When my son was in 3rd grade, we started reading and listening to the Harry Potter books together—and something just clicked. Before long he was mixing “potions” in the kitchen, carrying around a wand made of sticks from our backyard, and even building a life-size Nimbus 2000 out of whatever he could find in the […]

Military families carry enormous responsibility — and often face unique financial hurdles. Between deployments, moves, and everyday expenses, credit cards can be both a tool and a challenge.Thankfully, federal protections and a few generous issuers help lighten the load for those who serve. How Federal Laws Protect Military Members Two key laws ensure fair lending […]

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 […]

Sometimes the best trips don’t go exactly as planned. When we landed in Oakland, our original plan was to drive straight to Yosemite National Park — but a record-breaking snowstorm had other ideas. Roads were closed, the park had no electricity, and all we could do was pivot. So we pointed the car toward the […]

After a few action-packed days exploring San Francisco, we slowed things down for the most peaceful stretch of our California road trip — three nights in Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea. This was the midpoint between the big-city buzz up north and the theme-park energy waiting for us down south. It ended up being our favorite part […]

Seattle marked both the beginning and end of our 10-day Washington road trip. We flew into Seattle, drove straight to Mount Rainier National Park, spent several days exploring Olympic National Park, and finished our trip back in the city. Our final stop was everything we needed — a comfy stay at the Hyatt Place Seattle […]

There’s something magical about seeing Mount Rainier for the first time — that massive, snow-covered volcano rising out of the clouds doesn’t look real until you’re standing at its base. For our family’s 10-day Washington adventure, we flew into Seattle, spent a few days exploring Mount Rainier National Park, crossed the ferry to Olympic National […]

If you’re a mom who’s serious about making family travel smoother — and cheaper — Alaska Airlines might just become your new favorite airline. Known for friendly service, flexible award bookings, and strong partner connections through the oneworld® alliance, Alaska offers real ways for families to save money, earn rewards, and explore more places with […]

There’s a new transfer bonus available for a limited time! Through November 6, 2025, Chase is offering a 25% bonus when you transfer Ultimate Rewards® points to Southwest Rapid Rewards®. That means every 1,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards® points becomes 1,250 Southwest Rapid Rewards® points. Transfers generally process within one business day, though they can take […]

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 […]