show episodes
 
Travel isn’t just for the rich. I teach people how to supercharge their credit card points so they can pay for entire family vacations every year. I've been redeeming miles and points to pay for travel for over a decade. Points have taken our family around the world. But one thing sets me apart -- our family flies economy because business class isn't worth the extra effort for us. But this podcast isn't about me and where I've been -- it's about you and your goals. I focus on "normal" and st ...
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Welcome to Suitcase Divas - The Podcast co-hosted by Denise DiUbaldi with Red Birds travel and Cheryl Garcia with ABCD Adventures. Travel isn't just a passion, it's their bread and butter. These experienced travel agents discuss all things travel, usually over a glass of mimosa or wine...and an occasional brewski. Topics of discussion are sure to include travel tricks & tips, getting the best bang for your buck when booking travel, and insider secrets to save you from travel nightmares. You’ ...
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Into the Garden with Leslie is about gardening, mainly ornamental, and the point is to get people informed and possibly amused by the many aspects of digging in the dirt. We give you a Plant of the Week, an informative interview, and seasonal tips and tricks. Come listen along as Leslie tries to strike a balance between her growing interest in native plants and her love for luscious hostas and hydrangeas. We will discuss everything from design to compost, and lots of fun guests will fill in ...
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LOKATE is an actionable resource portal that helps you design your life abroad. This podcast interviews guests, shares experiences and uncovers the strategies and resources you need to build the life that makes sense for you. Whether that is fully moving to another country, or just finding new and exciting ways to inject more travel experiences in your life - there are options for everyone. No matter your life or financial situation. This podcast and our blog is what is going to help to get ...
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Health. Self Development. Travel. Motivation. Love. Independence. Career. Goals. Fitness. Business. Mindfulness. Family. Life. Inspiration. Self Love. Work. Spirituality. Purpose. Self Care. We cover it all here at the CTF podcast! The goal here at the CTF podcast is to speak to everyday women, transgender and LGBTIQ+ people from all over the world about their experiences, journeys, highs, lows, adventures and lessons learnt along the way. Hear about every day heroes taking their own life in ...
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Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! Today I’m going to cover perks and benefits that belong to some of my favorite cards, including a new DoorDash benefit, how to use your points to book experiences like Broadway shows, and a great way to maximize your online shopping. Next week I’m excited to share success stories…
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Send us a Text Message. In this inspiring episode of the Suitcase Divas podcast, we are thrilled to welcome special guest Risa August, a best-selling author, Ironman competitor, and world traveler. Risa's journey is nothing short of extraordinary. After surviving brain surgery, she has become a passionate advocate against a rare pituitary disease t…
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Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! Today I’m going to be answering your questions about season one of Points for Normal People. We’ll cover flights, hotels, benefits, and more! I’m so thankful that you’ve been on this journey with me and I know that your questions will be helpful for others, too! ACTION STEPS: If …
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Send us a Text Message. In this episode of Suitcase Divas, we dive into the world of in-person airfare deals and elusive "penny fares" that can make your travel dreams a reality without breaking the bank. Special guest Katie O, a seasoned travel deal hunter and expert in snagging the best flight deals, joins us to share her insider tips and tricks.…
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Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! Today I’ll be sharing a big picture strategy for your first few years in points. I’ll go over my three year plan and take you through some common scenarios that will help you determine what’s best for you so that you can meet your specific goals. One common mistake is when people…
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Send us a Text Message. Join the Suitcase Divas as they celebrate a special birthday in the charming city of Greenville, South Carolina! In this episode, we take you on a delightful journey through Greenville's vibrant downtown, scenic parks, and culinary hotspots. From exploring the beautiful Falls Park on the Reedy to savoring delicious meals at …
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Did you feel the dog days of summer WAY earlier than you usually do? Marianne Willburn and I talk about climate change in the garden and some good strategies to learn from what your plants are experiencing, without succumbing to the doom and gloom that generally accompanies the topic. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/sho…
