Blogs
Points
700% Capital One Credit Line Increase?
4 Apr. 2018
700% Capital One Credit Line Increase?
Pump Up The Jam A few days ago I began the day as I usually do – paying bills.  I have significant spending on my rewards cards every day, so I keep a spreadsheet with my outstanding obligations, balances and pay bills regularly.  Compared to some heavy hitters in the rewards game, my credit lines
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New Music Added:  April 2018 Playlist
2 Apr. 2018
New Music Added: April 2018 Playlist
Good tunes, good times One of my favorite things to do while traveling is finding new music. In a few weeks I’ll be traveling through a big chunk of Eastern Europe.  Some of the music choices in this month’s playlist are inspired by that trip.  The first track from Irma Sokhadze is a classic from
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Losing at least $5,000 via Manufactured Spend
29 Mar. 2018
Losing at least $5,000 via Manufactured Spend
Loser Something has happened to me this week that’s a first.  I just lost, or am short, at least $5,000 via manufactured spending (MS).  Unfortunately, it could be as little as $5k but as much as $10k.  The fact that I’m not completely sure about the missing amount is almost as bad as the loss
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Finding Non-Supermarket Grocery Stores for MS
20 Mar. 2018
Finding Non-Supermarket Grocery Stores for MS
Flexing I’ve had stashes of Flexperks for years.  I’m not hoarding them, as I’ve used them for cheap domestic and international flights.  Lots of Points gurus aren’t keen on the Flexperks program, and compared to other reward currencies, I largely agree.  However with the abundance of cheap flight resources, I’m hoping...
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Latest Round of Credit Card Applications
9 Mar. 2018
Latest Round of Credit Card Applications
Jones-ing A physical phenomenon overtook me yesterday.  After 5 months of going credit card application-free, App-0-rama withdrawl had set in.  I hadn’t applied for any new rewards cards since November, and over the past 156 days that have passed, the itch finally got the best of me.  Applying for new cards was on my mind
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Amazon.com Considers Foray Into Checking Accounts
7 Mar. 2018
Amazon.com Considers Foray Into Checking Accounts
Little Big Brother Amazon.com is strongly considering plans to enter the checking account business.  Today the Wall Street Journal reported that Amazon is trying to create a checking-account-like banking product.  Early reports say that Amazon isn’t interested in becoming a bank, but has engaged in talks with large financial firms about a pos...
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7+ Bonus Nights for New Radisson Rewards Program?
6 Mar. 2018
7+ Bonus Nights for New Radisson Rewards Program?
Pig and Lipstick? Over the past few years there hasn’t been much to get excited about concerning the Club Carlson rewards program.  I’m one of the few people that still values the program, because I travel to Europe fairly regularly and the Radisson Blu hotels there are usually centrally located, come with free breakfast, and
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New Music Added:  March 2018 Playlist
4 Mar. 2018
New Music Added: March 2018 Playlist
March 2018 Playlist A playlist that includes music from Brazil, Jamaica, Italy, Nigeria, Sweden, England, and U.S.A.  I’m a big fan of classic Brazilian and Reggae music so those songs often make it into my playlists.  Tallest Man on Earth (Sweden) was my favorite band/musician a few years ago.  I saw him in concert at
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