Bougie in a Backpack

Today we are chatting with Hayley (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @travellingsalzmans ), who was a speaker at our virtual summit last August talking about Points and Miles for Canadians. Hayley shares her expertise on how Canadians can leverage points and miles to travel in luxury for less. Discover the unique challenges and opportunities in Canada, from the best credit card strategies to maximizing rewards for flights a...

Today we are chatting with Audra from The Nerd Traveler (@the_nerd_traveler) as she delves into the art of traveling carry-on only. Discover Audra's tips and tricks for packing light, the benefits of avoiding checked baggage, and her personal experiences navigating laundromats around the world. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or planning your first trip, this episode is packed with insi...

Today we are chatting with Michael (@nursemichaeltravels), a nurse and travel enthusiast who shares his journey from limited travel experiences to mastering points and miles for travel. Michael discusses how he discovered the world of travel hacking, the tools he uses to find flight deals, and strategies for maximizing points value. He also shares insights on balancing a demanding job with travel...

Today we are chatting with Toriel, a career development coach, about the importance of taking PTO and how it can enhance professional growth. Toriel shares her journey into career coaching, the significance of advocating for oneself, and strategies for effectively using PTO.  In this episode, you will learn: Toriel helps women build strategies for career visibility. Travel has shaped Toriel's...

Today we are chatting with Marcie Cheung ( @hawaiitravelwithkids ), a travel expert specializing in family vacations to Hawaii. Marcie shares her extensive experience traveling to Hawaii, offering insights on planning trips, avoiding common mistakes, and maximizing family experiences. The conversation covers budget-friendly travel tips, choosing the right accommodations, and navigating the unique...

Today we are chatting with Frances Helena (@fh.travel.diaries), a seasoned traveler and entrepreneur. Frances shares her lifelong passion for travel, beginning from her early childhood in the Philippines to her experiences living in multiple countries. She discusses the importance of building connections while traveling, safety tips for solo travelers, and the significance of cultural sensitivity....

Today we are chatting with Malia (⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@maliayoshioka⁠ ), a freelance food and travel writer. We discuss the evolution of Malia's interest in food and travel, the importance of culinary experiences in enriching travel, and the value of food tours. Malia shares insights on how to engage with local culture through food, tips for making the most of food tours, and the significance of tipping and...

Today we are chatting with Mary Walker, who shares her journey of transitioning to full-time RV living after a series of life-altering events. Mary discusses the wake-up call that prompted her family to sell their house and travel full-time, the joys and challenges of RV life, including cooking, budgeting, and managing daily tasks on the road. She also highlights unique travel experiences, such as...

Today we are chatting with Fanny Tristan, a licensed trauma therapist and women's empowerment coach. Fanny shares her journey from trauma therapy to creating wellness retreats that help women rediscover themselves after breakups. The conversation explores the healing power of travel, the importance of community, and how retreats can facilitate personal growth and recovery from grief. Fanny also di...

Today we are chatting with Celeste Lawson (@mscelestelawson), founder of Melanin Tours, about her journey of relocating to Costa Rica and the services her company offers to help others do the same. We discuss the challenges and opportunities of moving abroad, including immigration processes, real estate options, healthcare, and the cost of living. Celeste shares her insights on the expat community...

Today we are chatting with Heather (@usjapanfam), a successful momfluencer and content creator. Heather shares her journey from starting her first YouTube channel to becoming a prominent figure in the Amazon influencer program. She discusses the challenges and rewards of being a momfluencer, the importance of teaching self-sufficiency to her children, and how she maximizes her time while balancing...

Today we are chatting with Claire (@pistachio.go), a travel confidence coach, who shares her journey of solo travel and the importance of empowering women to pursue their travel dreams. Claire discusses her early fascination with travel, the challenges and joys of solo travel, and how to incorporate travel into one's life despite financial and time constraints. She emphasizes the significance...

Today we are chatting with Shebs Alom (@shebsthewanderer), a prominent figure in the travel media industry. Shebs shares his journey from solo traveler to travel broadcaster, discussing the evolution of solo travel, the importance of budgeting, and how technology has changed the travel landscape. He emphasizes the significance of self-belief, mentorship, and the sacrifices needed to succeed in the...

