FamousAshleyGrant

Day 7 of My 1,000-Member Patreon Challenge

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What does it look like to grow a Patreon community? Here’s my boots from the ground answer.

Okay let’s just rip the band-aid off. 🩹

On Friday, August 21, 2026, I launched a 30-day challenge to grow the More Movement Please Patreon community (aka Movers and Shakers) to 1,000 members. Thirty days, one thousand people. An absolutely unhinged goal, and spoiler alert – I knew this going in.

Today is day 7.

We have 28 members.

Twenty. Eight. Not 280. Not 2,800. Twenty-eight real, wonderful humans who believed in my fitness podcast and this movement enough to hand over their email address, and I love every single one of them! But, let’s be honest about the math. At this pace I am nowhere close to 1,000 by day 30.

I could hide that number. I’m not going to. I built this whole brand on real talk and proof over polish, so here’s the proof: this is hard, growth is slow, and I’m doing it in public anyway.

I’m even doing a YouTube Shorts challenge about this and repurposing my videos on Facebook and Instagram. Fun fact, this is all by design. As I told my head coach Rhonda this morning after Tabata – I was fairly certain we would NOT get to 1,000 members in 30 days. But, I’m trying anyway and there’s a very intentional reason behind this!

Why I’m even doing this

More Movement Please is the show I record from my car. I’ve done several episodes with Rhonda Goode, a certified fitness instructor with 14 years of experience under her belt. She’s the head coach, I’m the hype woman, and together we’re building a Patreon community around it called Movers and Shakers. Two tiers, $5 and $15 a month, real coaching content and community behind the paywall.

This isn’t a vanity project. It’s the pillar of my personal brand with an actual product, actual community, and actual life-change potential behind it. So when I decided to go all in on Movement in 2025, launching a podcast and ultimately a community ended up being part of that plan.

I set a stupid-big goal on purpose. I wanted a number so audacious that even a “failure” would still mean real growth. Twenty-eight members in a week isn’t the headline I wanted, but it’s more members than I had a week ago!

What actually happens when people launch a Patreon

Before I hit publish on this challenge, I went digging. Not for cheerleading, for real numbers and real advice from people who’ve actually done this. Here’s what I found.

You don’t need a stadium of fans, you need 1,000 true ones. Back in 2008, Wired founding editor Kevin Kelly wrote an essay called “1,000 True Fans” that basically predicted the entire creator economy. His argument: you don’t need millions of followers to make a living as an artist. You need roughly 1,000 people who genuinely believe in you and will show up, pay up, and stick around.

My 1,000-member goal isn’t random. It’s a direct nod to that idea, and it’s a good reminder that this isn’t about chasing viral overnight blowups – though I would LOVE for this to happen. The truth is, this membership drive experiment is about finding your true fans, even if that only happens 28 at a time.

Podcast Patreons genuinely work, and there’s data to prove it. Patreon reported that more than 40,000 podcasters earned money on their platform and pulled in a combined $350 million in 2023 alone. Podcasting is one of the biggest earning categories on the entire site. So no, I’m not chasing a fantasy. I’m just early in a race that other podcasters have already proven is winnable.

Keep your tiers stupid simple. Eric Silver, a podcast producer who’s run a Patreon for eight years and counting, broke down his approach for Descript: people mostly want two things from a membership, bonus content and hearing their name shouted out on the show. He warns against piling on extras like Discords, behind-the-scenes videos, and research notes because it turns into overload for you and for them.

Rhonda and I already run lean with our $5 and $15 tiers, and honestly, reading this made me feel good about not overcomplicating it further. We initially had two more paid tiers, but recognized that this was too many for now. We’ll revisit those two again in the future once it pops off.

Promise less than you think you can deliver. The team at Resonate Recordings put it bluntly: late bonuses kill member retention faster than almost anything else. Their advice is to launch with fewer tiers and fewer perks than you think you can handle, then add more once you actually know your members and your own bandwidth.

Noted. Rhonda and I are keeping our promises boring and consistent on purpose.

A real launch pitch beats a passive announcement. Patreon’s own creator guide says the strongest launches include a short, personal video explaining the what and the why, a clear call to action, and repeating that CTA everywhere: bio, show notes, socials, email footer. Weekday launches also tend to outperform weekend ones.

I did some of this. I clearly need to do more of it, louder and more often.

Launching a Patreon is really an exercise in valuing your own work. Writer Cherie Hu spent a year running her own Patreon page and wrote about the biggest lesson she took from it: starting a membership isn’t just a business move, it’s a crash course in learning to ask for what your work is worth and actually believing you deserve it. 

Twenty-eight members so far is my signal that people already think this is worth being a part of the community. I’m letting that sit with me today.

Failure the first time doesn’t mean failure forever. My podcast pal Joe Casabona’s honest account of “My Failed Patreon Experiment” describes launching a Patreon after hitting 50,000 downloads, overpromising, underdelivering, and watching it flop. Years later, a relaunched and much simpler membership actually worked. Slow starts and even outright failures aren’t the end of the story. They’re just data.

I’m taking this information with me to the bank…and I will keep working on making this the best community I can for the highest good of all involved.

What I’m changing for the rest of this challenge

Based on all of that, here’s what shifts starting today:

  • More personal video asks, repeated more often. Not a one-and-done announcement post. A real, “hey, here’s why this matters” pitch, said out loud, more than once, on more platforms.
  • Keeping our two tiers exactly as simple as they are. No new perks, no scope creep. Just consistent delivery on what we already promised. In fact, we might streamline them even further.
  • Leaning into the true fan mindset instead of the raw number. 1,000 true fans is still the goal on the wall. But I’m measuring day to day by whether the right people are finding us, not just the ticker going up.
  • Being loud about the real numbers the whole way. You’re going to get updates on this. All of them. Even the ones that sting a little.

The ask

If you’ve been thinking about joining Movers and Shakers, today’s the day. $0 gets you in the door, $5 gets you exclusive episodes, and $15 gets you the deeper coaching content from coach Rhonda. Twenty-eight people already said yes. I’d love for you to join us too!

And if you’ve got tips of your own for growing a membership community, I want to hear them. Head here to give me feedback. This challenge is public because I want to learn in front of you, not just report back at the end.

What 5 folks I spoke to shared as advice about launching a Patreon

Before I started digging into all the data and creator interviews above, I asked around and heard from five people who wanted to share their advice about launching a Patreon. So here’s what they told me, straight from them:

Anchor Patreon to a Defined Brand Narrative

I help authors and creators launch platforms like Patreon through proven brand development and media strategies built over 30 years. My approach centers on consistent messaging that connects with the right audience at the right time.

Brand essence comes first. Define your core values, mission, and vision before opening any doors to supporters so your tiers and updates feel cohesive from day one.

I used this exact process when building memorable author websites and persuasive media kits that generated press coverage. Those same steps turn a Patreon into a natural extension of an established narrative instead of a disconnected add-on.

Marilyn Heywood Paige, Principal, Marilyn Paige

Keep One Simple Tier, Evolve From Feedback

The process began once I had accumulated a small but active following on my website and content platforms. One of the first big changes is: no one joins your Patreon just to be a Patreon – they join to know the value they will receive from a streamlined, simple system. Thus, I stuck with the basic tier, which offered one reward and one piece of content, with no other vague offerings.

Also, it helped to think of Patreon as a continuation of the content you are making, rather than something else you make. In each post or episode where I talked about additional material, I would mention it without making any special effort, so that people knew I was talking about a Patreon. The initial supporters were mostly those already familiar with what I create, just looking for motivation to join.

If I could do things differently now, I would limit myself to the minimum at the start and shape future tiers based on the behavior of those who joined before me.

Asawar Ali, CEO, Link Building Agency

Set Clear Tradeoffs, Launch Few Authentic Tiers

Building a dedicated community that is willing to invest in your work comes down to one fundamental principle: radical clarity about what you offer and why it matters to them. When we built Doggie Park Near Me into a directory covering over 6,300 dog parks across all 50 states, we learned that people don’t just support platforms; they support the mission and the authenticity behind them.

