The Savvy Travel Moms | Family Budget Travel

Planning a family trip to Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, or the Smoky Mountains? Joy is sharing what her family did, where they stayed, and what was actually worth it.

In this episode of the Savvy Travel Moms Podcast, Joy recaps her June 2026 family trip to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. She breaks down the differences between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, where to stay, family-friendly attractions, dining options, and tips for planning a Smoky Mountains vacation with kids.

Joy shares how her family saved on accommodations using a timeshare promotion, what to know before considering one, and whether the savings were worth it. She also talks about visiting Dollywood with kids, plus other attractions and activities her family experienced throughout Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

If you’re planning a Smoky Mountains family vacation and wondering where to stay, what to do, or how to save money in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, this episode is packed with practical tips from a real family trip.

Real Moms. Real Travel. Real Strategies.

Connect with us on Instagram:
👉 Joy: @savvytravelmamas
👉 Michelle: @jetsetwithjohnsons

Finding award flights doesn’t have to feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. The right tools and strategies can make it so much easier.

In this episode of the Savvy Travel Moms Podcast, we’re breaking down how to find flights using points and miles, including the award flight search tools that can save you hours of searching. We walk through how we use search tools to do the heavy lifting, explain airline alliances, and share real flight search examples for different destinations.

We also cover repositioning flights, strategic layovers, when adding a stop can actually improve your trip, and how to maximize points for hotels along the way. Plus, we talk about when to start searching for award flights and how flexibility can help you find better redemption options.

If you have points and miles but feel overwhelmed trying to actually find flights to book with them, this episode will give you practical strategies and tools to make award travel easier.

Real Moms. Real Travel. Real Strategies.

Roame.travel: https://roame.travel/subscription?via=joy

Seats.aero

Grab Michelle's Free Maui Guide Here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Xb38JNLHhBqELuf2HP9nRnwRsGzvXJ4xBjoAZNr_aag/edit?usp=drivesdk

Connect with us on Instagram:
👉 Joy: @savvytravelmamas
👉 Michelle: @jetsetwithjohnsons

Planning a Maui family vacation? We’re sharing what was worth it, what surprised us, and what you need to know before tackling the Road to Hana with kids.

In this episode of the Savvy Travel Moms Podcast, we’re breaking down Michelle's Maui family vacation, including how she booked her flights, where she stayed, and her favorite things to do in Maui with kids.

We share her experiences at Black Rock Beach, Ho’okipa Beach, the Hyatt Regency Maui, and Hana Maui Resort before diving into the Road to Hana. You’ll hear what the drive is really like with kids, plus her favorite stops including Waiʻānapanapa Black Sand Beach, Kahanu Garden, Coconut Glen’s, the Pipiwai Trail, Seven Sacred Pools, and Haleakalā National Park.

We also cover practical Maui travel tips, including choosing the right hotel room, planning your Road to Hana itinerary, and using points, miles, and Hyatt benefits to make a Hawaii family vacation more affordable.

If Maui is on your family travel bucket list, this episode will help you plan a trip that combines beaches, resorts, adventure, and plenty of Hawaii magic.

Full Maui itinerary:
👉 Coming soon...

Connect with us on Instagram:
👉 Joy @savvytravelmamas on IG
👉 Michelle @jetsetwithjohnsons on IG

Real Moms. Real Travel. Real Strategies.

Rental cars can quietly become one of the most expensive parts of a family vacation, but you can avoid paying full price.

In this episode of the Savvy Travel Moms Podcast, we’re breaking down how to save money on rental cars and avoid unexpected fees. If you’re looking for cheap rental car strategies, wondering whether to book directly or through a third party, or trying to figure out which credit card perks can save you money, we’re sharing what we’ve learned from our own trips.

We cover why booking early and checking prices again can pay off, how tools like AutoSlash can track rental car price drops, and when local or international rental companies may be cheaper than the big-name brands. We talk about third-party booking sites, prepaid reservations, mileage limits, gas policies, tolls, and why reading the fine print before you book matters.

You’ll learn how certain travel credit cards can provide rental car benefits and insurance coverage, when using points to offset rental car costs might make sense, and why we always document the condition of a rental car before driving away.

If you’re a mom trying to lower the cost of your next family vacation, these rental car hacks can help you spend less on transportation and keep more money in your travel budget.

Connect with us on Instagram:
👉 Joy's IG: @Savvytravelmamas
👉 Michelle's IG: @jetsetwithjohnsons

Real Moms. Real Travel. Real Strategies.

If you’re not maximizing grocery and dining rewards, you’re missing out on free travel.

