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The Wonder Luster

For Those Of Us Whose Dreams Won't Die Between 17 and 65.

Life is wondrous! Feed your lust for life with the tools & inspiration to help make it a great one.

Living It Up In Puerto Vallarta, Mexico!

Travel | October 26, 2015

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my Disclosure Policy.

I had the privilege to visit Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and I learned so much. Check out how I saved big bucks on the trip by using credit card points.

Holy Crap! I’m in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico!

I have a confession. I am such a newbie international traveler that this journey to Puerto Vallarta is actually my first real trip to a country where English is not the native language. It’s also only the second time I’ve ever used a passport and the first time I’ve flown internationally on a plane (not by boat). I am so silly nervous about things like language issues, currency, and safety and security, despite the fact that this area of Mexico is quite safe and “touristy.”  

It was also my first time in an airport where things aren’t in English. I took Spanish in high school and in college, yet embarrassingly I can’t speak it. I have been impressing my guy with random usages of nouns like “aeropuerto” and “estampilla.” But shhhh, as far as he knows, I am a fluent guide! Ha!

I can’t even begin to describe the sheer moment of glee when I walked through customs to stamp my passport. Due to the fact that I was thrown off, twice, by the fact that most other countries list day, THEN year, subtle changes make me smile. We’re literally not in Kansas anymore, Toto.

It’s weird, I feel like a total fish out of water, but I find that I totally need more of that in my life. I wonder, if I get so jittery from flying to a highly rated tourist resort in Mexico, how am I going to fare in other countries? Am I really that naive? Unfortunately, yes.  As a child, the people in my life didn’t travel much. In fact, I only rode on a plane twice as a kiddo, so putting my big girl panties on and starting to make these travel choices is empowering and terrifying. 

I don’t know why, but I never really considered travel as a real possibility for me when I’d browse through the travel magazines at the doctor’s office. I thought travel, especially international, was out of my reach, or maybe I never saw it as a priority. And actually, for many years, that was the truth. I had neither the time or money to even consider going on a vacation.  Luckily now though, I have the ability to travel and the knowledge to make it work on a tight budget – especially since for years, I didn’t just have a tight budget, I had an impossible one.

I had the privilege to visit Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and I learned so much. Check out how I saved big bucks on the trip by using credit card points.

Now that I have reached a point in my life that travel is actually an option, I have to say, the feeling is surreal.  I haven’t traveled anywhere tropical in my life before this year, but then I was super lucky to visit Panama City Beach, Bermuda and now, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. These beauties are the places that have the beaches that typically are seen in magazines or the desktop background on your work PC. I remember the feelings of busting out endless homework in undergrad during school breaks, and usually, powering up the PC in a lifeless library cubicle and seeing a gorgeous palm tree and blue waters adorning my screen. To be honest, they were more torture than inspirational. It may have taken me 8 years, but here we are!

What We Spent

This trip will cost me around $400 when all is said and done, because my guy and I split costs, traveled during the week, and in the off-season for Puerto Vallarta. We used up my airline points, so I paid $176 total for our flights, since foreign transaction fees and TSA fees cannot be paid with points.  Our resort was really affordable for all that you get, and since it’s all inclusive, we will be lounging quite a bit at our hotel – enjoying the food and drink that’s included. Pet boarding can usually eat up a large part of a travel budget, but we are so fortunate that our two little snorties are staying with grandma. And even though we had to take a $23 Uber to the airport for a 6:45am flight, this trip is still super cheap.

I use my credit cards for everything and pay them off every month. I am now lucky that I can do that since my expenses are relatively low (save for my soul-sucking rent), so I racked up enough points for several trips. I seriously, seriously, love points. Though I’m not as experienced with travel hacking like some folks are, it’s something I’d love to explore. I’ve heard of people getting trips to Hawaii for $10…I’d like me some of that! 

Last November, I started putting away $10 a week towards a vacation in a secondary savings account with a good interest rate with automatic deposits from my main bank. Nearly 52 weeks later, I had the vacation paid for. It wasn’t hard; just put it on automatic each week and forget about it, you won’t miss it. If times are tight, even $5 a week with a little extra deposit with a little bonus birthday or tax return money should get you to your goal in 52 weeks.

I had the privilege to visit Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and I learned so much. Check out how I saved big bucks on the trip by using credit card points.

Planning Can Be Complicated

During this trip, I have a lot to think about, and a lot to plan. Months ago, I wrote that we were doing some soul searching as to where we want to go and what we want to do in our lives. While we finally have some direction, we are no clearer on anything solid, just yet. Hopefully, this trip will include a few piña coladas, but also a lot of reading, planning and, scheming. *Cue evil laugh.*  Ideas are great, plans are better.

The last few months had been hard, personally and professionally.  I’m looking forward to finding clarity, so let’s hope I’m not too distracted by the screen saver worthy views and figure out what 2016 will be like, personally, financially, and of course – geographically. 

I also want to give a big shout-out to Holly of Club Thrifty who is my travel hacking spirit guide and helped me snag 50k points to use towards this trip, so girl, cheers to you!  She’s a mom who travels with her family and still stays on budget, so I knew she’d be the one to ask about how to get into the points-hacking travel experience.

I also just saw that Tiffany of the Budgetnista and Tonya of Fab Finance both took really frugal, amazing trips to tropical destinations as well. Tiffany used Groupon and Tonya cut costs strategically as well by divvying up costs… so give them a follow for inspiration. 

