About Me

Hi, I'm Julie — and for the past 20 years, I’ve been turning everyday spending into unforgettable trips.

I’m the creator of No Point Left Behind and the Lazy Girl Travel series, where I teach simple, beginner‑friendly strategies for people who want big travel wins without spreadsheets or overwhelm. This site exists for one reason: to show you that the trips you’ve been dreaming about are closer than you think. Points and miles aren’t a loophole — they’re a strategy. And once you understand how they work, travel stops being something you save up for and starts being something you plan around.

I travel 12 to 15 times a year — with my sons, my best friend, my parents, my husband Brandon, and sometimes just me and a good itinerary. European getaways, Caribbean cruises, Alaska adventures (including the one in the photo above), national park road trips — we’ve done them all, and the vast majority were booked using points, miles, and smart redemption strategies.

I’m a frequent Princess cruiser with years of firsthand experience across the fleet. I’ve navigated Chase Sapphire travel insurance after getting stranded in four different cities in a single year. I’ve booked flights that should’ve cost thousands for under $50 in taxes. This isn’t theory for me. It’s Tuesday.

Whether you’re brand new to points and miles or you’ve been collecting them for years without knowing what to do next, you’re in the right place. Everything here is free, specific, and built to help you take action — not just read about it.

⭐ The Origin Story

I didn’t start out as a travel strategist. I started out as a mom with two little boys — Finn and Tanner — a tight family budget, and a stubborn refusal to believe that “we can’t afford to travel” was the final answer.

It began the way it does for a lot of people: a credit card signup bonus that turned into a free flight. I remember staring at the booking confirmation thinking, Wait… that actually worked. And then I wanted to know everything — how the systems connected, which cards stacked well together, where the real value was hiding in loyalty programs most people never touched.

Over the next two decades, I went deep. I learned how to stretch points across airlines, hotels, and cruise lines. I built a life that let us travel together — first as a couple, then as a family. We celebrated our 20th anniversary in Dublin. We took the boys on trips they’ll carry with them forever.

And my parents — now in their mid‑to‑late 70s — became the unofficial mascots of this site. Helping them keep traveling while they still can is one of my biggest “whys.”

Eventually, I became the person friends and family called when they wanted to figure out how to do the same thing. The questions were always the same: Which card should I get? How do I actually use these points? Is this too good to be true?

I realized the information people needed wasn’t complicated — it just wasn’t being shared in a way that felt accessible. So I built a place where it could be. No paywalls. No gatekeeping. Just the strategies that actually work, explained by someone who uses them every single week.

Today, I also run the Travel Hacking Moms Group — a community where beginners learn, ask questions, and share their wins. It’s one of my favorite corners of the internet.

⭐ What You’ll Find Here

No Point Left Behind covers the full landscape of travel hacking — from your very first signup bonus to advanced stacking strategies that can fund an entire European vacation. Here’s what to expect:

• Points & miles strategies — beginner fundamentals through advanced earning and burning techniques

• Credit card breakdowns — honest comparisons and stacking strategies

• Cruise planning & deals — including how to book cruises with points

• Hotel bookings on points — stretching loyalty programs further than you thought possible

• Trip itineraries with exact redemption details — real trips, real numbers, real savings

• Lazy Girl strategies — simple, passive earning for people who want results without spreadsheets

• Real cost breakdowns — cash vs. points, side‑by‑side

The NPLB approach is simple: real numbers, real bookings, real results. If I’m recommending it, I’ve done it — probably more than once.

⭐ The Fine Print

Transparency matters more to me than polish.

I’m not a financial advisor. Everything here is educational — based on my own experience and research. I’m not telling you what to do with your money. I’m showing you what I’ve done with mine, and you get to decide what makes sense for you.

I use affiliate links for some products like luggage and travel gear. I’m an Amazon Influencer and partner with brands I personally use and trust. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

I do not use affiliate links for credit cards. When I share referral links, they’re my own personal links — never paid placements from banks. This is always disclosed.

If it’s on this site, it’s in my wallet, my suitcase, or my booking history.

⭐ Let’s Connect

I love hearing from readers — whether you’re celebrating your first redemption, planning a trip you never thought you could afford, or just trying to figure out which card to start with. That’s exactly why I’m here.

Sign up for the NPLB newsletter to get new strategies, deal alerts, and trip breakdowns delivered straight to your inbox. No spam, no fluff — just the stuff that helps you travel better.

Have a question or want to say hi? julie@nopointleftbehind.net

I’m glad you’re here. Let’s make your next trip your best one yet.