Love your videos - one tip I have done on my travels is using the large ziplock bags for clothes storage, as you mentioned, and while traveling using it to wash clothes instead of the sink.
I just want to let everyone know that I purchased your “UA-cam After 40” course. It is awesome and worth every penny. You both really spent a lot of time and energy video taping this course. It is easy to watch and packed full of very useful information. I watch all of your channels, all the time. Thank you👍
The hanging toiletries bag was a lifesaver on our last cruise. And good quality footwear is always an investment that pays off 😂. Thanks for the videos
They expire after 12 months if you don’t use them or have an IHG stay. So if you don’t plan to use them don’t spend the money. I was going to buy some and bank them for our overseas retirement travel, but that won’t start for another 18 months. Not gonna need them for next year’s vacation. So I’m waiting until I’m closer to early retirement-next summer probably.
I looked at buying extra points with IHG but the rooms offered to book with points were the cheapest rooms. There didn't seem to be an option to get an upgraded room using points.
Hey guys! We LOVE your channel and are learning a lot as we prepare for retirement (We're late 50s but not as prepared as you, so we're still a few years away). I tried the link but it's only offering us 60%. We do have the IHG card, per your suggestion, and we've only bought 5,000 points this year so far. Any suggestions? We'd love to snap up those points while the offer is still on! Thanks for all you do!
Awesome! Thank you! It seems that some people are only getting 60% while most are getting 100. I don't think there is anything that could be done about it, except wait for the next sale. There is almost always one in December too.
I was LITERALLY just thinking about IHG points (I got the credit card using your link so hopefully they gave you some points)...why do they make it so hard to know about the sales? 12 months to go until I start this adventure.
I was all set to buy a Go Pro last year and someone talked me out of it since I wasn't doing any active sports. It sounds like you are recommending it regardless. Can you say more about it or have you already done a video looking at various cameras?
I travel with a Yeti water bottle. I've had ice cold water in the jungles of Belize & Costa Rica when the weather was 90+. I literally never leave home without it.
I wan to purchase the IHG Points. How load do they last? Is there an expiration date on them? I am retiring at the end of 2025 and I want to be prepared. Kindly advise. Thank you. I love your channels.
Should I get the IHG credit card before purchasing points or can I use my Sapphire card to purchase the points? I understand you have to have the credit card in order to get the 4th night free but didn't know if there was an additional advantage to getting the IHG CC first. Thank you!
@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel Ok. Thank you so much for replying. I really gain value from your story and videos. You both are so sweet to educate us all and share your wisdom. We have the finances but not the experience, knowledge, and confidence to live this way but we hope to one day. Your videos really help.
Just returned from a trip to Germany. I took my packable backpack everywhere. Ended up using it more than my crossbody travel bag. We needed our rain jackets a lot, threw in a couple bottles of water and a few other essentials and we were good to go for the day.
Thank you for the helpful video and links! Could i suggest a luggage video pls? The only one I found was abt 4 yrs ago. We are wondering what you haul around in your travels. Thanks!
Help! If you buy the IHG points without having the Chase Card what do you “lose”??? (That is you buy the points using another card? And, do the points expire??? ). Thanks for reply!
You can buy them no problem with another card, but you won't get the 4th night free perk with points, and they don't expire if you have the card or status that comes with it.
@@MarleneGreen oh you can buy the points, you only need the card when you book the rooms, not when you buy the points. You can buy them and let them sit there until the card is linked to your account. Once it is then you can start booking at a discount.
@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel Thanks a Million! will go ahead and get them! Appreciate you both. Been bingeing on Allie's Asia hotel & business class reviews. Cheers!
It was difficult to buy the points. First, it was difficult to find the offer. Second, my sale was cancelled twice. No idea why. The 3rd time it went through and we have the 500,000 points. We are now set to begin travel with IHG. Thanks so much for your help.
Great! It is very hard to find the sale usually, which is odd. Took us a bit too, so now we put a link in the description for others. Have a great time with your points!
@@retiredpoppi1That is amazing. I have the app, the credit card, and joined IHG One Rewards but had to search for the bogo points offer. However, I did find it and bought the points.
