Search found 12 matches

by Hankscorpio_84
Thu May 18, 2023 7:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1413665

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

My question is how do the various point systems compare in terms of return for non-optimizers? Has anyone ever done any comparison with the cash back returns? Is this what you mean? https://thepointsguy.com/guide/monthly-valuations/ AH! If I'm understanding that right, it looks like one is lucky to get the equivalent of 2% cash back equivalent. So I'm winning by staying with my current lazy plan. Thanks! There are ways to earn more than just 2.625% you get from bank of America preferred rewards. All depends how much effort you want to put into it which doesn't sound like a lot. I like the chase system because all my points are 1.5 cents each when I apply them for travel, something we do often. That is if you have the chase sapphire reserve...
by Hankscorpio_84
Wed Mar 01, 2023 8:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Off-Brand Car Rental
Replies: 37
Views: 2874

Re: Off-Brand Car Rental

I've heard sixt is good. I have used fox in Denver without any problems. Worst experience I've had was with Avis in San Diego, and their customer service after the fact was atrocious.
by Hankscorpio_84
Wed Mar 01, 2023 1:05 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Snow Birding For Young Family
Replies: 30
Views: 4548

Re: Snow Birding For Young Family

We did something very similar recently. We flew to Hawaii with first child at 2 months old. Split 2 br condo with family members. We're able to book seats together to have the entire row. In your case I think driving is the right call. Familiar vehicle, baby seats, etc is worth it. I used VRBO to book condo in July for our January stay. Vrbo had a more forgiving cancelation policy than airbnb which was worth the slightly higher price for the condo, considering all of the unknowns with a baby on the way. Iirc it was 90% refund 1 month before stay, and 50% within 2 weeks. Most places offered some kind of discount for longer stays, but it was dependent on condo bylaws and short term rental rules in HI. Between CA and AZ I'm sure you will find ...
by Hankscorpio_84
Tue Aug 23, 2022 1:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Snowbird Condo Search
Replies: 6
Views: 1718

Re: Snowbird Condo Search

First thing, when you say southern location, you mean USA? Recently booked a month long stay in Hawaii condo, but searched throughout AZ, SoCal for similar situations on VRBO and airbnb. Most units were cross listed on both platforms, but I used VRBO due to a more favorable cancellation policy. Found airbnb's "flexible" search feature to be helpful for flexible date ranges - instead of entering specific dates you can search for a month stay in February. Found that staying for greater than 28 days in one location usually resulted in a significant discount. Makes sense as the landlord will be dealing with less vacancy, cleaning expenses, etc. As far as timing, I just booked a trip for January and was seeing units that met my search ...
by Hankscorpio_84
Fri Mar 04, 2022 12:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Best Low Cost of Living Cities?
Replies: 64
Views: 6875

Re: Best Low Cost of Living Cities?

More info such as her employment status, desire to rent vs. buy, and general hobbies/preferences would help the community give better suggestions.

I understand the OP is not asking about retirement, but marketwatch has a free online tool that evaluates different locations in the US. It has a surprising amount of inputs and seems to produce meaningful results.

https://www.marketwatch.com/graphics/be ... to-retire/
by Hankscorpio_84
Wed Mar 15, 2017 11:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone use coupon apps?
Replies: 22
Views: 3661

Re: Anyone use coupon apps?

I used Ibotta long enough to get $20 back and then quit. The app is definitely designed to get you to try new products, or buy premium products that you wouldn't normally buy. For a frugal shopper most trips to the store only resulted in a $.25 or $.50 reward, making the process more of a hassle than its worth.

I prefer the store app (mine is Safeway). It gives really good discounts on items you buy, plus lots of bonuses, like $10 off when you spend $50, or extra fuel rewards for certain purchases.
by Hankscorpio_84
Mon Mar 06, 2017 1:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7638
Views: 1712855

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

I am listening to "Debt: The First 5000 Years" by David Graeber on audiobook. The first 5 chapters are kind of like financial anthropology. It is quite interesting, but also very in depth, not sure I could sit down long enough to read a hard copy.
by Hankscorpio_84
Sat Mar 04, 2017 11:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Programable thermostat for gas water heater?
Replies: 19
Views: 2233

Re: Programable thermostat for gas water heater?

One issue is that large swings in hot water temperature are a scalding risk. You adjust the taps expecting warm water and hot water comes out. More of a problem with small children or the elderly but annoying in any case. Plumbing codes usually frown on this type of thing and would probably require installation of an automatic mixing valve to get a more constant temperature. A second issue is this would only reduce standby losses, which are quite small. By my calculations a 10 degree C setback for 23 hours a day would save something like 3 cents a day. Probably about the same as skipping a shower once a month. Today I learned that some shower faucet handles can be "governed" to prevent scalding. I was ready to take a shower and c...
by Hankscorpio_84
Thu Mar 02, 2017 2:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Replace gas water heater with electric?
Replies: 40
Views: 18363

Re: Replace gas water heater with electric?

I would suggest doing more reading if you are seriously considering the tankless. Most that I am familiar with have small tubes as a part of the heat exchange system. These small tubes can be easily clogged and require more cleaning (like annually, more if you have hard water) than a traditional tank style heater. Here is a site that has more information on water heaters than you can dream of, but is fairly well organized to find what you need to know: http://www.waterheaterrescue.com/Longevity/water-heater-basics.html In my opinion, simplicity if your best friend. The electric costs less up front and is easiest to install, but costs more per month to use (a factor that you have control over by how much water you use). Gas units are technic...
by Hankscorpio_84
Fri Feb 24, 2017 4:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1413665

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

I recently started using a site/app called birch finance to view/manage cc rewards. It is similar to mint but focuses on maximizing rewards. I am not affiliated, just found the interface helpful. Tell us more, what is good about it? Clean and ituitive design. Adding cards was a breeze. It categorizes transactions and calculates rewards so you can see what card you should be using for a given transaction. Yes, most monthly statements also do this, but I like the convenience of having all the info in one place. There are options for notifications and emails, which are easy to turn off if you don't want them. The biggest improvement would be to have a bonus tracking feature that would let you know when you hit a spend limit and keep track of ...
by Hankscorpio_84
Fri Feb 24, 2017 10:29 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1413665

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

I recently started using a site/app called birch finance to view/manage cc rewards. It is similar to mint but focuses on maximizing rewards.

I am not affiliated, just found the interface helpful.
by Hankscorpio_84
Thu Feb 23, 2017 6:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tell me about Alaska
Replies: 63
Views: 12112

Re: Tell me about Alaska

Lifelong Alaskan here, finally a topic I feel qualified to contribute to :D There are great options for scenery and fun in, and every which way outside of Anchorage. The museum in downtown has some amazing native artifacts and displays. There are miles of paved bike trails, the highlight being the coastal trail, best accessed from downtown or near the airport. Coho will be showing up in Ship Creek, which is right downtown. From Anc you can ride the tram in Girdwood, visit the animal sanctuary and glacier visitor center in Portage, or go down to Seward. Nice town with opportunities to hike on a glacier or go on a wildlife tour. Locally, there is great scenery and hiking at the Eagle River nature center, Eklutna Lake state park, or Hatcher Pa...