Travel with a full time job.

As the self-proclaimed four-day travel guru, this right here is my specialty and I have 2 jobs. If I can do it you can too. Using the least amount of PTO for the maximum amount of travel time is easy with the right steps. Companies are preparing to go back into "in person" work environments do not let them stress you out before you even walk into the office building. Here are some tips that I have used to use the least amount of PTO possible.

1- this is a given. If you can work remotely, fly out on a Thursday evening and get to your destination in time to be prepared for work on Friday. I personally do not want to work on vacation, but I understand those who don't mind working as long as they can hit the beach bar as soon as 4 pm comes.

2- PAY ATTENTION TO 3 DAY Weekends. Below I will post a calendar of the three-day holidays in the year from @marissa.daily on IG. This little baby has made my trip planning for the year a breeze. It lays out the year's long weekends with suggestions on when to use your personal vacation days. STACK YOUR PTO Days. Workaround holidays so that should you want to take a four-day trip, you will only need to use 8 hours of PTO instead of 16.

3- TAKE Weekend trips. I know it may seem like I am always on an international trip, and while this is partially true, I am venturing into domestic US Based trips. For instance, if I go to Atlanta for a weekend, I can catch a non-stop flight at 6 pm on Friday after work, get there at 9 pm, and still have time to go out and hit the streets. If I pick a return flight that leaves at 9 pm on Sunday, I will have had a full 48 hours in Atlanta. Now how you choose to spend your time is up to you, but an eventful weekend is very manageable. And the best part is- NO PTO was used.

4- Look at your company policy. Does your job offer flex days? Can you move your start time up to get off earlier? A 7-3 workday leaves more flexibility than a 9-5. Also, can you work an additional hour Monday- Thursday so that you can take a half-day Friday? These are all things to consider; if possible, then go ahead and utilize them.

5- LASTLY, If you have a job with travel opportunities in other cities, take them. If you work in Dallas, but your job has a conference in Seattle, go. Most conferences take place during the week, so you get to explore the city on the weekdays. Since you do not have to be back to work until the following week, you can even finesse a weekend in a new city, all expenses paid. That is a two-for-one deal- a free trip, and you don't have to use PTO. It will also make you look like a valuable employee who loves representing your company. USE your job, don't let them use you.