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 […]

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 […]

Zanzibar was the final stop on our Africa trip, and I had mixed feelings going into it. After the intensity and magic of safari in the Masai Mara, I wanted calm. Quiet beaches. Clear water. A place to exhale. What I quickly learned is that Zanzibar can be many things — but you have to […]

Africa had been on our family’s (okay, really just my) “maybe someday” list for years. I was 10 years old when The Lion King was released, and it sparked a lifelong fascination with Africa. I memorized the songs, quoted the movie endlessly, and imagined what it would be like to see those landscapes in real […]

When I first saw that we had a long layover in Cairo, I didn’t feel excited. I felt cautious. Cairo is big. Busy. Intense. And while I love travel, I also know my limits — especially when we’re tired, jet lagged, and traveling as a family. Still, the idea of being that close to the […]

We wanted sunshine, clear blue water, an easy travel experience, and a trip that did not require spending thousands of dollars on flights alone. Roatán delivered all of that and more. One of the biggest reasons this trip worked so beautifully is because we flew our family of four using points, which kept our out-of-pocket […]

The Grand Roatán Kimpton Resort quickly became one of our favorite family beach trips. It offers the right mix of relaxed luxury, incredible snorkeling, family-friendly rooms, and a location that makes your trip feel easy from beginning to end. If you are wondering whether this resort is worth it, especially for families, here is everything […]

Roatán is the rare Caribbean island that lets you truly exhale. It has the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation without the extreme crowds, rigid schedules, or “tourist conveyor belt” feeling some destinations have. As an elementary teacher, my day-to-day life is already filled with constant noise, people, and activity. When I travel, I want […]