In today's episode, we talk to Lee Huffman, a travel blogger and the host of the “We Travel There” podcast. Lee worked as a Divisional CFO for a regional bank. He loves numbers and being in the corporate world seems to be a good fit. His journey into travel hacking began when he started dating his now-wife and how a seemingly expensive trip to Paris prompted him to delve deeper into travel hacking and the world of miles and points.
Episode Guide
01:26 Seeking for life outside of the corporate world
04:57 When did you realize you love to travel?
08:21 Family road trips at a very young age
10:27 Importance of creating experiences with your kids
12:35 What made you get into numbers?
16:05 Everything was going well until the .com crash happened
20:44 Quitting the job you liked and convincing your wife that everything will be all right.
24:45 How did you accumulate so many points?
26:29 All about Manufactured Spending
29:44 Who taught you about travel hacking?
31:02 Earn-and-burn
33:07 Challenges and drawbacks early on
36:30 What is a Companion Pass/Certificate?
42:13 What is my why? What am I doing what I’m doing?
Lee emphasized that waiting for the perfect time to travel with your kids is a pitfall - start creating memories now. His decision to put his family above all else inspires him to prioritize the bonds we share with our loved ones. Lee's journey isn't just about travel hacking; it's about building connections, nurturing relationships, and finding joy in shared experiences.
In the end, Lee teaches us that family comes first, that memories are worth pursuing, and that we have the tools to make incredible experiences a reality.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of my conversation with Lee Huffman but remember to keep traveling, keep thinking about your purpose, and don’t be afraid to pursue it.
Until next time, happy travels!