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

[GlamMistress]

Got my AA class action baggage settlement check. $37.50 for DH and I.

#EasyMoney

 

[CyndiLouWho]

We also have a 2005 civic. Love it too! So simple and basic You even have to roll down the windows with hand crank

I had a 1999 Saab 5 speed manual. Loved it (it did have power windows) and had it until 2 years ago when someone T-boned DH and killed it.

Upgraded one of my three freedoms to a CSR. Because it’s an older card DH is an AU and will benefi from a few perks until they catch on and charge us. I’ll keep people posted. Card anniversary is January.

Your AU should be free until the AF posts, then they will charge you the whole $75. At that point I canceled but they wouldn’t refund the $75 until I returned the card to Chase.

I smell a kid -free weekend!!!

What is that?

Just booked our first and probably only ADR for our October trip. Going to try out Yak and Yeti for the first time. Got some discounted gift cards and is probably a better use than T-Rex or Rainforest Cafe. Just tired of those two places.

Join Landry’s Club before you go. $25 but then they give you a $25 credit and one every year for your birthday. Landry’s Club members get preferred seating, even ahead of Disney ADRs at Yak and Yeti. We walked in, told them we were members, waited 10 minutes and were seated before everyone with an ADR.

Yum! Love Yak and Yeti. Try the Ahi Tuna Nachos if you like that sort of thing. Soooo good and a HUGE portion.

Yes we loved those nachos!

 

[wanderlust7]

Ok, so no worries for now. But the next time around what is it that you check for to know if it is working?

The offer I signed up for was 40k AA miles and $250 statement credit for AA purchase. So if I get the statement credit for the $50 AA gift card I bought (the test), then that should mean I'll get the rest of the offer. But I won't know this until the first statement closes. So if it credits, then I can go and do the $2000 spend and use the rest of the statement credit.

Now, next time around for you, you might decide you want the 70k/$4000 or 75k/$5000 offer to get more miles. But for those, you'd just have to do the entire spend and see if you get the miles. Or you can buy a mailer from someone on reddit, that would be more of a sure thing.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Not that you need another positive review, but Yak & Yeti is very yummy! I also recommend the pot stickers as an appetizer and fried wontons as a dessert (Skewers of fresh pineapple and cream cheese wontons, vanilla ice cream, honey-vanilla drizzle)

@MrPTato The Ahi tuna nachos are the first pic. The appetizers with potstickers in the second pic was DSs entree choice LOL

 

[disneybirds]

I think We had this discussion once before, but we also have an odyssey and a civic. Lol!

@wendow We have an Odyssey and Civic as well, but you definitely have me beat on years! Ours are only 5 years old.

 

[afan]

Congratulations! Any secrets or tips to pass along? I know that there aren't really any secrets but it seems like no matter what I do, this weight doesn't want to leave. As a friend told me, eat less and move more is the only thing that works. Maybe I need to tell myself the more I move the more CC's I can apply for.

It's not that easy because what you eat matters. It's not unusual for people to train for a half marathon or marathon and gain weight because they think with all the extra miles they can eat more.

It's based off calories but also carbs, fat and protein. I know how many calories I can eat but I also know what % of the three I should have. I have a hard time, like many do, of getting enough protein. I'm not a fruit or veggie person for the most part but even my daily apple adds to my carbs. For me as I'm trying to lose the body fat more than the lbs because I probably only have around 10 to lose and should be gaining muscle while I'm doing this I'm not as concerned about that number. My bf% was 38 at it's highest when checking at the gym while checking it over the span of 2 months. All I did was cut out the extra sugar I was eating thinking that would help, at 40 it wasn't enough. I've gotten it down to 32 but a few days of too many carbs due to where I was and it was back to 35.

I've cut out hot chocolate and coke, not that I was having either everyday but they were adding too much so they need to be treats. I've drastically reduced the amount of peanut butter and cheese I eat If I want one of them I plan things around it. I measure my cheerios now, a serving is a cup but that's too much so I actually eat a half a cup instead of probably half that I was getting before. I have a salad (iceburg, ham, 1 egg, cheddar, cucumber, fat free ranch) for lunch and a kroger light greek yogurt for a snack. This all has me at a great ratio and then dinner happens But I am good more often than not and am more aware of what I'm eating. Snacking on beef jerky instead of something else stuff like that. The hard part is that carbs are everywhere and some are better than others, like the apple is better than pizza. If I liked more veggies and beans this would all be so much easier but that salad, corn and potatoes are about it. And it's not from lack of trying them. It comes down to taste, texture or both.

