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 […]

There’s a lot of noise online about the “best” card or the “perfect” setup. But real families don’t live in perfect spreadsheets. We’re paying mortgages.Helping kids with college housing.Buying groceries.Trying to plan one meaningful trip a year — not fly every weekend. So instead of chasing one magical card, many families do better with a […]

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 […]

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 […]

In September 2025, several credit card programs are offering valuable transfer bonuses. These bonuses allow you to get extra points when transferring from your credit card rewards to airline or hotel loyalty programs, helping you maximize your points for future travel. Here are the current transfer bonuses available this month: American Express Membership Rewards to […]

Delta SkyMiles are known for high prices and unpredictable award costs. The good news? You don’t have to use SkyMiles to fly Delta. Thanks to airline partnerships, you can often book Delta-operated flights using partner airline miles — frequently for far fewer points. In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to book Delta flights […]

In December, my family of four headed to New York City for a festive holiday getaway — and get this — we paid less than $50 out-of-pocket for our flights and hotel thanks to points and miles! From the nostalgic window displays at Macy’s Herald Square to the twinkling lights at the Columbus Circle Holiday […]

Hey there, fellow travelers! If you’ve been dreaming of your next getaway—whether it’s a beach retreat, a European adventure, or exploring a bustling city—there’s no better time to level up your travel rewards than now. The month of April brings some of the best credit card offers we’ve seen this year, and taking advantage of […]