any gathering into karaoke night with this self-charging wireless mic set that pairs instantly with speakers, phones, or tablets. Featuring clear sound, long battery life, and an ultra-portable design, it’s perfect for parties, presentations, travel, or recording on the go. A fun, versatile gadget for entertainers of all ages.
What We’re Reading
Get these e-book deals before they’re gone.
 | By: Cate Martin Amanda, Brianna and Sophie are the Witches Three, and their Charm School for Exceptional Young Ladies connects the modern world to the Jazz Age of 1928. When magical murders happen across that time portal, no one but they can solve them and see justice done. |
On this day in 1996, NASA launched the Mars Pathfinder spacecraft, beginning the mission that would deliver the Sojourner rover to the Martian surface.
It became the first successful rover on Mars, sending back unforgettable images and proving that small, mobile robots could explore other worlds—paving the way for Spirit, Opportunity, Curiosity, and Perseverance.
How to Extend a Trip Without Breaking the Bank
For many travelers, the best part of a vacation is that moment when you wish you could stay just a little longer. The good news? Extending a trip doesn’t have to mean draining your savings. With a bit of flexibility, planning, and creativity, you can stretch out your getaway without stretching your budget.
One of the simplest ways to save is by adjusting your lodging strategy. Instead of staying in traditional hotels, look for short-term rentals, hostels with private rooms, or budget-friendly inns. Many properties offer discounted rates for longer stays, so an extra two or three nights can actually cost less per night than your original booking. If you’re staying somewhere with access to a kitchen, even better—you can cut down on meals out and enjoy relaxed breakfasts or simple dinners at “home.”
Transportation is another major cost, but it’s also an area where small tweaks can yield big savings. Before extending your stay, check for alternative flights or train times that fall outside peak hours. Midweek departures are often significantly cheaper. If you’re driving, consider staying put in one spot rather than roaming widely—less fuel, less stress, and more time to truly enjoy the destination.
Food expenses can add up quickly when you’re traveling, but they’re one of the easiest areas to control. Seek out local markets, bakeries, and affordable neighborhood restaurants rather than tourist-focused dining. Many cities also offer free or low-cost food tours, happy hours, and café deals that make stretching your budget feel like part of the adventure. And don’t underestimate the charm of a picnic—grab a loaf of bread, some local cheeses or fruit, and find a scenic park or waterfront to enjoy a memorable meal at a fraction of the cost.
Finally, look for free or inexpensive activities. Many museums have discounted days or donation-based entry. City parks, botanical gardens, historic walking routes, and community events often cost nothing at all. If you’re near nature, hikes, beaches, viewpoints, and wildlife areas offer full days of beauty with minimal expense. Extending your trip often works best when you shift into a slower, more relaxed rhythm—less rushing, more savoring.
With these strategies, you can add extra time to your travels without adding financial stress. Sometimes the best moments—the quiet morning coffee, the extra sunset, the unexpected local discovery—happen when you simply stay a little longer.
What’s Your Favorite Way to Save Money When Extending a Trip? |
Yesterday’s Poll Results: What Would Inspire You to Attend an Orchestra Performance?
It’s clear our community loves a little creativity with their classical music! Programs that blend traditional orchestral sound with movie themes and popular songs took the top spot, showing a strong appetite for performances that feel familiar, fun, and fresh. Outdoor and casual-venue concerts were also a big hit, suggesting that many people enjoy orchestra experiences that feel relaxed and accessible. Family-friendly shorter concerts and classic hall performances held steady interest as well. Overall, the results show that while tradition still matters, audiences are most inspired by orchestras that experiment, modernize, and meet people where they already find joy.
TOP COMMENTS
“A few years ago, maybe several years ago, I would have enjoyed all of them. Now, only the streaming, when I'm in the mood.”
“Family members participating in the orchestra.”
“I love dressing up and enjoy the performance in a place where the atmosphere and energy is focused on the performance.”
“Boston Pops are my favorite.”
“Lower the prices. The lower middle-class can't afford the tickets. People living on social security can barely afford to buy groceries let alone tickets.”
Why Lifelong Learning Matters: How Picking Up New Skills in Midlife Keeps the Mind Sharp and Life Meaningful
As people reach their 50s, 60s, and beyond, continuing to learn new skills or knowledge isn’t just for curiosity — it can help preserve mental sharpness, emotional well-being, and social connection. Studies show that older adults who engage regularly in learning activities tend to maintain stronger memory and cognitive function over time than those who don’t.
Learning something new — whether a language, an instrument, a hobby, or technology — also supports emotional health by boosting confidence, reducing stress, and giving a renewed sense of purpose. Social benefits often follow: classes, workshops, or group learning settings can build friendships, foster community, and combat isolation.
In short, learning in midlife isn’t a luxury — it’s a powerful tool for healthy, active aging. It helps the brain stay engaged, emotions stay balanced, and social ties stay strong, making each new chapter richer and more fulfilling.
Follow us on Social Media!
Join an online community thriving in retirement! Find us on:
Every day we post retirement tips, highlights from our newsletter so you can comment and discuss in the community, and some fun retirement-themed motivation!
Slang Phrase of the Day
Phrase: Stan
Meaning: “Stan” is modern slang that means to be an extremely enthusiastic fan of someone or something. It can be used as a noun (“I’m a stan”) or a verb (“I stan her”), and it describes admiration that goes beyond casual liking — more like devoted, loyal support.
In a sentence: “At our book club, we absolutely stan the librarian who always saves the best new mysteries for us before anyone else gets them.”
Good News of the Day
New Study Links Restless-Legs Syndrome With Higher Parkinson’s Risk — but Treatment May Help Reduce It
A new population-based study from South Korea found that people diagnosed with Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) had a 60% higher likelihood of developing Parkinson's disease (PD) than those without RLS over a 15-year follow-up period: 1.6% of RLS patients developed PD vs. 1.0% of controls.
The risk was especially high among RLS patients who did not receive dopamine-agonist treatments — their PD incidence reached 2.1%. Meanwhile, RLS patients treated with dopamine agonists had a much lower PD rate (0.5%) — even lower than the control group. While the research doesn’t prove that RLS causes Parkinson’s, the results suggest RLS might serve as an early warning sign for PD. And for those with RLS, receiving appropriate treatment may possibly offer a protective influence on long-term brain health.
Other Publications We Like
Check out these other email newsletters we think you’ll enjoy!
RetireHub Trivia
Want more trivia? Play our “Nostalgia Trivia Game” on our site! We add fresh questions daily, so there’s always something new to test your knowledge.
Not into trivia? No worries! We’ve got plenty of other fun games to enjoy, like:
Which author wrote The Handmaid’s Tale (published 1985)? |
Who composed the one-movement orchestral piece Boléro (1928)? |
The oldest continuously occupied European-founded city in the continental United States is: |
A QUICK ASK: First off, thank you for reading RetireHub every day. It fills our cup that so many thousands of people get joy from our little publication.
As you know, good content costs money. In order to continue supporting ourselves and to continue delivering the content you enjoy every day, we need to pay our writers. If you can, we ask you to subscribe to our paid account (for $5/month - less than a cup of coffee!) below.
If you choose to purchase a paid subscription, please know you’re supporting not only our publication, but tens of thousands of other 50+ year old Americans that get joy, entertainment, financial tips, and more from RetireHub every single day.
If you don’t join the paid plan (or can’t), no worries at all. We know times are tough. Thank you for being a part of our tiny, joyful part of the Internet.
- Jay
**RetireHub may receive affiliate compensation for links clicked within this newsletter.
***RetireHub may share poll results with advertisers.