Cheap travel is a must these days for various reasons. Home isn't always where the heart is during the holiday season, but with money so tight in many households, taking an affordable vacation seems about as likely as getting a new and improved job less than three months after a layoff. But don't fret; both are possible. When it comes to cheap travel, good things come to those who don't wait. Nowadays, staying on your grind can help you reap great rewards. Travel on the cheap can help you plan a fun getaway, a frugal honeymoon and more.

Here are a few insider tips that will help you plan your well-deserved escape on the cheap:

Keisha Sumner hates working for the man... or woman for that matter. So the 34-year-old embarked on the endeavor of a lifetime: financial independence. She left traditional corporate America cold turkey. No mandatory office hours. No boss. No chain of command. No consistent paycheck. "I love my lifestyle," she says. "Entrepreneurship allows me to take control. It's fun." Over the last seven years Sumner, who holds a BA in chemical engineering from Howard University, has made the lion's share of her income working as a real estate agent in Maryland. Still, even before the housing bust, most nights she was also working her side hustle. Sumner supplements her income with a side business many of us have tried, considered or have at least been the target of an attempted recruitment -- working as an independent representative.

We all know the companies: Tahitian Noni International, Mary Kay Inc., Amway Global. These organizations utilize a business model that maximizes profits by cutting out the middleman, i.e. a store. The concept is simple: bring the products to the consumer. Why go to Target if you can set up an automatic delivery online? Why go to Macy's when you can have all of your make-up needs addressed in your living room by a beauty consultant. Such companies boast superior merchandise quality, convenient service and most importantly, great financial opportunities for those who sign up to sell their goods. As an independent representative, or distributor, you receive a commission for everything you sell -- and so does the person who recruited you. In addition, many companies offer bonuses for reaching sales goals. It's a colossal opportunity for focused salespeople.

Boost Mobile President Matt Carter tells why $50 cell phone service is a deal most people won't refuse.

As a kid in Boston, MA, Matt Carter looked up to the local post office clerk. Today an entire company looks for his stamp of approval before any decisions are finalized. The first African American president of a major telecommunications company, Carter leads Boost Mobile, a division of Sprint Nextel. As president, he is responsible for the business' marketing, product development and finance teams. Despite hailing from the City of Champions, leading Boost to a whopping $600 million in new revenue – in less than two years – was no easy feat. The telecommunications brand was in an oversaturated niche market and lagging in the race against its competitive set when Carter took the helm. Carter recently talked to Black Voices about how he was able to revitalize the failing brand, and shared his insights on how African Americans can compete in corporate America. Matt wants us to know why it's still important for black business people to create a league of our own to compete in -- as we win in new fields.

What led you to Sprint?
I started my career off in marketing. I had worked for Bristol Meyers and Coca-Cola in New York in a variety of marketing positions on a global basis. I got recruited by Sprint three years ago to run their customer management group and when the new CEO came aboard he tapped me to go run Boost Mobile, a division of Sprint. I've been at Boost for 18 months, really focusing on revolutionizing the wireless industry.

What made you accept the position as President of Boost Mobile?
It brought together all of my experience in leadership, marketing, sales and technology. In addition, at that point in my career I was ready to lead a major division of a company.

What are some of the challenges of your position?
Typically when you're coming in, you're a change agent, but it didn't take me long to help them understand that they needed to evolve. I had to put my foot down – a skill I learned from being the oldest child in a large, loving family. I let them know that the path we were on would lead to extinction. We had to figure out how to grow this business, and decided to create a brand that would be the advocate for the consumer. We realized that at the end of the day people are looking for simplicity. Think about it. The one bill you open up with trepidation every month is your wireless bill. You think you're paying $49, but that turns into $65. So that was the opportunity: Let's simplify it. So, we created a flat fee system of $50.

What experiences helped equip you for such a powerful role?
I was the oldest of five, so it was instilled in me early on that I had to set the example for everyone. That made me realize the importance of discipline and sacrifice. When you're the oldest you're constantly looking out for folks and I carry that with me today; I look out for my team. I also earned a degree in communications from Northwestern and an MBA from Harvard. Plus, I have more than 20 years of experience working with companies like Bristol Meyers and Coca-Cola.

Susu economics make great savings sense. Don't believe the hype. Susus are legal. Susus are safe. Most importantly, Susu clubs work. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, Susus are essentially informal black banks. They generally serve two purposes: they issue loans or act as long-term savings accounts to its members. During a time when people feel antsy about putting their money in the hands of FDIC-insured financial institutions, some may think it's ridiculous to consider giving your hard-earned bucks to a local barber, nurse or accountant serving as your Susu collector, a person who manages the entire fund. But taking this calculated risk may have you laughing as you pass the bank. In a way, a Susu club represents African American collective economics at its best.