There’s one thing I do regularly that feels almost too good to be true — but it’s completely allowed and one of my favorite ways to earn extra points. I didn’t open a new card.I didn’t get a hard inquiry.And I didn’t add another account to manage. Instead, I logged in to pay my bill […]

Planning a Universal Studios trip with kids sounds exciting — until you start looking at flights. Between school schedules, limited flexibility, and Orlando airfare jumping up and down during peak travel times, flights are often the most stressful (and expensive) part of planning a Universal vacation for families. For us, getting to Orlando is usually […]

When we travel as a family, rideshare is unavoidable at times. Yes, we do rental cars, but for quick in-and-out trips, it’s typically rideshare for us. Airport transfers, hotel rides, theme parks, dinners — those costs add up quickly. Since we’re already paying for rides, we want them to work for us rather than feel […]

Every once in a while, a program comes along that sounds almost too good to be true. Earn points on rent.Earn points on your mortgage.No fee. That’s exactly why Bilt gets so much attention. But like most things in personal finance, the headline is only part of the story. This post walks through what Bilt […]

Quick note before we start:I don’t have this card linked directly in this post. If you’d like my affiliate link (which supports my work at no extra cost to you), feel free to DM me on Instagram, and I’ll send it your way. I only share links when someone asks, and only if it truly […]

Over the last few years, our life has been a mix of incredible travel opportunities and very real, very expensive responsibilities. We’ve been able to take trips we once thought were completely out of reach — thanks to points and miles — but we’ve also had major house expenses, rising costs, and moments where financial […]

This was one of those bookings that felt big even as I was clicking “confirm.” Our family’s first trip to Africa.Christmas to New Year’s.A safari we may only do once at this level. I wanted this experience to be pristine, calm, safe, and special — especially because it was our kids’ first time on the […]

If you’ve been hanging around the points and miles world lately, you know Bilt has been busy. And their latest update might be my favorite one yet — because it gives everyday shoppers a brand-new way to earn Bilt points without needing a Bilt credit card. Yep, you can now transfer your Rakuten earnings into […]

Quick TL;DR: These 10 cards are my top picks for families in October 2025 — from no-fee business earners to premium travel cards that fund big trips. Choose based on whether you want low-effort everyday earning, a path to a Companion Pass, or a massive welcome bonus for big family trips. TL;DR — Quick Picks […]

If you’re planning a Maui family trip and want easy access to the island’s best snorkeling beaches, this guide is your cheat sheet. From turtle-filled bays to colorful coral reefs, these snorkel spots showcase the best of Maui’s underwater world — and every one of them is close to a Hyatt resort bookable with points. […]