-
9 Rules for Savvy Travel: Dia’s Tips for Better Trips
Friends who come to town often ask what to do in Washington, DC and I have many answers depending on what they are looking for. However, there’s one thing I won’t tell anyone to do: visit the Washington Monument. That’s because doing so violates one of my rules for savvy travel. This provides me a perfect opportunity to share them with you. After 55 countries the list has yet to steer me wrong. Don’t Go Up to the Top of the…
-
Traveler’ s Affluenza: Do you have Gilded Cage Syndrome?
I’ve fallen and I can’t get up. I’ve come down with traveler’s Affluenza. GCS: Gilded Cage Syndrome Guilded Cage Syndrome strikes when the allure of the 5 star bed is so strong it overwhelms all else. No matter what wonderful attraction, city, gourmet meal or cultural treasure awaits you, all your body wants to do is crash into that bed that feels like no other bed you have ever felt, ever, ever, ever. Ever. GCS is an offshoot of affluenza- defined…
-
Disney Vacation Club rental 101: How DVC points can save you thousands on your next trip
One of the tips Disney experts throw around is “renting DVC points is a great way to save money on Disney World hotels”. Renting DVC (Disney Vacation Club) points has an air of mystique about it that I think is unwarranted. I’ve now had a number of successful experiences renting DVC points and wanted to share a beginner’s guide with you. I found the process extremely easy but definitely see where pitfalls can lie. What are DVC points? Let’s start…
-
Lessons learned from 13 years of blogging
I published my first post on October 30, 2011. When I started, I had no idea that anyone outside of my poker group would read a word I wrote. The Deal Mommy was simply a way to avoid repeating the same stuff over and over again. A few months later, Kathy from Will Run for Miles found a deal I had posted. We got to chatting about how we were drowning in 14 cent Propel water. She led me to Chicago…
-
Talking to your reluctant spouse about miles and points
If you’re in a couple and have just discovered the magic of travel hacking, chances are you’ve got a reluctant spouse. I hear “my husband won’t get on board” or some variation almost daily. The reluctant spouse is someone who just doesn’t get it. Maybe he thinks cash is king. Or maybe she took years to pay off her debt and won’t get a new credit card. Or maybe (gasp) he’s just not into travel. Whatever it is, you will need to…
-
My 4 Must Haves for Safe Travel with Kids
I hear from a lot of folks about their worries about safe travel with kids. You certainly can’t prevent calamity on the road. We’ve faced kidneystones in Gran Canaria, tonsillitis in Vietnam followed up by bronchitis in Hong Kong and a broken elbow at…Disney World. The main thing I’ve learned is that you can’t control what happens on the trip, but the decisions you make before the trip can make or break it once calamity strikes. I have a checklist I use before…