I developed a love for traveling at a tender age. I give all credit to my step-father, whom has always had a love for traveling. Traveling gave me experiences that I’ll cherish for a lifetime. It taught me lessons that couldn’t be seen from a different person’s perspective in a classroom, only my own. It helped foster a love for history, as well as an appreciation for architecture, landscape, culture, food, and art. Traveling has also helped me broaden my perspective, value the things that are often taken for granted, and generally taught me what textbooks could not.

Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living. – Mary Ritter Beard

My step-father may had gifted me the love for traveling, but it was my mother that taught me the value of a dollar as a child. Traveling and saving money both go hand-in-hand since traveling can be an enriching, yet costly experience. Understanding the importance of the value of a dollar can help you save hundreds, or even thousands of dollars in the long run! One of my favorite ways of stretching out my traveling budget is taking advantage of hotel rewards programs like Stash Hotel Rewards. What makes Stash Hotel Rewards stand out from the rest is that it enables you to earn points at boutique hotels across the United States.

This year, marks iRetreat‘s 5th consecutive year of their notable blogger conference for brands and influencers. Between June 28th-30th, they’ll be hosting their conference in the heart of the French Quarter (Bienville Street) in New Orleans at Hotel Mazarin. Hotel Mazarin, a boutique hotel that is part of the New Orleans Hotel Collection, features 102 luxurious and spacious rooms. Dauphine Orleans, the overflow hotel, is also part of the New Orleans Hotel Collection, features 111 exquisite rooms. This is where Stash Hotel Rewards comes into play – both boutique hotels are affiliated with them!

Stash Hotel Rewards has partnered with iRetreat, use IRETREATEARLYBIRD for 20% off your conference pass, and their host hotels.