 

[Haley R]

I love the electric water pageant!! The somewhat cheesy, but nostalgic, music brings me right back to being a kid. I love being at WDW after dark and before there were fireworks every night, there was the electric water pageant.

Of course, its a matter of taste, I just mentioned this to DH and he rolled his eyes...water pageant hater

I put it in our plans so we're doing it lol! I'm positive Dh will look at me after like "did you really just make me watch that?". Although, we both loved the Dreamlights parade at TDR. I know it's comparing apples to oranges, but it's kind of similar?

 

[PaintsWithAllTheColors]

Hi! New to this thread, but LOVE IT! I pride myself on being the credit card guru among my family/friends, and am glad to say I've been pretty effective at helping them save thousands. However, I've found that I'm at a weird spot in my credit card game. I believe I'm using one of the best point-earning strategies for my spending (a Chase trio), but I feel unable to take advantage of the full "churning" game. My credit score hovers around 760-780 and but for some reason I think an over 800 score is ideal for being able to church without consequence. Is this really true? Will starting to churn cards at a more frequent pace kill my credit score?

All current cards (in the last 24 bolded):
02/14 - 1st Financial Bank USA (first card, opened in college, no points, kept open only for length of credit purposes)
02/16 - CHASE Southwest Priority (upgraded from Premier)
02/16 - CHASE Sapphire Reserve (upgraded from Preferred)
07/`16 - Macy's
07/16 - Victoria's Secret
12/17 - CHASE Ink Business Cash
03/18 - CHASE Freedom Unlimited
04/18 - New York & Co

My husband is an authorized user on the Saphhire Reserve and the Business Ink card. He also has the Southwest Business and Southwest Plus card, both opened in November 2017.

Having these cards has meant that we've had the Southwest Companion pass for nearly 4 years, ending this December, and have taken multiple trips to Orlando, as well as multiple international and other domestic trips, with no cost for flights. However, I would really like to look into other hotel/airline cards, especially a Marriott one. I would also like to get the Chase Freedom card. I feel like I'm leaving a lot of churning potential on the table.

My credit score suffers from average length of credit (2.9 yrs) and total accounts. Despite those being "low impact" factors, and every other factor being "excellent", my score can't seem to move closer to the 800 range.

So - should I go for churning? Or is it better to sit tight for a few more years and wait for my length of credit to improve?

Thanks in advance!

 

[GusGus16]

Alternate Day Fasting...some really good videos out there about the subject and I even bought my first book in over 20 years. It is amazing what your body can do. Longest I have gone without food (ANY CALORIES) since starting is 96 hours. I have never felt better and my energy is through the roof. This naturally lowers blood pressure and cholesterol. I can go on and on...what a life changer and sustainable for the future.

ETA: taggeing @kidsfirsttrip & @chattadisser for the explanation.

That is amazing! I started 16:8 (fasting for 16 hours a day eating for 8), on my 3rd week. Don't think I have lost any weight yet, but was very impressed with some of the possible benefits. As long as you aren't binging you should be eating less calories overall, and hopefully opting for healthier choices-less carbs and higher protein to keep you fuller longer, I feel like it has drastically reduced my snacking. We will see what happens, I too feel like fasting is sustainable overtime. Lots of different options with lengths of fasting.

 

[Limes96]

Just got an email that my P2 has earned 15k MR for self referring from the Amex plat to HHBiz card. Haven’t gotten it in the mail yet though. Hoping tomorrow, otherwise I’ll probably end up finishing off my Plastiq promo spending tomorrow on other cards (namely the Citi AABiz to finish MSR and maybe some on the Arrival+).

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Alternate Day Fasting...some really good videos out there about the subject and I even bought my first book in over 20 years. It is amazing what your body can do. Longest I have gone without food (ANY CALORIES) since starting is 96 hours. I have never felt better and my energy is through the roof. This naturally lowers blood pressure and cholesterol. I can go on and on...what a life changer and sustainable for the future.

