We tried it: Using points and miles to book travel (without being experts)

We tried it: Using points and miles to book travel (without being experts)

There’s no shortage of advice about the right way to use credit card points for travel. Transfer partners, sign-up bonuses, maximizing every redemption... it can start to feel like there’s a test you’re supposed to pass before you’re allowed to book a trip. In this episode, we’re sharing a different perspective. We both recently used credit card points to book summer travel, and neither of us did it in the most optimized way. But instead of waiting until we knew every trick in the book, we used the points we had to save money on trips that mattered to us — and honestly, that felt like a win. Today, we’re breaking down exactly what we booked, how many points we used, what those trips would have cost in cash, and why we ultimately chose simplicity over squeezing every last cent of value from our rewards. If you've ever wondered whether you're "doing points wrong," this episode is your reminder that sometimes, your financial goals matter more than perfect optimization. ✨ Episode Highlights ✨ * [00:00] Why we’re confessing our "imperfect" approach to using credit card points * [02:50] Breaking down Cass’s last-minute trip to Toronto — flights, hotels, and how points covered nearly $2,000 in travel * [07:15] Why Cassidy chose to redeem points through the Chase Travel portal, even though it's not the strategy most travel experts recommend * [09:45] How Emily thought about buying a cross-country flight to Seattle while balancing other financial priorities * [11:20] Using Google Flights, Points Path, and airline rewards programs to compare cash versus points * [14:10] Why Emily intentionally ignored advice to pay cash and save points for later * [15:20] How we earned our travel rewards through Chase, United, and Delta credit cards * [17:00] What we’re still learning about transfer partners, airline loyalty, and maximizing points * [18:00] Why the "best" redemption depends on your personal financial goals, not someone else's spreadsheet * [19:10] Our biggest takeaway: using your points to reduce financial stress is a win, even if it isn't perfectly optimized ✨ Resources ✨ * Points & miles 101 with Ross Alcorn: Turn your credit card rewards into free travel / 52 [https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/podcast-episodes/points-and-miles-with-ross-alcorn-wr8tx-6ktre] * The freedom formula: How to travel, build a career, and save money with Caroline Lupini / 53 [https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/podcast-episodes/how-to-travel-build-a-career-and-save-money-with-caroline-lupini-zbs4k-tcfp5] * Points Path [https://pointspath.com/]  * Google Flights [https://www.google.com/travel/flights?gl=US&hl=en-US] 📩 Get The Finance Girlies newsletter:  https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/newsletter 💻Visit The Finance Girlies website:  https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/ 💖Email us your money questions:  hello@thefinancegirlies.com 📸Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefinancegirlies/

The one skill every woman needs to increase her income with Megan Smyth / 83

When you hear the word "sales," you might think of awkward pitches, pushy tactics, or convincing someone to buy something they don't want. But what if selling actually looked more like listening, building relationships, and creating opportunities for yourself? In this episode, we talk to Megan Smyth, a sales coach and educator who helps female entrepreneurs sell without apology. We talk about why so many women struggle with sales, how our nervous systems shape the way we experience money conversations, and why learning to sell isn't just about earning more — it's about creating more freedom, stability, and confidence in your financial life. ✨ Episode Highlights ✨ * [00:00] How Megan went from copywriting to helping women sell in a way that feels authentic and empowering. * [05:00] Why sales is one of the most valuable money skills you can build — especially if you work for yourself. * [08:30] Why you don't need social media to build a successful business, plus alternative marketing strategies that actually work. * [14:30] What's happening in your brain and body when you face a rejection, income dips, or scary money conversation. * [19:30] Simple nervous system techniques that can help you feel calmer and more confident before high-pressure conversations. * [22:00] Why leaving the traditional pre-med path changed Megan’s relationship with money, success, and identity. * [25:30] How to stop tying your self-worth to your income and start setting financial goals from a place of freedom instead of fear. * [30:00] Why great salespeople spend far more time listening than talking — and why empathy is your biggest advantage. * [38:30] How learning to create your own income gives you more stability, confidence, and financial independence over the long term. ✨ Resources ✨ * Listen to Megan's podcast, Blaze [https://megansmyth.com/podcast/] * Learn more about Megan's signature program, Sales Liberation [https://megansmyth.com/sales-liberation]  📩 Get The Finance Girlies newsletter:  https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/newsletter 💻Visit The Finance Girlies website:  https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/ 💖Email us your money questions:  hello@thefinancegirlies.com 📸Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefinancegirlies/