Great items to take along! That travel adapter is similar to mine but more robust with those USB-C ports. Might have to switch. The only country I've been to where a typical travel adapter didn't work is South Africa. They have a special plug (I believe "M") that is different from what the travel adapters have. I had to purchase a special M plug when I visited there. One of my must-take items is a simple, flat, circular drain plug in case I want to wash some laundry in the sink but there's no stopper in the sink. It's inexpensive, lightweight, and flat so it's easy to fit anywhere in my bags. Thanks for the tips!
I bought 100,000 earlier this year and got 60% bonus. IHG sent me the link for this new offer but when I try they still only offer me a 60% bonus. I've been trying for 5 days but they never let me get the 100% bonus. Next year I'll wait for this bonus offer. I got the card this year (on your recommendation). I bought the Universal adapter when you showed it on one of the Grounded Life video and it is great. We had 5 different adapters that we would try to figure out which we needed for each company and one did break. Love the videos.
@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel Thanks. Yes I did try your link. I got the sign on bonus this year and bought points so I'm pretty happy with my account balance. I'll just make sure to wait for the 100% bonus next year. Looking forward to Allie's hotel reviews and hope to bump into you in Asia some time.
I did the math. Maybe it is different in the far east or when doing bookings with the IHG credit cards, but just did some one-night comparisons between cash price and point price (then converted to cash with the IHG offer) in a few Virginia and Spain hotels. The best cash price was cheaper than using points purchased with the offer. For example, madrid hotel: $251 < 55,000 points (for 50,00 points 25,000+25000=$287) .
It's completely different. You have to book for 4 nights with the credit to maximize the points. You get a 4th night free that way. It would only be 41,250 to book the way we do or like $206 total per night.
Great video!!! When you're traveling, how do you get your Amazon orders? or, do you get them when you visit the USA and then stock up for travel? Thanks for all you're doing! I am SO excited to try your YT course!!
Thanks! We've never actually ordered anything overseas from Amazon. If it's important we stock up. You kind of learn what countries you can get things in so it isn't an issue after doing it for a bit.
Thanks for the link to the IHG points sale! We just bought the max to start our stockpile! We’ve been waiting for this sale ever since watching your video with the flip chart about how you’d use the points ❤
So I've watched this video about 3 times now... I just ordered $630 off Amazon using your links. One suggestion... you don't mention an external microphone, I added a wireless set, and the media mod provides a plug for it. Another great video. We watched your video on travel points and working on those cards. I just got the IHG Premiere and the wife got the AMEX Gold. We already have a place in Thailand to use as a base... making plans... Thanks for all the helpful tips!
Love your channel. Got the IHG card... am considering buying points but it seems like there must be a trick in finding a room in a hotel in the locations I am traveling. How can I get a hotel room or do I just have to look for bargains around the world and follow those? I am traveling to Spain & Portugal in August and Cambodia in Dec-Jan.. Even with 5 cent points .its cheaper to book on a hotel website. Please advise!
I’m going to be using a 4K DSLR type of camera and my phone for my UA-cam channel called Adventures with Chrissy in a few weeks and I’m traveling to Los Angeles and going to Universal Studios Hollywood on Amtrak and then returning home on Amtrak to and from my hometown of Mount Pleasant Iowa my trip starts on Friday July 12th and ends on Monday July 22nd with the camera that I will be using I’ll have a lapel mic and the mic that came with the camera and also many more items for traveling.
Practical pragmatic items and advice for extended global travel and travelling domestic. Thank you for being candid in your ventures. I am preparing to travel in the next 2 years, too close to securing a retirement to walk away from employment now. Thoroughly enjoy the Grounded Life series. 🚄🚆🛳🚢🌐🗻⛩🌉🏯🏟🏞🏖🗺
Love your videos - one tip I have done on my travels is using the large ziplock bags for clothes storage, as you mentioned, and while traveling using it to wash clothes instead of the sink.
Just bought my first points on IHG! Thanks so much for all the information you share. You are both very inspiring.
Awesome!
Just ordered the travel adapter. Thank you for the wonderful tips. 😊
I just want to let everyone know that I purchased your “UA-cam After 40” course. It is awesome and worth every penny. You both really spent a lot of time and energy video taping this course. It is easy to watch and packed full of very useful information. I watch all of your channels, all the time. Thank you👍
Wow, thank you! We appreciate it!
Very helpful video that raised a few items and issues that I hadn't considered. Purchased some IHG points as a result.
Glad it was helpful!