ETA: taggeing @kidsfirsttrip & @chattadisser for the explanation.

I’m surprised that you find it sustainable, but glad it’s working for you. I frequently go 8 hours or more without eating, unintentionally and it just makes me feel exhausted. By 5 pm, I feel like I need a nap, I can’t imagine going longer. I have to say, as a dietitian I strive to have my hospitalised patients not go 96 hours without eating, but that is a different setting.

 

[GusGus16]

So off topic (I couldn't find the smiley), I'm looking for a bike, thinking a hybrid-planning to use the purchase to help meet MSR, but have been thinking about the purchase for awhile. One of my friends recommended specialized, any other recommendations? My first adult bike purchase, planning on using it for short commutes less than 3 miles from my house (probs gym and grocery store) and then trail riding (likely mostly paved). Thinking about $500 range.

My trip planning has stalled, still looking into hawaii early next year, but just going to try keep accruing points so I can get something booked when I can finalize dates and such. Planning for break from Disney for a bit, but they keep pulling me in, the Princess Half Marathon themes are really calling to me (Moana, Pocahontas, and Cinderella), so looking into possibly signing up for those-would have to sign up for the 5k from a charity partner as it is sold out (when I ran the Princess marathon a few years ago I ran for a charity as well). Keep trying to justify doing it-help MSR, wouldn't need to get park tickets, use SW RR for flights...even though run disney has been less popular in recent years Princess still consistently sells out so should try to decide sooner rather than later to prevent being disappointed about not being able to register.

 

[wanderlust7]

Hi! New to this thread, but LOVE IT! I pride myself on being the credit card guru among my family/friends, and am glad to say I've been pretty effective at helping them save thousands. However, I've found that I'm at a weird spot in my credit card game. I believe I'm using one of the best point-earning strategies for my spending (a Chase trio), but I feel unable to take advantage of the full "churning" game. My credit score hovers around 760-780 and but for some reason I think an over 800 score is ideal for being able to church without consequence. Is this really true? Will starting to churn cards at a more frequent pace kill my credit score?

All current cards (in the last 24 bolded):
02/14 - 1st Financial Bank USA (first card, opened in college, no points, kept open only for length of credit purposes)
02/16 - CHASE Southwest Priority (upgraded from Premier)
02/16 - CHASE Sapphire Reserve (upgraded from Preferred)
07/`16 - Macy's
07/16 - Victoria's Secret
12/17 - CHASE Ink Business Cash
03/18 - CHASE Freedom Unlimited
04/18 - New York & Co

My husband is an authorized user on the Saphhire Reserve and the Business Ink card. He also has the Southwest Business and Southwest Plus card, both opened in November 2017.

Having these cards has meant that we've had the Southwest Companion pass for nearly 4 years, ending this December, and have taken multiple trips to Orlando, as well as multiple international and other domestic trips, with no cost for flights. However, I would really like to look into other hotel/airline cards, especially a Marriott one. I would also like to get the Chase Freedom card. I feel like I'm leaving a lot of churning potential on the table.

My credit score suffers from average length of credit (2.9 yrs) and total accounts. Despite those being "low impact" factors, and every other factor being "excellent", my score can't seem to move closer to the 800 range.

So - should I go for churning? Or is it better to sit tight for a few more years and wait for my length of credit to improve?

Thanks in advance!

Looks like you are 2/24 (2 new personal cards in the last 24 months). Your DH maybe is 1/24? The usual recommendation is to go for the Chase Ink Preferred (CIP). It's especially relevant for you since you already have the Sapphire Reserve (CSR) and can get the 1.5x redemption through the Chase travel portal. CIP gets you 80,000 URs for spending $5000 and comes with a $95 annual fee. After you get it, you can then refer your DH for 20,000 URs. 3 months after you each get CIPs, if the loophole still exists, you can each go for #2 (and refer each other).

Since it's a Chase business card, it won't get on your personal credit report. It won't decrease your average length of credit. The spend you put on it won't be reported as utilization (which can also decrease your score). The only credit ding you'll get is from the hard pulls Chase will do after you apply (that's the only thing that'll show up on your personal credit report). The ding is usually only a few points and goes back up soon.

