In case you missed my last post, go read it. Controversy and trollfest galore! Plus an important, yet apparently confusing message. Just read some of the comments if you need any proof that most bloggers don’t do it for the money. One of them noted how my grammar is horrific and I sound like a dyslexic child. Ironically he made some grammar mistakes himself in his very short comment!
I said before that English is my second language. I do consider myself fluent in it but occasionally my sentences probably don’t sound quite right. And clearly some things are literally lost in translation! I want to assure you that I double check the spelling of words because I don’t want the mistakes to detract from my message. Which brings me to my point.
Ultimately it is about the message. And the message is: ordinary families can afford travel with the help of credit card bonuses. I hope you can overlook the problems and focus on what I’m trying to say instead. I never claimed that my blog falls into an advanced category.
While I consider myself relatively intelligent (I was at the top of my class in high school and college), in many ways I am also very average. And actually below average when it comes to IT and english language grammar. Plus I am a SAHM, who lives in a small town USA. It doesn’t get more average than that! Ever heard the song “Royals”?
“And I’m not proud of my address
In the torn up town, no post code envy…
We don’t care, we’re driving Cadillacs in our dreams.”
There are many bloggers in the industry who are way smarter than me. Like Stefan from “Rapid Travel Chai”, Matt from “Saverocity” and the fairest and brightest of them all, Gary Leff from “The view from the wing”! But none of them write for my particular market segment. IMHO there is not enough in the industry currently that applies to a normal American family.
I hope to change that, even though I’m not technically an American. And its true that I am very much a newbie in the industry. But the fact that people are applying through my site tells me that my blog must be adding some value to this hobby. Though you know how they say the actor is only as good as his last movie? Well, the blogger is only as good as his/her last post.
But back to the “dyslexic child” issue. I wish I could hire an editor, but here is the thing. I would have to do so for all of my posts. Otherwise, whats the point? And I simply can’t afford it right now. I am making money, but its not a huge amount. Remind me about it when I am making six figures! 🙂
Trip report.
2004, Venice, Italy. One of my all time favorite places in the world. Buy “Rick Steves” guidebook, a great resource. If you plan to go to Europe and not sure if you will return, you must include Venice. I don’t care that it is expensive. The city is unique and magical like no other. Though I admit, overrun by hordes of tourists as well as pigeons.
Which is why its essential that you stay in Venice proper. Yes, its a lot cheaper to get a hotel on mainland and just come for a day trip. But you will miss the authentic experience of the real Venice. We wondered the streets at night and it felt like we had the whole city to ourselves. In early morning we saw a school boat instead of a bus, transporting kids to their classrooms. The best part about Venice is Venice itself. The whole city is a museum and the streets are like galleries.
I splurged on a non-chain hotel which used to be a palace at one time. It was located within walking distance from Piazza San Marco. It faced a canal so you could arrive by gondola if you felt like it. The cost of the hotel was 130 Euros per night, a splurge for us, but totally worth it. The front desk lady was from Moldova and spoke Russian but I din’t find out till the last day. Now she really did speak broken English. 🙂
By the way, there are 3 luxury SPG properties, running 20000 to 30000 points per night, though I would never spend such an amount on a hotel. My plan is to transfer my SPG points to AAdvantage mies. But you should splurge on a night gondola tour. Yes, its a cliche, but you must do it at least once. And you have to visit Venice at least once!
Miles and points.
1) In case you missed the “exciting” news about United awards price increase, read the beginning of my last post. I will have a commentary on it posted this Thursday.
2) IHG PointBreaks list is out. The cost is only 5000 points per night. LINK to the list of properties.
3) Chase BA visa bonus is increased to 100000 miles, but with steep minimum spending requirements. The link is in my “Best deals” page. This offer currently pays me no commission. Read my post on whether its worth it to sign up for this bonus or go for the 50000 miles BA offer(pays me commission) instead. LINK
4) 5000 miles on your first Rocketmiles hotel reservation via “The view from the wing”. Valid today only if you book before 9pm central time. LINK
5) Free FICO score for those who have Barclaycard Arrival master card. LINK
6) I emailed my affiliate representative about the confusing Chase Southwest 50000 points offer. He said it is valid and as of now there is no word on when it will expire. Though it still says October 30th on my affiliate site. My guess is they just have not fixed it yet. All 3 Southwest versions (the other two show up when you click on the first one) pay me commission if you apply through my blog.
Song lyrics credit goes to Lorde.
Author: Leana
Leana is the founder of Miles For Family. She enjoys beach vacations and visiting her family in Europe. Originally from Belarus, Leana resides in central Florida with her husband and two children.
Diane, thank you so much for taking the time to comment! I think you make some very good points. As far as staying on topic, I hear you. I’m a bit of a talker and actually delete a lot from my posts. 🙂 A work in progress, I guess. Actually I wasn’t trying to say how intelligent I was, but rather that I am like everyone else, which is average. Thats why I posted the lyrics to the song. Probably not the best choice.
The comment about the name dropping is noted and something I will try to avoid going forward. Honestly, I’m not trying to be a part of the “cool” crowd at all. I’m very much on my own with this blog, which is totally fine. Thank you so much for your suggestions and saying that I have a nice blog! I am trying, its not easy to find your own voice in this very crowded industry.
Sorry that you got so many negative comments on your last post. I don’t think your grammar is poor. If I could offer some constructive comments – I think you tend to get off topic a bit too much so readers get confused as to what your point is. For example, above you start talking about your intelligence then somehow end up posting lyrics to a song. If you stay on topic, your post will be clearer.
Also, you tend to “name drop”, always including the names of other bloggers. It is like you are trying too hard to be part of the “cool” crowd. You have a nice blog and don’t need to ride on their coat tails. Keep the blog about you and your family. If I want to read about the other bloggers, I will read their blogs.
Ramsey, how nice of you to stop by! No, no one has ever told me that. BTW, why do you always use different email addresses? Are there several of you? I’m not sure this hobby can handle more than one Ramsey!
Has anyone told you that you look like Kristen Stewart?