My number one tip for launching a membership program like Patreon is to clearly communicate the tradeoffs of your tier structure to your audience from day one. You can’t be everything to everyone, especially when resources are tight. We prioritize our work by focusing on what our users care about most, like fencing and water availability, rather than trying to build every feature at once. Apply this to your Patreon by launching with only two or three highly manageable tiers. If you overpromise exclusive content, you will quickly burn out.

We’ve built deep trust through our direct, real dog and real human reviews on Auggie’s Blog. You must establish that same authentic connection on your podcast and website before you ask for financial support. Before launching, we suggest researching your audience’s exact pain points so you can align your membership rewards with their actual needs. Invite your listeners into the building process. Share the behind-the-scenes planning on your podcast, explain how their support will fund specific projects, and keep your communication channels wide open. When people feel like partners in your building process rather than just subscribers, they will gladly back you. It’s all about delivering genuine value, setting realistic boundaries, and keeping your promises to the community you serve.

Rina Gutierrez, Part-time Marketing Coordinator, Doggie Park Near Me

Build Trust With Clear, Simple, Valuable Tiers

Launching a subscription or membership platform successfully comes down to one core ingredient: building trust through clear communication from day one. At Equipoise Coffee, we’ve learned that you can’t just ask people to buy in; you must show them exactly what they are getting and why it matters. Whether you are selling freshly roasted beans or digital content, your audience needs to feel the value immediately.

When we established our business in 2021, we realized that people don’t just want a product; they want to be part of a community. If you are launching a Patreon, you need to treat your membership tiers with the same care we use when sourcing single-origin options like our Mexican La Laja Honey or Colombian Supremo. Each tier must have a distinct, clear value. We always explain the tradeoffs to our stakeholders and customers directly. If a certain tier requires more of your time, be transparent about that. Honesty builds the strongest communities.

Another tip is to focus on education and exclusive access. We connect with our audience through an educational blog that explains the science of achieving a smooth, less bitter roast profile. For your Patreon, offer behind-the-scenes insights that make your supporters feel like true partners in your creative process. Do not overcomplicate your rewards at the start. When resources are tight, prioritize delivering one or two high-quality benefits rather than promising the world. Keep your tiers simple, communicate consistently, and let your unique philosophy shine through. That is how you turn casual listeners into dedicated patrons who will support your podcast for the long haul.

Rory Keel, Owner, Equipoise Coffee

Start Small; Prioritize Engagement Over Subscriber Count

Start small with your initial founding-member group. This is the best advice I can provide. You don’t need dozens of membership tiers ready to go right away. Build them as needed. By starting small with say 25-50 founding members, you’ll have honest feedback, predictable conversation, and less work. I noticed engagement remained above 70% throughout a few community first projects as long as the member count stayed small during the first 90 days. Community momentum is built through interaction, not the number of subscribers.

Community growth will often fizzle out when rewards are no longer able to be produced. Users join your community for the access, consistency, and connection. They leave when those reward whispers become less frequent. Fulfillment is much easier by only offering a single membership tier for the first couple months. You’ll also avoid large confusion. Additionally, retention was higher when promises were easy to keep each week. Take as much time as you need. 40 engaged members will bring more value to your business than 400 subscribers that never participate.

Cyrus Kennedy, Chairman & Acting CEO, The Ad Firm

Onwards and upwards my friends. Have you worked out today? 💪

The Hidden Cost of Financial Inaction

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Waiting on your money costs you in fees, inflation, and missed growth. Get the full breakdown of what financial inaction really costs you 💸

The following is a guest post from my bloggy friend Sarah Young. Interested in having a guest post on my website? Click here for my guest post submission form.

The Real Price of Putting Off Your Money Moves

Imagine opening a credit card statement and seeing a 30 percent penalty APR, or watching $10,000 in savings lose value each year. At first, unpaid bills and idle cash may not seem costly. Over time, those small delays become real losses for your wallet and your peace of mind.

In this article, we will cover how to:

– Measure the fees and penalty rates that come from late payments

– See how inflation quietly erodes your purchasing power

– Understand the compound growth you miss when you wait to invest

– Compare idle cash to returns in stocks, real estate, and alternative assets

– Recognize the stress, regret, and decision fatigue tied to financial delay

– Grasp the wider economic effects of widespread inaction

– Apply practical steps, goal setting, automation, and FinTech tools to break the cycle of delay

By the end, you will have a clear view of both the numbers and the human side of financial inaction. Let us begin by quantifying the price of doing nothing.

Quantifying the Price of Doing Nothing

Delaying financial decisions carries measurable costs. From rising penalty fees to the silent erosion of savings, waiting to act can shrink your wealth over time. Below we break down three core impacts: interest rate penalties, inflation’s effect on purchasing power, and missed compound growth.

Interest Rate Penalties and Fees

When payments arrive late, lenders tack on fees and higher rates. Common charges include:

– Late-payment fees: $25 to $35 per missed credit card payment

– Penalty APR hikes: up to 29.99% on average consumer cards

– Loan default fees: 3% to 5% of the outstanding balance

Even one missed payment can cost hundreds of dollars annually. For example, a $1,000 balance hit with a 30% penalty APR instead of 18% adds more than $120 in extra interest each year.

Inflation’s Erosion of Savings

Money stored under the mattress loses value when prices rise. At a 3% annual inflation rate, purchasing power drops by nearly:

– 14% over 5 years

– 26% over 10 years

– 45% over 20 years

That means $10,000 saved today buys only about $7,400 of goods in 10 years. Simply leaving cash idle without adjusting for inflation slowly eats away at real wealth.

Missed Compound Growth

With personal investing in the right assets, compound interest rewards early action. A single $5,000 investment earning 7% compounded annually grows to about $38,000 in 30 years. Delay that deposit by 10 years, and it only reaches roughly $19,000, creating a gap of almost $19,000 in retirement funds.

Key takeaway: Every year you wait costs you three ways. Penalties inflate your debt, inflation shrinks your savings, and compound growth slips away. Quantifying these losses makes the hidden cost of inaction impossible to ignore.

Opportunity Costs: What Your Money Could Have Been Doing

Leaving funds idle may feel safe but comes at a long-term opportunity cost. Below we compare key asset classes to show what idle cash could have achieved.

Stock Market Return Comparisons

Historical data shows broad market indices outperform most cash vehicles:

– S&P 500: Roughly 10% average annual return over the past 20 years

– 10-Year US Treasuries: About 2.5% yield

 – High-Yield Savings Accounts: Under 1% APY

Even a $10,000 deposit earning 10% instead of 0.5% grows to $25,937 in 10 years, versus only $10,500 in a savings account. That difference shows the opportunity cost of idle cash.

Real Estate and Passive Income

Capital Growth

CoreLogic reports a 6% annual capital growth rate for Auckland residential property from 2003 to 2023. A NZD 1,000,000 purchase five years ago would now be worth roughly NZD 1,338,000.

Rental Yields

Single-family and multifamily properties commonly deliver 4% to 6% cash-on-cash returns. Rental surpluses can accelerate mortgage paydown or fund new acquisitions.

Alternative Investments

Diversifying beyond stocks and real estate can boost long-term returns:

 – Peer-to-Peer Lending: 5% to 8% returns with moderate risk

– Private Equity: Long-term gains of around 12%, though capital is locked up

– Collectibles and Crypto: High volatility but potential for outsized gains

Key takeaway: Every month cash sits idle, you forfeit compounding in multiple asset classes. Redirecting even a small portion of idle funds can significantly boost investment returns.

Psychological and Emotional Impact

Delaying financial actions takes a toll beyond dollars. The hidden cost of financial inaction often appears as stress, decision fatigue, and eroded confidence.

Stress and Anxiety

Putting off budgeting, debt repayment, or investment planning often triggers persistent stress. Studies on cognitive load show unstructured financial worries disrupt sleep and concentration. Common symptoms include irritability, headaches, and elevated cortisol. Without a clear action plan, anxiety mounts and simple money tasks feel overwhelming.

