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Episode 62: How to Travel Affordably in Retirement Thumbnail

Episode 62: How to Travel Affordably in Retirement

Coasting in Retirement Financial Planning Pre-Retirees Retirees Wealth Management

Segment 1: 

HELLO Lower Alabama! Hello Gulf Coast! Welcome in. Welcome to Coasting in Retirement! That’s. Right. Thanks for joining us today, Josh Null here, joined by the one and only Michelle Lee Melton-Null, my travel trailer queen, she thinks my tractors sexy…Michelle, how are you doing? Well, I owe an apology to our regular listeners. We might have taken our foot off the gas pedal this summer in regards to producing new episodes of CIR, and for that, I am truly sorry. We intended to record a new episode last week, but as you are about to hear, we had a great reason for not making it to the studio! Speaking of studios, we are back in Coastal College’s recording studio, beautiful downtown Fairhope, ready to put together another great show, and a brand-new show, for those of you tuning in!

Listeners: Michelle and I are here to discuss financial topics relevant to those of you in or near retirement, living your best life along our part of the gulf coast. Here’s what we’ve got in store for you today: First segment – deep dive on our topic of the day. 2nd segment - at about 30 minutes past the hour - “Michelle with the Headlines of the Week”. Then at roughly 50 minutes past the hour, stick around for our 3rd segment, we call it” Josh’s Crystal Ball and Big Mouth”. So buckle up, we’ve got a lot to get to!

Quick background on me for those new to the show. Again, my name is Josh Null, I am a fee-based financial advisor, I hold my FINRA Series 65 securities license, and I am the owner of Gulf Coast Financial Advisors, that’s a 100% locally owned, 100% independent investment management and financial planning firm with offices in Fairhope, Orange Beach, and Mobile! You can find more information on me and the team at Gulf Coast Financial Advisors by visiting our website gulfcoastfa.com, or feel free to give us a call at 251-327-2124. If you missed that contact info, get a pen and pad ready because we will repeat our contact info several times throughout the show! 

Alright Michelle, the last time you and I talked on this radio show, it was about financial advisor fraud, a pretty heavy subject. We both thought we should lighten it up this episode, at least until we get to the Headlines of the Week. So for our listeners that love to travel like Michelle and I do, our topic for today’s episode is “how to travel affordably in retirement” and it was inspired by a recent trip that you and I took. Would you like to fill the listener in about our trip? 

So let’s talk about what we spent on this trip. Here’s out final trip expenses: 

Retirement offers the perfect opportunity for travel, and with some strategic planning, you can explore the world without depleting your savings. The key is to be flexible, take advantage of discounts, and consider alternative travel styles.

Here are some affordable ideas for traveling in retirement:

1. Leverage Senior Discounts & Memberships

One of the easiest ways to save is by using your age to your advantage. Many companies offer special rates, but you often have to ask for them.

  • AARP Membership: This is a gold mine for discounts. An AARP membership can give you savings on hotels, rental cars (up to 35% with Avis, Budget, Hertz), cruises, and even travel packages. They also offer a travel center powered by Expedia to easily access these deals.
  • Hotel Chains: Many major hotel brands like Choice Hotels, Hyatt, and Hilton offer senior rates, often for guests aged 55 or 60 and older. Always check their website or call to inquire about a "senior rate."
  • Transportation: Amtrak offers a 10% discount on most rail fares for travelers 65 and older. Some airlines, such as American, Delta, and United, may also have unadvertised senior fares for specific flights, so it's worth calling to check.
  • National Parks: A lifetime pass to U.S. National Parks for seniors (62 and older) is a one-time fee of $80, providing access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites.

2. Embrace Alternative Accommodations

  • House Sitting: Websites like TrustedHousesitters.com and MindMyHouse.com connect homeowners with travelers who can stay for free in exchange for caring for pets and managing the house. This is a great way to experience a local lifestyle for an extended period in locations all over the world.
  • RV Travel: While the initial investment in an RV is significant, it can be a highly affordable way to travel once you own the vehicle. You save on hotels and most meals by cooking in your own kitchen. Memberships with organizations like AAA and Good Sam can also provide discounts on campgrounds and travel services.
  • Home Swapping: You can swap homes with someone in another city or country for a specific period, offering a free and authentic way to experience a new destination.

3. Travel During Off-Season ("Shoulder Season")

Your flexible schedule is your greatest asset. Traveling during the off-season or "shoulder season" (the periods just before and after the peak season) can lead to massive savings.

