In today’s game, our laptops are mission-critical. But here’s the thing: hauling your main device everywhere—flights, coffee shops, meetings—is risky. One drop, one spill, and you’re scrambling.

That’s why a lot of professionals invest in a backup laptop—and right now you can grab a refurbished 13.3″ Apple MacBook Air for just $189.97 (MSRP $999) with free shipping.

The MacBook Air is light, reliable, and built for the everyday tasks that keep business moving: taking notes at a client meeting, checking email between flights, or streaming presentations without dragging your primary machine into harm’s way.

Here’s why this offer makes sense for entrepreneurs and professionals:

• 13.3″ display: Crisp, clear resolution for work and streaming.
• Intel Core i5 (1.8GHz): Smooth performance for documents, email, and multitasking.
• Intel HD Graphics 6000: Great for presentations and casual creative work.
• 128GB SSD: Store your most important files for easy travel access.
• Wi-Fi and bluetooth: Stay connected and transfer files seamlessly.
• 12-hour battery life: Power through meetings, flights, or workdays without plugging in.
• Grade A/B refurbished: Fully functional, with only light cosmetic wear.

This MacBook Air is an affordable “second-in-command” that ensures you’re never without the tools you need. It’s slim enough to toss into a bag, dependable enough to handle daily business demands, and affordable enough that you won’t stress about wear and tear.

Get this quality refurbished MacBook Air for $189.97 (MSRP $999) plus free shipping while stock lasts.

Apple MacBook Air 13.3″ (2017) 1.8GHz i5 8GB RAM 128GB SSD Silver (Refurbished)

See Deal

StackSocial prices subject to change.

There’s nothing like boarding a plane with a clear plan and a confident mindset. You’ve prepped your presentation, confirmed your meetings and packed the right chargers—but what about your money? Travel can be full of financial curveballs, and if you’re not ready for them, they can quickly derail your productivity, attitude and life balance on the road.

Whether you’re a rising team lead or a seasoned account manager, traveling for work demands more than a solid itinerary; it requires a clear-eyed strategy for managing stress, finances and unexpected expenses. Here’s how to take control of your travel budget and stay focused on your goals, no matter where work takes you.

1. Lock in your currency before you land

You wouldn’t wing it with a client pitch, so why leave your travel cash to chance? Pre-ordering foreign currency before you fly is a smart first step that saves both money and hassle. Airport ATMs can hit you with steep fees, and currency exchange kiosks often have inflated rates. Worse, you might land after hours or in a smaller airport with limited cash access.

By locking in a competitive exchange rate in advance—through your bank or a trusted online service—you protect your budget and set a calm tone for the trip. Bonus: You’ll skip the airport line and head straight to your hotel, café or meeting, stress-free.

Pro tip: Use currency-tracking apps to monitor exchange rates before your trip. A little timing can stretch your budget further and free up funds for more meaningful experiences.

2. Set a realistic daily budget (then pad it)

Business travel can be unpredictable. One extra meeting might lead to a client dinner, a late flight might mean an overnight hotel stay. That’s why building in a 20% buffer on top of your daily spending estimate is one of the easiest ways to stay in control of your finances without feeling anxious every time the check comes.

Think in categories: meals, rideshares, coffee runs, tips and minor supplies. Don’t forget about Wi-Fi fees, printing costs or last-minute wardrobe fixes. (They add up quickly!) Knowing your daily limit and sticking to it gives you peace of mind and keeps your financial goals on track.

And here’s a motivation hack: Use cash for small purchases. Studies show people spend less when using physical currency. It’s a small habit that can strengthen your money mindset and help you stay grounded during a busy schedule.

3. Choose credit cards that work for you (not against you)

Not all cards are created equal, especially when you’re traveling abroad. If your current go-to still charges foreign transaction fees, it’s time to level up. Look for a travel-friendly credit card that offers no foreign fees, built-in travel insurance and perks like lounge access or cash back on business purchases.

Before you go, notify your bank of your travel plans. Yes, most cards now have solid fraud protection, but it only takes one flagged transaction to lock your account and sideline your trip. A quick heads-up keeps your payments smooth and your productivity flowing.

Apps like TripIt and Expensify also make it easy to track spending in real time, helping you stick to your budget and reduce post-trip expense report stress.

4. Build an emergency fund just for travel

You don’t need a financial crisis to understand the value of an emergency fund. Travel comes with its own set of stressors—delayed flights, canceled bookings, lost luggage. Having a dedicated stash just for travel-related hiccups means you won’t need to dip into savings or max out a credit card to deal with the unexpected.