Great tips! Going to buy that electric converter prior to our upcoming cruises. Great to be able to charge everything all at once.
It's really great
Great advice! I am buying the charcoal and the "baggie thng"! So useful! Thanks for the great advice!
Glad it was helpful!
The hanging toiletries bag was a lifesaver on our last cruise. And good quality footwear is always an investment that pays off 😂.
Thanks for the videos
Totally agree!
Yippee, I’ve been waiting for the sale. Glad you guys said something or I might have missed it!
Remind me. Do points expire or roll over? Great tips! Again!❤
It's not the same for every program, but generally not if you are active or have the credit card. You just have to check the individual programs.
They expire after 12 months if you don’t use them or have an IHG stay. So if you don’t plan to use them don’t spend the money. I was going to buy some and bank them for our overseas retirement travel, but that won’t start for another 18 months. Not gonna need them for next year’s vacation. So I’m waiting until I’m closer to early retirement-next summer probably.
Another great video loving this content
Much appreciated
@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel I saw you guys mentioned the go pro my question is which one is better the go pro or insta 360 ?
Another value vid guys👏🏾. We like the Wonder Woman bracelet. Do you have an affiliate link?
It's an Alex & Ani but we think it's discontinued.
I know it is silly, but do you have a link for the little zipper bag that holds your two bags? It had the little clippy thing on it????
We got that one at a baseball game, but we put a link to a similar one, it comes with one of the bags.
Thanks!
Thank you so much!!
I looked at buying extra points with IHG but the rooms offered to book with points were the cheapest rooms. There didn't seem to be an option to get an upgraded room using points.
That is true, you need to use the upgrade certificates, but with the IHG card and platinum status we usually get upgraded outside the US anyway.
@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel Unfortunately the hotel credit card is not available in Australia, which cuts out that shortcut to elevated status.
Thank you.
Hey guys! We LOVE your channel and are learning a lot as we prepare for retirement (We're late 50s but not as prepared as you, so we're still a few years away). I tried the link but it's only offering us 60%. We do have the IHG card, per your suggestion, and we've only bought 5,000 points this year so far. Any suggestions? We'd love to snap up those points while the offer is still on! Thanks for all you do!
Awesome! Thank you! It seems that some people are only getting 60% while most are getting 100. I don't think there is anything that could be done about it, except wait for the next sale. There is almost always one in December too.
@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel Thanks, Allie. Let us know when you see another!
I was LITERALLY just thinking about IHG points (I got the credit card using your link so hopefully they gave you some points)...why do they make it so hard to know about the sales?
12 months to go until I start this adventure.
Thanks! Hard to say, we had to hunt around to find a link ourselves!
It was EASY for me to find the sale. I subscribed to IHG and they sent 3 recent e mails advertising the sale.
I thought you were gonna say bring your visa card #1. :)
😂
Can’t find the site for Ing
Does IHG offer this more than once a year? Currently don't have the extra cash for this purchase.
Usually again in December
I was all set to buy a Go Pro last year and someone talked me out of it since I wasn't doing any active sports. It sounds like you are recommending it regardless. Can you say more about it or have you already done a video looking at various cameras?
GoPro is our favorite for vlogging
What about garlic tabs and probiotics?😮
Which water bottle keeps water cold in death valley?
I travel with a Yeti water bottle. I've had ice cold water in the jungles of Belize & Costa Rica when the weather was 90+. I literally never leave home without it.
Do you use a power converter? While in Iraq I saw many items sent from home (US) that instantly shorted out because they were not set up for 220v.
We've never had a problem, most things work but we read the specifics when we buy electronics.
I wan to purchase the IHG Points. How load do they last? Is there an expiration date on them? I am retiring at the end of 2025 and I want to be prepared. Kindly advise. Thank you. I love your channels.
Should I get the IHG credit card before purchasing points or can I use my Sapphire card to purchase the points? I understand you have to have the credit card in order to get the 4th night free but didn't know if there was an additional advantage to getting the IHG CC first. Thank you!
You can use Sapphire, the points don't code as travel so the card used doesn't matter
@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel Ok. Thank you so much for replying. I really gain value from your story and videos. You both are so sweet to educate us all and share your wisdom. We have the finances but not the experience, knowledge, and confidence to live this way but we hope to one day. Your videos really help.
