I'm always looking for a good deal, especially when it comes to travel.
Depending on where I am traveling to, a hotel can often cost me a grip - even if it's just a couple nights' stay. For that reason, looking into home rentals is normally my Plan A for making travel accommodations. Over the past few years, using home/vacation rentals instead of hotels has become an extremely popular option. Often, when staying anywhere long term, you can book a home rental at a much lower rate than a hotel with the added bonuses of having the use of a full kitchen and living like a local.
Increasingly, Airbnb is the go-to for our home away from home travel needs. However, because Airbnb has grown tremendously in popularity, finding a place to stay exactly when you need it can sometimes prove to be a difficult feat. When Airbnb rentals are scarce, don’t lose hope and give up on your trip. Instead, there are plenty of other home rental companies that you can choose from as your travel arrangement alternative.
Whether you just need somewhere to lay your head at or you want to live it up like Kanye and Jay Z, here is a list of some Airbnb alternatives to choose from:
1. Can I Stay With You While I Rent My Place on Airbnb?
Cost: $0 - But the company says paying in beer is always a great choice
How Does It Work: This is the 'Airbnb for Airbnb' and if you are an Airbnb renter, it lets you stay somewhere while you rent your place. To use this service, just put in your desired location and your email address, and within 24 hours, they will give you someone to stay with.
2. Home Away
Cost: Varies - depends on accommodation and renter (a booking fee is included)
How Does It Work: Simply enter your travel location details and dates to find rental availability. Once you find your ideal spot, just book and pay.
3. Couchsurfing
Cost: $0
How Does It Work:Couchsurfing members all over the world literally offer their couches to travelers for free. Think that it’s weird? Well, it’s not as weird as you may assume. Over 4 million people (and counting) have used this service. If you are traveling and literally just need somewhere to lay your head, simply make an account and your journey on finding a couch host begins.
4. FlipKey
Cost: Varies - depends on accommodation and renter (a booking fee is included)
How Does It Work: Simply go on their site and search for rentals based off of your travel dates and desired location. FlipKey is a TripAdvisor company, and similar to TripAdvisor, it is very easy to use and navigate.
5. Roomorama
Cost: Varies - depends on accommodation and renter (a booking fee is included)
How Does It Work: Roomorama is very similar to Airbnb. Using Roomorama, you can find short-term vacation rentals in a residential area. To use this service, just go online to their site, and sign up to start your search.
*Bonus*
Innclusive & Noirbnb (coming soon)
What is it: Innclusive and Noirbnb are alternative lodging companies that are each aiming to put an end to the discrimination that has occurred with some of their competitors. Check out Innclusive’s site to sign up and be alerted once they launch. You can also sign up for Noirbnb here.
Related Post: I've Been Jetsetting For A Year Thanks To These 12 Travel Hacks
Do you have experience with any vacation rental companies? If so, share your experience in the comment section below.
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But the more the discussion progressed, the depth of that answer was revealed. Ebony opened up about how saving during the pandemic, a time when many businesses were forced to close their doors, aided her through difficult chapters. And after our authentic conversation, it made the importance of saving and business research crystal clear. Check out the convo below.
What was your journey like into money management? Have you always been good with your finances?
Yes, I learned it early. My grandparents had a construction company when I was growing up and my grandmother would teach me that with everything they worked for, she’d put 30% away. So no matter how many jobs I’ve had, once I tithed, I’d put up 30% away too. If I couldn’t pay my bills with that remainder, I’d get a second job. As crazy as it sounds, I’ve always been amazing at that.
So you’re definitely more of a saver then a spender, right?
Well, yes, but I do have a shopping addiction. But I save a lot. I’ve gone months and months without buying anything, then I’ll just go buy something big or small. But I’ve always known I still need backup plans. The beauty of having it is that you’re never trying to scramble. Even with my first property, I didn’t have any problems because my money was seasoned. I’ve always been consistent and knew a certain amount of money was going in the bank every paycheck.
Photo by Rari Filmz
Okay, so I can’t ignore the “shopping addiction” comment. Tell me about your splurge
So Louis Vuitton and Chanel are my favorites. Then I’m really big on supporting Black-owned businesses. I put that in my budget every month – sometimes a few times a month.
That’s a good one! What advice do you have for people trying to tighten up their budget?
Prioritize. When the pandemic happened, it gave us all a new outlook on life and what’s important. For example, going out to eat with my friends and family is essential. So I take time out monthly and figure out my expenses. For example, a lot of my friends are Tauruses, so that month, I need to plan extra birthday dinners. It only takes me like an hour, but it makes such a difference. People need to figure out what that looks like for them.
And what is your current final goal? Like, do you have a retirement plan?
Yes, once I get Noveau to 100 million! My biggest goal is for my team members to buy homes and establish themselves. But my end goal would be 15-20 restaurants, with five being investment restaurants. Also, of course, I want properties. I understand the importance of owning land. I think those are the main things.
Okay, so what is the worst piece of business advice you’ve been given?
Someone told me that I don’t need finances to open up a business. People say if you have a 590 credit score you can start it, but why would you do that? I mean you can do it with that score, but the interest looks way different. Build your credit first and avoid the extra costs. I used my own money to start a lot of businesses. Now when I look back I wouldn’t have even done it that way.
How would you have done it?
I would’ve used the bank's money. When you’re building your first location it can be really hard, but they do give them out. But you can’t just come in with a concept with no experience and ask for $100,000. No one will bet on that or believe in it. But if you have a concept, with a real plan and projections, start off with lines of credits. You can start small and build your business with $5,000.
Out of curiosity, what are your thoughts on investing and how do you do it?
I’ve invested in two restaurant concepts. Also, I have my own real estate investment company where we build, sell, and flip. I think investments are important to keep. Some of them require work. Personally, real estate is always key. To me it’s a safe option but they’re smart in general. That’s the only way you get to certain goals. Don’t let money sit in the bank – invest it.
Are there any unhealthy habits you had to unlearn in regards to investing or money management in general?
I had to learn to say no. A lot of times, everybody wants something. It’s hard to say no to people who are capable of doing things for themselves.
Heavy on the “who are capable of doing things for themselves.” What’s been your biggest struggle in building your business? Was there ever a moment you questioned it?
As an entrepreneur, we all have those moments where we’re ready to throw in the towel. But my biggest challenge was building a team and getting the word out there. But I also know God doesn’t make mistakes. At the time, the more I prayed and started to get to know the team, I came to the realization that I needed to let go of almost all of them. It wasn’t just about what was aligned with me and my purpose but also Nouveau.
Also, I had to separate myself and the business because I’m not going to care if they’re late three times in a row but the business will. Those were the most challenging things for me: saying no, building the right team, and separating the business and myself.
God heard every prayer though. Because now the team at Nouveau is amazing. They put all the pieces together. It’s all about praying and taking care of your people.
Finally, what does wealth look like to you?
Making sure my family is good and my mother doesn’t have to work again. Also, wealth is ensuring my team is reaching their goals. I teach my team how to save money, too. It makes no sense that I’m the only one that’s profitable. When I became a millionaire, my goal was to figure out who I’ll make the next millionaire. I want families to understand how we get here and how we stay here. Wealth is not a one-woman show.
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Feature image by Rari Filmz