In this episode of the Savvy Travel Moms Podcast, we break down how to use credit card perks strategically to save money on groceries, dining, and everyday spending. If you are looking for the best credit cards for groceries and dining, ways to earn more travel points from everyday purchases, or simple strategies to maximize your spending, this episode walks you through it.

We cover how to stack rewards across multiple credit cards, which cards offer the best food and dining benefits, and how to turn everyday purchases into future travel. The episode dives into the benefits of popular cards like the American Express Gold Card and Chase cards, including bonus categories, dining perks, and strategies for earning more points from spending you are already doing.

You’ll learn how to maximize grocery store spending, use dining rewards effectively, and take advantage of credit card perks that many people overlook. We also discuss how tools like CardPointers can help you stay organized and make sure you are always using the best card for each purchase.

If you are a mom trying to stretch your family budget further, earn more travel rewards from normal spending, or simplify your points and miles strategy, this episode will give you practical tips you can start using right away.

Real Moms. Real Travel. Real Strategies.

CardPointers:
👉 https://cardpointers.com/savvytravelmamas

Connect with us on Instagram:
👉 Michelle - @jetsetwithjohnsons
👉 Joy - @savvytravelmamas

For questions:
👉 [email protected]

We keep talking about this card in our Disney episodes… so let’s break down exactly how to use it.

In this episode of the Savvy Travel Moms Podcast, we’re diving into how to earn and maximize Capital One miles, especially if you’ve been following along with our Disney series. If you’ve heard us mention this card as a must-have for saving money on Disney trips and wondered how it actually works, this episode walks you through it step by step.

We cover how to earn Capital One miles through everyday spending, how to take advantage of Capital One offers, and how to stack rewards on purchases you are already making. This is one of the simplest ways to build up points that can be used for Disney hotels and even park-related expenses.

You’ll learn how to use the purchase eraser to cover travel purchases, which is one of the easiest ways to offset costs like Disney hotels and flights. We also break down when it makes sense to book through the Capital One travel portal and how to decide the best way to redeem your miles.

We explain the transfer to partner tool and how it can unlock even more value, especially for flights to Orlando or other destinations. Whether you want simple redemptions or higher value travel hacks, this episode shows you how to use your miles in a way that fits your travel style.

If you are a mom planning a Disney trip, looking for ways to reduce travel costs, or trying to understand how to actually use your points and miles, this episode is the perfect next step after our Disney series.

Real Moms. Real Travel. Real Strategies.

Recommended credit cards:
👉 Capital One Venture/X Referral Link

Connect with us on Instagram:
👉 Michelle @jetsetwithjohnsons

👉 Joy @savvytravelmamas

For questions:
👉 [email protected]

You’ve probably been doing Disney all wrong… and it’s costing you time and money.

In this episode of the Savvy Travel Moms Podcast, we sit down with Chelsea from Pixie Point Gals to break down how Disney Vacation Club works and how families can use it to save money on Disney vacations. If you are planning a Disney World trip, researching Disney Vacation Club rentals, or looking for ways to make a Disney vacation more affordable, this episode walks you through the strategy.

We cover what DVC is, how renting DVC points can give you access to deluxe Disney resorts for less, and how to choose the right room types and resorts for your family. Chelsea shares how to use credit card points to offset costs, how the booking process works, and what to expect when staying at DVC properties.

This episode dives into the perks of staying at Disney deluxe resorts, including transportation options, extended evening hours, and proximity to the parks. We talk through how to use the Disney app, Lightning Lane strategies, and PhotoPass benefits to maximize your time in the parks without feeling overwhelmed.

You’ll learn how to plan and pace your Disney vacation, including how many park days you actually need, why scheduling downtime matters, and how to balance park days with resort time. We break down the value of the Park Hopper pass, including scheduling strategies that help you avoid crowds and get more out of your day.

We cover discounted Disney ticket options, including third party sites, conference ticket hacks, and ways to save using Disney gift cards. The episode wraps with a realistic look at budgeting for a Disney vacation, including a cost breakdown for a deluxe resort stay and tips for deciding between using a travel agent or planning your trip yourself.

If you are a mom planning a Disney vacation, comparing Disneyland vs Disney World, or trying to figure out how to make Disney more affordable without sacrificing the experience, this episode will give you practical strategies and insider tips.

Real Moms. Real Travel. Real Strategies.

Chelsea's Website:

👉 Pixie Point Gals
👉 Link to Disney Masterclass

*Use code "Masterclass"

Connect with us on Instagram:
👉 Chelsea @Pixiepointgals

👉 Joy @savvytravelmamas

👉 Michelle @jetsetwithjohnsons

For questions:
👉 [email protected]

Think you need a full week (and a huge budget) to make Disney worth it? Think again.