I love all your channels. You have reignited my travel bug. (To my boyfriends dismay)
Just returned from a trip to Germany. I took my packable backpack everywhere. Ended up using it more than my crossbody travel bag. We needed our rain jackets a lot, threw in a couple bottles of water and a few other essentials and we were good to go for the day.
As Karl Malden says don't leave home wo it. Back then it was Amex travelers cheques. Today that's the Amex gold/platinum card.
You guys are the best! I love watching your videos on all your channels!
Thanks so much!
Thank you for the helpful video and links! Could i suggest a luggage video pls? The only one I found was abt 4 yrs ago. We are wondering what you haul around in your travels. Thanks!
Help! If you buy the IHG points without having the Chase Card what do you “lose”???
(That is you buy the points using another card? And, do the points expire??? ). Thanks for reply!
You can buy them no problem with another card, but you won't get the 4th night free perk with points, and they don't expire if you have the card or status that comes with it.
@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel Thanks a bunch for clarifying! I applied for the card but won’t get it before the sale deadline. 🤷🏽♀️
@@MarleneGreen oh you can buy the points, you only need the card when you book the rooms, not when you buy the points. You can buy them and let them sit there until the card is linked to your account. Once it is then you can start booking at a discount.
@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel Thanks a Million! will go ahead and get them! Appreciate you both. Been bingeing on Allie's Asia hotel & business class reviews. Cheers!
It was difficult to buy the points. First, it was difficult to find the offer. Second, my sale was cancelled twice. No idea why. The 3rd time it went through and we have the 500,000 points. We are now set to begin travel with IHG. Thanks so much for your help.
Great! It is very hard to find the sale usually, which is odd. Took us a bit too, so now we put a link in the description for others. Have a great time with your points!
It was EASY to find the sale. I subscribed to IHG and they sent 3 recent e mails advertising the sale.
@@retiredpoppi1That is amazing. I have the app, the credit card, and joined IHG One Rewards but had to search for the bogo points offer. However, I did find it and bought the points.
Hey guys, this is super-dooper helpful. On the next time you do one of these, can you talk about the wallets and purses you use?
Great ideas thanks
i dont leave home without my CROCS!!
Great items to take along! That travel adapter is similar to mine but more robust with those USB-C ports. Might have to switch. The only country I've been to where a typical travel adapter didn't work is South Africa. They have a special plug (I believe "M") that is different from what the travel adapters have. I had to purchase a special M plug when I visited there. One of my must-take items is a simple, flat, circular drain plug in case I want to wash some laundry in the sink but there's no stopper in the sink. It's inexpensive, lightweight, and flat so it's easy to fit anywhere in my bags. Thanks for the tips!
Makes sense, we have been there yet, so maybe that'll be the one that stumps our adapter!
Thank God you reminded us about the IHG bonus points, I would have missed it, just bought the max amount! Love your channel!
Awesome!
We bought them too - so exciting! 🎉
I bought 100,000 earlier this year and got 60% bonus. IHG sent me the link for this new offer but when I try they still only offer me a 60% bonus. I've been trying for 5 days but they never let me get the 100% bonus. Next year I'll wait for this bonus offer. I got the card this year (on your recommendation). I bought the Universal adapter when you showed it on one of the Grounded Life video and it is great. We had 5 different adapters that we would try to figure out which we needed for each company and one did break. Love the videos.
Have you tried our link? We are getting 100 percent with it. There are some accounts they give a lower bonus amount from time to time.
@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel Thanks. Yes I did try your link. I got the sign on bonus this year and bought points so I'm pretty happy with my account balance. I'll just make sure to wait for the 100% bonus next year. Looking forward to Allie's hotel reviews and hope to bump into you in Asia some time.
Your course is awesome! I wish I'd gotten it sooner. I'm not all the way through it yet, but I've already made some mistakes that you talk about lol.
Good you found out sooner than later! All the best to you
What credit card?? You don’t mention the credit card
I did the math. Maybe it is different in the far east or when doing bookings with the IHG credit cards, but just did some one-night comparisons between cash price and point price (then converted to cash with the IHG offer) in a few Virginia and Spain hotels. The best cash price was cheaper than using points purchased with the offer.
For example, madrid hotel: $251 < 55,000 points (for 50,00 points 25,000+25000=$287) .
It's completely different. You have to book for 4 nights with the credit to maximize the points. You get a 4th night free that way. It would only be 41,250 to book the way we do or like $206 total per night.
