Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Duffel Bag Spouse

Travel has shaped how I see the world for as long as I can remember. As a military brat and then an Army wife, I moved across the globe, learning how to build a life wherever I landed. From the bustling streets of South Korea to the vineyards of Germany, I discovered that travel isn’t just about places—it’s about the stories, the people, and the experiences that change us.

I started Duffel Bag Spouse to share those stories. What began as a personal travel journal evolved into a resource for women over 40 who crave adventure, value practical insights, and believe life doesn’t slow down just because we get older.

Through firsthand experiences, hard-earned lessons, and a deep love for history, culture, and food, I help women navigate the world with confidence.

Why Trust Me?

I’ve lived in nine different locations, endured seven deployments, and traveled to over 60 countries—not as a tourist, but as someone who truly immerses herself in each place. I understand the challenges of solo travel, the joy of finding hidden luxury at a discount, and the power of stepping outside your comfort zone. My background in political science, history, and economics gives me a unique lens on how travel intersects with culture, identity, and the way we move through the world.

But my journey hasn’t been without challenges. Graves’ disease, cataracts, foot and back surgery, and the shifting landscape of life after 50 have forced me to adapt, but they’ve also reinforced my belief that adventure is always possible.

Turning Travel Into Income

As a military spouse, I often found myself in places where I couldn’t work due to visa restrictions or job availability. Instead of feeling stuck, I turned to my blog, hoping to make a little extra money. But it took time—years, in fact.

I started Duffel Bag Spouse on Blogger in 2013, which worked well back then. But by 2018, I felt its limitations. I moved to WordPress in 2019, doing everything myself—migrating content, setting up a new site, and figuring out the technical side from scratch. It was overwhelming, and I had no budget to pay anyone.

To grow, I had to teach myself SEO, email marketing, Pinterest strategies, social media management, affiliate marketing, and website optimization—all while still writing and traveling. But despite my efforts, from 2013 to 2023, I never reached more than 30K visitors a year. I often felt like I was talking into the void.

Then came 2024—a breakout year for Duffel Bag Spouse Travels. I refined my content strategy, focused on high-value SEO-driven articles, leaned into AI for efficiency, and built stronger reader engagement through newsletters and social media. The shift paid off—my blog reached 100K readers, averaging 12-16K monthly visitors.

I also hit a major financial milestone: Google AdSense monetized my blog in May 2022, and by July 2024, I was accepted into Mediavine Grow.

Now, I see 2025 as a year of even greater growth. With a loyal audience, a clear strategy, and a deeper understanding of content creation, I’m finally turning my passion into something sustainable.

Education & The Spark That Changed Everything

My journey into writing and travel wasn’t a straight path. I started college at Rochester Institute of Technology, studying electrical engineering for four years before relocating to a place with no engineering school. My only option was computer science, and I hated every minute of it.

Everything changed when I took my first political science course—I had finally found my people. I switched majors and earned my B.A. in Political Science with minors in History and Economics from the University of Colorado.

The plan was to go to law school, and I was well on my way. But I married a career officer and the military had other plans. Before graduating, I studied abroad at Oxford University in England, and the travel bug was born.

I came home and told my husband, “We have to move abroad.” And that’s exactly what we did. Twenty+ years later we’ve traveled to 80+ countries and counting.

Discovering Solo Travel

While studying abroad at Oxford University, I took my first solo trips to Paris and Rome. Those experiences changed everything. Exploring these cities alone cemented something I hadn’t fully realized—I love traveling with my husband, kids, and friends, but I also love traveling solo.

Solo travel gives me freedom—the ability to wake up and decide exactly how I want to spend my day. It allows me to travel at my own pace, whether that means lingering in a museum or wandering side streets with no agenda. Most importantly, it gives me time for self-reflection, a rare chance to fully immerse myself in a destination without distraction. Those early solo adventures proved that travel wasn’t just about the places I visited—it was about how I experienced them.

Find Me Here

What You’ll Find Here

• Practical Travel Tips – From maximizing rewards programs to finding the best off-the-radar destinations.
• Solo & Slow Travel Insights – Because travel isn’t just about speed; it’s about depth.
• Wellness & Lifestyle – Navigating health, beauty, and self-care on the road.
• Thought-Provoking Travel Conversations – Tackling the deeper topics that impact women travelers.
• Behind-the-Scenes Blogging Tips – Sharing what I’ve learned about monetization, AI, and the business of travel content.

I don’t sugarcoat my experiences, and I don’t chase trends. My goal is to tell real stories, give real advice, and inspire women to embrace travel on their own terms.

Whether you’re looking for travel hacks, destination guides, or just reassurance that it’s never too late to see the world—you’re in the right place.

Duffelbagspouse Travels is not your typical Army Wife How-To Guide. The seven topics I’ve decided to concentrate on are:

What I Offer

• Custom Travel Itineraries
• Newsletters
• Hotel, Tour & Activity Reviews
• Blog Features
• Photography
• Social Media Content
• Press & Media Trips
• Sponsored Post
• Speaking Engagements

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