Hi, I'm Marissa.
Pharmacist. Working mom. Former extreme couponer.
And completely obsessed with travel.
Carry-on only. Mostly.
I'm the busy mom who wanted more family trips.
So I figured out how to take them without spending more money.
My dad used to earn points from all the travel he did for work, and he took me on the most fun trips when I was in high school. I wanted to do the same thing for my family.
But I don't travel for work. So I knew I had to find another way.
I've always loved a deal. Back in my extreme couponing days, I lived for stacking offers, timing purchases and getting more out of money I was already going to spend.
Points and miles turned out to be the same game. Just with better prizes. ✈️
My family's totals as of November 2026. That includes 86 one-way flights and 78 hotel stays.
Why a pharmacist is talking about points
Fair question!
My whole job is taking complicated instructions and making them simple, safe and easy to follow. I double-check the details. I love a good system.
It turns out that's exactly what points and miles need. There's a lot of confusing information out there, and most of it isn't written for a mom ordering groceries between meetings.
So that's what I do here. One clear step at a time.
What I believe
Points and miles can be for anyone who pays their credit card off in full and on time. Every month. No exceptions.
If that's not you right now, that's okay. Truly. Get the debt handled first. I'm a fan of the Dave Ramsey approach for that season. The points will still be here when you're ready.
And to the people who say this is a scam, or that it will wreck your credit score? It isn't, and done responsibly it doesn't have to. I'll show you exactly how I do it.
What I won't do is promise this is for everyone. It's not.
The bottom line: credit card rewards are a tool. Used carefully, they can take your family around the world.
A few things about me
- Wife and mama. My favorite travel buddies.
- Infertility warrior. If that's part of your story too, I see you.
- Military kid with roots on both coasts. Southerner by location, Marylander at heart. 🦀
- Ravens and Clemson fan. Go Tigers!
- Gluten-free foodie. Yes, you can still eat very well on vacation.
- Iced coffee, always. Margaritas and queso, often.
- Pilates and walking girly. Beach lover. Planner.
- Business class fan. But I'm not above economy.
- Hyatt loyalist. We stay with them so much that I have top tier status.
- Still learning to put myself out there. So thank you for being here.
Where points have taken us
All over the United States (Hawaii included!), Mexico, Aruba, Curaçao, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Spain, St. Kitts and Nevis, the Bahamas and Switzerland.
Some of those were lie-flat seats. Some were economy. All of them were memories we wouldn't have made otherwise.
How I can help
There is nothing that makes me happier than helping my friends and family book nearly free vacations that they otherwise wouldn't have been able to afford.
If you're thinking “I'm overwhelmed and I don't know where to start,” you're in the right place.
I'll show you how the things you already buy, like the Costco run, the school shopping and the holiday gifts, can help pay for your next trip.
The best place to begin is my free Beginner's Guide to Points and Miles. Read it in order.
← Back to home