Travel
Travel
(BPT) - No matter your stage in life's journey, it's never too early or late to make financial plans. For military families especially, planning helps you withstand major transitions and gives you confidence about the future. From your first Permanent Change of Station (PCS) to deployment and separation, you'll have many decisions to make and high-priority items on your to-do list, including managing your finances.
Financial Planning Month is the perfect time to work on setting goals for your financial future. Here are tips to get you started.
Begin with the basics: Savings
Developing a savings plan is a great place to start. Even when you're starting out in your career, developing the habit of setting money aside from each paycheck can help you build an emergency fund for unexpected events. One approach is to open a separate savings account for that purpose and have a small portion of each paycheck automatically deposited into that account, so you don't even have to think about it....
(BPT) - The Mexican Caribbean is known for its crystal-clear waters and white sand beaches, and there are even more experiences within its 12 regions that are just as memorable as its shores. If you're planning a trip to the Mexican Caribbean, consider these seven activities to do that will take you beyond the beach.
1. Dive into cenotes and lagoons
Have you ever swum in a cenote? Cenotes are natural wells that the Mayans believed were secret portals to the underworld. You can explore the magical waters for yourself by visiting the Cenotes Route of Puerto Morelos. Cenotes can also be found throughout the Mexican Caribbean region, so take your pick!
The Mexican Caribbean is also home to freshwater lagoons. If you're in Bacalar, make sure to see the beauty of the Lagoon of Seven Colors. Or, in Maya Ka'an, float through the tranquil Muyil canals of the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest protected area in the Mexican Caribbean.
2. Learn about the...
(BPT) - About half of Americans (44%) say the memories they make when vacationing are priceless, yet economic pressures are reshaping how they approach travel. New Empower research shows that many plan to cut back on travel spending in 2025, embracing "staycations" and using cost-saving strategies to stay under budget in the face of changing economic market conditions.
One in 5 (20%) say they prioritize travel regardless of what's going on in the economy, while a quarter (24%) prefer to see travel as an investment in themselves rather than focusing on how much it costs. On average, Americans expect to spend approximately $10,600 on trips and vacations in 2025.
Key takeaways
* Nearly half of Americans (47%) say the increased cost of living, economy (44%), and tariffs (30%) are impacting their 2025 travel plans.
* Around a third (32%) plan to spend less on travel this year than they did last year, compared to 18% who expect to spend more.
* Nearly a third (29%) of people will take...
(BPT) - Summer is in full swing, and with it the thrill of travel. Whether you're chasing sunsets, road-tripping with friends or exploring new places, the last thing you want is a scam ruining the fun.
Unfortunately, while you're planning your getaway, scammers are planning, too, looking for opportunities to catch travelers off guard. In fact, fraud in popular tourist destinations can spike by as much as 28% during peak seasons, according to the Mastercard Economics Institute. That's why it's important to stay one step ahead. Check out these few simple tips to help keep your summer safe and stress-free.
1. If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is
From beachfront villas at bargain prices to too-perfect flight deals, scammers know how to reel you in. Stick to trusted booking platforms and always verify listings on official hotel or airline sites. Be cautious if you're asked to pay using wire transfers, gift cards or cryptocurrency, and take a moment to read reviews or reverse...