I love credit cards so much! v2.0 (see first page for add'l details)

[Alexle2007]

Me, too. I've always had terrible jet lag and getting older doesn't help it at all! I'm still tempted to fly to Australia and back just to skip my big bday coming up in 2020 though...



Right now, we couldn't but if DH retires next year we could but the thing is you usually have lots of time or money, not both (at least in my life). So with retirement comes less funding (although this hobby supports my travel addiction, it in no way pays for it unlike some of you super savvy people!) AND we still have 4 dogs and we just can't be away from them too long-it's too expensive, I worry too much and 3 of them aren't happy if we're gone too long. My DD is fiercely independent and wouldn't notice, OTOH



LOL-IIRC you have more than a million Marriott points. I just played a game with myself called What would you do with SFF's Marriott stash? Answer surprising no one: transfer to Delta/United and fly fly fly first class somewhere awesome.

Maybe you can borrow some of his URs and transfer to Hyatt for a stay at the Park Hyatt Sydney while you are skipping that birthday? It's only 30k for a room that is going for $1112 AUS. That seems like an awesome return on redemption.

I think I need a Hyatt card for my future visit to Australia...

 

[wendow]

Many of you have mentioned using Ally Bank, so I have a few questions after looking at their website.
I'd like to use as a place to park my 3-6 mos Dave Ramsey emergency fund. Is Ally Savings a good place for this? How fast can I get the $?
Can I use Ally Checking with Venmo to MS using CIP?
Is transferring $ to and from Ally and other bank accounts free?
Thank you

We’ve had Ally accounts for many years. Great bank! Easy to transfer money back and forth. Takes couple biz days and it is free (up to 6 a month, I think). Not sure about Venmo with them.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

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[SouthFayetteFan]

Me, too. I've always had terrible jet lag and getting older doesn't help it at all! I'm still tempted to fly to Australia and back just to skip my big bday coming up in 2020 though...



Right now, we couldn't but if DH retires next year we could but the thing is you usually have lots of time or money, not both (at least in my life). So with retirement comes less funding (although this hobby supports my travel addiction, it in no way pays for it unlike some of you super savvy people!) AND we still have 4 dogs and we just can't be away from them too long-it's too expensive, I worry too much and 3 of them aren't happy if we're gone too long. My DD is fiercely independent and wouldn't notice, OTOH



LOL-IIRC you have more than a million Marriott points. I just played a game with myself called What would you do with SFF's Marriott stash? Answer surprising no one: transfer to Delta/United and fly fly fly first class somewhere awesome.

Yeah - those Marriott points continue to collect dust right now. I will use them eventually - just not sure how yet lol.

 

[tink1970]

Yeah - those Marriott points continue to collect dust right now. I will use them eventually - just not sure how yet lol.

Well, in a few years you'll be doing college tours-I shudder to consider how many we spent on hotels for that. I know yours are little now but time just seems to fast forward at a crazy rate, especially when they're young and sweet.

 

[Psychodisney]

Well, in a few years you'll be doing college tours-I shudder to consider how many we spent on hotels for that. I know yours are little now but time just seems to fast forward at a crazy rate, especially when they're young and sweet.

So true! I didn't discover this until I was on college student #3. The hotel nights come in very handy these days!

 

[WVMomof3]

So true! I didn't discover this until I was on college student #3. The hotel nights come in very handy these days!

My #3 has no interest it seems in touring. I am hoping he joins sister #1. It is local and practically free with scholarships he will get. Sister #2 is really hoping he joins her. Her University is very family oriented and many have siblings there. He says he wants neither of those but has not mentioned wanting to visit anything. He needs to figure things out soon, because junior year is over half gone already.

 

[3 DD love princesses]

you all have me beat by far! I'm happy if I can get 100, 000 in my account but then once I do I end up spending them thats what happens when you have a family of 5 costs go up but so worth it.