  • Benefits: You'll find lower prices on flights and accommodations, fewer crowds at popular attractions, and a more relaxed travel experience.
  • Example: Instead of visiting Europe in the summer, consider the spring (April-May) or fall (September-October) when the weather is still pleasant but prices have dropped.

4. Choose Affordable Destinations

In the U.S.:

  • National Parks: The Great Smoky Mountains, Yellowstone, and Zion are beautiful destinations where you can save on lodging by camping or finding modestly priced accommodations in nearby towns.
  • Historic Southern Cities: Cities like Charleston, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia, offer rich cultural experiences that can be explored on foot, saving on transportation costs. Many historic sites offer senior discounts.
  • Branson, Missouri: Known as a retiree-friendly destination, Branson offers a variety of live music shows, golf, and attractions at affordable prices.

International:

  • Mexico: Cities like Mérida or San Miguel de Allende offer a low cost of living, rich culture, and proximity to the U.S.
  • Portugal: With its mild climate, beautiful scenery, and lower cost of living compared to the rest of Western Europe, Portugal is a popular and affordable destination.
  • Southeast Asia: Countries like Thailand and Vietnam are known for their incredibly low costs for food, lodging, and local transportation. A single meal can often cost just a few dollars.
  • Central America: Costa Rica is a great option for nature lovers, offering a tropical paradise without the typical "paradise price tag."

5. Be Strategic with Cruises & Transportation

  • Cruises: Cruising can be a very cost-effective way to travel, as food, lodging, and entertainment are all included. Look for last-minute deals or book during the off-season to get the best prices. Many cruise lines, like Carnival and Celebrity, also offer senior-specific fares.
  • Budget Airlines: If you're willing to be flexible with your travel dates and destinations, you can often find great deals on budget airlines. Just be mindful of extra fees for luggage or seat selection.
  • Travel by Train: A multi-day train pass or regional pass can be a comfortable and scenic way to travel through Europe or across the U.S. without the hassle of driving. You can often get senior discounts on these passes as well.

Listeners, if you would like to have a fun conversation about travel as part of your comprehensive financial plan, then we encourage you to reach out to us. You can call us at 251-327-2124, or find us on our website gulfcoastfa.com. One our site, click on the blue button in the upper right-hand corner to set up a meeting on my calendar. We have several meeting choices for your convenience – it can be as simple as a 15-minute introductory phone call, a 30-minute zoom, or my preference, an in-person meeting at any of our 3 office locations: Downtwon Fairhope, Orange Beach just down the road from the Wharf, or in Mobile off Dauphin St and I-65. Reach out to us - we would love to meet you! 

Alright folks, coming up next - There’s always a lot going on in the world! Particularly the world of finance, investments and money. Every week we scour the internet for financial articles related to our topic of the day, especially articles that pertain to those in or near retirement. Join us after the break to hear Michelle and I discuss this week’s relevant headlines in our “Michelle with the Headline of the Week” segment. Stay tuned!

Segment 2 - News of the Week:

“Welcome back to Coasting in Retirement, your host Josh Null here! As we discussed before the break, every week we scour what Michelle calls the Interwebs for financial articles related to our topic of the day, especially articles that pertain to those of you in or near retirement. Our job, or at least we tell ourselves it is, is to help you all understand how these headlines impact you, especially when it comes to your money! Note – if you want to read our referenced articles yourself, we also include the links in our show transcript, which you can find on our website gulfcoastfa.com under the podcast tab. Now without further adieu, here’s Michelle with the Headlines of the Week! 

1. Alright Josh, our first article comes from Forbes, it’s titled “Private Equity Firms Celebrate Trump’s Executive Order Giving Them the Keys to Retirement”. According to the article, with $12.2 trillion in defined contribution workplace accounts like 401(k)s and another $16.8 trillion in individual retirement accounts, direct access to retirement savings could prove spectacularly fruitful for Wall Street if even a small amount of them are allocated to private equity. But critics warn that these type of assets typically come with higher fees, and plan administrators and employers have expressed concerns that they could accidentally breach their fiduciary obligations under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 by offering these products. Josh, can you explain private equity and why this is potentially such a big deal for investors? 

