I love credit cards so much! v3.0 (see first page for add'l details)

[Judique]

So, my (tiny) SUB for the Amex BBP posted, and it's ony 15k MRs so not really a lot.

I don't have any specific chain hotel stays coming up (except Best Western, which isn't a partner, and Hilton, which are ALREADY booked/paid for on points) so no real needs right now.

Should I just park them and leave them? Do MRs expire?

If I transfer them to Hilton during their sale/promotion, do they then just sit in my HH account forever, or do those expire?

Are you keeping your MR card? If so you can park them.

HH points expire after a year and I've lost them repeatedly, but thankfully not that many.

 

[ten6mom]

Are you keeping your MR card? If so you can park them.

HH points expire after a year and I've lost them repeatedly, but thankfully not that many.

Yep, that's going to be my "in between SUBs" card going forward

that's good to know about the HH points because I do have a few right now, although not enough to book anything with!

 

[havaneselover]

I recently tried Fanta zero and actually really liked it.

I love Fanta Zero.

If I get to the point of stocking up, it's diet pepsi and peanut butter cups in my cart

I'm getting ready to go for the SW Biz 100k offer. I've got no MSR right now and at least $18k of tax payments by 9/15.

 

[punkin]

@punkin how’s your niece doing with the study abroad in Italy in April? Still wait and see I hope?

There's no news from the college, so we are still hopeful.

 

[smallsy]

I am both relieved that our travel plans for 2020 had to be postponed and also jealous of everyone still traveling. I mean, the likelihood is we‘re all going to be exposed at some point, so that’s not my concern. I will be following along to see what travel is like though. I already have a healthy dose of travel anxiety so this just compounds it.

Speaking of travel, we had tabled WDW for 2020 but it still comes up in conversation enough that I think we’d be easily persuaded to go still. Buuut I was bummed to get the email from the travel company that shall not be named and see that the Labor Day deals are really disappointing this year. Nothing for Poly at all ☹

 

[gottalovepluto]

Did you see that amazing DIsney cruise offer today? I've not seen rates that low offered to us. Wondered if they'd had a bunch of cancellations...

The industry is reeling. I haven’t seen that pricing on those rooms in the last few years when I’ve been watching (I have seen it on inside).

To those wondering we have to stay mum on prices and details but when the cruise industry needs to fill cabins sometimes they will put out short notice flash sales to TAs for specific room types on a specific cruise.

Surprised and happy for you @mhartman09 hope they book!!

 

[gottalovepluto]

I am both relieved that our travel plans for 2020 had to be postponed and also jealous of everyone still traveling. I mean, the likelihood is we‘re all going to be exposed at some point, so that’s not my concern. I will be following along to see what travel is like though. I already have a healthy dose of travel anxiety so this just compounds it.

Speaking of travel, we had tabled WDW for 2020 but it still comes up in conversation enough that I think we’d be easily persuaded to go still. Buuut I was bummed to get the email from the travel company that shall not be named and see that the Labor Day deals are really disappointing this year. Nothing for Poly at all ☹

Glad you did what you needed to do for you! More money for other stuff, more points for next year

 

[wendow]

Speaking of travel, we had tabled WDW for 2020 but it still comes up in conversation enough that I think we’d be easily persuaded to go still. Buuut I was bummed to get the email from the travel company that shall not be named and see that the Labor Day deals are really disappointing this year. Nothing for Poly at all ☹

This has been the case with that agency for the last couple of years. It’s unfortunate as they used to be my ‘go to’ for Labor Day deals.
sorry your family’s travel had to be postponed.

 

[Judique]

It's 5 years since the last Osborne Lights at HS and this morning I'm busy reducing clutter. I found a mug from my evening at that last presentation and a Mickey shaped popcorn bucket. This is the only bucket I own, and I'm not likely to be carrying it back to Disney, so I was going to stick it in the Goodwill box. Well, checked it out on Ebay and they are listing them new for over $40. Mine is not new as I bought it with popcorn in it. Any idea what a used one would bring? Does anyone here sell stuff like that on Ebay?

I'm obviously not finished with Disney but I don't collect stuff anymore. I probably should gather it all up and sell it.