I'd love to travel more but costs prevent us. Can't seem to earn enough points to cover it all yet. One day though we will have a trip covered entirely by points

 

[3 DD love princesses]

ok so been without a spend since the beginning of the year

thinking have DH go for the CIU and have him refer me for a 2nd CIP using the initial what are you thoughts? goal is to get the most UR. also open to getting more marriott/spg points. do need to stay under 5/24 so we can get the SWA CP again. DH has it till end of this year and may get him a personal card to make CP depends on how much he flies this year. still haven't figured out our travel plans for 2020 and 2021. But it is nice having to only pay for 4 flights vs the 5 and possibly 3 vs 5 if we can get the CP to line up and travel as well.

DH 2/24
2/18 CIP
7/18 SW business
10/18 CSP
12/18 SPG lux

I have 3/24
2/17 SW business closed 2/18
9/17 CIP closed 9/18
11/17 CSR
11/17 CSP changed to freedom 12/18
8/18 CIC
10/18 freedom

ETA updated the cards that are closed

 

[hsmamato2]

Since some people have the bowl lift Kitchenaids here... I've got a wire whisk, that I picked up on clearance at Target a couple years ago because we couldn't find MILs, and I didn't know until I got home that it wasn't the right kind/size. I had completely forgotten about it until I found it a few weeks back. I figured that if someone here was interested I would happily throw it in the mail. Otherwise it's going to Goodwill.

It's this one: https://www.amazon.com/KitchenAid-KN256WW-6-Wire-Quart-Mixers/dp/B000Q9XE12

The box says it will fit models KD26, KH25, KV25, KP26, KT26, KJ26, KB26, KB25

speaking of those..... I remember seeing here where you and maybe some others found great deals...and I'm starting to think I want one of these (I cook ALL the time) in a pretty color..... any ideas where to get a deal of any sort right now?

 

[mamathompson]

Quick trip update. 3 of 5 kids are down with what appears to be the flu. I'm certainly grateful we sprung for the two bedroom, with all this sickness it's extra helpful to have the space. We are pretty disappointed though. It's our first trip to WDW in 3 years and we are supposed to celebrate our oldest's 13 th birthday in two days. Hoping no one else goes down and these three improve. On a closer to churning note we are dangerously close to purchasing DVC. I've researched a ton but would love to hear more first hand experiences.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

ok so been without a spend since the beginning of the year

thinking have DH go for the CIU and have him refer me for a 2nd CIP using the initial what are you thoughts? goal is to get the most UR. also open to getting more marriott/spg points. do need to stay under 5/24 so we can get the SWA CP again. DH has it till end of this year and may get him a personal card to make CP depends on how much he flies this year. still haven't figured out our travel plans for 2020 and 2021. But it is nice having to only pay for 4 flights vs the 5 and possibly 3 vs 5 if we can get the CP to line up and travel as well.

DH 2/24
2/18 CIP
7/18 SW business
10/18 CSP
12/18 SPG lux

I have 3/24
2/17 SW business
9/17 CIP
11/17 CSR
11/17 CSP
8/18 CIC
10/18 freedom

I think it’s a solid plan.... your applications are spaced out...just check your CLs and reduce if necessary prior to applying......are you going to keep or cancel your current CIP before applying ? You could also get an EIN for the second CIP
We are also staying under 5/24 since I want another CP for 2020/2021

 

[hsmamato2]

That is quite a list! I always love to see your vacation plans. And super jealous of everyone that can plan in advance. I just cant seem to pull the trigger more than 2 months in advance. And I do not work, so it is not like work is holding me back! And DH has plenty of vacation time, so his really isn't either. We have commitment issues. lol

I'm kind of the same IRL.... I'm starting to get old and lazy regarding trips.... I managed to get the whole fam to all the places I'd envisioned....now I'm coasting.... I wish I had the energy to throw a few more weekends in the mix(the arts festival looks fun) but I have to slow down for a bit (If 3 planned trips in a year is considered slow) all I know is the people I know IRL think I travel more than any other person in the entire world..... if only they knew that I'm a lazy old lady watching people like @calypso726 speed by on the racetrack of travel...... For now I'm content with planning at a slow pace,for me this hobby changed me in that I now *always* have a trip planned..... even if it's not going to happen for a while.....

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Quick trip update. 3 of 5 kids are down with what appears to be the flu. I'm certainly grateful we sprung for the two bedroom, with all this sickness it's extra helpful to have the space. We are pretty disappointed though. It's our first trip to WDW in 3 years and we are supposed to celebrate our oldest's 13 th birthday in two days. Hoping no one else goes down and these three improve. On a closer to churning note we are dangerously close to purchasing DVC. I've researched a ton but would love to hear more first hand experiences.