 

[afan]

I’m surprised that you find it sustainable, but glad it’s working for you. I frequently go 8 hours or more without eating, unintentionally and it just makes me feel exhausted. By 5 pm, I feel like I need a nap, I can’t imagine going longer. I have to say, as a dietitian I strive to have my hospitalised patients not go 96 hours without eating, but that is a different setting.

I read a book about it and I don't know how people can do it for extended periods of time. I get hangry so I make sure not to get to that point. On the flip side I probably get at least 2 days a week over 12+ hour fasting because of the weekend. But I also take my vitamins at bed time so that may throw it off a bit. I don't snack much any more except for the one in the afternoon and that's to prevent the hangry that would happen after the gym. I don't like working out while I'm hungry.

 

[MrPTato]

Part, there is an outdoor eating area... look at the ledge

View attachment 411788

That's the bird!

 

[MrPTato]

@MrPTato The Ahi tuna nachos are the first pic. The appetizers with potstickers in the second pic was DSs entree choice LOL
View attachment 411818View attachment 411819

Those look amazing...I won't touch the tuna...but it is great to look at. Potstickers look delish.

My husband is a big believer in fasting (one day, intermittent, etc. He's at the tail end of a 72 hour fast right now).

Glad you've found something that works for you!

How long has he been doing the regiment?

It's based off calories but also carbs, fat and protein

Macronutrients are the key and knowing the amount of calories that each contain makes balancing things out a little easier.

That is amazing! I started 16:8 (fasting for 16 hours a day eating for 8), on my 3rd week. Don't think I have lost any weight yet, but was very impressed with some of the possible benefits. As long as you aren't binging you should be eating less calories overall, and hopefully opting for healthier choices-less carbs and higher protein to keep you fuller longer, I feel like it has drastically reduced my snacking. We will see what happens, I too feel like fasting is sustainable overtime. Lots of different options with lengths of fasting.

The health benefits alone are amazing when you dig into it. ADF will be an occasional thing once I get down to my target weight and then I will switch to OMAD or something similar. I do plan to cleanse once a month as well which would be around 4 days of no eating.

I’m surprised that you find it sustainable, but glad it’s working for you. I frequently go 8 hours or more without eating, unintentionally and it just makes me feel exhausted. By 5 pm, I feel like I need a nap, I can’t imagine going longer. I have to say, as a dietitian I strive to have my hospitalised patients not go 96 hours without eating, but that is a different setting.

I feel more sluggish after I eat. Thousands of years ago it was feast or famine and I truly believe that is what our bodies were made to do. You can't burn fat when you are always burning off your last meal and your insulin levels are elevated. I get very very little hunger pangs but I know they will subside and my body isn't truly hungry but trying to go off the clock it has been accustomed to all these years.

 

[Haley R]

I'm so excited for my vacuum to come tomorrow...........does this mean I'm an adult?

 

[jaysraptor]

It's not that easy because what you eat matters. It's not unusual for people to train for a half marathon or marathon and gain weight because they think with all the extra miles they can eat more.

It's based off calories but also carbs, fat and protein. I know how many calories I can eat but I also know what % of the three I should have. I have a hard time, like many do, of getting enough protein. I'm not a fruit or veggie person for the most part but even my daily apple adds to my carbs. For me as I'm trying to lose the body fat more than the lbs because I probably only have around 10 to lose and should be gaining muscle while I'm doing this I'm not as concerned about that number. My bf% was 38 at it's highest when checking at the gym while checking it over the span of 2 months. All I did was cut out the extra sugar I was eating thinking that would help, at 40 it wasn't enough. I've gotten it down to 32 but a few days of too many carbs due to where I was and it was back to 35.