In this episode of the Savvy Travel Moms Podcast, Michelle shares her quick trip to Orlando, including a one day visit to Walt Disney World and how she made it both affordable and manageable for her family. If you are planning a Disney World trip with kids, looking for quick Orlando getaway ideas, or want to learn how to do Disney without overspending, this episode breaks it all down.

Michelle walks through how she used Marriott 50K certificates for her resort stay, how the Southwest Companion Pass helped reduce flight costs, and strategies for finding low point flights. She shares what it was like staying at Villatel Resort, including family friendly amenities, resort activities, and why combining relaxation with a short Disney visit made the trip more enjoyable.

The episode covers how to save money on Disney tickets using creative booking strategies, including the conference ticket hack, along with tips for using Lightning Lane passes and arriving early for rope drop to maximize rides. Michelle shares her honest experience navigating the parks, what worked well with kids, and why a one day Disney trip can still feel magical without the overwhelm of a longer stay.

You’ll hear how this trip compared to other Disney experiences, including Disneyland Paris, along with practical airport tips and travel strategies that made the entire trip smoother.

If you are a mom looking for a quick Disney World itinerary, budget friendly Orlando travel tips, or ways to make Disney more doable with kids, this episode will give you a realistic and refreshing approach.

Real Moms. Real Travel. Real Strategies.

Mentioned accounts:
👉 vfamilytravels
👉 summerisjoy

Connect with us on Instagram:
👉 @jetsetwithjohnons

👉 @savvytravelmamas

For questions:
👉 [email protected]

Planning a Disneyland and Universal Studios trip with kids and wondering how to do it without overspending or feeling completely overwhelmed?

In this episode of the Savvy Travel Moms Podcast, we break down our spring break trip to Los Angeles, including Disneyland, California Adventure, and Universal Studios Hollywood. If you are planning a Disneyland trip with kids, comparing Disneyland vs Disney World, or looking for tips for Universal Studios Hollywood, this episode walks you through what to expect.

We share how we used points and miles to reduce the cost of flights and hotels, along with how we planned our itinerary to make the most of a busy spring break trip. You’ll hear about special experiences like Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, plus practical strategies for booking in advance, choosing accommodations, and managing transportation in Los Angeles. This episode also covers how to reduce the cost of Disneyland tickets using points and creative booking strategies, which can make a big difference for families.

We talk honestly about the realities of theme park travel, including sensory overload, long days, and why scheduling downtime is key. Choosing the right days of the week can make a big difference in crowd levels and overall experience.

If you are planning a Disneyland or Universal Studios vacation, looking for a family friendly Los Angeles itinerary, or trying to make a big theme park trip more manageable and affordable, this episode will give you a clear plan to follow.

Real Moms. Real Travel. Real Strategies.

Full Disneyland and Universal Studios itinerary:
👉 Read the Blog Post

Connect with us on Instagram:
👉 Joy on IG | Michlle on IG

For questions or partnerships:
👉 [email protected]

If you want more travel without a bigger budget, this episode will change how you think about family travel.

In this episode of the Savvy Travel Moms Podcast, we sit down with Anna Haakenson to talk about how families can travel more while spending less using slow travel, strategic budgeting, and smarter planning. If you are looking for ways to afford family travel, stretch your travel budget, or make long term travel more realistic, this episode breaks it down in a practical way.

We cover how Anna and her family approached travel from a financial perspective, including saving intentionally, living below their means, and making decisions that allowed their travel budget to go further. You’ll learn how slow travel can actually reduce costs by lowering transportation expenses, allowing for better Airbnb rates, and creating more flexibility with daily spending.

We also talk about using points and miles for flights, how to choose budget friendly and family friendly Airbnbs, and why communication with hosts is key when booking longer stays. Anna shares practical tips like documenting rentals to avoid issues, managing healthcare while traveling, and how to plan and budget for extended travel without overspending.

This episode also highlights how traveling slower allows families to get more value out of each destination, while giving kids meaningful experiences through culture, language, and everyday life abroad.

If you are a mom looking for budget friendly travel strategies, ways to travel more without increasing your spending, or practical tips for making family travel more affordable, this episode will give you a new way to think about what is possible.

Anna Haakenson’s website:
👉 https://wanderlusthaaks.com

Follow Anna on Instagram:
👉@wanderlust.haaks

Connect with us on Instagram:
👉 Joy - @savvytravelmamas

👉 Michelle - @jetsetwithjohnsons

For questions:
👉 [email protected]

Real Moms. Real Travel. Real Strategies.