Oh No....hope they recover quickly and no one else gets it...

We’ve owned DVC since 2001...love it but it does work best for those that can plan and book trips 11 months.

 

[hsmamato2]

We’ve had Ally accounts for many years. Great bank! Easy to transfer money back and forth. Takes couple biz days and it is free (up to 6 a month, I think). Not sure about Venmo with them.

I use discover for that...is ally a better choice?

 

[DisneyMandC]

Quick trip update. 3 of 5 kids are down with what appears to be the flu. I'm certainly grateful we sprung for the two bedroom, with all this sickness it's extra helpful to have the space. We are pretty disappointed though. It's our first trip to WDW in 3 years and we are supposed to celebrate our oldest's 13 th birthday in two days. Hoping no one else goes down and these three improve. On a closer to churning note we are dangerously close to purchasing DVC. I've researched a ton but would love to hear more first hand experiences.

Oh no! So sorry! Any chance you can get to an urgent care center nearby and get Tamiflu? It's worked well for DH and I in the past. Just make sure they take it with food.

 

[1st*toright]

Sooooooo far behind... When I left for my trip, everyone was talking 1099s. I had maybe one referral this year, and haven't seen a 1099 from Amex or Chase, so I think I'm in the clear to file my return.

I just set up P2's United Exp Biz - needed to put the first batch of charges into YNAB and it kinda made me happy to enter "Leaky Cauldron" and "Olivanders" in as the places we spent money! Spent way too much on Harry Potter swag at Universal, but its all going to MSR on the new card, so what the heck!

Best thing- my HP obsessed LO was chosen to have her wand choose her at Olivanders. It was the first thing we did at Universal, and she was ridiculously excited (and looking adorable in her Gryffindor robe that she brought from home). So instead of spending an hour looking at wands and trying to pick one, a nice Ivy wand chose her and we just had to walk out and pay for it. Super magical. And she had a ball doing spells.

In other news, we did the Blige Rat Barges 7 times in a row. 4 times without getting off. It was awesome to be able to say "yes, we can go again". She would have gone for 10 times, but DH only lasted the first 2 rides and he was waiting for us, so I called it a day at 7. Yes, we were completely drenched (but I was prepared and we were wearing clothes that were ok wet, and we went back to the hotel for a change and a break right after).

We enjoyed RPR, and liked how close together everything was at Universal. Kinda missed the gentleness of Disney rides, but we found plenty to keep us entertained for a day and a half!

 

[WVMomof3]

Quick trip update. 3 of 5 kids are down with what appears to be the flu. I'm certainly grateful we sprung for the two bedroom, with all this sickness it's extra helpful to have the space. We are pretty disappointed though. It's our first trip to WDW in 3 years and we are supposed to celebrate our oldest's 13 th birthday in two days. Hoping no one else goes down and these three improve. On a closer to churning note we are dangerously close to purchasing DVC. I've researched a ton but would love to hear more first hand experiences.

Oh no!! So sorry. Sending wishes of speedy recovery and no more sickness for the rest of you! Hope you are able to enjoy some of your trip.

 

[ski_mom]

Question about Frontier? We have a trip booked to Vegas using SW points for our flights. When DH booked it he chose the earliest flight out of STL which is 6-ish am. As we get closer to the date, I REALLY don't want to get up to fly out that early, so started looking at other options. The SW flight leaving the evening before is a lot higher, but I found a Frontier flight that would work time wise for only about $100. I know we have to pay for either a checked or carry-on bag and also for seat assignments. If we book it, I was thinking of not paying extra for seat assignments. Not that I don't like DH, but I really don't care too much if we aren't next to each other for the 3 hour flight. But, having never flown Frontier, I didn't know if there are other things I should be aware of.

Secondly, since DH booked the flights on SW, he booked them as round trip tickets. How hard would it be to cancel just the first leg of the flight? We are wanting to keep the same return flight that we currently have booked.

Thanks for any info!

 

[punkin]

I'm feeling very inadequate with my (slightly over) 262k in MR points.