Decision Fatigue Cycles

Each postponed choice adds to mental load. Research indicates that deferred decisions ignite multiple stress points. As you juggle unpaid bills, investment options, and financial goals, willpower drains rapidly. This cycle leads to decision paralysis, turning routine tasks into daunting challenges.

Regret and Confidence Loss

When financial opportunities slip away, whether missed market gains or higher late fees, feelings of regret set in. Over time, self-doubt erodes confidence. Lower self-efficacy intensifies hesitation, reinforcing a negative spiral where fear of more mistakes keeps you stuck.

Systemic and Social Consequences

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Individual financial inertia does not only affect your personal balance. When many people delay investing, defer retirement planning, or avoid entrepreneurship, the effects ripple through the broader economy.

Wealth Inequality Effects

In a K-shaped economy, the top 20% of earners drive nearly 60% of consumer spending. That skews growth toward those already ahead. Delaying the start of investing from age 25 to 30 can cut long-term compounding potential by about 40%. As early savers build more wealth, late starters struggle to close the gap.

Small Business Bankruptcy

Many entrepreneurs personally guarantee business loans. If a firm fails, owners face personal insolvency. Strict liability rules tighten credit conditions. Higher borrowing costs and limited financing discourage startups, slowing job creation and innovation in local markets.

Retirement Funding Shortfalls

Pension Asset Loss

State and local defined-benefit plans lost nearly $1 trillion in value during the 2007–2009 downturn.

Growing Obligations

By 2018, pension assets rebounded to about $4 trillion, but benefit payments more than tripled since 2000. Rising pension debt relative to GDP can slow economic growth. Covering shortfalls may force tax hikes, spending cuts, or asset sales, damping overall demand.

Hard-to-Measure Impacts of Inaction

Behind dollars and percentages lie stalled careers, damaged credibility, and a gradual decline in quality of life.

Career Stagnation

Financial inaction can mean missing out on training, certifications, or strategic moves. With 1.97 million fewer workers in America today compared to early 2020, competition for roles is fierce. Add frustration from outdated tools; 91% of employees cite this as a blocker, and promotions and skill growth can slip away.

Eroded Professional Reputation

Delays in adopting key initiatives send a signal of disengagement. Though 89% of board directors embed digital projects in strategy, only 35% reach their goals. Major breakdowns, such as Southwest Airlines canceling over 15,000 flights and reporting a $220 million net loss, show how inaction undermines trust and brand value.

Lifestyle and Well-Being Decline

Postponed planning often brings chronic stress and lower life satisfaction. As financial goals linger, so do feelings of regret. Over time, this anxiety can affect health, limit leisure choices, and reduce overall happiness.

Strategies to Overcome Financial Inaction

Taking small steps can halt cost compounding and build momentum toward better financial health.

SMART Goal-Setting

Define specific and time-bound targets. For example:

– Pay off $500 in high-interest debt within three months

– Save $200 monthly for an emergency fund

This framework creates focus and a clear deadline for action.

Automating Savings and Investments

Set up automatic transfers and portfolio rebalancing. Scheduled reminders and auto contributions ensure you stick to plans and maintain your risk profile without manual effort.

Accountability Partners and Advisors

Working with a partner or advisor adds motivation and accountability. Advisors deliver measurable return on fees by preventing missed deadlines, tax issues, and probate costs through proactive planning.

Leveraging FinTech Tools

Use budgeting apps, robo-advisors, and integrated wealth platforms. These tools track spending, automate tasks, and coordinate tax and estate reviews so small problems do not become costly overhauls.

Combine these strategies to break the cycle of financial delay and make consistent progress toward your goals.

Conclusion

Delaying financial decisions carries clear and hidden costs that add up over time. From mounting fees and inflation to missed investment gains and rising stress, inaction can erode your wealth, well-being, and opportunities.

Key takeaways:

– Late-payment fees, penalty APRs, inflation, and lost compound growth shrink your net worth

– Idle cash misses out on higher returns in stocks, real estate, and alternative assets

– Postponed choices fuel stress, decision fatigue, and long-term regret

– Widespread financial inertia widens wealth gaps, hinders small businesses, and strains retirement systems

– Career progress, professional reputation, and quality of life can suffer when you avoid key money decisions

You now have a roadmap to break the cycle of delay:

1. Set SMART goals with clear deadlines and milestones

2. Automate savings, debt payments, and portfolio rebalancing

3. Partner with an accountability buddy or financial advisor

4. Leverage budgeting apps, robo-advisors, and integrated wealth platforms

The smallest step today can deliver compounding rewards tomorrow. Choose one financial action, whether automating a $50 transfer or scheduling a debt-repayment review, and make it happen. Your future self will thank you for overcoming inaction now. 

Sarah Young

Sarah Young holds a Bachelors in Marketing Communications from California Lutheran University. She enjoys running her website glitternglue.com where she can share her own and others thoughts on lifestyle tips! During her spare time, she enjoys going to the beach with her dog or painting nature murals.

The Hidden Cost of Financial Inaction - Sarah Young

My First Time at Gen Con: Is It Worth $1,000?

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Let’s just get right into it. Gen Con cost me and my husband $1,000 to attend. That’s two 4-day badges and five nights in a hotel, plain and simple. No gas. No food. No souvenirs. Just the price of being there.

$360.80 for the badges. $629.88 for the hotel. That comes out to $990.68, close enough to round up to a nice, terrifying $1,000.

And that doesn’t even touch the other money we spent to get there. Gas, food, and all the little bits and bobs added up to around $400 more. So really, this trip cost us close to $1,400 when it was all said and done.

Was it worth it? I asked myself that question the entire time I was there. Let’s break it down.

What Even Is Gen Con?

If you’re new to the tabletop world, you might not know that Gen Con actually got its name from the Geneva Convention. The very first one was held in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and they shortened it to “Gen Con.” Now it’s held annually in Indianapolis, and it’s the largest tabletop gaming convention in the United States.

We’re talking big numbers here. More than 74,000 people showed up this year. There were nearly 28,000 individual events happening across four days, everything from tournaments to demos to full on role playing campaigns. Vendors had more than 3,000 games on display, and that’s barely a dent in what’s out there. 

I read somewhere that BoardGameGeek has over 150,000 games cataloged. I had no idea the hobby was this massive until I walked through those doors.

The convention brings in something like $80 million to the Indianapolis area every year, just from people eating out and booking hotels. That number doesn’t even count what people spend on the games themselves.

Next year is Gen Con’s 60th anniversary. And yes, we’re already planning to go back…but we’re going to do things differently. More on that in a moment. Let’s first look at how the funds for this year stacked up.

Breaking Down the $1,000

My husband and I went to Gen Con for our 20th wedding anniversary. Nothing says “romantic getaway” quite like standing in a convention hall for four days straight, right? But that’s exactly what we wanted. It was so “us-coded” it felt like fate that our travel day there literally fell ON our wedding anniversary.

Here’s how the badges and hotel broke down:

  • Two 4-day badges: $360.80
  • Five nights in a hotel: $629.88 (We stayed at Red Roof Inn because they are the most accommodating for our Pampered Pomchis)
  • Total for badges and lodging: $990.68

On top of that, we spent roughly $400 on gas, meals, and random extras during our trip. So if you’re planning your own trip and budgeting just for “getting in the door,” know that the real number will end up being higher once you factor in food, travel, and any souvenirs you pick up along the way.

The Math I Was Doing the Whole Drive There

I’ll be honest. On the drive up, I kept running the numbers in my head. A thousand dollars is a lot of money. My husband and I talked it through in the car, and one thing kept coming up. For that same amount, we could have bought 10-20 board games instead. Maybe more.

So which one wins? A bunch of games we could play over and over for years, or four days at a convention that would be over before we knew it?

There’s no easy answer. I’m the kind of person who thrives being around other people who love the same things I love, so my answer is going to be a little biased. But I also think that’s worth admitting up front. If you’re someone who gets more joy out of owning things than experiencing things, Gen Con might not hit the same way for you.