First, let’s explain private equity, then why it’s become such a big deal. What has happened is that there is so much money in private equity that high quality start up companies don’t necessarily need to go public any more to raise capital. Explain how IPOs work. Explain ABCD…funding rounds and valuations. Then pivot to the amount of money in retirement accounts and why PE wants in, but discuss the pitfalls, including illiquidity and the potential for devastating losses. 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/hanktucker/2025/08/08/private-equity-firms-celebrate-trumps-executive-order-giving-them-the-keys-to-retirement/ 

2. Our next article is from Nasdaq.com, titled “Meme Stocks Are Coming Back in 2025 – 3 Red Flags to Watch Out For”. Quick history lesson for our listeners: Back in 2021, struggling stocks like GameStop and AMC suddenly skyrocketed to all-time highs because of thousands of retail investors buying them. This time, downtrodden stocks such as Opendoor, Kohl’s and GoPro have all jumped in price not because these companies are doing better, but due to a wave of online hype. Does that mean Roaring Kitty is a thing again? Just like 2021, social media is powering the rise of some of these stocks, but apparently this time AI trackers are turbo charging the artificial rise in value. So Josh should those in or near retirement jump on the meme stock wave and ride it to untold riches? 

No. At least, only with their play money. 

https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/meme-stocks-are-coming-back-2025-3-red-flags-watch-out 

3. Alright Josh, our next article relates to our opening topic about traveling in retirement. It’s from Kiplinger and it’s titled “Four Keys to Budgeting for Travel in Retirement”. The author recommends having a travel budget in retirement of $10,000 to $50,000, which seems reasonable. This article also discusses how a retirees volume of travel typically declines as they get older, which again makes sense but is kind of depressing, but if I read between the lines, I believe what he is describing is what you call the “spending smile”, correct? 

https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/travel-in-retirement-budgeting-tips 

4. Last article for today, from Yahoo Finance. It’s titled “PPI inflation shock: Core producer prices hit 3 year high in July in “head-scratching” inflation surge”. The Producer Price Index (PPI) for July showed inflation for businesses rose 0.9% over the prior month, well ahead of the 0.2% increase that was forecast. On an annual basis, prices rose 3.3%, the most since February. On top of that "Core" producer prices, which exclude food, energy, and trade services, rose 0.6% last month, the most since March 2022. So, Josh, lots of jargon, and I believe this information had a direct impact on the stock market, but what does it mean for the investors in our listening audience?

One of the main things investors need to ask themselves is if their investment portfolio is built to not only withstand inflation, but to overcome it. If the majority of your investments are limited on the upside, while you might feel better not seeing it dip down when the stock market experiences a correction or sell off, the opportunity cost you are incurring can be incredibly damaging to longevity of your portfolio. Cause here’s things folks: inflation isn’t going away, not anytime soon. And the federal deficit? I was told that I can’t make bets with the listeners on the air, so let’s make what we’ll call a gentlemen’s bet: for any of you that think that tariffs or the new tax code is going to reduce the total federal debt in the next 3 ½ years, I’ll take whatever odds you want to offer. Which means, if I’m right, the government is going to have to continue printing money to fund it’s operations, which means your dollar will be worth less, which means you better own risk assets to stay in the game. 

Listeners, if you’ve liked what you’ve heard and want to discuss your own personal retirement dreams and goals, then us a call at 251-327-2124, or find us through our website gulfcoastfa.com. One our site, click on the blue button in the upper right-hand corner to set up a meeting on my calendar. We have several meeting choices for your convenience – it can be as simple as a 15-minute introductory phone call, all the way to an in-person meeting at any of our 3 office locations: Downtown Fairhope, Orange Beach, or Mobile, near the intersection of Dauphin St and I-65. Reach out to us - we would love to meet you! 

Alright folks, coming up next: Josh’s Crystal Ball and Big Mouth. What have been some of my predictions? Have I been right? Was I ever wrong? How wrong? What do I think is going to affect investors in the near future, or maybe the distant future? We talk about all of these things and poke a little fun at my big mouth. Stay tuned! 

Segment 3 – Josh’s Crystal Ball and Big Mouth: 

Welcome back! Your host Josh Null here, alongside co-host Michelle Lee Melton. So, I am opinionated, I have strong opinions at times, I would say a radio show host that isn’t probably wouldn’t be very interesting to listen to. And I am paid in my profession to offer professional guidance and opinions to my clients, otherwise what use am I? Just replace me with AI. I like making predictions, and while I usually proved right, there are times I swing and I miss. Want to hear me eat a little crow? Then let’s get at with Josh’s Crystal Ball and Big Mouth.  

