200. How Chelsea Riffe Paid Off $10K in Credit Card Debt While Traveling Full-Time

Are you craving deeper, more meaningful travel experiences, ones that help you slow down, feel grounded, and reconnect with the natural world? I'm joined by travel writer, nature photographer, and practical mystic Matthew Kessi to explore how to add more nature to every trip you take.  We chat about grounding practices, such as forest bathing, travel photography, and mindful walking, which can help you feel more present no matter where you are.  Matthew also shares his favorite nature-forward destinations in the Pacific Northwest, across the United States, and internationally.   Connect with Matthew Kessi  Website: https://kessiworld.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kessiworld  Instagram @kessiworld_    Other Episodes You'll Love  How Travel Sparks Personal Development - Episode 188 How To Achieve Your Travel Goals - Episode 182  Backpacking For Beginners with Will Hatton - Episode 138 Connect With Danielle Desir Corbett  Website: www.thoughtcard.com  Newsletter: ​​https://thethoughtcard.substack.com/   Instagram: @thedaniellecorbett   Work With Me: Email [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Black Friday is here! I'm sharing the best travel deals for financially savvy travelers—from flight subscriptions to tools that help you maximize rewards all year long. If you want to travel more for less in 2026, don't miss this roundup. ➡️ Black Friday Deals: https://thethoughtcard.substack.com/p/2025-black-friday-deals-handpicked    🎧 Enjoy These Other Episodes How To Find Cheap Flights with Thrifty Traveler Premium (featuring Founder Jared Kamrowski) - Episode 70  How To Visit Two Cities For the Price of One with Stopovers (featuring Charlotte Gage) - Episode 196  How To Keep Valuables Safe While Traveling with Rachel Boom Anti-Theft Travel Bags - Episode 194  CardPointers Review: Best App to Maximize Points, Miles, and Rewards - Episode 180  Feeling generous? If you've enjoyed this episode or learned something new from this show, you can support the work I do at The Thought Card by Buying Me a Coffee — it's a simple way to help keep these episodes coming.  

Financial trauma is real, and it may be influencing your money decisions.  Rahkim Sabree, an award-winning Financial Therapist, Accredited Financial Counselor®, author, and speaker, shows us how to spot the patterns holding us back and how to start the healing process.  We're unpacking the emotional baggage we carry around money, how it gets passed down through generations, and — most importantly — how to break free from it.    Connect with Rahkim Sabree Read the book 'Overcoming Financial Trauma': https://amzn.to/44m0Xtp Website: https://www.rahkimsabree.com/ Newsletter: https://rahkimsabree.substack.com/  Instagram: @rahkimsabree   Connect With Danielle Desir Corbett  Website: www.thoughtcard.com  Newsletter: https://thethoughtcard.substack.com/  Instagram: @thedaniellecorbett   Work With Me: Email [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries.    Other Episodes You'll Enjoy:  Clever Ways To Save Money on Airfare - Episode 155 How To Achieve Your Travel Goals - Episode 182  Short-term Financial Goals You Can Set Today - Episode 122  

Trying to decide where to stay at Walt Disney World? With more than 25 Disney World resorts to choose from, how do you know which one's worth booking? Ditch the overwhelm and let's set the tone for a magical vacation.  Kevin Payne from 'Family Money Adventure' and I share our top picks. Discover which resorts stand out and which ones are still on our wish lists. Our Disney Resort  Reviews Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort Review  Disney's Coronado Springs Resort Review 🎧Want to maximize your Disney World vacations with even more planning tips? Listen to our Disney World playlist on Spotify: https://spotify.link/hFGYZ6MuFXb   Connect with Kevin Payne  Website: https://familymoneyadventure.com  Instagram: @heykevinpayne   Connect With Danielle Desir Corbett  Website: www.thoughtcard.com  Newsletter: https://thethoughtcard.substack.com/  Instagram: @thedaniellecorbett   Work With Me: Email [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries.    Other Episodes You'll Enjoy:  Tips For Planning a Multigenerational Disney Family Vacation - Episode 191 Things To Do On Your Disney World Arrival Day (blog post)   How To Plan a Disney Vacation From Start to Finish (Kevin Payne)  

