Would I Go Back? Reexamining Vietnam

There are some destinations that leave an impression on you long after you return home. Vietnam is one of those places. 

As part of my "Would I Go Back?" series, I like to reflect honestly on destinations after the excitement of travel has worn off. Some places are amazing once and feel compete. Others leave you already planning your return before your suitcase is unpacked.

Vietnam firmly falls into the second category.

Not only would I go back to Vietnam, but I actually think Vietnam is a country that deserves a return visit. After spending time there, I realized how impossible it is to fully experience the country in a single trip. Vietnam is massive, layered, diverse, and constantly changing from one region to the next. The more I saw, the more I realized how much I didn't see. 

And honestly, I loved that feeling.

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How to Resell Home Items on Facebook Marketplace to Make Money for a Move. No Garage Sale Needed!

Moving is expensive. Between packing supplies {remember the days you could ask for boxes at the local stores?}, truck rentals, deposits, cleaners, and all the little costs that sneak up on you, it can feel like your bank account is draining before you even load the first box. But if you're preparing for a move, you're also sitting on one of the best opportunities to make extra money...the stuff in your house!

We've all heard how important it is to declutter and honestly, who wants to move stuff they don't love anyway? You might as well take this time to purge all the things and start fresh in your new space. 

One of the smartest things we did before moving was start selling items around our home on Facebook Marketplace. Not only did it help us declutter before packing, but it also helped cover moving expenses in a meaningful way. And unlike a traditional garage sale where people expect everything to cost next to nothing {guilty!}, Facebook Marketplace gives you the chance to get real value for your higher-end items.

If you're getting ready for a move and wondering how to make extra money without taking on another job {because no one has time for that!}, reselling your home items can make a huge difference. Here's how I did it and some things I learned as a reseller that could help you.

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Would I Go Back?: Reexamining Rome

Rome is one of those destinations that feels like it's on everyone's list. There's a new non-stop flight from Seattle on our local Alaska Airlines and maybe I'm just hearing the buzz from it, but everyone seems to be planning a trip. I get that Rome is one of those places that lives in your imagination long before you ever step foot there. There's history, ruins, art, food...I mean, it kind of has it all! It's a place people talk about as if it's an essential desitination. Almost like a rite of passage for travelers. 
And after visiting Rome ourselves, I understand why. 
But would I go back? 
That answer is a little more complicated.
This post is part of a new series called "Would I Go Back" where I give you my honest advice through experience and you can make your own decision. In case you missed the first post in the series, you can find it here: Would I Go Back: Reexamining the Amalfi Coast.

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Things You Should Know Before You Start Thrifting and Reselling

There is something incredibly satisfying about finding a hidden gem at a thrift store. Maybe it's something you have been hoping you'd find, or maybe it's a vintage denim jacket, a barely worn pair of designer shoes, or a fun home decor piece that no one else noticed. When you start to move from casual thrifting to reselling the experience shifts. You're no longer just shopping for fun, you're shopping with purpose, strategy, and a keen eye for profit.
If you're just getting started with thrifting and reselling, there's a learning curve. The good news? It's one you can absolutely master with a little patience and a lot of curiosity. Before you fill your cart and list your first item, here are the most important things to know.

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Would I Go Back?: Reexamining The Amalfi Coast

The first time you see the Amalfi Coast, it almost doesn't feel real.
Pastel buildings stacked into cliffs. Bougainvillea spilling over stone walls. The Mediterranean stretching endlessly in front of you. It's the kind of place that feels like it belongs on a postcard or maybe even a movie. 
And because it is often depicted on those things, this is a destination that often ends up high on people's bucket lists. With any iconic destination, there's always the lingering question after a trip...
Would I go back?
This post is part of a new series where I answer that exact question with honestly and practicality so that you can decide if a destination is truly worth your time and money. Not just whether it's beautiful {because many places are}, but whether the experience matches the effort, cost, and expectations.
So would I go back to the Amalfi Coast?
The short answer is yes.But not in the same way.

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Vancouver, Washington: One of the Best Easy Weekend Trips from Seattle

If you're looking for an easy Pacific Northwest getaway, Vancouver, Washington might just be one of the most overlooked destinations in the whole region! Located just across the Columbia River from Portland, this charming city offers a walkable downtown, a beautiful waterfront, fantastic restaurants, and plenty of local character.
For travelers searching for weekend trips from Seattle or Tacoma, or even a day trip, Vancouver, WA delivers the perfect mix of convenience and charm! It's close enough for a spontaneous getaway but full enough of things to do that you can easily spend an entire weekend away exploring.
Between browsing vintage shops, walking along the waterfront, eating your way through local restaurants, and discovering the city's history, Vancouver is the kind of Pacific Northwest destination that gives you that off the beaten path feel. You'll leave feeling like you chipped away at one of those spots that no one else knows about, so get out there and enjoy it before anyone catches on!
Here's how to plan the perfect Vancouver, Washington getaway.

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Hiking Brothers Point on the Isle of Skye: A Hidden Coastal Treasure

One of the highlights while visiting Scotland was spending time on the Isle of Skye. Most visitors flock to world famous sites like Old Man of Storr or the Quiraing, but tucked away and probably driven right by, is a hike that feels like Skye's best kept secret. It's called Brother's Point and I imagine it's what some of the hikes on Skye felt like before Instagram started inspiring more travel to the area. 
Despite its modest length, Brothers Point offers a breathtaking blend of rugged landscape, ancient history, and raw coastal beauty without the crowds that have overtaken some of the other Instagram worthy hikes in the area. Read on, because this is a hike you are going to want to add to your Skye itinerary!

