SEE THE TOOLS
The tools I use every week to track our points, organize cards, and make sure we never miss a deal. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to keep it all straight, these are for you.
Points and Money Tools
Tools I Use
featured post
READ THE POST
When I first started earning points for travel, I assumed booking flights with an airline’s own miles was the smartest move. Especially if you’ve been stockpiling Delta SkyMiles—it feels like a win, right? But the more I got into this world, the more I realized those miles aren’t always the best deal. In fact, Delta flights can often be booked for way fewer points through partner programs.
When I first started earning points for travel, I assumed booking flights with an airline’s own miles was the smartest move. Especially if you’ve been stockpiling Delta SkyMiles—it feels like a win, right? But the more I got into this world, the more I realized those miles aren’t always the best deal. In fact, Delta flights can often be booked for way fewer points through partner programs.
Getting through airport security with kids can feel like an Olympic sport. Between juggling snacks, backpacks, and emotional meltdowns, the last thing you want is to be stuck in a painfully long TSA line. The good news? There are ways to skip the chaos—and some of them are completely free when you use the right credit card.
My husband travels often for work, and that’s how we first got deep into the Marriott ecosystem. Once you build loyalty with a single hotel program, the perks start to matter—things like room upgrades, free breakfast, and late checkout can make travel a whole lot smoother, especially for a family.
If you’ve ever stared at a meal check on vacation wondering how you’re going to make this work for an entire week, it can feel like your stomach dropped down to your toes. I’ve been there.
The good news? With a little planning, you can stretch your food budget way farther than you think, while still feeling like you are having a vacation.
Ever wonder if you’re actually getting a good deal when you use your points? You’re not alone. I get this question a lot—and the truth is, not all points are created equal. A quick calculation can help you decide whether to hit redeem or save those points for something better.
Once you understand how to transfer points to travel partners, like airlines or hotels, you unlock a whole new level of value. It might sound intimidating at first (I used to feel that way too), but once you do it once, it becomes second nature.
When it comes to earning American Express Membership Rewards points, most people focus on welcome offers from new credit cards and every day spending. While both strategies are incredibly valuable, there’s a lesser-known yet equally powerful strategy to quickly rack up points—using Rakuten. This method is especially useful given AMEX’s stricter rules on new card sign-ups. Here’s how you can earn a substantial amount of Membership Rewards points without applying for a new card.
When it comes to Christmas, our family keeps things simple and intentional with a tradition I love: the four-gift Christmas. If four gifts were good enough for Jesus, then they’re certainly good enough for our kids! This approach helps us focus on the reason for the season without feeling materialistic or overwhelmed by “stuff” when it’s all over. Each of our four gifts is themed after the original gifts given to Jesus—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—plus a fourth surprise from Santa and their stockings. Let me break down how it works and why it’s been such a blessing for us.
Travel-friendly stocking stuffers under $25 and gifts for every kind of trip, from Hawaii to Disney to a ski weekend. Real picks from a mom of four.
If you’ve ever had that moment where you’re staring at flight prices and wondering if your dream trip is even possible—been there. Especially with a big family, airfare can feel like the biggest barrier. That’s where the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club comes in. It’s one of the most underrated ways to stretch your points further—especially for international trips.
Flights
hotels
Using Points
Credit cards
popular topics
Can’t remember where you saw it? Whether it was a credit card tip, a travel itinerary, or that dress from Instagram—if I’ve shared it, you can probably find it here.
Search the Blog
Points and Money Tools
Show me how
Our first year on points, we saved $53,726 on five family trips (before I had a single follower). Now you can get there three ways: learn it step by step in the 30-day TRM Points Challenge, let my AI Trip Planner map out your next trip, or join TRM+ for $9.99 a month and stay current on every offer and masterclass.
Your Family's Next Trip, Nearly Free
your next trip starts here
read here
If you’ve ever had that moment where you’re staring at flight prices and wondering if your dream trip is even possible—been there. Especially with a big family, airfare can feel like the biggest barrier. That’s where the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club comes in. It’s one of the most underrated ways to stretch your points further—especially for international trips.