Planning a trip to Paris? Feeling overwhelmed by where to stay, what to see, and how to make the most of your budget?  I'm joined by European travel and Paris expert Renee Hannes, who shares tips to help you experience Paris without rushing from sight to sight.  From choosing the best neighborhoods to the best times to visit, Renee breaks down how to enjoy Paris at your own pace, connect with local culture, and make memories that last a lifetime.   In this episode, we cover:  When to visit Paris and what to expect each season Where to stay for easy access to the city's top attractions Hidden gems and cultural experiences most tourists miss Renee's "perfect day in Paris" from sunrise to sunset   Paris Resources Ultimate Paris Guide: Your all-in-one, convenient guide to Paris so you don't miss a thing. Jumpstart Your Vacation Fund 5-Day Challenge: Build a simple, stress-free savings system in just 5 days that fits your lifestyle and income. Affording Travel: My step-by-step approach to creating a travel fund, traveling often, and building the jet-setting life you crave.    Connect with Renee Hannes Website: https://dreamplanexperience.com/  Instagram: @the.holidaymaker    Connect With Danielle Desir Corbett  Newsletter: https://thethoughtcard.substack.com/  Website: www.thoughtcard.com  Instagram: @thedaniellecorbett   Work With Me: Email [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries.    Other Episodes You'll Enjoy:  Practical Tips For Visiting Paris for the First Time - Episode 144  Paris On a Budget: Money-Saving Tips (blog)  

Did you know that you can earn money from banks?  What if I told you banks are paying people just for opening an account — and you might be leaving hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars on the table? I'm sharing the secret strategy I've been using to earn cash bonuses from major banks — no extra work, no new spending habits.  Read blog post: https://thoughtcard.com/bank-sign-up-bonuses/  You'll learn how these offers work, which banks are paying $100+ right now (head to the blog post for that), and the exact steps you can take to stack multiple bank bonuses in 2025. If you've been ignoring those "Get $300 when you open an account" emails or mailers, this is your sign to cash in. Your next weekend getaway could be funded with free bank money — let's make it happen! ➡️ Snag $100 Free With Ally Bank: When you sign up for Ally Bank (using my referral link), you'll get $100 as a cash bonus, and so will I. That's an easy win-win for both of us. Don't leave free money on the table. 

   ➡️ Want to set up a system that makes saving for travel easier? Book your 1:1 travel savings strategy call and let's map out exactly how you'll save for your next trip.  Book your strategy session today!    Other Resources Jumpstart Your Vacation Fund 5-Day Challenge: Build a simple, stress-free savings system in just 5 days that fits your lifestyle and income. Affording Travel: My step-by-step approach to creating a travel fund, traveling often, and building the jet-setting life you crave.  Connect With Danielle Desir Corbett  Newsletter: https://thethoughtcard.substack.com/  Website: www.thoughtcard.com  Instagram: @thedaniellecorbett Work With Me: Email [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries.    Other Episodes You'll Enjoy:  How To Achieve Your Travel Goals - Episode 182  How To Start a Travel Fund (and Why You Need One Right Now) - Episode 2 Vacation Fund Do's and Dont's - Episode 167  

Are your vacations leaving you feeling stressed or refreshed? A lot of aspiring travelers struggle with saving for travel because their approach to savings is broken or incomplete. I reveal why a simple, repeatable vacation savings system is the key to guilt-free travel and why automating your savings can turn dream trips into full-funded vacations. If you've ever wondered why your dream trips feel out of reach or why your credit card bills always follow your adventures, this episode will shift the way you think about travel finances and show you the path to more freedom, more trips, and less financial worry. ➡️ Ready to work with me 1-on-1? Book your travel savings strategy call with me and let's map out your personalized vacation savings plan for your next trip.  Book your strategy session today!    Other Resources Jumpstart Your Vacation Fund 5-Day Challenge: Build a simple, stress-free savings system in just 5 days that fits your lifestyle and income. Affording Travel: My step-by-step approach to creating a travel fund, traveling often, and building the jet-setting life you want. Connect With Danielle Desir Corbett  Newsletter: https://thethoughtcard.substack.com/  Website: www.thoughtcard.com  Instagram: @thedaniellecorbett Work With Me: Email [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries.  Other Episodes You'll Enjoy:  How To Achieve Your Travel Goals - Episode 182  How To Start a Travel Fund (and Why You Need One Right Now) - Episode 2 Vacation Fund Do's and Dont's - Episode 167  