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What No One Tells You About Driving in Ireland

Driving in Ireland looks dreamy in the photos. You see the winding roads cutting through the impossibly green hills. Stone walls lining the countryside. A castle appearing literally out of nowhere. It feels romantic and cinematic and slow.
And it is.
But what no one really warns you about driving in Ireland is that it requires more focus than you expect. After multiple trips exploring far beyond Dublin and into the rural corners that lead to places like Sliabh Liag, Croagh Patrick, and the Rock of Cashel, we've learned that driving in Ireland isn't hard, it's just different.
And if you go in prepared, it becomes one of the best parts of the trip.

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How Grief Changed the Way I Travel {And Why I'm Not Waiting Anymore}

Grief didn't just change my life. It changed the way I travel.
Before loss entered my world in a way I couldn't ignore, travel was something I carefully postponed. It was planned around responsibilities, schedules, and other people's availability. Trips lived in the vague future of someday, next year, when our schedules free up a bit.
Then my younger brother died.
He was only 42 years old when a very brief illness took him far too soon. He left behind two small children, a family that feels the emptiness of the loss, the heavy burden of uncertainty, and a lifetime of big dreams that never got the chance to be fully lived. Watching someone so young disappear from the future we all assumed he'd have shattered my belief that time is promised.
Grief stripped away the illusion of "later." And in all of that reckoning, it completely rewired how and why I travel. 

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How to Get From Dublin Airport to the City Center Fast {and Cheap!}

Landing at Dublin Airport for the first time can feel a bit overwhelming. It's a bit of a journey from the airport to the downtown area where most people are going to want to stay. But friends, even if you are renting a car later in your trip, now is not the time to rent one! I promise you, you don't want to be driving downtown Dublin! You are likely arriving a little excited, a little jet-lagged, and you are wanting to get your trip started. You may not be spending a lot of time in the city, so you want to make the most of it. Don't pay for an expensive taxi or ride share. I'm telling you one of the easiest {and cheapest} ways to get into the Dublin city center. I've done this myself multiple times and I have all the tips. Keep reading!

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Places to Visit While You’re Still Active {Bucket List Trips to Take Sooner Rather Than Later}

Alright, let's say the quiet part out loud...some trips are easier {and honestly maybe more fun} when your knees still trust you, your balance is decent, and sleeping on a train overnight doesn't ruin your entire week!
This isn't about age-shaming, just me being realistic {and maybe a little strategic} so you don't put off experiences that do get harder with time, even if your curiosity never fades.
I've been putting together a list of places and experiences that I want to consider visiting sooner, rather than later, and I'm sharing it with you too. That way maybe, just maybe, while our bodies are a bit more forgiving and recovery time is shorter, we can enjoy these experiences more.

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How to Visit Train Street in Hanoi, Vietnam-The Ultimate Guide for 2026

If you're planning a trip to Hanoi, Vietnam, there's one attraction that's likely popped up again and again on your Instagram and travel search results: Train Street. Train Street is a narrow residential street where an active rail line runs so close to homes, cafes, and shops that when the train passes, you can literally feel it rush past within inches of your table. It's an unforgettable experience and uniquely Hanoi. But since its rise to global fame, Train Street has also seen closures, safety crackdowns, and new rules for visitors, so it's important to understand how to visit safely, legally and with respect to the locals.

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How to Travel the World While Still Being a Cheapskate {In the Best Possible Way}

Let's get one thing straight: being cheap doesn't mean being miserable, cutting corners that ruin your trip, or sleeping somewhere that makes you question all your life choices! For me, being a cheapskate traveler means spending money intentionally so I can travel more often, for longer, and with less stress. It means knowing where to save, where to splurge, and how to stretch a dollar without sacrificing the experience.
Over the years, I've traveled both domestically and internationally, visited places most people assume must be "expensive" and still managed to stay within a realistic budget. I'm not a luxury traveler, but I'm also not backpacking on $10 a day. I live in that sweet spot in the middle and it's honestly my favorite way to travel. 
If you've ever thought, I'd love to travel more, but I just can't afford it, than this post is for you!

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My 10 Favorite Travel Purchases That Actually Save Me Money

There are lots of little expenses that can add up when you travel, making your trip more expensive. But it doesn't have to be that way! Some of the smartest travel purchases are the ones that actually save you money over time by eliminating unnecessary fees, helping you pack smarter, or preventing you from buying overpriced items on the road. As a frequent traveler who loves a good deal {and believes that you can travel well on a budget}, I've learned which items really do help save you money. 
If you're planning a big trip, a weekend adventure, or trying to travel more and want to stretch that budget just a little bit further this year, these are my 10 favorite travel purchases that actually save me money!

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The 30 Best Items to Sell in January {to Fund Your Next Trip}

There is something about January that makes us want to clear the clutter, get organized, and start the year fresh. It's a natural reset button. But what most people don't realize is that January is also one of the best months of the entire year to make extra money simply by selling things you already own.
If you're dreaming of travel in 2026, want to kick off a "Trash to Travel" challenge like I did this year, or just need motivation to declutter, January is your month. Thanks to New Year's resolutions, new hobby goals, fitness kicks, and people looking for deals after holiday spending, certain items sell incredibly well this time of year.
Whether you want to earn a few hundred dollars or fund an entire trip, here's your ultimate guide to the 30 best things to sell in January and how to get the most money for each item!

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