 

[amcc]

It's 5 years since the last Osborne Lights at HS and this morning I'm busy reducing clutter. I found a mug from my evening at that last presentation and a Mickey shaped popcorn bucket. This is the only bucket I own, and I'm not likely to be carrying it back to Disney, so I was going to stick it in the Goodwill box. Well, checked it out on Ebay and they are listing them new for over $40. Mine is not new as I bought it with popcorn in it. Any idea what a used one would bring? Does anyone here sell stuff like that on Ebay?

I'm obviously not finished with Disney but I don't collect stuff anymore. I probably should gather it all up and sell it.

I’ve sold all the extra kids mugs I’ve picked up at Trader Sams (plastic tiki, not the fancy) on eBay and they’ve sold well and quickly. I’ve also sold extra orange bird cups from F and G. Since I have to buy all 4 kids a drink at the same time, I end up with extras! For a popcorn bucket, I would charge at least $8-10 in shipping because even if it’s less than a pound, you are going to need a good size box.

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

We had a living trust drawn up shortly after DD was born, so that was around 2011 or 2012. DH said the cost was around $600. It was worth every penny to me but he's claiming he could have done it himself with a legal zoom type website. All of our assets (retirement accounts, DVC, deed to house, life insurance, pensions, etc) list the trust as the beneficiary. It also included medical power of attorney as well as custody of DD and who will manage the trust on her behalf. It covered all of the major items that were important to us.

I think the guy we saw might be overcharging then. The thing with him is he charges separate for all of those things and wants you to buy his package that includes all of the documents: living will, will, power of attorney, and two others I can’t remember right now.

Call a couple other lawyers--get referrals from people you know, maybe from the gym and your financial advisor. Tell them you want all the various documents drawn up. Our estate is a bit confusing due to inheritances from my parents. We paid in the neighborhood of $1000 6 years ago for everything you can imagine, plus we had over-21, over-18, and underage kids at the same time so she had to cover various scenarios.

@punkin how’s your niece doing with the study abroad in Italy in April? Still wait and see I hope?

There's no news from the college, so we are still hopeful.

My dd's university has recalled all study abroad in Asia and in Italy. She is supposed to be in Vienna from midMay until late July.

Sorry, still sailing around New Zealand! It’s gorgeous and amazing here y’all!View attachment 478608

Gorgeous!! I can't wait to hear all about it!

 

[fsjking]

The industry is reeling. I haven’t seen that pricing on those rooms in the last few years when I’ve been watching (I have seen it on inside).

To those wondering we have to stay mum on prices and details but when the cruise industry needs to fill cabins sometimes they will put out short notice flash sales to TAs for specific room types on a specific cruise.

Surprised and happy for you @mhartman09 hope they book!!

I think that one corona virus cruise will do more damage to the cruise industry than a recession would at this point. A lot of people are wary of cruises but go anyway. Seeing they can be quarantined and trapped for an extended period of time is going to turn them off of it for good or a long while at least. Especially until this virus runs its course. I love cruising but am glad I don't have one scheduled right now.

 

[Killer Fish]

Dh and I met with a lawyer today for a free consultation to talk about getting our wills drawn up. Our financial advisor suggested getting it done before the baby is here. Dh wasn’t happy with the quote the guy gave us. I’m curious what others have paid to have a will made. Is anyone willing to share?

I need to do this........I keep putting it off even though I know I shouldn't.

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

I'm pretty sure there was Dr Pepper in my baby bottle lol! I love the stuff. But I only drink diet DP now. And I love it just as much

Finally, someone that talks my language! But diet, eww no, I don't touch diet. Why does it exist?! I shudder at the thought.

In other news, hopefully everyone gets their Baby Yoda toys before any type of shortage/delay may happen!

 

[first*toright]

Like everyone else, I'm on tenterhooks about our planned travel. We're supposed to be in Austria in mid-April. Not worried about getting sick, but concerned about quarantine measures. I have heard of schools/businesses requiring 14 day self quarantine if you've been in China/Italy, or even if you travel internationally anywhere! If all of Europe gets put on that list, and that is the direction that our school district takes, it would be rough for my kids to be home for 2 weeks! Esp. because it seems that the long incubation period means that its probably pretty pervasive in the US already. If the CDC says not to go to Europe, we definitely won't go. If we are going to have to quarantine when we get back, probably won't go. Ugh.

