RESOURCES

A few people have asked us what we use for blogging as well as all travel-related things (flight+accommodation bookings, money, gears, etc) and we’ve decided to come up with a page that shares just that. The resources we use will change with time but I do hope that they stay useful to you in your own traveling and blogging endeavors.

BLOGGING TOOLS

DOMAINS + HOSTING

It was in 2009 when I first purchased domain and hosting for my blog. I used the following:

  • [eafl id=5686 name=”GoDaddy” text=”GoDaddy”]* (domain) – starts at ₱49 or ~US$1 from a .com
  • [eafl id=5682 name=”HostGator” text=”HostGator”]* (hosting) –  starts at US$3.95 per month

Currently, this blog uses the following:

  • [eafl id=4542 name=”Namecheap” text=”Namecheap”]* (domain) – they have regular monthly deals and sometimes have huge discounts (in 2013, I purchased this domain for just US$1 for the first year + 1 month free hosting); they currently have a KINGCOM SALE at US$5.88 per year, regular price is US$10.69 per year
  • Coffee Mags* (hosting) – these are managed by my friends and former colleagues; very affordable at just US$1 per month, that’s around ₱1,000+ for a year including domain purchase

I also have other blogs (I hoard them) that use the following setup:

  • [eafl id=4553 name=”Bluehost” text=”Bluehost”]* (hosting) – plans start at just $3.95 per month but can go higher as your need for website space increases
  • [eafl id=5684 name=”Hosting Visa” text=”Hosting Visa”]* (hosting) – this is also another local provider; starter plan starts at ₱420 per month with unlimited domains and 1GB bandwidth allocation

THEMES + DESIGN + CONTENT + PHOTOS

  • Elegant Themes* – currently using their Divi theme; love the Drag and Drop builder!
  • Other WordPress themes you might want to consider are those from:
    • [eafl id=4541 name=”Angie Makes” text=”Angie Makes”]* – even their free theme is awesome already
    • [eafl id=4546 name=”Restored 316 Designs” text=”Restored 31 Designs”]*
    • [eafl id=4544 name=”StudioPress” text=”StudioPress”]*
    • You also need to use the [eafl id=4543 name=”Genesis Framework” text=”Genesis Framework”]* for these themes
  • For DIYers (and even if you are not), I highly suggest you learn the science of design. It’s a make or break thing! I highly recommend Design Your Own Blog‘s [eafl id=4327 name=”Blog Beautiful” text=”Blog Beautiful Ebook”]* which is full of detailed steps on how to make your blog look pleasing to the eyes of your audience.
  • For photos, we currently use a [eafl id=4702 name=”Nikon D5200″ text=”Nikon D5200″]* but if I’m too lazy, I use my iPhone or Huawei P9 instead.
  • For photography lessons, check out:
    • Craftsy
    • Tasty Food Photography
    • [eafl id=4549 name=”Food Blogger Pro” text=”Food Blogger Pro”]*
    • [eafl id=4547 name=”Food Photography School” text=”Food Photography School”]*
  • For blog graphics, I use:
    • Canva or [eafl id=4548 name=”PicMonkey” text=”PicMonkey”]*

SOCIAL MEDIA + SCHEDULING + GROWING YOUR BLOG

  • For growing your blog, I recommend reading:
    • Just A Girl and Her Blog‘s [eafl id=4328 name=”Building A Framework” text=”Building A Framework”]*
    • Lena’s [eafl id=4987 name=”Blog Traffic Ebook” text=”Blog Traffic Ebook”]*
  • For scheduling, I use:
    • [eafl id=4550 name=”Hootsuite” text=”Hootsuite”]* and BufferApp
    • [eafl id=4551 name=”Coschedule” text=”Coschedule”]*
    • [eafl id=5681 name=”TailWind” text=”TailWind”]* and [eafl id=4545 name=”BoardBooster” text=”BoardBooster”]* for Pinterest
  • Books for Bloggers and Aspiring Digital Entrepreneurs
    • [eafl id=4703 name=”How to Blog for Profit Without Selling Your Soul” text=”How to Blog for Profit Without Selling Your Soul”]*, by Ruth Soukup
    • [eafl id=4704 name=”365 Blog Topic Ideas: For The Lifestyle Blogger Who Has Nothing to Write About” text=”365 Blog Topic Ideas: For The Lifestyle Blogger Who Has Nothing to Write About”], by Dana Fox
    • [eafl id=4705 name=”Pinterest Power” text=”Pinterest Power: Market Your Business, Sell Your Product, and Build Your Brand on the World\’s Hottest Social Network”], by Jason G. Miles
    • [eafl id=4706 name=”Blog Inc” text=”Blog, Inc.: Blogging for Passion, Profit, and to Create Community”]*, by Joy Deangdeelert Cho
    • [eafl id=4707 name=”ProBlogger” text=”ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income”]*, by Darren Rowse of ProBlogger
    • [eafl id=4708 name=”Blogging for Creatives” text=”Blogging for Creatives: How designers, artists, crafters and writers can blog to make contacts, win business and build success”]*, by Robin Houghton
    • [eafl id=4711 name=”EPIC Blog” text=”EPIC Blog: One-Year Editorial Planner”]*, by Regina Anaejionu of byRegina.com
    • [eafl id=4709 name=”Creative Inc” text=”Creative, Inc.: The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Freelance Business”]*, by Joy Deangdeelert Cho
    • [eafl id=4710 name=”The 4-Hour Workweek” text=”The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich (Expanded and Updated)”], by Timothy Ferriss
    • [eafl id=4712 name=”The $100 Startup” text=”The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future”], by Chris Guillebeau

TRAVEL

PLANNING

  • Lonely Planet* – awesome guidebooks. ’nuff said.
  • TrekEffect – free service for planning travel with friends and family; you can also find me guest posting at their blog from time to time
  • [eafl id=4713 name=”Trello” text=”Trello”]* – an collaborative organization app; perfect not just for travel planning but also for dividing tasks at work, too
  • [eafl id=4715 name=”Trip Advisor” text=”Trip Advisor”]* – I love reading recommendations about a place from fellow travelers here

MONEY TRACKING

FLIGHTS/TRANSPORTATION

  • Air Asia – low-cost airline carrier in the Philippines
  • Cebu Pacific – our most preferred low-cost airline carrier in the Philippines
  • Expedia* – covers international flights as well as accommodations

ACCOMMODATION

  • Agoda* and Booking* – among the cheapest places to book accommodations
  • [eafl id=4347 name=”Trusted Housesitters” text=”Trusted Housesitters”]*– housesit in exchange for free accommodation
  • AirBnB* (get ₱950 travel credits when you use this link)

Disclosure: All links containing asterisks are affiliate links. Any purchases made through these links will earn us a commission – at no additional expense to you! – and will help in paying for the maintenance of this blog. Know that we only recommend products that we use and/or highly believe in. Thank you very much for your continued support!