They practice what they preach and find creative ways like I do to live financially authentic lives (meaning, their lifestyle is funded in cash, not hiding behind credit cards which is simply a mirage) and on well planned budget. They’re awesome!

I had the privilege to visit Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and I learned so much. Check out how I saved big bucks on the trip by using credit card points.

Me on the first day, desperately needing some sunshine!

In Closing

Over the summer I found some great ways to save on trips, and made a private goal that I wanted 3 stamps on my passport this year – and luckily, relatively frugally, I’m going to achieve just that! This year, I’ll be able to knock off Mexico, the UK, and Ireland off my list. I’ve found that going off-season, during the week, and by reaching out to local destinations for deals, really really helps! 

Yes, planning international travel on a budget can still be overwhelming to me – I really have no idea what I’m doing and am only now just dipping my toes in the water. But it is safe to say it’s pretty addicting! Luckily for me, there are lots of bloggers who know how to travel for cheap and I’m learning as I go from them.

Though the personal path ahead is somewhat unclear, I will say, if I can find more ways to keep trips under $500, I will be happy as a clam!  I don’t know if I’ll be this lucky next time, but hopefully some more money saving travel hacks will be in the works to help you do the same!

I had the privilege to visit Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and I learned so much. Check out how I saved big bucks on the trip by using credit card points.

Life is wondrous! Feed your lust for life with the tools & inspiration to help make it a great one.

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Follow the adventure on Instagram

Some people just make the world a more vibrant pla Some people just make the world a more vibrant place, simply by being in it.  I can say that about these people- who make life more colorful, brighter and true just by being themselves. 

Grateful we could slow down to capture a little snippet in time for our family before we grow again. ❤️
IYKYK, bath time edition. 🛁. #bathtime #travelb IYKYK, bath time edition. 🛁. #bathtime #travelblogger #travel #familytravel #travellust
3 years since this photo was taken and my former k 3 years since this photo was taken and my former kidney became this guy's kidney. ❤️

I can say, I've grown to appreciate this moment a lot more as time has gone on.  It hasn't been an easy road for my recipient, he and his family have had a few health scares and ups and down, but I'm so grateful we are in each other's lives.

Chances are, you may know of someone in need of a kidney. 1 in 3 adults in the U.S., over 80 million people, are at risk for kidney disease.  While not every diagnosis leads to kidney failure, there are millions of people in this scary limbo hoping for good news.

I didn't know my recipient before this process started, but when I found I could live healthfully with one, I knew I had to try.  Donation is low-risk, my costs were generously covered by my recipient (both through insurance and the kindness of others) and I was back at work in 4 weeks.  Needless to say, it was easier than birthing a baby.

Candidates for kidney donation are thoroughly vetted to ensure the surgery, and life with one kidney are a good fit.  Trust me, your team will not ask you to donate if you have any risk factor of being in need of a transplant yourself down the road.  Testing took months and was incredibly thorough.  Your remaining kidney can do the job of two, and my kidney levels are normal and healthy 3 years later.

Even if you don't personally know someone who needs a kidney, please consider living kidney donation.  You can anonymously donate, be paired through a registry or find someone on social media who is in need, like I did.  There are literally thousands of people using Instagram and Facebook to try and someone who is even willing to get the basic tests.  You could be their person.  Have questions? I’m here for you! 

Being a living kidney donor absolutely enriched my life beyond imagination and has blessed my little family with a beautiful extended family to celebrate with.  Grateful for this day.
Life’s moments are made better with our pets. ❤️

Joey had been with us for nearly 4 years, made possible by the kind folks of South Texas Boston Terrier Rescue. I picked him up, intending on fostering him for a few weeks and ended up falling in love with his sweet spirit, exuberance for anything food related and his lovable derpiness.

Previously, he was kept in a small cage with two other terriers, all day every day and used as a stud. When he was no longer profitable, he, like plenty of others, was surrendered to rescue.  He was blind in one eye, needed teeth extracted and had skin lesions from life in a cage. 

Life hadn’t been easy for him, but I’m glad a rescue was there to give him a second chance, and they trusted me to give in his second chapter.  He was a well travelled dog and he was the Best Pup on our wedding day in Marfa.  Last night we said goodbye. Hubs and I will miss him dearly, but savor the moments and adventures with our little tank. 

Adopt, don’t shop.  Support your local rescues and give your fur kids an extra squeeze for Joey tonight.
“Is this enough for you?” My husband has asked “Is this enough for you?” My husband has asked me this before. To which, I answer- life is full, wonderful, and I am grateful. 

I believe he asks because before kids, I had a very different lifestyle. I traveled to Europe by myself, started businesses, donated a kidney, ran half marathons, got my master’s degree.  I lived a full life, then too. I was fiercely independent because I had to be.

I’m still that person, but fortunately I have more people to share it with. I also have to be more vulnerable than ever.

I had years to find myself and don’t plan on losing that woman I forged. Being a mom has also helped me heal some of the hard parts of the experience I had with my own mom. (I didn’t see that last part coming.)

Being a mom can make you lose yourself.  For me, it’s helped me discover myself once more. Grateful for this day and so many days - I’m just happy to be here. 

Happy Mother’s Day everyone. I hope you discover yourself, heal what you need and feel the love today and everyday.

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