What the tradwife movement means for women's finances (re-release) / 82

This episode was previously available exclusively to our paid subscribers and is now being released to all listeners. We’re excited to share it with all the girlies out there!  -------- The trad wife lifestyle is being sold as soft, simple, and secure. But is it financially safe? In this episode, we unpack what the trad wife movement actually promotes, how it differs from choosing to stay home, and why financial autonomy still matters — even inside healthy marriages. We look at the influencer contradictions, the real risks of economic dependence, divorce statistics, and a powerful real-life story that shows how quickly financial control can escalate. If you’ve felt curious about this trend — or quietly unsettled by it — this conversation will help you separate the aesthetic from the economics. ✨ Episode Timestamps ✨ * [00:00] Why the trad wife lifestyle took off * [03:30] What is a trad wife — and where did this movement come from? * [07:30] Trad wife vs. stay-at-home mom: What’s the difference? * [09:30] The influencer contradiction and the “not working” illusion * [12:30] Traditional Christian ideology and submission rhetoric * [15:00] Why this movement can create financial vulnerability * [20:00] Divorce, asset division, and the risk of economic dependence * [22:00] A Well-Trained Wife and a real story of financial control * [26:30] How to protect yourself financially in any marriage ✨ Resources ✨  * PBS special: Trad Wives vs. Reality [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYzw389WOvk] * Money with Katie podcast episode [https://moneywithkatie.com/the_mwk_show/tradwives/] featuring Caroline Burke on the trad wife movement * A Well-Trained Wife [https://bookshop.org/p/books/a-well-trained-wife-my-escape-from-christian-patriarchy-tia-levings/3a556e94a333580f] by Tia Levings * TFG episode: Prenups for modern couples with divorce attorney Aaron Thomas [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2404002/episodes/18043477] * TFG episode: Navigating money as a wife, mom, and breadwinner with Jessica Norwood [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2404002/episodes/18043115] 📩 Get The Finance Girlies newsletter:  https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/newsletter 💻Visit The Finance Girlies website:  https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/ 💖Email us your money questions:  hello@thefinancegirlies.com 📸Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefinancegirlies/

How emotions affect your money decisions with Simone Griffin Taylor / 81

Have you ever felt guilty for spending money on something you love, but thought nothing of spending money on something you felt like you should do? Or found yourself thinking, "I'm just bad with money"? In this episode, we're joined by financial wellness coach Simone Griffin-Taylor for a conversation about the emotional side of personal finance. We explore why money decisions are rarely as logical as we think, how shame and self-judgment can show up in our financial lives, and why understanding your values may be more important than following someone else's money rules. From homebuying and travel to dining out and even buying Kleenex, this episode is full of real-life examples that will help you get curious about your spending habits, challenge old money stories, and make financial decisions that feel more aligned with the life you actually want to live. ✨ Episode Highlights ✨ * [03:00] Why emotions influence nearly every financial decision we make * [05:00] How shame shows up in our money lives—and how to recognize it * [08:30] The difference between "I made a mistake" and "I am bad with money" * [12:00] Why self-compassion can be a powerful financial tool * [17:00] The danger of comparing your financial life to someone else's timeline * [20:00] Simone's framework for reconnecting with your financial intuition * [24:00] How to identify your core values and use them to guide money decisions * [30:00] Why two people can share the same values but spend money very differently * [35:00] What people judge themselves for financially that is actually completely normal * [39:00] Cassidy's surprisingly strong opinions about the value of Kleenex and coat hangers * [43:00] How old money stories continue to influence our spending decisions ✨ Resources ✨ * Connect with Simone: affluencereimagined.com [http://affluencereimagined.com]  * Follow Simone on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/simone-griffin/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simone-griffin/]  📩 Get The Finance Girlies newsletter:  https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/newsletter 💻Visit The Finance Girlies website:  https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/ 💖Email us your money questions:  hello@thefinancegirlies.com 📸Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefinancegirlies/

From $3k to $17k in one month: Lessons from Cassidy’s freelance business / 80

When your income isn't predictable, it can be hard to know whether a slow season is just part of the process or a sign that something needs to change. And when so much financial advice assumes the same paycheck shows up every two weeks, navigating those ups and downs can feel even more frustrating. In this episode, we're diving into Cassidy's freelance business and taking a transparent look at what her year has actually looked like behind the scenes. After experiencing one of her lowest earning months since becoming a freelancer, she decided to stop waiting for things to turn around and start taking action.  Listen in to hear about the mindset shifts, money strategies, and business decisions that helped her go from a $3k month to a $17k month — plus the single practice that made her lower-earning months mildly annoying instead of panic-inducing. ✨ Episode Highlights ✨ * [02:00] The reality check that forced a hard look at what was (and wasn't) working in Cassidy’s business * [04:30] The mindset shift that led her to start pitching clients again after years of relying on referrals * [05:30] How one vulnerable LinkedIn post turned into a major freelance opportunity * [07:30] What it felt like to watch savings shrink during a prolonged slow season * [09:00] Why financial independence is about more than just the numbers for Cassidy * [12:30] The surprising benefits that came from having less work on the calendar * [14:00] How a cash cushion helped smooth out months of unpredictable income * [19:00] The real reasons Cassidy wanted to earn more money again * [22:00] The challenge of knowing when to stop saying yes to more work * [33:30] Cassidy's biggest lessons from going from one of her slowest months to one of her strongest ✨ Resources ✨ * Listen to Finance Girlies episode 74 with Arden Missal [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2404002/episodes/19097437] * Are you a business owner struggling to stay on top of the books and pay quarterly taxes? Collective [https://share.collective.com/ch8537] can do it for you.*  *This is an affiliate link, meaning we may earn a commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase using our link. Our promise: We’ll never share affiliate links for products or services we don’t love and recommend.  📩 Get The Finance Girlies newsletter:  https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/newsletter 💻Visit The Finance Girlies website:  https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/ 💖Email us your money questions:  hello@thefinancegirlies.com 📸Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefinancegirlies/