Search found 889 matches
- Tue Dec 12, 2017 7:23 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: best cashback credit card ?
- Replies: 48
- Views: 4929
Re: best cashback credit card ?
I dropped mine when earlier this year when the fee went to $95 (and announced that gift card purchases would no longer be rewarded). I believe they still waive the fee the first year. I switched to the no fee everyday version of the card as grocery purchases without any purchases of discounted gift...
- Mon Nov 20, 2017 5:04 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Tipping in living wage state. Redux.
- Replies: 118
- Views: 7614
Re: Tipping in living wage state. Redux.
It feels like every few months we get another thread on tipping.
- Thu Nov 16, 2017 9:00 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How unwise is it to move to a high-tax fiscally-shaky state? (Connecticut)
- Replies: 50
- Views: 4252
Re: How unwise is it to move to a high-tax fiscally-shaky state? (Connecticut)
I am in the opposite situation as the OP. There will be a different latitude in my retirement. Texas is high in the list of places to move. Being a lifelong CT resident, I cannot fathom why someone would want to move here. VHCOL, massive state and municipal fiscal problems (which are exacerbated by...
- Tue Nov 07, 2017 12:38 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Disposable income... how?
- Replies: 106
- Views: 10945
Re: Disposable income... how?
I have nothing to add that's not already better said. But go ahead and have that craft beer or 2. It is not going to blow your budget. Enjoy a good cold one here and there!
Cheers!
Cheers!

- Fri Nov 03, 2017 1:28 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Southwest Companion Pass [California only]
- Replies: 58
- Views: 5550
Re: Southwest Companion Pass [California only]
Confused again.... It says the promotional companion pass is valid until December 31 2018. Why would one assume that doing your first purchase in Jan would give you access through 2019? I think because the "regular" Companion Pass could potentially give you 2 year if you time it right. Getting the ...
- Thu Nov 02, 2017 4:38 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Southwest Companion Pass [California only]
- Replies: 58
- Views: 5550
Re: Southwest Companion Pass [California only]
Okay, so in summary: 1) Once you acquire card, make one purchase now to get companion pass through Dec 31 2018. 2) Spend $1000 in January 2018 so that the 40k points post at that time. 3) Earn another 70k points in 2018 (perhaps by applying for a Southwest business card to net another 60k points af...
- Thu Nov 02, 2017 11:58 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Southwest Companion Pass [California only]
- Replies: 58
- Views: 5550
Re: Southwest Companion Pass [California only]
This is too juicy of a deal to pass up. I currently have two other credit cards; a Citi Double Cash Mastercard and a BofA Cash Rewards card. I'm thinking of canceling the BofA card. Would it be better to do this first before applying for the Southwest card? If you have decent credit and only have 2...
- Tue Oct 31, 2017 6:23 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
- Replies: 2544
- Views: 477749
Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
For California residents to get a companion pass after making only 1 purchase... https://creditcards.chase.com/a1/southwest/PlusCali?CELL=6G9Z&clk=HOMEPROMO2_CHASECPMEM171019 the offer details state: Only the individual who received this email/offer from Southwest Airlines® is eligible for this pro...
- Thu Oct 26, 2017 4:48 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Amazon Prime customers can now give Amazon access to their home
- Replies: 53
- Views: 5166
Re: Amazon Prime customers can now give Amazon access to their home
You are being watched. The government Amazon has a secret system: A machine that spies on you every hour of every day I know because I built it I designed the machine to detect acts of terror, But it sees everything Violent crimes involving ordinary people, people like you. Crimes the government Am...
- Thu Oct 19, 2017 4:11 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
- Replies: 2544
- Views: 477749
Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
For California residents to get a companion pass after making only 1 purchase... https://creditcards.chase.com/a1/southwest/PlusCali?CELL=6G9Z&clk=HOMEPROMO2_CHASECPMEM171019 the offer details state: Only the individual who received this email/offer from Southwest Airlines® is eligible for this prom...
- Tue Oct 17, 2017 11:14 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Trash dumped on curb (need advice)
- Replies: 60
- Views: 6958
Re: Trash dumped on curb (need advice)
Already mentioned but contact the code enforcement department of your city. I was in a similar situation last year. My tenant had a bulk pick up but he had way too much stuff out. The garbage company refused to pick it up and people rummaged through the pile. There was trash and stuff everywhere. So...
- Fri Oct 13, 2017 7:25 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
- Replies: 2544
- Views: 477749
Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
So you guys are closing your accounts after receiving the bonus to avoid the annual fee? Yes since you only get the big bonuses by signing up for new accounts. I'm plan to keep open my Chase Reserve, United Explorer, and Amex Blue Cash Preferred since I think I get enough benefits out of them to ju...
- Tue Oct 03, 2017 10:55 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Update (again): Amazon "Cyber Monday Deal": Instant Pot 6-qt $74.99 (Cyber Monday-Nov 27)
- Replies: 36
- Views: 4634
Re: Amazon "Deal of the Day": Instant Pot 6-qt $69.99 (Mon, Oct 2)
Darn, I was hoping to get one for a friend. I missed out on a great price...
- Fri Sep 15, 2017 2:33 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Another bay area housing thread..
- Replies: 143
- Views: 15576
Re: Another bay area housing thread..
Last November, I bought a place (1,800 sq ft, 3b/2ba) for $500k in Hayward. I work in the financial services industry but only in the back office so I don't make the big bucks. If I can make it work as a 29 year old, many of you can too. The price to live in the Bay Area is great. I think it is wort...
- Wed Sep 13, 2017 12:02 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Is it really Worth it to brown bag your lunch at work?
- Replies: 313
- Views: 21418
- Fri Aug 25, 2017 10:16 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Experience finding gas pump card skimmer?
- Replies: 46
- Views: 4906
Re: Experience finding gas pump card skimmer?
I look and shake the card reader but not saw anything out of norm. My cards have not been skimmed yet either.
- Thu Aug 17, 2017 6:03 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Another bay area housing thread..
- Replies: 143
- Views: 15576
Re: Another bay area housing thread..
I'll tell when it closes. More than three days after closing, I hope..... What's the significance of 3 days? Apparently, the buyer still has three days after close of escrow to cancel the sale. States may vary, but just in case the buyer is looking here... =) https://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/does...
- Fri Aug 11, 2017 4:25 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Bough gift cards from cash card.com and somebody else used them all
- Replies: 25
- Views: 3320
- Fri Aug 04, 2017 5:40 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Thanks for Mobile Passport App
- Replies: 20
- Views: 1976
Re: Thanks for Mobile Passport App
I seen posters for it all SFO airport . I didn't look into it since I have Global Entry.
- Fri Aug 04, 2017 1:29 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Creating Multiple Streams of Income
- Replies: 12
- Views: 2380
Re: Creating Multiple Streams of Income
For those of you who have created multiple streams of income, what do you do? I think it would be interesting to see what others are doing to make money, aside from his or her full-time job. I'll start... - Selling medical supplies online - Trading cryptocurrencies (bitcoin, litecoin and ethereum) ...
- Fri Aug 04, 2017 12:24 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
- Replies: 2544
- Views: 477749
Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Anyone else notice the Hyatt card changed? It used to be 2 free nights at any property worldwide now it's just 40K points.. :confused Yes. I got the card for the 2 free nights thinking I will use it a fancy hotel. With the 40k points, perhaps I will book a cheaper hotel and have more nights instead...
- Mon Jul 24, 2017 6:02 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Capital One $400 bonus for new checking account
- Replies: 108
- Views: 18099
Re: Capital One $400 bonus for new checking account
Trying $500 bonus ($300 Checking/$200 MM) for both me and my gf w/ DD from Goldman Savings. Seems to have worked for some. Not in target area and never been a Capital One customer. Will post back w/ results. Is there a link for the Goldman deal? I should have clarified...opened Checking/Savings w/ ...
- Mon Jul 24, 2017 4:13 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Capital One $400 bonus for new checking account
- Replies: 108
- Views: 18099
Re: Capital One $400 bonus for new checking account
ny_knicks wrote:Trying $500 bonus ($300 Checking/$200 MM) for both me and my gf w/ DD from Goldman Savings. Seems to have worked for some. Not in target area and never been a Capital One customer. Will post back w/ results.
Is there a link for the Goldman deal?
- Mon Jul 17, 2017 1:08 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Teeth Whitening
- Replies: 21
- Views: 3459
Re: Teeth Whitening
I applied Crest White Stripes last night. I have some teeth sensitivity right now.
- Thu Jul 13, 2017 2:32 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: My first poor Ally Bank experience
- Replies: 25
- Views: 6108
Re: My first poor Ally Bank experience
Thanks for sharing your experience. I haven't had any negative experiences with Ally yet.
- Wed Jun 14, 2017 4:57 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Do You Take Your Credit Card Receipts?
- Replies: 85
- Views: 8385
Re: Do You Take Your Credit Card Receipts?
Only for places with tipping. Found errors on those receipts all the time.
- Tue Jun 06, 2017 3:10 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What do you guys do on the side?
- Replies: 165
- Views: 26584
Re: What do you guys do on the side?
I sell discounted gift cards in bulk on the side. I've made about $19k after expenses (building a website, loss on bad cards, etc.) and have sold about $1.2 million in the last 6 months. It's not something that's easy to start up though. Is there a site? or Ebay/something else? There are, but that'...
- Tue Jun 06, 2017 1:28 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What do you guys do on the side?
- Replies: 165
- Views: 26584
Re: What do you guys do on the side?
Is there a site? or Ebay/something else?Drew777 wrote:I sell discounted gift cards in bulk on the side. I've made about $19k after expenses (building a website, loss on bad cards, etc.) and have sold about $1.2 million in the last 6 months. It's not something that's easy to start up though.
- Mon Jun 05, 2017 12:14 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
- Replies: 2544
- Views: 477749
Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Related question about spending some of the $6000 grocery spend for my Amex Blue Cash Preferred ... I have about $1500 in grocery spend (6% cash back) remaining on my BCP that I'd like to use ASAP. A recent Amex BCP Terms and Conditions update taking effect July 01 2017 states specifically that Gif...
- Fri Jun 02, 2017 2:08 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
- Replies: 2544
- Views: 477749
Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
I only have one credit card that use for everything, American Express Blue Cash Preferred. I've tried chasing bonuses and it's too much hassle in my opinion. Simplicity is valuable. Yeah, I have the new USAA card that does 2.5% for everything. It is extremely nice, and I don't have to spend my time...
- Fri Jun 02, 2017 10:14 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
- Replies: 2544
- Views: 477749
Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
I only have one credit card that use for everything, American Express Blue Cash Preferred. I've tried chasing bonuses and it's too much hassle in my opinion. Simplicity is valuable. Yeah, I have the new USAA card that does 2.5% for everything. It is extremely nice, and I don't have to spend my time...
- Thu Jun 01, 2017 4:25 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Drowning in debt
- Replies: 52
- Views: 5968
Re: Drowning in debt
It sounds like you have a good handle on you numbers... I'm not worried for you.
To me, it comes down to comfort. You might feel better if you pay off down some (or all) of your HELOC. If I was in your shoes, I wouldn't even break a sweat about it and just slowly work on the HELOC.
To me, it comes down to comfort. You might feel better if you pay off down some (or all) of your HELOC. If I was in your shoes, I wouldn't even break a sweat about it and just slowly work on the HELOC.
- Thu Jun 01, 2017 10:37 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Cell phone service abroad
- Replies: 79
- Views: 8169
Re: Cell phone service abroad
At $3 a minute? And how does that help you navigate the city and connect with fellow travelers if you separate? Contemplate the possibility of maps and guidebooks, and telling each other where you plan to be. Travelers have done very well without portable phones for centuries. They also did okay wi...
- Thu May 25, 2017 5:42 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
- Replies: 2544
- Views: 477749
Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
I took the plunge today for the MileagePlus Explorer card. I couldn't pass up the 75K miles. Will come in handy for trip to AU/NZ. The annual fee is $99 but it should save bag fees totaling more than that each year. I'm only seeing 50k miles for $3k of spend, 5k for adding an auth. user, and anothe...
- Thu May 25, 2017 5:41 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Bank Bonus Master List
- Replies: 29
- Views: 4822
Re: Bank Bonus Master List
Anyone have any insight into which banks to keep versus which to close? The three that I am struggling with are Wells Fargo, Chase and Capital One. It seems that Capital One is more likely to be accepted for direct deposits to count for bonuses at other banks, but I am not 100% sure on this. I also...
- Wed May 24, 2017 6:34 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Bank Bonus Master List
- Replies: 29
- Views: 4822
Re: Bank Bonus Master List
Anyone have any insight into which banks to keep versus which to close? The three that I am struggling with are Wells Fargo, Chase and Capital One. It seems that Capital One is more likely to be accepted for direct deposits to count for bonuses at other banks, but I am not 100% sure on this. I also...
- Thu May 18, 2017 6:12 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Question for you high net worth individuals... [real estate investments]
- Replies: 82
- Views: 12863
Re: Question for you high net worth individuals...
I really appreciate everyone's responses!! It is no small measure of relief to read that most everyone here does not think that RE is necessary to true wealth. I had begun to panic a bit just thinking that I would need to incorporate RE into my portfolio. Just the thought of it was stressing me out...
- Thu May 18, 2017 5:33 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Question for you high net worth individuals... [real estate investments]
- Replies: 82
- Views: 12863
Re: Question for you high net worth individuals...