Michelle: So Josh, we did an episode a few months back titled “Slaying the Stock Market Boogeyman” where we looked at the values of the different major stock market indexes at the close of each decade, for the past 5 decades. For example, the S&P 500 closed out the 70’s at a value of 106, the 80’s 353, the 90’s at 1469, the first decade of the 2000’s at 1115 at the 2010’s at 3231. For reference, the S&P is over 6400 at time of this recording. Many talking heads and some economists are saying that we are in a stock market bubble, but was we discussed on that previous episode, even accounting for the significant corrections during the past 5 decades, the S&P 500 closed higher at the end of each decade with only one exception: 2000 to 2009, which experienced not one but two market crashes during that time period. So with most market indexes at all time highs, what’s you crystal ball got to say about another potential stock market crash? 

  • Dot-Com Bubble Burst (2000-2002): The S&P 500 experienced a -49% drop during this period. The low point occurred in October 2002, according to Visual Capitalist.
  • 2008 Financial Crisis / Great Recession (2007-2009): The S&P 500 plunged by 57% between October 2007 and March 2009. It reached its lowest point (closing at 676.53) on March 9, 2009.
  • COVID-19 Pandemic Crash (2020): The S&P 500 dropped by 34% from its February 2020 peak to its March 23, 2020 low. The lowest point was reached on March 23, 2020, when the index had fallen 34% from its February peak.
  • 2022 Bear Market (2022): The S&P 500 experienced a bear market in 2022. The index hit its bear-market closing low of 3,577.03 on October 12, 2022. 

Well, listeners, I hope you enjoyed a little peek into how we form our opinions and make predictions. We invite you one last time, if you would like to have a no-pressure, no-obligation conversation about your investing goals and retirement dreams, you can call us at 251-327-2124, or find us through our website gulfcoastfa.com. One our site, click on the blue button in the upper right-hand corner to set up a meeting on my calendar. We have several meeting choices for your convenience – it can be as simple as a 15-minute introductory phone call, all the way to an in-person meeting at any of our 3 office locations. You can find GCFA offices in downtown Fairhope, or Orange Beach off Canal Road, or in Mobile off Dauphin St and I-65. Reach out to us - we would love to meet you! 

That’s our show for this week! I want to give a huge thank you to my lovely co-host, Michelle Lee Melton, thank you to our show sponsor, Providence Partners and Jay Stubbs, thank you to our two awesome radio stations, FM Talk 106.5 out of Mobile and WHEP 92.5 FM & 1310 AM out of Foley, many thanks to the provider of our show music, local band Sloth Racer, huge thank to the show producer, my son Payton Null, and as always my sincere appreciation for all of your out there that have been listening and joining us on this journey. We would love to be a part of your journey as well! Remember – votenappies.com! Until we talk again, have a wonderful and productive week. This has been Coasting in Retirement with Josh Null! 

GCFA Disclosure:

Gulf Coast Financial Advisors, LLC ("GCFA”) is a registered investment adviser offering advisory services in the State of Alabama and in such other jurisdictions where it is registered, filed the required notices, or is otherwise excluded or exempted from such registration and/or notice filing requirements. Registration does not indicate or imply that GCFA has attained a particular level of skill or ability, nor does it constitute an endorsement of the firm by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or any state securities regulator.

The Coasting in Retirement radio program serves mainly to disseminate general information including those pertaining to GCFA’s advisory services, together with access to additional investment-related information, publications, materials and links. The publication of this radio show should not be construed by any client and/or prospective client as GCFA’s solicitation to effect, or attempt to effect transactions in securities, nor should it be interpreted as GCFA providing personalized investment advice, or any type of professional advice, for compensation, wherever this program is broadcast. Any subsequent, direct communication by GCFA with a prospective client will be conducted by a representative that is either registered or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from registration in the state where the prospective client resides.

Certain information, news stories, headlines, data, charts, graphs, figures or statistics presented on this radio program may have been obtained from third-party sources that are believed to be generally reliable but which GCFA may not have independently verified. GCFA does not and cannot guarantee the timeliness, accuracy, or reliability of any such third-party information and undertakes no obligation to update or correct any information that may become obsolete, unreliable, or inaccurate. The radio program also contains the opinions, views, and perspectives expressed by Josh Null and any other GCFA representatives which are solely their own, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, views, or perspectives of GCFA as a firm. Such personal views and opinions should not be construed as endorsements or professional advice from GCFA. GCFA makes no representation or warranty regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information on this radio program, and disclaims any liability for any direct or indirect loss or damage incurred from using or relying on such information.

GCFA, Aptus, Providence Benefits and Providence Partners are not affiliated, nor are any of their respective representatives.