July 8, 2026
Valdez doesn’t end up on most first-time Alaska itineraries. It sits at the end of its own highway, tucked between mountains that make the American Rockies look like foothills, and getting there means deliberately driving away from the places everyone else is going. That’s exactly what made it worth it for us. We spent four […]
July 7, 2026
We just spent 8 days in Alaska as a family of four. Two teachers, two kids, no cruise ship, and the biggest costs covered with points and miles. We watched orcas and fin whales from the deck of a boat in Kenai Fjords National Park. We kayaked across Resurrection Bay to a remote beach and […]
May 7, 2026
Every summer, hundreds of thousands of Midwestern families pile into the minivan or truck and make the drive south to Gulf Shores, Alabama. And honestly? We get it. The white sand, the warm Gulf water, the seafood — it’s one of the best beach destinations in the country, and it’s a whole lot closer than […]
March 16, 2026
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March 10, 2026
If you’ve ever priced out a national park trip and thought, “Wait… how is this supposed to be the affordable vacation?” you’re not alone. National parks feel like they should be simple. But once you add flights, a rental car, and lodging near the park entrance, the cost climbs fast—especially for families. I’m Nicole, a […]
March 8, 2026
Alaska had been on our family’s travel list for years. But instead of taking a cruise, we planned a DIY Alaska road trip, flying into Anchorage and exploring Seward and Valdez on our own. We just got back, and I can tell you now: it was one of the best trips our family has ever […]
How We Paid for Our Alaska Trip with Points (Flights, Hotels, Rental Car, and What It Actually Cost)
March 5, 2026
Rome had been on our family travel list for years and felt completely out of reach financially and logistically. Let’s be real… teacher salaries don’t equal jet-setting lifestyles. The history. The food. The feeling of walking through a city where ancient ruins sit right next to busy cafés and tiny gelato shops. But like most […]
February 2, 2025
Traveling through Rome with kids means balancing history, energy levels, and crowds. Pre-booking a few key experiences ahead of time made our days smoother, more predictable, and far more enjoyable. These are the tours and tickets I would absolutely book again. Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel (Skip-the-Line Tickets) We booked skip-the-line Vatican Museums tickets in […]
April 26, 2023
Getting outside and enjoying America’s National Parks is one of the best ways to explore nature and connect with your family. In order to use points and miles, flexibility and variety are key when booking accommodations. Check out a few of my favorite options below. As well as a way to save on National Park […]
April 11, 2023
Vacation rentals can be one of the best options for family travel. Having multiple bedrooms, a kitchen, and extra space can make longer trips much more comfortable — especially when traveling with kids. If you landed here searching for the old Wyndham and Vacasa partnership, that program has ended. Jump to the bottom of this […]
