About Me & My Travels

Hey there! I’m Kris – but you can call me Ki. I’m the founder of Travel Made Personal, and just like you, I’ve got a severe case of wanderlust. My idea of a great trip? Exploring places that are a little left of center – think quirky, historic, maybe even a bit spooky, or overwhelmingly beautiful in their natural splendor.

Day-to-day, I’m working my gig as an Automation Solutions Engineer, which is great, but it doesn’t leave me as much time to gallivant around the globe as I’d like. I dream of the day I can pack my bags and go on an endless adventure, a dream I’m nurturing for retirement.

I started traveling in my early years, as my parents moved from our hometown to a different state. As a teenager, I took several northbound trips through North Carolina, Tennessee, Washington, D.C., and Maryland. Those trips inspired me to get out and see more.

After high school, I joined the Air Force. I served my time in Texas, Louisiana, Panama, and Wyoming, which allowed me to visit places like Yellowstone National Park, Hollywood, and Alcatraz. Out of all the places I had visited by that point, Alcatraz was my favorite. That was when I started dialing into the areas that interest me the most. The history is fascinating!

I’ve visited twenty states, two countries, and a U.S. territory in the Caribbean. My bucket list contains every state in the U.S. and several different countries across the pond.

What drives me to run Wander Cheap isn’t just my passion for travel but a genuine desire to help people like you discover that you don’t have to break the bank to see the world. I’ve been surprised time and time again at how the most historic spots are often the least crowded – it’s like walking through hidden chapters of history without the queues!

And you know what? I’m determined not to keep these experiences to myself. I want to spread the word and help you plan adventures that are not only affordable but also enriching. Stick around, and I’ll share all the insider tips and secrets that I’ve learned along the way.

To see my video introduction, click the image below.

My Travel Philosophy and Mission

You might think this travel lifestyle is only for the rich, elite, or retired, but you’re mistaken. I’m living proof that you can juggle a full-time job and still feed that insatiable appetite for exploration. See, the key isn’t just dreaming about travel; it’s about making it a reality without breaking the bank.

That’s going to include redefining what ‘expensive’ means. You don’t need five-star hotels and luxury cruises to have a memorable trip. Some of the most unforgettable experiences come without a hefty price tag. I focus on finding value—a budget-friendly approach that still captures the essence and excitement of discovering new places. Like many great philosophers, my travel philosophy revolves around travel being more about the journey than the destination. I’ve visited many destinations but learned the most through the journey. Crossing scary bridges, taking a ferry for the first time, losing a travel buddy during the trip… so many things have happened on our journies that have led to greater confidence and more independence for each of us.

When I plan a road trip, I do so knowing full well that I may not reach each of my intended destinations. Likewise, I may find additional exciting destinations along the way and stop there instead. This has happened several times. My favorite example of this was our first trip to New Orleans. As we left Florida and entered Alabama, we passed through an underwater tunnel, and waiting on the other side was the USS Alabama Battleship. We didn’t have time to stop there as we were losing daylight. But we made it a point to visit on the way home and it became one of the most memorable stops for my son and I.

My mission? It’s simple. I want to guide you through finding hidden gems that don’t plaster every travel brochure. This isn’t just about saving a few bucks but also a richer, more authentic travel experience. To do that, I’ve become somewhat of a maestro of travel hacks, timing, and knowing where the real treasures are buried. In sharing my experiences with others, I help foster more positive social, economic, and cultural impacts by introducing people to places they might not have known about or considered visiting.

We’re talking about profoundly exploring the places we visit, not just scratching the surface. And I’ll share all that wisdom with you so you can craft your own off-the-grid getaways. With Travel Made Personal as your travel buddy, you’ll join a community that aims to maximize the bang for your travel buck while minimizing the impact on your bank account.

Travel Companions and Adventures

Whether I’m joined by my son, my best friend, or our trio of pups, every trip is a fresh tale waiting to unfold. Those shared moments on the road are the ones that genuinely stick – each one is a story etched into our collective memory.

Road trips have a special place in my heart. You can always adjust your approach down the road, take an unexpected detour, and discover something new. And that’s the beauty of it – travel is as much about the journey as the destination.

Each time we load up the car, it’s with a sense of anticipation for what’s to come. You’re going to find out that it’s these shared adventures that really bond us and offer a perspective you just can’t get flying from point A to point B.

I hope that sharing these tales inspires you to cast aside excuses and embrace the beauty our world has to offer. Get out there, create your own narratives, and who knows, maybe I’ll bump into you on some lonely, winding road to the next hidden slice of paradise.

Until then… stay off the beaten path!

~Ki

Founder of TravelMadePersonal