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Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! Today is a big day because I get the opportunity to tell you about the highest offer I’ve ever seen to earn my favorite points! This is such an incredible welcome bonus, and because it’s only here for a limited time, I added this bonus episode to get the word out fast. This episo…
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Send us a Text Message. In this enlightening episode of Suitcase Divas, we sit down with special guest Nicole Ryan, a trailblazing Cannabis Nurse and the founder of Quest Wellness in Harrisburg, NC. Nicole shares her inspiring journey of entering the hemp industry and the motivations behind establishing Quest Wellness. She offers valuable insights …
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Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! Today I’m going to show you how doing something as small as selling a single item on Facebook Marketplace each year can qualify you for business credit cards (and the awesome welcome bonuses that come with them). If you’re feeling intimidated by the process, I’m here to help keep…
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Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! In this episode, I am going to walk you through each airline partner that is available for you to transfer your Ultimate Rewards points to. I’ll explain the benefits of each one, point out any downsides, and tell you about a few sweet spots so that you can get the most out of you…
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Podcasters often host interesting experts in the field on which they love to talk. This episode is no different, but because the expert, Scott Beuerlein, Director of Horticultural Outreach at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, does a monthly column interviewing all kinds of interesting people in horticulture, you are going to get a bigger ban…
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Send us a Text Message. In this episode of Suitcase Divas we chat about everything you need to know for the perfect beach getaway. From top U.S. beaches to accessible shores and beach camping spots, we've got you covered. Plus, we'll share our favorite gear to take along for a fun and relaxing beach trip. Whether you're a seasoned beachgoer or plan…
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Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! Today I’m going to take the complicated topic of booking flights with points and give you ways to keep it simple, save you time, and help you use your points for the things you value most. In addition to helping you understand the world of booking flights with points, I also have…
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Send us a Text Message. In this episode of Suitcase Divas, we dive into the challenges and solutions for dealing with unexpected bad weather during your vacation. Vacations are meant to be a time for relaxation and fun, but sometimes Mother Nature has other plans. Whether you're caught in a sudden downpour or facing a major storm, we've got the tip…
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Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! Today I’m going to cover some of the best and most underrated ways to use Chase Ultimate Rewards points. The exciting news is that there is a lot of flexibility, allowing you to book all kinds of travel options including, flights, hotels, cruises, Disney tickets, or Airbnb. If tr…
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Send us a Text Message. In this exciting episode of Suitcase Divas, we take you on a journey to Gibson Mills in Concord, North Carolina. Tune in as we uncover the diverse attractions this vibrant destination has to offer. From the unique shops and local artisans to mouthwatering food options and top-notch breweries, Gibson Mills is a treasure trove…
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Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! Today I’m going to introduce you to the three different families of cards within the Chase Ultimate Rewards universe. I’ll show you how to earn the most points over the long run and how to do this in single player or two player households. There are a lot of Chase cards available…
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Marianne and I are home from our travels and in this episode we talk about the very successful first garden tour put together by Marianne and Andrea Gasper. So many fabulous English Gardens-- Rousham, Kiftsgate, Wisley, Blenheim, Waterperry, and that's just the half of it. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/intothegar…
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After a month away, I would like to re-introduce myself as the not serious and American garden Podcaster, Leslie Harris. I'll catch you up on how my garden fared with not much attention for over 30 days; what worked well in terms of planning for leaving it, and what didn't work as well. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/s…
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Send us a Text Message. Join us for a refreshing and fun episode of Suitcase Divas as we catch up with what the Divas have been up to this summer! Denise shares her exciting adventures in Cape May, while Cheryl takes us on a journey through the beautiful Outer Banks. From family trips to hidden gems, we've got plenty of summer stories, travel tips,…