I've cut out hot chocolate and coke, not that I was having either everyday but they were adding too much so they need to be treats. I've drastically reduced the amount of peanut butter and cheese I eat If I want one of them I plan things around it. I measure my cheerios now, a serving is a cup but that's too much so I actually eat a half a cup instead of probably half that I was getting before. I have a salad (iceburg, ham, 1 egg, cheddar, cucumber, fat free ranch) for lunch and a kroger light greek yogurt for a snack. This all has me at a great ratio and then dinner happens But I am good more often than not and am more aware of what I'm eating. Snacking on beef jerky instead of something else stuff like that. The hard part is that carbs are everywhere and some are better than others, like the apple is better than pizza. If I liked more veggies and beans this would all be so much easier but that salad, corn and potatoes are about it. And it's not from lack of trying them. It comes down to taste, texture or both.

You are defiantly on the right track of thinking. I have been fortunate to never have any weight issues, but I do tend to stay very active. I try to break my daily calories(macros) in to 40% protein, 30% fats, and 30% carbs. I am a creature of habit. During the work week, I eat the same meals for breakfast, lunch, and snacks. The only thing that varies is my dinners. For many of my foods, like peanut butter, I measure them on a digital scale to make sure I do not eat more than the serving size I was looking for. My resting caloric need is a little over 1800. To maintain my current body weight, I eat about 2300 calories per day. When I want to lose body fat, I will consistently eat 1900-2000 calories a day, creating a daily deficit. I weight train 4 days a week, and also do a decent amount of other cardio type workouts, swimming, biking, and running. Following the above, I have been able to get my body fat % in to the single digits. It takes quit a bit of discipline to stick with everything. I do splurge every now and then to maintain my sanity and keep my body guessing. Eating while on vacation does not count. I can easily come back from vacation 10lbs heavier. As soon as I get back home, back to the grind it is. Everyone is different, so what might work for me may not work for you. Trial and error until you find what works for you, then stick with it.

 

[afan]

You are defiantly on the right track of thinking. I have been fortunate to never have any weight issues, but I do tend to stay very active. I try to break my daily calories(macros) in to 40% protein, 30% fats, and 30% carbs. I am a creature of habit. During the work week, I eat the same meals for breakfast, lunch, and snacks. The only thing that varies is my dinners. For many of my foods, like peanut butter, I measure them on a digital scale to make sure I do not eat more than the serving size I was looking for. My resting caloric need is a little over 1800. To maintain my current body weight, I eat about 2300 calories per day. When I want to lose body fat, I will consistently eat 1900-2000 calories a day, creating a daily deficit. I weight train 4 days a week, and also do a decent amount of other cardio type workouts, swimming, biking, and running. Following the above, I have been able to get my body fat % in to the single digits. It takes quit a bit of discipline to stick with everything. I do splurge every now and then to maintain my sanity and keep my body guessing. Eating while on vacation does not count. I can easily come back from vacation 10lbs heavier. As soon as I get back home, back to the grind it is. Everyone is different, so what might work for me may not work for you. Trial and error until you find what works for you, then stick with it.

My break down is 35,35, 30. I don't have issues eating the same stuff everyday before dinner but dinner is what sometimes throws things for a loop.

I have a friend that's a bodybuilder and owns/teaches at a dojo (getting ready to test for 5th degree black belt next year) so he's been my source of help. Though it is annoying that he eats 4,000 cal a day because of all he does, but I get it. He's working to get back down to 8% and suggested the protein powder I use after the gym or if I need a light snack that it'll satisfy in the evening. I'm also in a slow and steady, I'm not expecting it over night nor should it. I'm 5'4" and already under 140 with the 6lbs I've lost so far. I don't have that far to go but I also know the smaller the number to lose the harder it is. But it's also why I'm focused on getting my bf to 30 and then under 30 and then closer to the under 25 I should be at. I've always been skinny fat and it's slowly crept up as I've aged. But with a family history of almost nothing but heart disease on both sides I've got to get it in check, it's just way harder to do than it was 10 years ago when I could just cut back on snacks and working out more without having to change what I ate.

 

[wendow]

We finally saw TS4 tonight. I thought the movie was really funny....loved Forky and his constant thinking he was trash at the beginning...but I (my whole fam) was blindsided by the ending and we were all left feeling very depressed and like this was totally out-of-character. Won't say more so I don't spoil for others. Of all the TS movies, this one leaves me feeling the most like I got no closure I also thought I'd cry a ton. I really didn't. Too shocked, I guess.