One thing I didn’t expect going in was how much this trip would spark ideas about doing more gaming closer to home. More on that later too.

Getting There and Getting In

We drove up on Wednesday, July 29th, which happened to be our actual anniversary. We checked into our hotel and immediately went to pick up our badges.

Quick tip if you’re planning your first trip: you might want to choose will call over having your badges mailed to you. We’d been having mail issues at our house, and there was a rumor going around that if your badges didn’t show up, you’d have to pay full price again to replace them. Not worth the risk.

The will call line wrapped around the inside of the building. I mean it wrapped around every hallway. It looked like it would take hours, but the whole thing was surprisingly well organized. We were in and out in under an hour.

Parking is its own adventure. If you’re going Monday through Friday, the public parking facility across from the convention center is reserved for state employees only. That knocked out our first choice completely. My advice? Leave earlier than you think you need to, and have a backup parking plan ready to go.

Some folks swear by parking apps, but we opted to not use those this time. Might change our mind next time. We’ll see though because I heard a lot of folks using apps spent way more than we did…

What the Days Actually Looked Like

Once we had our badges, we spent that first evening just getting the lay of the land. We walked through the convention center, over to the J.W. Marriott where more gaming events were happening, and through the block party.

We also had one of the worst meals of ever that night. We tried some noodles that looked and smelled amazing. They were not amazing. I talked to other people in line who felt the same way. Lesson learned. Don’t judge a food stand by its aromas. Ha!

Thursday was when things really kicked off. We spent the day walking through the exhibit hall, seeing games laid out and set up in person for the first time. That’s something you don’t usually get to do when you’re buying board games online. You just see a box and some photos. Here, you could actually see how a game looked on the table before deciding if you wanted it.

I also discovered there are fitness themed tabletop games. One guy had built workouts around a Dungeons and Dragons style theme, and it got me thinking. I’ve already started building a fitness game with my instructor Rhonda using a deck of cards, and after seeing this, we’re adding a set of dice to the mix too. I’ll share more about that soon in our fitness community for our Movers and Shakers.

Friday and Saturday were more of the same, working our way through the rest of the exhibit hall. I started paying attention to something I’d never noticed before: the artwork. Some of these games have absolutely stunning art on the boards and cards, and I found myself getting genuinely excited just looking at it.

By Sunday, we were done. We checked out early (even though it meant we were still out that night’s hotel fees!) and headed home so I could start recovering. Monday morning, I was back at the gym for Zumba and low impact cardio and toning, because apparently four days on my feet wasn’t enough movement for one week.

The Food Situation (Bring Your Own Next Time)

I’m not going to sugarcoat this. We ate terribly the whole trip, and it cost us a lot more than it should have.

We paid $28 for that first night’s nasty noodles. We paid $40 for two burgers and fries that were honestly some of the worst burgers I’ve ever had. When you get busy running from event to event, grabbing whatever food is closest starts to feel like your only option, even when you know it’s not a great one.

Next year, we’re bringing a cooler. Snacks, drinks, maybe even some simple meals we can pack ahead of time. It’ll save us money and probably a stomachache or two.

I’m not a diet girly and I don’t believe in restriction for the sake of restriction. But there’s a difference between enjoying food and just eating whatever’s fastest because you didn’t plan ahead. Next time, we WILL plan ahead.

More Movement Please!

Gen Con is definitely a walking event. A lot of walking. Between the convention center, the hotel, and everywhere in between, I recorded over 36,000 steps across the four days, and I know that number is low. I forgot to turn on my tracker more than once, including our very first night there.

I hit at least 10,000 steps every single day, and one day I broke 12,000 before I even remembered to check. Add in the stairs at our hotel, which didn’t have an elevator, and my body definitely knew it had been to Gen Con.

This mattered so much to me because a year ago, there’s no way I could have done this trip and enjoyed it the way I did. I would have been in pain the entire time, if I could have handled it at all.

Walking through that convention center, I noticed other attendees struggling. I talked to a few people whose ankles were swollen from all the standing and walking, and it took me right back to being that version of myself. I’ve been there. I know what that feels like.

This time was different because I’ve put in the work. I hydrated like it was my job, because trust me, you go through water fast when you’re walking that much. I wore my Asics the entire trip and tested Dr. Scholl’s sports insoles for a couple of days to see if they made a difference. Honestly, I couldn’t tell much of a difference with the Asics I had, so I saved the insoles for my Zumba shoes instead.

If you’re planning your first Gen Con and you’re not used to being on your feet for long stretches, start building that up now. It’ll change your whole experience.

An Interesting Twist…

After all that debate about board games versus experiences, here’s the kicker. We didn’t buy a single board game the entire trip. Not one. We only played two games total, a Dungeons and Dragons style game and a round of Star Realms.

So if you’re measuring the trip purely by “games purchased” or “games played,” it might sound like a bust. But that’s not where the value actually was for us.

The value was in the people. You can walk up to almost anyone at Gen Con and ask what their favorite game is, and they light up. They want to tell you. If you mention wanting to learn something new, people get excited to teach you instead of getting frustrated explaining the rules. That kind of energy is rare, and it’s contagious.

It also got me and my husband talking about starting a regular board game night closer to home. We already have friends who host game nights once a month, and honestly, that kind of regular connection might scratch the same itch Gen Con does, minus the flight and hotel bill. We’re looking into local game store event calendars now to see what’s out there.

So, Is It Worth $1,000?

For us, yes. But I want to be honest about the whole picture before you decide for yourself.

Remember, we spent closer to $1,400 for a five day trip. That’s a lot of money, and it’s not a decision to make lightly.

What you get for it is an experience unlike anything else. Tens of thousands of people who love the same weird, wonderful hobby you do, all in one place, all excited to share it with you. You get to see games in person before you buy them. You get to watch people demo things you’ve never even heard of. And if you’ve been working on your health like I have, you get proof of just how far you’ve come, one step at a time.

We’re already planning to go back for the 60th anniversary next year, and we’re doing it smarter this time. Better parking plan. Packed food. And honestly, if any gear or wellness brands out there want to sponsor a fitness minded first timer turned repeat attendee, my inbox is open. I’d love to partner with someone who wants to help more people move their bodies, even at a gaming convention.

A Few Quick Tips If You’re Going for the First Time

  • Choose will call over mailed tickets if there’s any chance your mail could be unreliable
  • Check parking restrictions ahead of time
  • Leave earlier than you think you need to each day of the convention
  • Hydrate more than feels necessary. You’ll need it
  • Break in comfortable shoes before you go, and consider insoles if you’re prone to foot pain
  • Budget for food separately from your badge and hotel costs, or better yet, pack some of your own
  • Don’t stress about having a perfect plan. You genuinely cannot fully prepare for your first Gen Con, and that’s okay

Gen Con pushed me physically more than I expected, cost me more than I planned, and gave me more than I bargained for. I’ll take that trade every time.

Onwards and upwards, my friends. Have you worked out today?

How Much Can You Actually Earn Podcasting? (Free Calculator)

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Making Money Podcasting: Real Answers

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How Much Could You Actually Earn on Patreon? (Free Calculator)

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It comes down to two numbers: your price and your people. Multiply your tier price by the number of members in that tier, then add up every tier you offer. A creator with 50 members at $5 and 20 members at $15 is sitting at $550 a month before fees. Punch your own numbers into the calculator above and see where you land. Your real ceiling depends on your niche, how often you show up, and how well you promote what you’re building outside of Patreon itself.

Meet Rhonda Goode, Fitness Instructor in Richmond KY

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Rhonda Goode is the fitness instructor Richmond KY relies on for real talk and real results. Listen to her story across 7 episodes of More Movement Please.

No Excuses. No Fluff. Just Rhonda Goode.

You’ve heard us talk about her. You’ve asked for her. Here she is.

Rhonda Goode is a group fitness instructor in Richmond, Kentucky who has spent 14 years teaching classes people actually show up for. And she didn’t plan a single minute of it. Two instructors quit at the same time, a room full of people needed someone to lead them, and Rhonda stepped up. No five year plan, no perfect moment. Just showing up when it mattered.

She’s since taught “land classes,” aqua classes, and packed out rooms so full the mirrors fogged up. She doesn’t do diet talk. She doesn’t do fluff. She tells you the truth about your workout, your excuses, and what you’re actually capable of, and she does every single rep right alongside you.

Below are all the episodes featuring Rhonda in one place, so you don’t have to go digging. Grab a seat and get ready to be told the truth.

The Instructor Who Will Actually Tell You the Truth About Your Workout

Rhonda Goode is a fitness instructor in Richmond, KY

# 7 – From Food Coma Family Reunions to Breaking the Generational Curse

# 8 – Watching Her Mom Become a Prisoner in Her Own Body

#9 – From Working Out at Night to Becoming a Fitness Instructor | Rhonda’s 21-Day Habit Secret

# 48 – She Never Planned to Teach. Then the Room Filled Up and the Mirrors Fogged Over.

# 49 – 14 Years at the Front of the Room: What a Real Fitness Instructor Actually Sees

# 50 – This Fitness Instructor Can Tell in 60 Seconds If You’re Going to Quit

80 – Stop Commenting on People’s Bodies: Rhonda Goode’s Fitness Class PSA

Tune into all the latest episodes of the More Movement Please podcast:

Who Is Rhonda Goode?

Rhonda Goode is a group fitness instructor in Richmond, KY with 14 years of experience leading classes people come back to again and again. She holds a general group fitness certification and a Silver Sneakers certification, and over the years she’s taught everything from Zumba to aqua fitness to boot camp style classes and more.

Rhonda walked into a gym for the first time in 2011 at 35 years old and just kept showing up. What started as a student turned into an instructor almost by accident, when two of her own instructors quit at the same time and someone needed to lead the class. She got licensed, started teaching a small community class at Eastern Kentucky University, and it grew from there. Word spread fast. She eventually packed out Berea College so completely that the mirrors fogged up from the crowd.

No Shots. No Pills. Just Results.

Rhonda’s style is simple (but NOT easy!). She shows up, she does every move alongside her students, and she doesn’t stand at the front barking orders while everyone else struggles. She’s known for being direct, sometimes blunt, always honest. If you’re new to group fitness, she’ll walk right up and introduce herself and tell you to do what you can. That’s what makes her approach to group fitness for beginners so different. Nobody gets left behind and nobody gets made to feel small.

She’s not about diet culture, quick fixes, or making you feel bad for where you’re starting from. There’s no shortcut she’s selling you. She’s about consistency, strength, and telling the truth even when it stings a little.

Where You Can Find More of Rhonda

Rhonda is our head coach inside our fitness community, where she shows up with workouts, Q&As, and coaching built specifically for people who want a real fitness instructor in their corner, someone who has spent over a decade in the room with real people at every level.

No diet talk. No supplements. No pressure to be anything other than exactly where you are right now.

Join the community here and get Rhonda in your corner for real.

Have YOU worked out today?

I Snuck Off to The Christmas Place Solo and Found My New Bucket List Hotel

A firsthand look at The Incredible Christmas Place store and The Inn at Christmas Place in Pigeon Forge, including history, what’s inside, and why it’s now on my must-stay list.

Confession time. On our recent girls trip to Pigeon Forge, there was a stretch of time where my mom and sister wanted to rest at the hotel, and I, the person who loves Christmas a frankly unreasonable amount, did not want to rest. 

So I left them to sleep, walked across the street, and gave myself a solo Christmas excursion at The Incredible Christmas Place and The Inn at Christmas Place.

It might be one of the best decisions I made on the entire trip.

A Quick Backstory on The Christmas Place

What’s now a massive shopping complex actually started small. The Incredible Christmas Place was founded in 1986 by Hurshel and Marian Biggs, and it began as a modest gift shop right beside Pigeon Forge’s historic Old Mill. Through decades of expansion, that little shop grew into a 43,000-square-foot complex, and it’s now run by the third generation of the same family.

The store has earned some serious recognition along the way, including the “NOEL Retailer of the Year” award, and it’s grown into the largest Christmas retailer in the South. It’s also part of the reason Pigeon Forge has been named one of the most Christmassy towns in America. That’s not a small thing for a town to get known for.

It’s now a multi-store complex along the Parkway, and it’s still run by the same family that started it back in 1986. I love a business that stays in the family that built it.

What’s Actually Inside

Walking in feels like stepping into a different season entirely, no matter what month it actually is outside. Every year, the store decorates around 50 Christmas trees in styles ranging from traditional to whimsical, so you can basically shop by vibe. See a tree you love? You can buy coordinating ornaments, garlands, and decor to recreate that exact look at home.

The store is broken into themed sections with names like Gingerbread Lane, Candy Cane Christmas, and Christmas Cabin, plus a Great Smoky Mountains National Park-themed area that blends cabin-style decor with local touches like bears and rustic ornaments. It felt like a nice nod to the region instead of just generic holiday merchandise dropped into a random building.

If you’ve got kids with you (or if you’re just me, an adult who still loves this stuff), there’s a Santa’s Pen station where you can have ornaments personalized with genuinely beautiful handwriting. Be ready for a line, especially during busier seasons, but it’s the kind of wait that turns into a keepsake.

Santa himself also visits the store, though that’s mainly a seasonal thing rather than a year-round one, so check ahead if meeting him is the whole point of your trip.

Mrs. Claus’ Sweet Shop

After wandering the main store, I made a stop at Mrs. Claus’ candy shop, where they make fresh fudge and candy on-site. I picked up a few treats to bring back to the hotel, and they ended up being most of my dinner that night since my mom and sister were still too full from lunch to eat.

No complaints from me.

Vacation dinner standards are different from regular dinner standards, and candy counts as a meal when you’re on a budget and trying to avoid eating out twice in one day. And, the crew at Mrs. Claus’ Sweet Shop said vacation calories don’t count!

The Inn at Christmas Place: Now Officially on My Bucket List

After the store and the candy shop, I wandered across the Parkway to The Inn at Christmas Place. I didn’t stay here this trip. We were booked at The Inn on the River instead.

But, after walking the lobby and grounds, I’m already planning to come back specifically to stay at this one.

The hotel has Bavarian-inspired architecture, and it fully commits to the Christmas theme.

The lower lobby features a two-story glockenspiel with bronze bells that performs hourly, and there are two separate lobbies, both with their own fireplace, which feels almost excessive in the best way.

From what I’m told, every guest room stays in theme too, decorated with Christmas trees, wreaths, and red velvet-style bedding.

Santa sings and tells holiday stories at the Inn from summer through December, too. So, if a Santa sighting is on your must-do list, plan your visit with that window in mind rather than assuming he’s there in, say, March.

The property went through a major pool renovation a couple of years back. The new outdoor space, called the Winter Wonder Lagoon, was designed and built by Lucas Congdon of the show Insane Pools: Off the Deep End, and it’s apparently the only commercial Lucas Lagoon pool in the country. It’s a seasonal outdoor pool, so it’s not open year-round, but the indoor pool and hot tub run 24/7, 365 days a year if you visit outside of pool season.

Breakfast is included and gets consistently good reviews, with made-to-order omelets alongside classic comfort food. Rooms come stocked with a microwave, fridge, and coffee maker, and I’ll admit I was a little surprised to learn the property also has an on-site fitness center, since gym access was something I specifically struggled with at our actual hotel on this trip. Worth confirming directly with the Inn if a workout space matters to your stay, since amenity details can shift.

One thing worth knowing before you book: the hotel sits directly on the busy Pigeon Forge Parkway, so if you’re looking for a fully quiet retreat, you might hear more road noise than you’d expect, and the pricing runs on the higher end compared to some other options nearby.

For a family trip or a couples getaway where the holiday theme is the whole point, that tradeoff feels worth it. For a totally quiet escape, maybe less so.

Why This Detour Was Worth It

I didn’t plan for the Christmas Place or the Inn to be highlights of this trip. They were a “let me kill an hour or two while everyone else naps” decision. But they ended up being one of the parts of the trip I think about most, and the Inn is now firmly on my list of places I want to actually stay, not just visit for an hour.

If you’re planning a Pigeon Forge trip and you love Christmas even a fraction as much as I do, don’t treat this as a quick stop. Give yourself real time here. And if you can swing it, book a night at the Inn instead of just wandering the lobby like I did. I’ll report back once I actually stay there myself.

Ripley’s in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg: Are the Combo Passes Worth It?

A real look at Ripley’s combo passes in Gatlinburg, what we actually used, what’s still on our list, and whether buying a bigger pack of attraction tickets makes sense for your trip.

Here’s a confession before we get into it: I bought a 12-pass Ripley’s package on our recent girls trip, fully intending for my mom, my sister, and me to hit four different Ripley’s attractions between the three of us. We made it to two.

If you’ve ever overestimated your own vacation energy, you already know exactly how this goes.

But that “failure” turned into useful information, because it turns out the way Ripley’s structures its tickets actually works in your favor even when your plans fall apart.

Here’s what we did, what we learned, and what’s actually worth your money if you’re planning a Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg trip of your own.

What Ripley’s Actually Offers

Ripley’s runs a surprising number of attractions in this area. We’re talking 8 attractions in downtown Gatlinburg plus 2 more in Pigeon Forge and Sevierville, for a total of 10 separate Ripley’s experiences competing for your time and your wallet.

The lineup includes:

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies – This is the big one, and it’s the attraction we used one of our passes on. It features an Ocean Realm, a Tropical Rainforest section, touch tanks where you can feel a stingray or a horseshoe crab, a Shark Lagoon, and a penguin exhibit. There’s also a Glass Bottom Boat Adventure ride. It’s consistently rated as one of the best aquariums in the country, and kids under 2 get in free.

We saw a huge variety of fish, caught a mermaid show, watched a penguin parade, and even got a shark photobombing one of our pictures. Plan on spending a solid 2 to 3 hours here. We could’ve easily stayed longer.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium – This is our second stop, and the one we used our other pass on. It’s a 3-story museum packed with more than 500 exhibits and oddities from all over the world. We spent a couple of hours wandering through it, and there was genuinely more to see than we expected.

Ripley’s Mountain Coaster – We didn’t make it here this trip, but this one’s high on our list for the return visit. It’s a gravity-propelled coaster cart where you control your own speed, so you can take it slow and enjoy the views or fly through the twists and turns if you’re feeling bold. Reviews consistently call this the hidden gem of the Ripley’s lineup, and the recommendation is to ride at twilight for the best experience.

Ripley’s 5D Moving Theater – A motion simulator combined with surround sound and 3D effects that makes you feel like you’re inside the movie. There are multiple film options, so you’re not locked into one experience.

Ripley’s Marvelous Mirror Maze – An LED-lit maze of mirrored rooms with only one path through. If you get stuck, don’t panic. Search parties go out every half hour to help lost guests find their way out. Worth noting, though: this is the one attraction that reviewers consistently say to skip unless you’re getting it for free, since it’s considered a bit overpriced for what you actually get.

Ripley’s Haunted Adventure – A horror-themed walk-through experience that’s regularly bundled into the combo ticket options.

Ripley’s Super Fun Zone – This one houses laser tag, a retro-themed indoor mini golf course, a 10,000-square-foot arcade, and a retail shop for pop culture souvenirs.

Davy Crockett Mini Golf and Old Mac Mini Golf – Two separate 18-hole courses that show up as combo ticket add-ons.

How the Combo Passes Actually Work

This is the part that made my “we only used 2 out of 12 passes” situation way less stressful than it sounds.

Ripley’s sells tiered combo tickets, starting at Aquarium plus 2 attractions and scaling up to an “Extreme Fun Pass” that covers the Aquarium, Haunted Adventure, Mirror Maze, Incredibly Strange, Mini Golf, and the Moving Theatre. There are also mid-tier options for Aquarium plus 3 or Aquarium plus 4 attractions, which is the tier we bought.

Here’s the part that saved our trip from feeling like a waste of money: combo tickets are valid for a full year from the date of purchase. You do not have to use them all on the same trip. You can do 2 attractions now and save the rest for later, which is exactly what we ended up doing without even planning for it.

Since my mom and sister won’t be making it back to Pigeon Forge before our passes expire, my husband and I are heading back to use the remaining 6 passes between us on 3 more attractions. We’ll be staying at a Red Roof this time, since it’s one of the few dog-friendly options in the area that doesn’t charge a small fortune for bringing our pups along.

Was the 4-Pack Combo Worth It?

Honestly? Yes, even with only using half of it on this particular trip. The math still works out in our favor because we’re not starting from zero on the return trip. We already know two of our four attractions are locked in, and we get a full year to use the rest.

If I’m being real about what I’d tell a friend planning their own trip, here’s the advice that’s floating around from people who’ve used these passes more strategically than we did: buy a combo ticket that bundles the Aquarium with 2 to 3 attractions instead of going all the way up to 6 or 8. The temptation to add “just one more for $5” is real, but it leads to buying tickets to attractions you don’t actually care about, and then feeling pressured to rush through everything just to get your money’s worth.

A few other money-saving notes worth keeping in your back pocket:

Parking downtown runs $15 to $20 a day. We paid $20 for our day in Gatlinburg. If you want to save that cash, park once near the Aquarium or use the McMahan Parkway Garage (around $10), or skip parking altogether and use the free Gatlinburg trolley system.

Ask about discounts. Military, AAA, and AARP discounts exist but aren’t always advertised upfront, so it doesn’t hurt to ask when you’re buying tickets.

Buy combo tickets online before you go. Booking online ahead of time can save you a meaningful amount per person compared to walking up and buying individually, plus you skip the line.

What’s Next for Us

Our return trip is going to focus on the Mountain Coaster, the 5D Moving Theater, and probably the Super Fun Zone, since laser tag and mini golf sound like a solid way to spend an afternoon with my husband. We’re skipping the Mirror Maze based on what we’ve read, unless it ends up bundled in for free.

If you’ve got Ripley’s passes sitting around from a trip that didn’t go quite as planned, don’t sweat it. Use what you can, hang onto the rest, and go back when it makes sense. That’s the whole plan over here.

Our First Mother-Daughter Trip to Pigeon Forge (And What I’d Do Differently)

A real recap of our first girls trip to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, including hotel swaps, budget hacks, a gambling realization at a gem mine, and what we’d change next time.

My mom had never been on a vacation before. Not a real one. Not one where the point was just to relax and have fun with no work attached. So when Mother’s Day rolled around this year, my sister and I decided our gift to her wasn’t going to be flowers or a candle. We pooled our money and made her take a trip with us instead.

We landed on a 4 day, 3 night girls weekend in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. What followed was equal parts hilarious, chaotic, and exactly the kind of trip that makes you laugh about it for months afterward. Here’s how it actually went, mistakes and all.

The Plan Changed Before We Even Left

Originally we had this whole multi-city itinerary mapped out. Night one in Nashville, night two in Knoxville, and then finally landing in Pigeon Forge for night three. Very ambitious. Very road trip energy.

Then my mom, a little later than would’ve been helpful, mentioned she only wanted to go to Pigeon Forge. No hotel hopping. No multiple cities. Just one place to unpack and stay put.

So we scrapped the original plan and stayed in Pigeon Forge the entire four days. Honestly? It ended up being the right call. Both my mom and my sister were wiped out for most of each day, and trying to also pack and move hotels on top of that would’ve turned a relaxing trip into a stressful one.

Sometimes the change you didn’t plan for is the change you needed.

Two Hotels, Two Totally Different Experiences

We split our stay between two hotels, and the contrast taught me a lot about what actually matters when you’re booking a place to stay.

Night one: Hilton Garden Inn (2481 Teaster Lane, Pigeon Forge)

This hotel was genuinely lovely. Spacious room, very clean, a nice pool, and a gym that I absolutely used and loved. The catch? It ran us $250 for one night and didn’t even include breakfast. That’s a steep price tag for a single night, breakfast or not.

Nights two and three: The Inn on the River (2492 Parkway, Pigeon Forge)

Two nights here totaled roughly $200 a night, a noticeably better deal than the Hilton. The room was smaller, and there was no gym (though they did offer to reimburse me if I wanted to use one nearby, an offer that came a little too late since it had already closed for the day). But breakfast was included, and the patio next to the river and balcony overlooking it became one of our favorite parts of the whole stay at The Inn on the River.

We watched ducks from the balcony more than once. You could even buy duck food and feed them right from the breakfast area patio.

If I’m being honest, the lesson here isn’t “always pick the cheaper hotel.” It’s “figure out what you actually care about before you book.” 

We cared about breakfast being included and having a calm spot to decompress.

We didn’t care as much about square footage. Once I knew that, the second hotel was clearly the better fit, even with the smaller room and missing gym. Luckily, I did a lot of walking outside of the hotel anyway.

Day 1: Arrival, Taco Salads, and a Tabata Class in a Hotel Gym

We rolled into Pigeon Forge and got to the hotel around 4 PM. My mom and sister were ready to just chill, so I took that as my cue to make a super early bird dinner happen without anyone leaving the room.

I made taco salads for all three of us using groceries I’d bought specifically for the trip. I’d seen similar salads going for almost $40 for three servings out at restaurants nearby. Mine cost less than half that and tasted just as good, if not better.

After dinner, my sister passed out almost instantly. My mom and I went down to the pool to relax for a bit, and then I snuck off to the hotel gym for a Tabata class I’d found online and recorded a podcast episode while I was at it.

Then, it was back to the room for movies with my mom until we both crashed.

Day 2: The Hotel Switch, a Wine and Cider Crawl, and Our First Ripley’s Stop

I started the morning with a stretch class, then knocked out email follow-ups with my clients before breakfast. My mom and sister had breakfast bars. I made oatmeal I’d brought from home, stirred in some craisins, and ate it on the balcony looking out at the Smoky Mountains.

Not a bad way to start a day.

We checked out and drove to Gatlinburg to wander around. This is where I made the decision that’s going to need its own article: I bought a 4-pack Ripley’s combo pass for each of us, with the plan being we’d hit a couple of mini golf attractions, the Believe It or Not Museum, and the Aquarium to make full use of those passes.

That plan did not survive contact with reality, but more on that in a separate post about the Ripley’s attractions themselves.

Math wise it made sense to me considering it was about $30 for a ticket to the museum and another $43 for the aquarium, and the cost of the 4-ticket package was about $65 per person.

Parking ran us $20 for the day. We wandered into a wine shop for some samples, then a cider shop for more samples, and eventually made our way to the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum, where we spent a couple of hours.

By the time we left, we were starving.

I’d brought ingredients to make chicken wraps in the car, but my mom and sister wanted to wait until we got to the hotel.

We stopped at a Publix to buy some tea, which somehow turned into my mom and sister deciding to grab Publix subs instead. 

I stuck to my chicken wrap plan to stay on budget. My mom’s eyes turned out to be bigger than her stomach, though, because she couldn’t finish her sandwich and handed half of it over to me. Free lunch upgrade, not complaining.

The Shop With the Bears, the Southern Girl Shirts, and My Christmas Detour

Our hotel room wasn’t ready yet, so we killed an hour at a nearby novelty shop. This place had a live bear viewing area we skipped (more on why gambling-adjacent attractions like that gave me pause in the Ripley’s article), but the shopping itself was a trip. 

My mom and sister gravitated toward Southern Girl shirts and novelty gifts, while I made a beeline for the top floor, which was, somewhat randomly, full of Christmas decorations. I love Christmas enough that I genuinely could’ve spent the whole hour up there alone.

By about 4:30 we finally checked into The Inn on the River. My mom and sister wanted to rest. I did not.

So I took myself on a solo adventure to the Christmas Place shop, grabbed treats at Mrs. Claus’ Sweet Shop, and wandered around the grounds of The Inn at Christmas Place.

That hotel is now officially on my bucket list of places to stay, and I’ve got a whole separate post coming about why.

When I got back, my mom and sister still weren’t hungry from lunch, so dinner that night was whatever I’d brought with me plus the free popcorn and cookies the hotel had out.

Staying on budget meant skipping eating out whenever I could, and that night was a perfect example of making it work.

Like I said…the one downside of this hotel was that it had no gym or space to work out in the room. The Inn did offer to comp a nearby gym, but by the time I found that out, it had already closed.

Lesson learned for next time: ask about gym access and hours the second you check in, not hours later.

We finished the night by watching movies again before crashing for bed.

Day 3: Mermaids, Sharks, and a Hard Pass on Gem Mining

The Inn on the River’s included breakfast turned out to be one of its best features. We ate a pretty decent meal, and I even got a partial stretch session in beforehand, though the lack of space meant I couldn’t do my full routine.

After breakfast we headed to the patio to feed the ducks, then piled in the car for the Ripley’s Aquarium…to spend another $15 on parking…

The aquarium delivered. We saw a huge range of fish species, caught a mermaid show, watched a penguin parade, and got an unexpected shark photobomb in one of our pictures. Lots of laughing, lots to look at. Genuinely one of the highlights of the trip.

Lunch plans fell apart fast when the sticker shock at our first restaurant choice sent us running. Instead, we grabbed a few more wine samples around town and figured we’d regroup back at the hotel.

On the way, we ended up back at the bear and Christmas shop because my sister wanted one of those Southern Girl shirts after all.

I’d been eyeing a gem mining activity, but the price for what you actually get felt off, and the more I thought about it, the more it bothered me.

You pay for a bucket that’s already been filled by the company, for the chance of finding something worth the cost. No guarantee. That’s not really a souvenir purchase. That’s gambling with extra steps. I skipped it.

Back at the hotel, my mom and I watched the ducks from the balcony, then we all got dressed for dinner. We landed on Texas Roadhouse, the one place everyone could agree on, and used a 10% off coupon one of the hotels had given us. 

Then it was back to the room for, you guessed it, more movies before bed.

Day 4: Dollywood Cinnamon Bread Without the Park Ticket

We went straight from waking up to breakfast, checked out, and headed to the Dollywood resorts. I’d been craving that famous Dollywood cinnamon bread and found out you can buy a loaf at the resort gift shops without ever buying a park ticket. 

We grabbed a loaf, and it did not disappoint. I brought the leftovers home and turned them into French toast the next day, which might have been even better than the bread itself.

We spent a couple hours wandering the two Dollywood resorts and their gift shops before hitting the road back to Richmond, Kentucky.

We skipped lunch entirely. I snacked from my bag in the car, and once we got home, I made a quick dinner for my husband and me and called it a trip.

What I’d Do Differently Next Time

A few honest takeaways…the kind I wish someone had told me before we left:

Decide on a single home base before you book anything. Our multi-city plan looked great on paper, but neither my mom nor my sister had the energy for it once we were actually there. If you’re traveling with people who aren’t used to hotel and city-hopping, build in more stillness than you think you need.

Bring your own food, but read the room. My chicken wraps and taco salads saved real money, but not everyone in your group is going to want to eat the same way you do. That’s fine. Let people make their own calls without making it a thing.

Ask about hotel amenities the moment you check in, not later because you could miss out on something. I missed a free gym session simply because I didn’t ask the right question at the right time.

Skip the gambling-disguised-as-novelty activities. Gem mining buckets, claw machines stuffed with cheap prizes, anything where you’re paying for a chance rather than a guaranteed outcome. Save that money for something with an actual return.

One unexpected attraction can be worth the whole detour. I didn’t plan for the Christmas Place or the Inn at Christmas Place to be highlights of this trip, but they ended up being some of my favorite parts. Leave room in your itinerary for the thing you didn’t know you wanted to see.

And the Ripley’s passes? We bought a 12-pass package expecting to hit four attractions between the three of us. We only made it to two. The good news: those passes are valid for a full year. We’ve got 6 left, and since my mom and sister won’t be making it back before they expire, my husband and I are planning a return trip to use them on 3 more Ripley’s attractions. We’ll likely stay at the Red Roof this time since it’s dog-friendly and doesn’t charge a fortune for bringing our pups along.

