Trash to Travel Challenge: What I Learned in a Month of Reselling to Create a Travel Budget From Nothing

I started this trash to travel challenge on a whim. Any time I post about reselling {often in my Instagram stories}, I always get questions about how I do it. A quick response to someone who dropped into my DM's, had my mind spinning, and the challenge was created. You see, when I started reselling items about 25 years ago, there weren't many platforms out there. You were often limited to reselling by having a garage sale, and while I love going to them, I don't always like having them! Things have changed so much, and nearly everyone has access to reselling their items for a profit, they just need that little push. As I've shared my experience during my trash to travel challenge, I have heard from many people that I have given them the push that they needed to start listing. After 31 days challenging myself to resell items and create a travel budget from nothing, I learned a few things too. Yes, even with decades of experience, I took away a few nuggets. Are you ready to see what they were?

Should You Tip at an All Inclusive Resort?

When booking an all-inclusive resort vacation, one of the biggest perks is the promise that everything-from meals and drinks to activities and entertainment-is included in the upfront price. This often extends to tipping, with many resorts advertising that gratuities are covered. I've stayed at dozens of all-inclusive resorts and I've noticed that the tipping culture is changing. This might leave travelers wondering: should you tip at an all-inclusive resort, even when it's supposedly included?
Let's dive into the pros and cons of tipping to see if you can decide what feels right for you!

N Concourse Seattle Tacoma Airport: Where to Eat and What to Do During a Layover or Before a Flight

I spend a LOT of time at the Seattle Tacoma International Airport. Like a lot of time! Not only do we have three kids who live out of state, we also enjoy traveling. It's not uncommon for me to be at the SeaTac airport {or as it rebranded itself a few years ago SEA}, several times a week. We all love our local Alaska Airlines and the ease of so many direct flights to most of the places that we want to go.  If you are flying in or out of Seattle on Alaska Airlines, you might just find yourself in the N concourse. The N concourse at SEA just completed their final phase and if you’ve got some time before a flight, or heck, if you want to get a local taste after you arrive, here are some of my favorite shops, dining and entertainment in the N concourse. You might want to get to the airport early to enjoy all of them!

Doha Layover Guide to Getting Rest

When a couple travels together, you might have different travel styles. I'm less, how do I say this, precious, and my husband has a bit more dignity. I would happily save money during a long layover and stretch out on the airport floor using my backpack as a pillow, but he would much rather stick to his normal regularly scheduled programming with a warm bed and private room. We found ourselves with a long layover in Doha, Qatar, a major hub for international travel on both ends of our trip to Africa during the evening hours, not ideal for exploring the city. We {read he} was looking for a place to rest, and we tried two of the best options within the airport-the Oryx Airport Hotel and Sleep n' Fly pods. Here's a  little comparison of both as well as some other ideas for spending your layover in Doha.

A Couple's Review of Secrets Playa Mujeres Resort in Cancun, Mexico

I love a good resort vacation and I love traveling the world. But the one vacation that actually feels like a vacation to us is a trip to an all-inclusive resort. We started sneaking away as a couple when the kids were much smaller for a few days here and there. We even brought our kids to a few all inclusive resorts where they quickly became a favorite for our family. Unlimited drinks, food and a beautiful beach, what more could you ask for? We realized it had been about five years since the last time we went to an all inclusive resort {thank you global pandemic}, and my husband was insistent that we stay at the Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort. Because I can be happy at a Motel 6 or hanging in a hammock on the beach, my husband's standards and desires typically come into play in our resort selection. Just because my standards are different, doesn't mean that I don't have opinions! As someone who has stayed at more than a dozen all inclusive resorts in more than five countries, this is the review you are going to want to read before you book!