Bogleheads in general are not huge fans of RE investing. Nothing wrong with that. Just a different approach.
Check out http://realestateforums.net// .
Most of them are primarily Bay Area based but not exclusively.
Check out http://realestateforums.net// .
Most of them are primarily Bay Area based but not exclusively.
- Mon May 01, 2017 2:08 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Six Flags or Gilroy Garden for 4 and 7 year old
- Replies: 5
- Views: 830
Re: Six Flags or Gilroy Garden for 4 and 7 year old
Hi, I am in Bay area and went to Six Flags a decade ago.I do not remember if they have good kids rides for a 4 and 7 year to enjoy. On the other hand, we have Gilroy Garden where I heard there are good amounts of rides for kids..however it is a bit more pricey than Six Flags Can someone shares thei...
- Mon Apr 24, 2017 3:18 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Buying a home in the Bay Area
- Replies: 28
- Views: 4285
Re: Buying a home in the Bay Area
I lived and worked in technology jobs in the Bay Area from 1975 - 2000. I bought my first home in Saratoga: purchase price $54,000, sales price $78,000 :happy My second home was in San Francisco: purchase price $106,000, sales price $345,000 :D Third home was in Pacifica: purchase price $420,000, s...
- Mon Apr 24, 2017 11:49 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Becoming a homeowner/landlord in a college town?
- Replies: 43
- Views: 4779
Re: Becoming a homeowner/landlord in a college town?
Plenty of landlords are renting to students and they seem to make the money and headaches worth it.
For most, being a landlord is just not right for them and being a landlord to students is even worst. However for a select few, they can make it work.
For most, being a landlord is just not right for them and being a landlord to students is even worst. However for a select few, they can make it work.
- Mon Apr 24, 2017 10:58 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Buying a home in the Bay Area
- Replies: 28
- Views: 4285
Re: Buying a home in the Bay Area
Where are the details for your finances? I think you should stay in the Peninsula.
- Mon Apr 10, 2017 5:52 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Low-earners- What is your profession?
- Replies: 262
- Views: 29706
Re: Low-earners- What is your profession?
This thread is really inspirational - to see so many folks who aren't earning six figures yet still manage to save and invest. I'm 25 and just getting started in my career (government job). I make $40K/year and have managed to save about $25K for retirement so far in the two years I've been working...
- Mon Apr 10, 2017 1:53 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards
- Replies: 438
- Views: 87280
Re: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards
Here's a thread from another forum about the mystery of the disappearing Bank Of America online chat. https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/credit-card-programs/1814914-bank-america-online-chat.html So, it turns out that they have a secure chat capability thru Facebook. I found this out when I posted a r...
- Mon Apr 10, 2017 1:52 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Selling rental property with tenants inside
- Replies: 5
- Views: 898
Re: Selling rental property with tenants inside
If there's no rent control in that city, a property with a good long term tenant might be a plus to the price or at least neutral.
- Tue Apr 04, 2017 10:12 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Some Credit Cards Make You Spend More?
- Replies: 69
- Views: 5151
Re: Some Credit Cards Make You Spend More?
I probably do spend more but that's okay. I make enough to spend a bit more and still live comfortably.
- Wed Mar 29, 2017 2:23 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
- Replies: 2544
- Views: 477749
Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
https://www.wsj.com/articles/amex-fires-another-shot-at-chases-sapphire-reserve-1490802710 AmEx in coming days is expected to increase the points bonus to 60,000, from 40,000 , according to a person familiar with the matter. But there is likely to be catch: To get the larger amount of points, card ...
- Wed Mar 22, 2017 6:02 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: taxact $10 premium deal today [includes state] [price match if already filed]
- Replies: 12
- Views: 1664
Re: taxact $10 premium deal today [includes state] [price match if already filed]
mikep wrote:$10 includes efile for federal and one state.2comma wrote:Thanks for posting this.
Is it going to be free to efile the federal and state or do they charge extra for that?
Awesome deal. Thank you.
- Mon Mar 20, 2017 11:32 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Citi card Nightmare
- Replies: 75
- Views: 10009
Re: Citi card Nightmare
I been using the Citi Doublecash since it came out. Never had an issue with the online portal.
- Tue Mar 07, 2017 12:39 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Are Fiat Cars Junk?
- Replies: 71
- Views: 6783
Re: Are Fiat Cars Junk?
Fun to drive but maybe not fun to own/maintain. But that being said, we all can't be driving Honda's/Toyotas... Too bland and boring!
For your situation, you might want to avoid the Fiat.
For your situation, you might want to avoid the Fiat.