More on that trip, and a full breakdown of which Ripley’s attractions are actually worth your pass, coming soon.

My First Time in Helen Georgia: A Bavarian Village in the Blue Ridge Mountains

My First Time in Helen Georgia_ A Bavarian Village in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Helen, Georgia is a charming Bavarian-themed town in north Georgia. Here’s what to know before you go, including the best days of the week to visit.

What is Helen, Georgia?

If you’ve never been to Helen, Georgia, you’re in for a treat. Or a head-scratcher. Possibly both.

Helen is a small mountain town in White County, Georgia, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains along the Chattahoochee River. In the late 1960s, the town transformed itself into a replica Bavarian alpine village. Every building downtown was redesigned to look like it belonged in southern Germany. Half-timbered facades, painted trim, flower boxes, and cobblestone-style streets. The whole nine yards.

It’s a tourist town through and through. But it leans into the theme so hard that it kind of works. There’s an annual Oktoberfest celebration that draws huge crowds. The shops sell German-inspired everything. Restaurants serve schnitzel and bratwurst alongside Southern comfort food.

Check out the official Helen Georgia visitor site for the latest info.

Know Before You Go

Some things I really wish I’d known before our trip:

  • Most shops are closed Monday and Tuesday (we learned this the hard way)
  • The best days to visit are Thursday through Sunday
  • The Hofbrauhaus restaurant is a must-visit for German food
  • The Glass Blowing Shop has stunning works of art and is open most days
  • Betty’s Country Store is a touristified grocery store worth checking out
  • Parking can be tight on busy weekends, and pretty much every lot charges to park
  • The Christmas shop doesn’t open until after Memorial Day
  • The Chattahoochee River runs right through town and is popular for tubing
  • Helen is only about 90 minutes north of Atlanta
  • Anna Ruby Falls is just a short drive away and worth pairing with a Helen visit
  • The town is walkable once you park
  • Many shops have outdoor flower displays and photo-worthy storefronts
  • Dogs are welcome on most streets and patios

How We Got to Helen

Jeremy and I rolled into Helen on Monday, May 4th after a full day of hiking Tallulah Gorge and Anna Ruby Falls. We checked into the Riverbend Hotel, dropped our stuff, and headed out to find dinner before walking the town.

Our timing was, in hindsight, terrible. We had two days in Helen, Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning. That’s the absolute worst window for visiting because most of the shops are closed both of those days.

I’m putting this in bold letters for anyone reading: visit Helen Thursday through Sunday. Just trust me on this.

Dinner at Hofbrauhaus Restaurant

The first night, we had dinner at the Hofbrauhaus Restaurant, which sits right along the Chattahoochee River. This place has been a Helen landmark for decades, and it shows in the decor and the menu. Long wooden tables, German-themed everything, and a menu full of authentic Bavarian dishes.

Our waitress was a young woman named Maddie, and she was an absolute delight. Friendly, attentive, and full of recommendations.

My full review of the joint is coming soon, but bottom line: we loved it! 

The Hofbrauhaus has its own website where you can check out the menu and hours: hofbrauhaushelenga.net.

The Riverbend Hotel

We stayed at the Riverbend Hotel in Helen. It was a comfortable spot with a pretty decent breakfast included for guests. Nothing fancy, but everything we needed after a long day of hiking and exploring.

The hotel sits along the river, which is a nice touch. You can hear the water flowing from your room if your window faces the right direction.

What Was Closed (and It Was a Lot)

This is the part of our Helen visit that I want to flag for anyone planning a trip. So much was closed.

The wine tasting room was closed.

The Christmas shop was closed (and apparently doesn’t open at all until after Memorial Day, so that one was a double whammy).

The candy shop we wanted to check out was closed.

Several other shops we walked past had signs saying they’d be back Thursday or Friday. Sigh…

We wandered the streets and peeked in windows at all these adorable little stores we couldn’t actually shop at. It was equal parts charming and frustrating.

What WAS Open

The Glass Blowing Shop was seriously a bright spot. They had some of the most beautiful pieces with shapes and styles that were absolutely mesmerizing. We didn’t buy anything, but I wanted to. The shop had everything from small pendants to large decorative pieces.

Betty’s Country Store was the other place we made sure to visit. It’s a regular grocery store on the surface, but it’s been touristified with souvenirs, local snacks, and Helen merchandise. We stopped in specifically because Jeremy’s late mother was named Betty. It felt like a small way to honor her memory by walking through a store that bore her name.

A handful of restaurants were open. The Hofbrauhaus, of course. A couple of other places along the main street. So you can definitely eat in Helen on a Monday or Tuesday, even if you can’t shop.

Walking Around Helen

Even with the shops closed, walking the streets of Helen was enjoyable. The Bavarian-style architecture is genuinely charming. Every building has those half-timbered facades and painted accents that make you feel like you’ve stepped into a German village.

We walked at least a mile through town, possibly more. We took pictures of the bridges, the river, the storefronts. We enjoyed seeing a guy fishing in the river too.

Tubing the Chattahoochee is a hugely popular activity in Helen, especially in summer. We didn’t have time for it on this trip, but it’s something I’d like to do on my next visit.

Breakfast at the Hotel

Tuesday morning, we ate breakfast at the Riverbend Hotel. They had a proper breakfast spread for guests, which was a nice perk. We did our stretch class, ate some yummy food (and even grabbed some snacks from their bar for the road), packed up, and then headed back out for one more walk through Helen before getting on the road home.

The morning light in Helen is really pretty. The town wakes up slowly, the streets are quiet, and you can take all the pictures you want without dodging crowds. If you do visit on a quieter day like we did, the morning hours are when the town shines.

What I’d Do Differently

If I could redo our Helen visit, here’s what I’d change:

– I’d visit Thursday through Sunday so everything would be open. This is the single biggest change I’d make.

– I’d plan time for Anna Ruby Falls and possibly a hike or two in nearby Unicoi State Park. There’s a lot of natural beauty in this area that gets overlooked because the town itself is so attention-grabbing.

– I’d try Bodensee Restaurant or Muller’s Famous Cafe for variety, even though Hofbrauhaus was great.

– I’d plan a day of tubing if the weather was warm enough.

– I’d visit Hofer’s Bakery in the morning for German pastries.

– I’d check out Nora Mill Granary, a working grist mill where you can buy fresh-ground grits and other Southern staples.

Why It’s Worth the Visit

Helen is one of those quirky destinations that you either love or find a little overdone. I fell on the love side, even with the shops being closed.

The Bavarian theme is so committed and so well-executed that it stops being kitschy and becomes its own thing. The food is excellent (at least at Hofbrauhaus). The setting along the river and in the mountains is genuinely beautiful. And the people we met were friendly and welcoming.

It’s the kind of place you visit once and then keep wanting to come back to during different seasons. Christmas in Helen is supposed to be magical. Oktoberfest is legendary. Spring brings out flowers everywhere. Summer is tubing season.

A Note About Oktoberfest

Helen’s Oktoberfest is one of the longest-running in the country. It typically runs from early September through early November. The town gets packed with visitors, live polka music plays everywhere, and the German beer flows freely.

I haven’t been to Helen during Oktoberfest yet, but it’s now officially on my list. If you’re a fan of German food, beer, and celebration, plan a fall trip.

Final Thoughts on Helen, Georgia

Helen is a delightful little surprise tucked into the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s not a place you stumble into. You have to actively choose to drive there. But once you do, you’re rewarded with a unique town that doesn’t really exist anywhere else in the South.

Just please, for the love of all things German, visit Thursday through Sunday. Or even just Friday to Sunday if you want the full experience.

We had a wonderful time despite our timing miss. The Hofbrauhaus dinner alone was worth the trip. Maddie’s hospitality made it better. And the chance to walk a Bavarian village without leaving the United States is something everyone should experience at least once.

I’m already planning my return trip to Helen. Thursday through Sunday this time. Promise.