“I'm passionate about sharing the human side of business (and insider stories) on travel. ”

Katie Morell

Katie Morell

San Francisco-based Katie Morrell writes about business, travel, social justice and human interest topics. Contributes to Fast Company, Hemispheres, Bloomberg Businessweek, San Francisco , BBC Travel & others.

55 Articles Written

6 Categories Included

Recent Articles

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Travel & Adventure

Budget Travel: A Southwesterner's Guide to Five States in One Week

Want to explore the Southwest? Here is a roadmap to seeing four states in one week, all on the cheap.

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Family & Career

Back-to-School Shopping Money Saving Tips

Back-to-school shopping can be daunting and result in parents spending hundreds, even thousands of dollars each year. Here are 8 cost saving tips to stay on a budget

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Travel & Adventure

A Southerner's Guide to 3 States in a Week

Want to tour some of the South's favorite cities in a week? We have a budget road trip guide for you!

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Travel & Adventure

25 Under $25: Dallas, Texas

Headed to Dallas with your family? Take note of 25 things you can do for less than $25 each!

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Credit Management

Credit Reports: Four FAQs Answered

Got questions about your credit report? Find out everything you need to know: where to get your credit report, how to read it, and what your score means.

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Travel & Adventure

Affordable Wanderlust: 10 best free walking tours and why you should go on them

Going to San Francisco, Warsaw, Prague, Singapore, LA, Melbourne, Portland, Medellin, Cape Town, or Buenos Aires? Check out these tours to save money!

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Travel & Adventure

25 Under $25: Houston, Texas

Visiting Houston, Texas? Check out our list of frugal family activities for under $25.

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Savings & Budgeting

Gen X: Finding Financial Wellness for a Unique Generation

Gen Xers face unique financial challenges thanks to the impact of recessions, bubbles, and other economic hurdles. But here are 3 financial fixes for them.

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Travel & Adventure

25 Under $25: Tucson, AZ

Family vacations can get expensive. Those headed to Tucson, Arizona, are smart to check out this list of 25 things to do for less than $25 per person. Live it up!

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Travel & Adventure

25 Under $25: Denver, Colorado

Looking to vacation in Denver, Colorado on a budget? Check out these 25 things you can do for less than $25 each.

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Travel & Adventure

25 Under $25: Birmingham, Alabama

What can you do for under $25 in the "Magic City"? This list details 25 fun activities to help you enjoy Alabama's largest city on the cheap!

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Travel & Adventure

25 Under $25: Beaumont, Texas

Vacations can get pricey and it is always nice to save a few bucks. The next time you are headed to Beaumont, Texas, take note of these 25 things you and your family can do for less than $25.

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Travel & Adventure

Affordable Wanderlust: Vietnam on a Budget

Vietnam offers beach towns, picturesque lakes, hillside communities, and affordability. Here are tips on traveling to Vietnam on a budget:

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Travel & Adventure

Best Travel Tips from a Career Traveler

Imagine taking a year off to travel. Now imagine doing that for 10 years. This career traveler did just that.Check out her best travel tips now.

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Travel & Adventure

Your Ultimate Guide to a California Road Trip

California here we come! Ready for the trip of a lifetime? Check out this California road trip itinerary and budget-friendly tips to start planning.

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Travel & Adventure

25 Under $25: Phoenix, Arizona

Vacations can get pricey, especially when you are bringing the whole family along. Be nice to your bank account on your next trip to Phoenix with these fun activity ideas.

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Travel & Adventure

Travel: When to Save and When to Splurge

Sometimes you can't avoid spending money when you travel. But if you make thoughtful choices, you won't break the bank when you do. Get tips now.

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Travel & Adventure

25 Under $25: Redwood City, CA

Headed to Redwood City, CA for a vacation? Take note of these 25 things you can do with your family for less than $25 each.

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Travel & Adventure

25 Under $25: Gulf Shores, AL

Your next vacation doesn't need to break the bank. Gulf Shores is an excellent place to visit; this article details 25 things to do with your family for $25 or less.

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Travel & Adventure

10 Under-the-Radar Ways to Cut Costs on Your Next Trip

Find out how you can save on food, air travel, hotels, amusement parks, and more with money-saving tips and ideas for spring break and summertime family travel.

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Travel & Adventure

Affordable Wanderlust: Volunteering may be Your Ticket to Affordable Travel

Voluntourism (the intersection of volunteering and travel) is a great way to travel on the cheap.

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Travel & Adventure

Affordable Wanderlust: The Financial Case Against Round-the-World Flights

Learn how one traveler avoided flight costs and made memories.

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Travel & Adventure

Affordable Wanderlust: Volunteering

Check out how one traveler funded a year abroad. Her secret? Doing good for others.

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Travel & Adventure

How I Afforded a Year Abroad

You won't believe what this traveler did for cash after quitting her job with no savings.

