✈️ International Escapades 🌍

What if I told you… your next life-changing adventure is just a few clicks away?
(and some dolla bills y’all 👐🏻)

We used to dream about jet-setting to iconic cities like Paris, Amsterdam, and London, thinking it was way out of reach. 

But then something wild happened: we bought Ed Sheeran tickets to Wembley Stadium in London on a whim and boom, that impulsive click became the catalyst for our first-ever international trip 3 years ago, June 2022.

No clue what we were doing. No fancy travel agent. Just good vibes and a lifelong dream.

Here’s how we made it happen and how you can too! 🎟

🎯 Start with the Dream, Not the Doubt

For years, we put off travel for all the usual reasons:
too broke, too busy, too intimidated, too naive.. (insert self-deprecating adjective here)

We heard stories from family and friends who'd sipped wine by the Eiffel Tower,
gushing about the scenery and lifestyle, creating the ultimate FOMO

NEWSFLASH 📰 Planning your dream trip is easier than you think!

Let us walk you through our step-by-step adventure playbook, including the secret sauce that made this burger of a trip so damn delicious.

🛫 Step 1: Flights – Book early, Save later

We live 90 miles from O’Hare, a major airport with direct flights to Europe.  Excellent! 🎸🤘🏼
But the real key to saving cash on airfare? 

🔐 Fly midweek.
Avoid Saturday and Sunday like spoiled milk.
💰 Tuesday through Thursday = better prices and emptier terminals.

For example, here's a PTO hack for the 9–5 warriors:

• Fly out Wednesday evening

• Vacation Thursday–Monday

• Return Tuesday

• 3-day workweek before AND after vacay

Now That’s B.A. math. 🧠

✅ pricing at least 90 days ahead - When Is the Best Time to Book a Flight for Travel?

✅ availability and departure dates -  The Best Day and Time to Book Flights to Save Money

Need help navigating flight options, timelines, or budget tricks?
📩 DM us.  We’ve been there and would love to help.

💳 Step 2: Currency Urgency!

While most places accept any credit cards, currency exchange fees are no joke.
We opened a no-foreign-fee credit card with 18 month 0% APR financing
Used that puppy to charge flights and hotels well in advance, boy was it a game changer.
Gave us months to pay off stress-free, not to mention advantages of the rewards program.

Plan ahead. Stack the points. Maximize the perks.

⏰ Step 3: Time Zones + Overnight Flights = Jet Lag Hack

Europe is 6–8 hours ahead, so best to book a red-eye flight:

• Departing 8PM CST Thursday

• Arrives at 11AM Friday in Paris

The plan? Try to sleep on the plane (noise-canceling headphones help).
But if you’re wired from excitement like us? Grab an espresso on arrival and power through.
In addition to adrenaline, you’ll be running on baguette’s, croissants and Nutella crepes 🤤

👟️ Step 4: Land and Let Loose

For the trip that took our European virginity, we landed in Amsterdam at 9:30AM.  After going through customs, we became wide-eyed American tourists with no clue where to go.
It was glorious.

We’ve heard others discuss being treated as rude or offensive as foreigners, but our experience was the complete opposite.  What worked for us?  Act gracious (you’re on a dream journey remember?) take it all in one scene at a time and for goodness sake - slow down! 🛑

As Americans we are groomed to work fast paced and go from one place to the next ASAP. 
Life is different over yonder and we guarantee you will find it absolutely charming 🥰

Worst Case Scenario?

🗺️ Looking lost while walking in circles trying to figure out which way the navigator on your map is taking you. (you WILL walk the wrong direction numerous times tbh)

🍨 Overindulging on macarons, glace à la pistache, crêpe du chocolat ou croque-monsieur.
(don’t worry, you still won’t feel bloated or exhausted due to natural ingredients 🤓)

⏰ Booking the only available early flight only to be exhausted the morning of…
(You could be waking up early to struggle through your typical Monday regimen 🥱)

🗣️ Not knowing a lick of the native foreign language
(most Europeans are fluent in numerous languages, especially English)

By breaking out of the mold that we are accustomed to, these uncomfortable unknowns help us grow to live a life That’s B.A. and reach a whole new world 🧞

🎒 Final Destination: Don’t Wait to Live

Taking a 10-day trip from Friday through the following Monday?
Yeah… that's how we lived a next level life That’s B.A.
And it didn’t require winning the lottery or quitting our jobs.
Just intention, curiosity, and a little courage.

So here’s your permission slip:
Dream big.
Plan smart.
Take the trip.

___Signed: B.A.___

 And if you need someone in your corner like Little Mac in Punchout!!🥊
We’re always just a message away.

Want us to break down our full itinerary or share the best spots to eat, sleep, or explore in Europe?  👉 Hit reply and tell us where you want to go next!

🧽 Something That’s B.A. - Swedish Dishcloths

Part sponge/part washcloth, All messes.  Those pesky rugrats spilling juice again?  No worries!  These are the perfect solution without the unnecessary exponential waste of paper towels.

Simply add water (and soap in sticky situations), wipe up the mess and rinse in the sink!
Great for scrubbing pans and large crockery 🤭 
Or all the dishes if you bear the burden of a dishwasher-less kitchen.

🎙️ Someone That’s B.A.

Steven Bartlett │UK’s #1 Podcast │Steven Bartlett - Entrepreneur, Speaker, Investor

The Diary of a CEO podcast is “an unfiltered journey into the remarkable stories of the people that have defined culture, achieved greatness and created stories worth studying.”

Whether it’s struggling stand-up comedian success stories like Jimmy Fallon and Seth Rogen, Neuroscientists exposing secrets of a healthy mind leading to a prosperous life, individuals making executive decisions in major fortune 500 companies and the influence of AI.

The conversations he has with the absolutely most influential people and experts in their field will test the limits on your perception of the world and humanity. 🤯

This week’s Sponsor: Bluejacket Builders

This Veteran owned remodeling company specializes in basement remodeling, home additions, and decks!  Proud member of NARI Milwaukee and BBB accredited, they do not skip a beat when it comes to bringing out the best of your house with innovative designs and finishes.

With their built-in services, they will help make your finish selections easy, coordinate the material orders and get everything onsite when it needs to be there.  All so your project gets completed on time and on budget!  Just check out what they did with our outdated bathroom 🤩

🏃🏾‍♂️‍➡️Inspirational Quote

"Find the good. It's all around you. Find it, showcase it, and you'll start believing in it." - Jesse Owens

One Nation. Many People.

After all of this Europe dialogue, it’s time to reflect on the nation we call home (of the brave)!
These days, it’s easy to feel disconnected from the polarizing headlines, but being American was never just about petty politics. It's about who we are together, regardless of heritage. 🏞️

This country was built by a legacy of immigrants, dreamers, workers, and believers from every background and belief who dared to chase a better life, and in doing so, helped build one of the most ethnically diverse and innovative nations in history. 📈 

Being American means standing up for others, speaking freely and believing that where you start should never determine how far you can go. It’s about second chances, bold ideas, and communities that show up for each other, especially when times are tough. 🫂 

Critically analyzing our historical mistakes can help us improve and be proud of who we become.  💪🏻

Let’s keep the spirit alive by welcoming difference, encouraging dialogue, and building the kind of future our kids deserve to inherit. 👶🏻

May we all contribute our best to living in a country that knows what it means say “That’s B.A.”

Since we will be absent from your mailbox next holiday weekend, we want to wish you and all your family members a safe and Happy 4^th of July 🎆