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 […]

Let’s be honest — Universal is expensive. When families start pricing out flights, hotels, and park tickets, it’s easy to feel like a Universal trip is completely out of reach. That’s exactly why I wanted to write this post. Because when you see the numbers side by side — what we actually paid vs what […]

Universal Studios is not cheap — and when you’re traveling with tweens and teens, wandering around without a plan can completely ruin your day. Long lines.Missed rides.Kids melting down because you “walked past that ride already.” If you only have one day at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, having a clear plan matters more […]

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 […]

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 […]

The points and miles landscape is shifting, and several major credit cards are undergoing significant changes—some positive, some more limiting. Whether you’re just getting into this hobby or you’ve been maximizing your rewards for years, staying informed helps you adjust your strategy and continue traveling for much less. Here’s a breakdown of the most important […]

If you’re looking to travel more without spending more, learning how to earn points and miles is key. One of the easiest and most underrated ways to boost your earnings? Shopping portals. What Is a Shopping Portal? A shopping portal (like Rakuten, AAdvantage eShopping, Southwest Rapid Rewards Shopping, or TopCashback) is a website that rewards […]