Sure you can buy up to EXP. Buy cheap tickets and fly the miles. Or buy expensive tickets and fly less miles. The only reasonable ways are to get your butt into a seat and fly. The fact that you can choose your destination (and somewhat your price) makes it a bit easier.

Right now I can get 20,000 miles for under $1,000 (maybe as low as $640) and three or four days out of my life. Surely, sometime between now and 12/31 you can do something similar (and enjoy it) if you have the will.

I'd definetly wait until the kids go back to school, and I'd definetly NOT wait until the holidays to start thinking about it.

See also the Mileage Run forum here.