We’re now a quarter of way through 2018 – why am I just getting to this post? Frankly, because watching Netflix after work is sometimes more fun. But I’ve got some semi-solid travel plans coming up, so I figured now is a good time to think through my points strategy. It’s not often I can … Read more
Foreign frequent flyer programs often get a bad rep – after all, who wants to put up with high redemption rates and fuel surcharges? That’s a totally unfair assessment because plenty of foreign airlines have programs that sometimes provide better value than programs affiliated with domestic carriers. There’s tons of value in foreign frequent flyer … Read more
After my Barclay Arrival Plus card got shut down, I had to look for a replacement 2% cash back card. Eventually I landed on the Fidelity Rewards Card and the Discover It Miles Card. The Fidelity Rewards Card offers 2% cash back, while the Discover It Miles Card paid out 3% cash back the first year. … Read more
Have you ever gotten on a plane with a cold? Then you know the excruciating pain I’m about to describe. Imagine your ear canal narrowing to the point where it feels like your eardrums will explode. Imagine being in this excruciating pain for the entire duration of take-off and landing. It’s not fun and unfortunately, … Read more
If Walt Disney had built a house of worship, it would look like the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi. The Sheikh Zayed Mosque was completed in December 2007 after 11 years of construction, on a $545 million budget. More than 3,000 skilled craftsmen from around the world spent thousands of hours painstakingly installing imported … Read more
I attended FTU Seattle two weekends ago (I know, this post is late) and while I was there as a speaker, I learned a few things that have made me reconsider how I approach manufactured spending. Or, more accurately, how much I share with people. A year ago I briefly touched on the subject of … Read more
In January, I spent three nights the Andaz 5th Avenue. It was my second time staying at this hotel and the main reason I booked it was because of its convenient location in midtown and spacious rooms. Because I didn’t have elite status with Hyatt anymore, my friend @ringsthecaddy was nice enough to book the stay … Read more
After a nearly 2-month hiatus, I went to my local Walmart on Saturday and was reminded of the importance of practicing good manufactured spending etiquette. I don’t always do it right – but I try to follow the rules. If they want me to fill out paperwork, I do it. If there’s a daily limit … Read more