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Travel & Adventure

The United States: 15 Checks on Your Summer Bucket List

Check out these fifteen must-see spots on our American bucket list to pick your summer destination today!

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Travel & Adventure

15 Checks on Your Summer Bucket List: Asia

Visiting Asia? Check out our guide to must-see places in China, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, and India to check off your summer bucket list.

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Travel & Adventure

Budgeting for Backpacking Across Europe

Planning to backpack across Europe? Believe it or not, you can do it on a budget. Follow these cost-efficient tips for the trip of a lifetime.

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Travel & Adventure

South America: 15 Checks On Your Summer Bucket List

South America is a massive continent and it can be difficult to figure out where to go next. Here are 15 must-sees.

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Travel & Adventure

How to Make Your Overseas Trip Affordable

Check out tips for a budget-friendly trip to Thailand, Vietnam, Europe, Australia, or New Zealand.

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Travel & Adventure

25 Under $25: Boulder, Colorado

Headed to Boulder, Colorado? Take note of these 25 things you can do for less than $25 each!

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Travel & Adventure

A Midwesterner's Guide to 4 States in 1 Week

Take a tour of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin with our guide to four Midwest states in one week.

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Travel & Adventure

25 Under $25: Panama City, Florida

Vacations can get pricey. If you are visiting Panama City, Fla., check out our list of affordable, and fun things to do.

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Travel & Adventure

Europe: 15 Checks On Your Summer Bucket List

Spending a summer in Europe doesn't need to break the bank. We detail 15 things to do while still living on a budget.

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Travel & Adventure

Affordable Wanderlust: How I Traveled For a Year

Dream about quitting your job and traveling the world? It is possible! Read how this traveler was able to save enough to afford to travel for a whole year.

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Travel & Adventure

Budget Travel: A Westerner's Guide to 3 States in 1 Week

Taking a West Coast road trip? San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle are must-sees.

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Travel & Adventure

Budget Travel: A Northeasterner's Guide to Four States in One Week

Follow our travel guide for must-see spots in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York all in one week.

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Travel & Adventure

Affordable Wanderlust: Traveling with Children

Flying with children or a baby? Follow these expert tips to plan your next family vacation.

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Retirement

IRA vs 401(k)

Planning for retirement and need to know more about the difference between IRAs and 401(k)s? We break down Roth IRAs, traditional IRAs, and 401(k)s to help.

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Family & Career

How to Ace a Job Interview

Got an interview lined up? Congrats! Now you just need to get the job. Here are six techniques to help you ace any job interview.

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Family & Career

Talking Money with Aging Parents

Talking about money with family can be difficult, especially with aging parents. Here are tips to make money talks with Mom and Dad easier.

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Family & Career

Can You Afford to Stay Home from Work? Six Questions Parents Should Ask

Does staying at home make financial sense? Here are the questions you should ask.

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Family & Career

The Baby Budget: A 9-Month Calendar

Newly pregnant? Start preparing for the arrival of your baby and the related expenses.

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Family & Career

6 Ways to Inspire Charity in Your Children

Want to see your kids grow up to be the kind of adults that give back? Here are 6 steps for fostering charity in your children.

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Family & Career

Teaching Kids the Value of Saving

Teaching kids to save at an early age can help them save later in life. Here are some tips for teaching children the value of saving money.

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Family & Career

How to Help Your Child be an Entrepreneur

If your children are interested in starting a business, here are some tips on how to encourage them along the way.

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Family & Career

Can You Afford to be a Stay-at-Home Parent?

Ask yourself these questions to decide if staying at home with the kids is the right choice for you and your family.

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Owning A Home

Easy Ways to Save on Home Renovation

Many homeowners dream of renovating, but worry about the price tag attached. Find easy tips for to help you save money on your renovation.

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Savings & Budgeting

The Penny Pincher's Guide to Moving

Whether you're moving across the street or across the country, save money on your next move.

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Savings & Budgeting

Building An Emergency Fund

Do you have an emergency fund if the unexpected happens? Find out why you need one, how much to save, and tips for building your emergency savings fund.

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Savings & Budgeting

Trade in Your Car or Sell it Yourself? It Depends

So you've picked out a new car and can't wait to call it yours. But what do you do with your old car—trade it in as cash against your new car, or sell it on your own?

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Savings & Budgeting

Can You Afford a Dog?

Are you considering adopting a dog? Four-legged friends can bring companionship but can also be expensive. Take our quiz to see if you can afford a new pet!

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Credit Management

Protecting Your Social Security Number

Your Social Security number is something to be carefully guarded. Test your knowledge on when it's OK to share those nine digits.

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Savings & Budgeting

Spring Break on a Budget

Need a Spring Break trip that's fun but easy on your wallet? Here are 10 helpful tips for planning your next budget-friendly vacation.

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Savings & Budgeting

Q&A: A Saving Guide for Millennials

Some analysts say Millennials are enthusiastic about saving money, but aren't sure where to start. We asked a financial planning expert to help devise a few strategies.

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