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Send us a Text Message. Welcome to a special travel edition of Suitcase Divas! In this episode, we're diving into some of the most heated "Am I the Asshole?" scenarios with a travel twist. Join us as we unpack these juicy dilemmas: Stepchildren on Vacation: Should stepkids always be included in family vacations, or is it okay to have separate trips…
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Send us a Text Message. In this exciting episode of the Suitcase Divas Podcast, we sit down with the incredibly talented actress and singer, Shelby Starr. Shelby takes us on a journey through her unforgettable adventures while studying abroad in the enchanting country of Wales. From navigating public transportation and visiting picturesque landscap…
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Send us a Text Message. In this episode of Suitcase Divas, we dive deep into the world of all-inclusive resorts. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or planning your first getaway, this episode is packed with insights and tips to help you make the most of your all-inclusive experience. We discuss: The All-Inclusive Advantage: What exactly does "all-…
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Send us a Text Message. Ahoy, Divas! 🌊✨ In this fabulous episode, we chat about Virgin Voyages cruise line, the new standard in cruising. Join your hosts as we explore everything this chic cruise line has to offer, from its stunning, modern design to its innovative, adult-only experience. We’ll delve into the exquisite dining options, vibrant enter…
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Click MORE to see Ad disclosures UPDATE: this offer has now ended. But even at it's standard offer, I think this card is still the best beginners card. Welcome to Points for Normal People! Today I have an exciting bonus episode for you, because the Chase Sapphire Preferred currently has an even better welcome offer for you, and I’ve got all the det…
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Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! Today I want to show you how I use my Chase Ultimate Rewards for Hyatt. I book Hyatt regularly to simplify my decision making process and to save me a lot of time! So let me introduce you to all the ways you can make the most of your points with Hyatt. If you’re worried about Hya…
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Summer is coming and so are vacations. How do we prepare our gardens to get along without us? Marianne Willburn and I discuss tips and tricks on this topic and we also preview the fabulous garden tour in England that she and Andrea Gaspar have organized and I am attending! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/intothegar…
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Send us a Text Message. In this episode of Suitcase Divas, we are thrilled to have best-selling author and world traveler Cory Mortensen as our special guest. Join us as we dive into the fascinating story behind Cory's book "The Buddha and The Bee," chronicling his epic solo bike ride from Minnesota to California. Cory Mortensen's journey is a test…
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Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! Today I’ll be introducing you to the easiest way to use your Ultimate Rewards points! I’ll be talking about how to use points for hotels, how my family has used it, and how you can get the most out of your points. Remember that using points is most rewarding when you get to use i…
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Send us a Text Message. Welcome to Suitcase Divas! In this episode, join us as we delve into the thrilling world of the U.S. National Whitewater Center located in Charlotte, North Carolina. First, we'll uncover the myriad activities available, from whitewater rafting and kayaking to zip-lining and rock climbing. We'll discuss the different skill le…
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(Click MORE to see Ad disclosure) Welcome to Points for Normal People! Thanks for joining me again for Part 2 as I share about all of the great travel benefits of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. I’ve read all of the details so that you don’t have to! Let me fill you in and help you get the most out of your card. If you missed Part 1, be sure to …
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Send us a Text Message. Join us on this episode of Suitcase Divas as we delve into the captivating world of digital nomadism with the adventurous Brian Groff. From beautiful beaches to bustling city centers, Brian's journey as a digital nomad has taken him to many destinations, blending work and wanderlust seamlessly. In this episode, we explore: T…
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Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! Join me today for a conversation about the shopping and purchase benefits of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. It offers so much more than points, and I have all the details to help you make the most of your card. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss out on next…
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What's the most important gardening tool? Your body, silly, which, if you are like me, isn't quite the same as it used to be. Is there a resource where you can learn about how to improve and maintain this tool? Yes, and it's the PBS show called Garden Fit. Can you have sneak peaks at other people's fabulous gardens at the same time? Oh yes, you can…