Today we are chatting with Delia (@delia_co), a seasoned digital nomad and travel consultant. Delia shares her journey from being a language expert to embracing a nomadic lifestyle, highlighting the importance of community, diverse income streams, and sustainable travel practices. The conversation delves into the significance of attending nomad conferences, the cultural differences in the nomadic...

Today we are chatting with Kayla Mathieu (@campingwithkayla), who shares her journey of transitioning from a nursing career to full-time RV living with her family. Kayla discusses the challenges and joys of choosing the right RV, the homeschooling experience for her children, and the importance of socialization while traveling. She also opens up about her son's behavioral struggles and how the...

Today we are welcoming back Deanna (@thepointsflygirl), for a fundamentals of points and miles episode. We cover essential topics for beginners, including how to get started, the importance of transferring points, and strategies for searching and booking flights. Deanna shares her insights on loyalty programs, airline partnerships, and common mistakes to avoid. We discuss the value of flexibility...

Today we are chatting with Luba (@parenting_outside_the_box), a seasoned traveler and home exchange enthusiast. Luba shares her experiences with home exchange, discussing its benefits for families, how it compares to traditional accommodations like Airbnb, and the unique opportunities it presents, such as hosting her own afforable wedding at a Home Exchange home! The conversation delves into pract...

Today we are chatting with Scott Kiesling (@scott_and_nancy), a life and relationship consultant who specializes in adventure therapy. Scott shares his journey from fear-based to embracing adventure as a means of personal transformation. He discusses how fear can be reframed into excitement, the importance of mindset in overcoming adversity, and the role of adventure therapy in fostering personal...

Today we are chatting with Corinne (@bucketlisttravelcoaching), a travel coach specializing in solo travel. We discuss Corinne's journey into solo travel, the freedom it brings, and the challenges of planning trips. Corinne shares insights on overcoming overwhelm, safety concerns, and the importance of understanding one's motivations for travel. We also touch on managing expectations for bucket li...

Today we are chatting with Sonia (@careyontravels) a seasoned traveler and speaker at the October virtual summit. Sonia shares her extensive travel experiences, focusing on trip planning and budgeting. She talks about the importance of budgeting for travel, the need for flexibility in planning, and the significance of understanding major expenses and daily budgeting. Sonia also discusses travel in...

Today we are chatting with Dawit (@just_da_wit) a first-year emergency medicine resident and travel enthusiast. We discuss Dawit's journey into travel, his passion for points and miles, and his strategies for maximizing travel experiences through loyalty programs like Delta SkyMiles and Hyatt, creative ways to earn and burn points, the importance of flexibility in travel planning, and the value of...

Today we are chatting with Eunice (@ciao.eunice) about the intricacies of points and miles, the importance of community in learning about travel strategies, and a method to earn more points maximize travel rewards. Eunice shares her journey into the world of points and miles, the value of attending conferences and engaging with others in the travel community. We delve into the mechanics of differe...

Today we are chatting with Robin (⁠⁠⁠⁠ @aroundtheworldwithkidsblog ), founder of Around the World with Kids. Robin shares her extensive travel experiences, starting from her childhood and evolving into family travel with her husband and two kids. The conversation covers various aspects of traveling with children, including the importance of involving them in planning, the need for downtime, and th...

Today we are chatting with Ravinder (⁠⁠⁠ @thetravelpointsrebel ⁠), about her journey into the world of points and miles, the benefits of solo travel, and the unique challenges faced by Canadian travelers. We discuss the importance of understanding credit card strategies, common mistakes in points redemption, and the empowerment that comes from traveling alone. Ravinder shares insights on Canadian...

Today we are chatting with Arthur (⁠⁠ @the.arthur.chow ), an award travel coach and credit card consultant. Arthur shares his journey into the world of points and miles, offering valuable insights on maximizing travel experiences through strategic credit card use, including how he amassed 5 million points in his first six months of the hobby. He shares tips for earning points, navigating credit ca...