Struggling Americans are doing whatever it takes to fund their much-needed summer vacations — taking up surprising side-hustles like selling pictures of their feet to faceless fetishists online, or even starving themselves.
That’s according to a steamy new summer travel poll from KAYAK, — which showed that 1 in 20 U.S. adults admit they’re resorting to “unconventional” methods to pay for their wanderlusting ways.
And while the unidentified footrepreneur may have chosen a thoroughly atypical tiptoe down the path to getaway glory, others were content to subject themselves to more traditional forms of torture.
One determined New Yorker, for example, lived on nothing but broccoli until she had enough money to get to Europe — while another brave soul gave new meaning to the term hot girl summer by settling for an 18 hour drive in a van with no A/C to reach her desired destination. Another said they’d struggled in 90 degree heat painting mailboxes to pay travel bills.
Younger adventurers seemed to be the most adventurous, and the most willing to hustle — 45% of Gen Z and Millennials say they’d take on a side gig to take a trip, while 34% would sell personal items to afford their next big escape.
But here’s the kicker — they might not have to go to such desperate (or sweaty, or stinky) lengths.
Despite widespread sticker shock over inflation, gas, and groceries, airfare appears to be bucking the trend.
KAYAK’s flight search data shows prices are down 7% compared to last summer. In fact, the summer of 2025 is shaping up to be one of the cheapest high seasons in years, experts say.
More than half of Americans (60%) still believe prices have skyrocketed — but that’s likely just a side effect of inflation fatigue, the report showed.
Flights to over 100 destinations are seeing price drops, with some international fares falling faster than your summer tan.
Want specifics? Flights to Sydney are down 23%, Hong Kong is 16% cheaper, and hot spots like Stockholm and Milan are seeing double-digit declines.
In the U.S., domestic destinations like Orlando, Tampa, and Sacramento are going for under $300 round trip.
To spotlight the absurdity of saving strategies, KAYAK launched a cheeky campaign urging people to not sell feet pics or scam anyone. (Bless.)
They’re even giving away $2,500 “do-over trips” to travelers who share their best budgeting blunders.
If you’re looking to escape without eating ramen for a month, experts suggest flying between May 19–June 8 or August 11–31 for the best deals.
Want cheap thrills without a passport? Atlanta is this summer’s cheapest U.S. city to fly into at just $262 on average. Toronto takes the crown for international travel at $331 — yes, really.
So skip the feet, save your dignity — and maybe just check the airfare before you start selling off your sock drawer.
And if your travel plans have you globe-trotting this summer, choose your airline wisely.
As The Post previously reported, aviation watchdog AirlineRatings.com recently dropped its annual list of the safest — and sketchiest — airlines of 2025.
At the bottom of the barrel? Carriers like Russia’s Aeroflot, Pakistan International Airlines and Indonesia’s Wings Air, which earned the aviation equivalent of a health department “F” for flunking audits, burying safety data, and racking up red-flag incidents.
On the flip side, Air New Zealand soared to the top spot, followed closely by Australia’s Qantas, with Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways and Emirates in a sky-high tie for third.
Fly smart — especially if you spent your foot pic fortune on the ticket.
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