We haven’t taken the kids to Walt Disney World yet, but my kids are huge Harry Potter fans, so when Universal announced the opening of Epic Universe, we knew we were headed back to Florida. And since we were already flying across the country, I figured—it’s time. Let’s finally do Disney World.

It started with a moment of sticker shock. I was pricing out a Universal Orlando vacation for our family of six—and when I saw the total, I actually laughed out loud. Not the fun, theme-park kind of laugh. The “surely this is a mistake” kind.

If your bag doesn’t show up, don’t panic (or at least try not to!). Follow these steps to get it back as quickly as possible:

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.

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.

As a mom, planning a family vacation often feels like a juggling act between your dream destinations and what your budget will allow. Whether you’re dreaming of exploring the ancient streets of Rome, relaxing on the beaches of Hawaii, or embarking on a magical trip to Disney, making those dreams a reality might seem impossible. But what if I told you there’s a way to afford a vacation anywhere in the world without breaking the bank?