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Send us a Text Message. Welcome back, Suitcase Divas! On today's episode, we're uncorking the charm of Childress Vineyards nestled in the heart of Lexington, North Carolina. Join us as we swirl, sip, and savor all that this picturesque winery has to offer. First, we'll paint a vivid picture of the stunning venue itself. From rolling vineyards to el…
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Hydrangea pruning, bulbs (tulips... are they worth it? of course), transplanting polygonatum, tchotchkes in the garden (MA thinks no, Les likes a bit of whimsy), and quite a long side path of Magnolia discussion. Oh, and the MOST important spring "chore"? Pretty easy: Look. Every. Day. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/sh…
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(Click MORE to see Ad Disclosures) Welcome to Points for Normal People! In this episode, I’ll share mistakes I’ve made when I didn’t have a system to track my credit cards and points. Then I’ll give you the information and resources you need to stay organized, getting the most out of your points. ACTION STEPS: Set up a system to track your credit c…
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Send us a Text Message. Welcome to another episode of Suitcase Divas Podcast, where we explore the world of travel with a touch of style and safety. In today's episode, we're diving deep into the realm of travel safety, covering everything from Car Safety, Road Trip Safety, Hotel Safety, to Destination Safety. First up, Car Safety. Whether you're r…
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(Click "MORE" to see Ad Disclosure) Welcome to Points for Normal People! Today we're diving into mindset around booking trips. We'll explore the switch from cash bookings to points--and how some shifts in the way you think can help you plan your points trips with less stress. We'll also discuss how valuable tools like transfer partners and sweet sp…
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Send us a Text Message. Join us on this exciting episode of Suitcase Divas as we journey through the vibrant streets of Downtown Raleigh! Our first stop is the iconic London Bridge Pub, where we dive into the city's rich history while enjoying a pint of local brew. Next, we explore the eclectic atmosphere of The Raleigh Times, a historic newspaper …
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Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! In this episode, I’m sharing everything you need to know about the Chase 5/24 rule, and teach you all the best tips on how to navigate it. If you’re getting started, understanding the Chase 5/24 rule will help you develop the best strategy to travel more with points. ACTION STEPS…
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Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! If you’re wondering where to begin when it comes to picking the right credit cards for travel points, I am here to be your guide. In this episode, I help show you how to choose the right cards, tune out the marketing noise, and let you know exactly where to start. Choosing the ri…
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Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! This episode has everything you need to know about credit scores and points. I share my credit scores, lay out key habits to keep your score high while opening cards for points, and help you understand the factors that influence your credit score. Enjoying the benefits of travel …
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Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! In today’s episode, I share the benefits of opening multiple credit cards each year. I help you understand the time investment and I’ll give you an overall strategy to earn points the easy way. Opening multiple cards doesn’t have to be overwhelming. I’m here to be your guide. Let…
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Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! In this very first episode, I'll be sharing more about what exactly I mean by "Points for Normal People," and some of the methodology I've developed in my past 13 years in the travel points and miles hobby. Points and miles isn't just for people flying business class -- it's for …
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A DOZEN plants of the week here, as Katie Dubow of the Garden Media Group and I discuss their favorite new plants. And listeners, I DID write a blog post with links, but now my website is down. :( Still a great podcast episode and you can link to the new plants right here! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/intothegar…
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Welcome to Points for Normal People! This podcast aims to teach you the easiest ways to earn and redeem points for travel. Because travel isn't just for the rich. And travel points can be used by normal people who just want to devote a few hours a month to this hobby -- and still pay for entire vacations every year. New Here? Hi, I’m Katie from Kat…
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Send us a Text Message. Welcome to Suitcase Divas, where we uncover the best travel experiences and accommodations around the globe! In this episode, join us as we embark on an exciting journey to Orlando, Florida, exploring the exhilarating attractions of Icon Park, the Avanti International Resort, and the convenience of traveling with Allegiant A…
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