These are some sites I like and how I use them:
SEARCHES:
Google Flights: https://www.google.com/flights searches for flights. I use Kayak more frequently, but it does the same thing.
Google Flights Explore: https://www.google.com/flights/explore/ similar to Kayak Explore, but with bar charts.
Kayak: https://www.kayak.com/ searches airlines, hotels, car rentals for good deals.
Kayak Explore: https://www.kayak.com/explore/ probably more fun than useful. Put in an airport and it will tell you the best prices to go about anywhere.
Rome 2 Rio: https://www.rome2rio.com/ this is a site I need to use more as a tool and not just for play. It will let you daisy-chain many legs of a trip together and searches cars, trains, planes, sometimes boats.
Skyscanner: https://www.skyscanner.com/ this is a great site for flexible air travel.
HOTELS/APARTMENTS
AirBnb: https://www.airbnb.com/ affordable places to stay. We use these all the time.
Hotels.com: https://www.hotels.com/ I use it begrudgingly. Seems like the fine print is often a little too fine.
LaQuinta: https://www.lq.com/en affordable hotels in the US. The points build up pretty fast.
EARN MONEY
Teach English as a Foreign Language: http://www.teflonline.com/ offers on line certification for about $500.