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Today I’m talking to Shakeemah “Keem” Smith — founder of Bills to Boarding Passes, solo travel educator, and the woman her family literally nicknamed The Passport Abuser — to talk about how she’s traveled to nearly 100 countries without paying out of pocket for a single flight in three years. And no, you don’t need a high-limit credit card or a six-figure salary to do this.
Keem breaks down her Bills to Boarding Passes method, the airline partnerships most people have never heard of, why solo travel might be the most powerful thing you do for yourself this year, and the exact first steps to take this week, no matter your income, your debt situation, or your starting point. You’re gonna want to share this episode with a friend!
Ready to turn your everyday bills into free flights? Sign up for our FREE Bills to Boarding Passes workshop with Keem u0026 Tori: https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod
Compare the cheapest flights from all major airlines at Skyscanner.com
Visit https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod to find our credit card recommendations and any other resources mentioned on our show!
In the episode:
0:00 Intro: Meet Shakeemah Smith, the "Passport Abuser"
1:00 Free Workshop: herfirst100k.com/ffpod
1:30 "Your bills are your boarding passes"
4:00 Airline miles vs. credit card points — what's the difference?
6:00 How airlines make money even when you're not flying
7:00 American Airlines x Shell Gas: 3 miles per gallon (no credit card needed)
9:00 Earn miles on your electricity bill with NRG Energy
10:30 How Keem got her first 20 countries for under $100
11:00 The Skyscanner "Everywhere" feature
13:00 Airline debit cards — travel free without a credit card
15:00 How Tori and Keem met + the solo travel origin story
17:00 Abandoned on her birthday in Amsterdam
19:00 "At 30, I didn't know how to enjoy my own company"
21:00 Safety for Black women traveling solo
24:30 "Why am I so afraid to live alone?"
26:00 Keem's mom on legacy (the moment that made Tori cry)
27:00 "Who taught you it's too complicated?"
27:30 First 3 things to do THIS WEEK if you make $55K with student loans
28:00 Earn miles every time you eat out — airline dining programs
29:00 American Airlines x CVS: 3 miles per dollar on everyday essentials
30:00 Texas listeners: 27,000 Southwest points on your energy bill
31:30 Japan 3x for $6. Athens for $6. Johannesburg for $6.
34:00 "She doesn't know anything you don't"
35:30 The two-out-of-three rule for every purchase
37:00 How to shop strategically to maximize miles
38:00 Rapid fire: Country that surprised Keem most? Kuwait
40:00 Why Keem always packs a carbon monoxide detector
45:00 Most underrated first solo trip destination
46:00 Why Keem moved to Antigua — and what brought her back
47:30 Final message to the woman who thinks she can't afford to travel
49:30 "One decision changes everything"
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