Did you know that Vermont is home to nearly 100 covered bridges? Each one a piece of history, craftsmanship, and scenic beauty.  Beth Brown Limmer, president of the Vermont Covered Bridge Society, shares everything you need to know to plan your own covered bridge adventure.  From the most photogenic bridges to hidden gems that often go overlooked, we'll cover where to go, what to see, and how to make the most of your Vermont road trip.  Read blog post: https://thoughtcard.com/vermont-covered-bridges-guide/  Whether you're visiting during fall foliage, spring blooms, or the quiet calm of winter, you'll learn why Vermont's covered bridges are worth a spot on your travel wish list.   Resources Mentioned  Discover all of Vermont's covered bridges here! Order a 54-page Vermont Covered Bridges Journal (there are four regional journals) by emailing [email protected]    Vermont Covered Bridge Society  Website: www.vermontbridges.org   Connect With Danielle Desir Corbett  Join my newsletter: https://thethoughtcard.substack.com/  Website: www.thoughtcard.com  Follow on Instagram: @thedaniellecorbett   Work With Me: Email [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries.    Other Episodes You'll Enjoy:  13 Reasons To Visit Vermont Once a Year - Episode 54 Best Places To Visit on the Vermont African American Heritage Trail - Episode 185  Things To Do in Burlington, Vermont For First-Timers (blog post)   My Favorite Resources For Financially Savvy Travelers  Thrifty Traveler Premium for finding cheap flights.  CardPointers for figuring out which credit card to use to maximize points and miles.

Planning your first trip to Europe?  Oliver Winter, founder of a&o Hostels, one of Europe's fastest-growing hostel brands, shares insider tips on how first-time travelers can explore Europe more affordably.  Read blog post: https://thoughtcard.com/planning-europe-trip/  Oliver reveals how hostels have evolved far beyond backpacker basics to welcome families, digital nomads, and business travelers.  Tune in for timeless European travel advice that applies whether this is your first trip or your tenth. You'll learn what to pack, how to spot real value when booking accommodations, and smart ways to stretch your travel budget without sacrificing comfort.   Connect with Oliver Winter  Website: www.aohostels.com Instagram: @aohostels   Other Episodes You'll Enjoy:  Is Budget Travel Still Possible? What You Need To Know with Matthew Kepnes - Episode 195   Airline Stopovers: How To Visit Two Cities For the Price of One with Charlotte Gage - Episode 196 Stop Overpaying For Travel: Hidden Fees, Pricing Tricks & Smarter Booking Tips With Pauline Frommer - Episode 198   Want more cheap flights, points and miles, and money-saving strategies? Below are all my best episodes neatly organized in Spotify playlists.   🎧 Binge my Cheap Flights Series   🎧 Binge my Travel Hacking episodes 🎧 Binge my Vacation Fund Series  🎧 Binge my Debt-Free Travel Stories episodes    Connect With Danielle Desir Corbett  Website: www.thoughtcard.com  Follow on Instagram: @thedaniellecorbett Follow on Threads: @thedaniellecorbett   Work With Me: Email [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries.   My Favorite Resources For Financially Savvy Travelers  Thrifty Traveler Premium for finding cheap flights.  CardPointers for figuring out which credit card to use to maximize points and miles.  

So much is possible when you get intentional about your money. Chelsea Riffe's journey is proof that you don't have to wait to take action. You can make aligned, empowering financial choices right where you are, even if you're halfway across the world.  After a whirlwind group trip left her deep in debt, Chelsea made a bold decision: get serious about her finances without putting her nomadic lifestyle on pause.  She chose destinations with lower costs of living, kept her rent under $1,000 per month, embraced co-living, cooked her meals, and created a simple, sustainable budgeting system that worked on the road. Chelsea didn't wait to become debt-free to live her dream life. Instead, she paid off over $10,000 in credit card debt while traveling full-time — proving that it's possible to pursue financial freedom and explore the world at the same time. This conversation is packed with practical takeaways and mindset shifts for anyone balancing debt, travel, and personal growth. Read blog post: https://thoughtcard.com/chelsea-riffe-debt-pay-off/   Want to travel more and live free from debt?  🎧 Binge my Debt-Free Travel Stories Playlist and get inspired by real journeys, practical tips, and money-saving hacks for your own adventures!    Resources Mentioned  I Will Teach You To Be Rich by Ramit Sethi (book)  Money for Couples Podcast by Ramit Sethi Ally Bank - get $100 when you open a new bank account Coliving.com - find affordable coliving spaces in 70+ countries  Outsite.co - find coliving spaces, community, and perks for remote workers   Connect With Chelsea Riffe  Website: chelseariffe.com Podcast: In My Non-Expert Opinion Instagram: @chelseariffe   Other Episodes You'll Enjoy:  Ways To Travel Without Getting into Debt - Episode 143  How To Travel Debt-Free with Cinneah El-Amin - Episode 82  Digital Nomad Lifestyle Pros and Cons with Tom Blake - Episode 84