If we do get to go, we just got a big travel benefit from all the flight change craziness. When I booked the trip, I chose connecting flights instead of a non-stop flight because I couldn't get business seats on the non-stop. United cancelled the first leg of our flight home, and rebooked us on a later flight (that lands 2 hours after our long-haul flight takes off). When I called to get it fixed, they moved us to the non-stop, still in business. So we would get to try out United Polaris on the way over and Austrian Business Class on the way back - sounds like fun.

Really hope we get to go!

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

So I've yet to find a hotel in a price I like for my dates in FL. But I'm thinking rather than cancel it....it's $93. I think I'll let it ride and hope prices drop and I find something. I could always Air B&B something if needed. I think I'm also willing to take a $93 loss if need be.

Now as for mortgages.....Does anyone know this.....I got to keep the VA loan on the house when we got divorced. But our divorce decree does state that he can force me to refi when/if he wants it back. For those that don't know you can "give away" your VA loan now w/ a house, but you only get one. I don't foresee him wanting it soon, and he's not one to screw me over. We did a total refi back in 2016 and took everything out of the house. Thanks to the market going WAY up, I'm probably sitting on $70-80k in equity. My rate is 3.25%. BUT I'm seriously looking at a rental/income property in the near future. Would I be shooting myself in the foot right now if I refi'd (non-VA to open that back up for him), when it comes to getting another property? Will lenders approve "back to back" mortgages?

I would probably be looking at taking out some (or all) of the equity, to use as a down payment on the rental property. I don't care about refi-ing back to another 30 year again. I have plans on selling this house in probably the next 10 years (or turning it into a rental income). I will either then take my mom's house (paid off) or be moving down south.

 

[punkin]

My dd's university has recalled all study abroad in Asia and in Italy. She is supposed to be in Vienna from midMay until late July.

That really sucks. All I got from Niece's program was an email on (I believe) February 28th saying that they are monitoring the situation and will inform us of any changes. and nothing since then.

ETA: This is on the school's website: "At this time, we do not anticipate making any changes to our summer study abroad programs outside of China. Therefore, you may progress as normal through the pre-departure [] Study Abroad process. Should this change, we will send follow-up communication with our plans. As you know, this situation is fluid, and we will reevaluate summer programming on a location by location basis over the course of the next few weeks. "

 

[georgina]

Dh and I met with a lawyer today for a free consultation to talk about getting our wills drawn up. Our financial advisor suggested getting it done before the baby is here. Dh wasn’t happy with the quote the guy gave us. I’m curious what others have paid to have a will made. Is anyone willing to share?

A basic will is important when you have children! Gotta name guardians, trustees, etc. Ours was last done in 1990, and we have been talking to an elder law atty about making a new one, with the whole end of life documents, power of atty, etc. I have been calling around for quotes, and with a special elder lawyer, will plus supporting documents, the lowest I could find was $1100. Trusts are significantly more, but I am not looking for that now. You shouldn't need that level of lawyer, so it should be less than that, and could probably draw something up online.

I'm sure lawyer pricing is dependent on the region you live in also. I've been dragging my feet on it since I heard the cost, but DH is 65, grandchildren on the horizon, we need to do something.

Travel concerns - DH has a scuba trip to the Philippines in May. He's flying direct to Manila from the US, some of his group are going through Hong Kong. Curious how that will go.

 

[Herding_Cats]

Chase freedom support link question! Both dh and I are 0/24, and I’m wondering about supporting each other for a freedom unlimited card since that would give us 60k URs (spacing them out appropriately of course.) My question is: we both have freedom cards, and would be supporting each other for freedom unlimited (the email I got says “any freedom card”) BUT we are both AUs on each other’s existing freedom cards. Would this be considered a self-support? We have separate chase logins, and the respective cards are tried individually to those logins if that matters.

 

[becauseimnew]

Chase freedom support link question! Both dh and I are 0/24, and I’m wondering about supporting each other for a freedom unlimited card since that would give us 60k URs (spacing them out appropriately of course.) My question is: we both have freedom cards, and would be supporting each other for freedom unlimited (the email I got says “any freedom card”) BUT we are both AUs on each other’s existing freedom cards. Would this be considered a self-support? We have separate chase logins, and the respective cards are tried individually to those logins if that matters.

That's not considered self-support.