That travel adapter caught my eye!! Other than that I’ve pretty much good to go!
Hmm. Am I doing something wrong. When I try to buy IHG points the max I can buy is 100,000 and the bonus amount is only 60,000 so not half price.
They are only giving 60% to some accounts at random. A few others have said the same, but most are getting 100.
Great video!!! When you're traveling, how do you get your Amazon orders? or, do you get them when you visit the USA and then
stock up for travel? Thanks for all you're doing! I am SO excited to try your YT course!!
Thanks! We've never actually ordered anything overseas from Amazon. If it's important we stock up. You kind of learn what countries you can get things in so it isn't an issue after doing it for a bit.
Thanks for the link to the IHG points sale! We just bought the max to start our stockpile! We’ve been waiting for this sale ever since watching your video with the flip chart about how you’d use the points ❤
Ah awesome!
❤❤❤ Thank you for the valuable info !
So I've watched this video about 3 times now... I just ordered $630 off Amazon using your links. One suggestion... you don't mention an external microphone, I added a wireless set, and the media mod provides a plug for it. Another great video. We watched your video on travel points and working on those cards. I just got the IHG Premiere and the wife got the AMEX Gold. We already have a place in Thailand to use as a base... making plans... Thanks for all the helpful tips!
Thanks! On our Nikon camera we use a Rode external mic, but we've never used anything than the media mod on our GoPro.
Love your channel. Got the IHG card... am considering buying points but it seems like there must be a trick in finding a room in a hotel in the locations I am traveling. How can I get a hotel room or do I just have to look for bargains around the world and follow those? I am traveling to Spain & Portugal in August and Cambodia in Dec-Jan.. Even with 5 cent points .its cheaper to book on a hotel website. Please advise!
You need to search in blocks of 4 nights to maximize the 4th night free. If you do that it should be cheaper in most places.
@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel Thank you ! I will try that.
Any plans to go to South America? Any plans on going to a new country, that you haven't been to?hugs
This is a new one, our first time in the Philippines!
That looks like a beast 🦍 of a power adapter.😮
Has Gopro fixed their overheating issues? 🤔
It is! We don't notice any but we record in 1080, so not sure about 4k.
When you purchase points do you use the IHG credit card or use a different credit card? Why? Thanks!!
Any card because it doesn't code as travel
@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel Thanks! We appreciate all you guys do on this channel.
Hi Allie can you provide the english link for nord VPN?? Please and thank you!! Great video!!
Thanks! Yes, it's in the description of this video but way down at the bottom.
@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravelthanks for responding. I only see one link which is your affiliate link It's not in English.
I’m going to be using a 4K DSLR type of camera and my phone for my UA-cam channel called Adventures with Chrissy in a few weeks and I’m traveling to Los Angeles and going to Universal Studios Hollywood on Amtrak and then returning home on Amtrak to and from my hometown of Mount Pleasant Iowa my trip starts on Friday July 12th and ends on Monday July 22nd with the camera that I will be using I’ll have a lapel mic and the mic that came with the camera and also many more items for traveling.
I have that converter bookmarked. Was going to put a link to it in my channel (when I start it). I didn't realize you used that one.
In Europe right now, and #1 is by far my best investment.
Think the GoPro 12 has a different mount than the shorty. Just looking into this
Great advice! Thank you!
You are so welcome!
Can not open the description for links😂
I love your videos! My husband and I are traveling to Panama next week. We are considering returning in Pedasi!
Have fun!
Interesting and helpful tips. 🌞
Thank you
Glad it was helpful!
IHG told me I have bought all points for 2024. I did not buy more than a couple thousand this year. Any suggestions?
You should be able to buy 250k per year plus the bonus. Not sure why that would be. I'd call them.
@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel Thank you. I was trying to rack up some points for 2025. I will call and find out why I have not been able to buy more.
What about garlic tabs and probiotics?
Practical pragmatic items and advice for extended global travel and travelling domestic. Thank you for being candid in your ventures. I am preparing to travel in the next 2 years, too close to securing a retirement to walk away from employment now. Thoroughly enjoy the Grounded Life series. 🚄🚆🛳🚢🌐🗻⛩🌉🏯🏟🏞🏖🗺
Thanks so much!
Single and want to retire at 35-37. Any tips. I got a late start 🫣