Set this fund up separately from your main checking or business account, ideally in a prepaid travel card or digital wallet. Not only does this simplify reimbursement later, but it also helps you maintain clear boundaries between planned expenses and last-minute needs.

Think of it as your personal safety net, keeping you calm, focused and adaptable no matter what the airport throws at you.

5. Budget for connection, culture and conversation

The best professional breakthroughs often happen over coffee, cocktails or cultural experiences. If you’re only budgeting for taxis and hotel rooms, you’re missing opportunities to build deeper relationships, boost communication and find moments of happiness in the midst of a packed schedule.

Set aside money for local events, team dinners or spontaneous networking invites. In many parts of the world, deals are made outside boardrooms—and declining an invite for financial reasons might limit more than just your evening plans.

This isn’t just about spending; it’s about goal setting. Budgeting for connection aligns your finances with your professional purpose and creates more space for the kind of experiences that build confidence and community.

6. Use tech to reduce friction and boost focus

When you’re juggling meetings, flights and deadlines, the last thing you need is a clunky expense process. Streamline your travel finances with digital tools that make payments, tracking and reimbursements feel effortless.

Mobile wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay are widely accepted internationally and reduce the need to carry large amounts of cash. Expense apps like Concur, Zoho Expense or Expensify let you scan receipts on the go, categorize spending and submit reports without scrambling at the airport gate.

These tools save time and support a more focused, intentional mindset. The less you worry about where your money’s going, the more energy you can invest in meaningful work.

7. Reflect and reset after each trip

Before you rush back into the day-to-day, take 10 minutes post-trip to review your spending and spot patterns. Where did you overspend? What worked well? This quick reflection helps you improve future budgets and gives you a sense of progress—not just professionally, but personally.

Ask yourself: Did my spending reflect my values and goals? Did I stay balanced and mindful, or did stress push me into survival mode? These check-ins help build a healthier relationship with money and make every trip a step toward smarter habits and stronger results.

Travel with intention, spend with confidence

Business travel doesn’t have to be chaotic, stressful or financially draining. With a few smart strategies and the right mindset, you can navigate the unpredictable with clarity and confidence. Think of each trip as a chance not just to advance your career, but to practice better financial habits, improve your communication and strengthen your resilience.

You’ve got big goals. Don’t let your money mindset fall behind.

Photo by Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock

Work trips can be exhausting and full of small expenses that quickly add up. Between the Ubers to and from the airport, the snacks to keep up the energy, and the long dinners with clients, spending can quickly sprawl out of control. The last thing you want upon returning is to search through a voluminous pile of crumpled receipts only to find they’re not all there.

WIRED and Condé Nast Traveler are here to help. Bringing together our expertise on software and travel, we picked a few of our favorite apps for tracking expenses on work trips. These could be worth trying out during your next big conference or even adopting as a wider organization. Do you have a reliable option that you trust and it’s not included on this list? Make your voice heard in the comments.

Expensify

Expensify is probably the best app for the widest number of people, from freelancers to bigger staffs. It includes all of the must-haves like receipt scanning, distance tracking, and easy categorization as well as a way to manage how you submit the reports and who is involved with the approval process. It’s not too flashy overall, but integrations with other apps commonly used on work trips, like Uber, Delta, and Workday, are nice to have.

Expensify for iOS, Android, and macOS

SAP Concur

Concur is popular with larger enterprises for handling travel; we’ve used it a few times for work trips ourselves. While the SAP Concur app has some rough edges, it’s worth having on your smartphone if that’s the expense protocol used where you work. Like all of these picks, you can take photos of your receipts in the app to streamline the process. Are you driving? Automatic distance capture can help you file those mileage reports as well.

SAP Concur for iOS and Android

This story is part of The New Era of Work Travel, a collaboration between the editors of Condé Nast Traveler and WIRED to help you navigate the perks and pitfalls of the modern business trip.

Zoho Expense

Like many other expense apps, Zoho Expense lets you save your corporate credit card on the platform and scan receipts as you go. The app then helps you categorize and itemize expenses and extract important details. Hitting the road? No need for guesswork; you can track car mileage with the click of a button to get accurate reimbursements for driving time. You can also calculate your petty cash spend, and businesses can regulate employees’ daily allowances with customizable rules made just for them. It’s also one of the most budget-friendly expense apps, with free plans available for small businesses (three users or fewer) and a premium plan available at just $7 per month.