Hey there! Trying to raise kids who understand money and credit – and manage money well? Me too! Helping kids prepare for adulthood is no small task, and teaching kids about money is an important part of that preparation. For better or worse… there's a good chance that your kid's financial habits will look a […]
Have you heard about Families Fly Free? It's a program that will show you how to fly your family around the U.S. and beyond for free. Yes. Free. Lyn Mettler is the face and founder of Families Fly Free. She has developed a system that helps families earn loyalty points faster and then stretch those […]
What does a Christmas trip to Europe cost? It depends on many factors including where you're going, where you're coming from, how long you'll stay, and what you do when you get there. And of course, you know that. But it helps to have an idea, right? In this article, I'm sharing our actual expenses […]
Need to find cheap airline tickets for your next family trip? Here are the tried and true tricks we use to fly my family of four several times per year. You don't need to work for an airline or be an expert travel hacker to save hundreds of dollars on flights. Air travel is expensive […]
Hey there! Do you need a rental car for your next trip? Honestly, I avoid renting a car if I have other transportation options like walking, public transportation, or Uber/Lyft. But sometimes renting a car is simply the easiest and best option. My family loved driving around the Florida Keys, Nova Scotia, the Adirondacks, New England, […]
Planning an international trip? How exciting! What's your plan for exchanging currency? If you don't know where to start with foreign currency for your trip, I can help. My family has traveled to several countries, including England, France, Mexico, and Canada. And we will soon add Japan to the list. Honestly, exchanging foreign currency is […]
Planning a big vacation? Are you wondering if you need travel insurance? And if you do need travel insurance, are you wondering where to start??? I can help! I am a frequent traveler and a licensed health insurance broker. I know that insurance isn't the fun part of your trip and I hope you won't […]
Hey there! Need some extra money for your next vacation? There are lots of ways to save money on travel, but family vacations still cost money. When you need to pay for housing, food, clothes, and other necessities for a family, it can be HARD to save money for a vacation too. It's a challenge […]
Planning a national park trip? Did you know that there are lots of ways to save money on entrance fees? The national parks are a bargain any day of the year, and well worth the entrance fee. But if you: Are planning a multi-park road trip Have elementary-age kids Are eligible for a special pass… […]
Wondering if Groupon deals will really save you money? YES, Groupon is legitimate. My family has been using Groupon for years. You can find all kinds of deals on Groupon, but we especially like deals for family activities and vacations. We often use Groupon to save money on family activities close to home. It's a […]
Do you have a travel rewards credit card? If so, are you making the most of it? If you manage your credit well and pay your balances in full every month, your credit card could pay you to travel. My family gets free flights, free checked bags, free priority boarding, premium airport lounge access and […]
If you have good credit and healthy spending habits, a good travel card can add hundreds of dollars to your travel budget every year. Applying for a second or third travel rewards credit card can help you get even more free travel and improve your credit score at the same time. Before I go on, […]
Are you dreaming of international travel? Does the cost of airfare keep you grounded? For years, I dreamed of traveling to Europe, Asia, and other international destinations. We are a typical middle-class family with busy schedules, a mortgage, car payments, etc. I figured that if we saved our money long enough, we could eventually afford […]
We all know that overpacking is a “travel don't”, but that's easier said than done. Have you ever considered the money you could save by packing light? The savings are fairly obvious at the airport when packing light is the difference between paying for a checked bag and avoiding that fee. However, there are other unexpected […]
Looking for ways to cut your travel budget so you can take that next trip sooner? There are lots of good ways to save money on food while traveling. You will eat whether you are at home or traveling, so you can bring your travel food budget down to nearly nothing if you eat like […]
Planning a trip to Walt Disney World? Food is one of the easiest places to save money. With a family of seven, I have lots of tips for dining at Walt Disney World on a budget. I'll also share our favorite lunches and snacks to pack into the parks. Combine these tips with 25+ Ways […]
Do you dream of traveling the world? Me too! I grew up in a middle-class family in the wide-open spaces of Utah, and have pretty much lived here all my life. It's a fantastic place to live and travel, but for international travel, it isn't close to anywhere. For years, I assumed that taking my […]
Planning a trip to Washington D.C. on a budget? We've been there. Our first family trip to Washington D.C. was over the 4th of July. We wanted to stay within walking distance of the National Mall without paying a fortune. The hotels were all so expensive! We eventually found a hotel in a great location that […]
We've all heard stories of killer airfare deals, but unless you work for an airline, it can be tricky to fly for little or nothing. Airfares can be so unpredictable. This year, I happened upon a Frontier Airline deal and my family of four flew round trip from Salt Lake City to Orlando for about […]
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? On a budget? I hear you! Many families dream of planning a Disney vacation, but sometimes it can feel cost prohibitive. Multi-day theme park tickets for a family of four can quickly cost over $1,000, before transportation, lodging, or food expenses. Is it possible to have a magical Disney […]
