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 […]

If you have young adult children coming home for Christmas, this is one of the BEST times of the year to help them take a really important step toward their financial future: building their credit the right way. A strong credit history is one of the most valuable financial tools they can have. It helps […]

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 […]

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 […]