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The travel hacking resources I rely on today
Sorry to regular readers for the shortage of posts lately, I’ve been suffering from a combination of computer trouble (nothing new there) and website trouble (my Google ads start..
Job protection, wage insurance, and universal benefits
Become a Patron!As readers may have observed, I’ve been doing a lot of research lately on paid family and medical leave policies around the country, and I’ve found myself frustra..
How the Republican tax heist surgically targeted businesses in progressive states
This post gets pretty deep in the weeds, but it’s an issue that was brought to my attention by someone who works on family and medical leave policy and I
Are there 529 plans so bad they aren’t worth their state’s income tax benefits?
Become a Patron!A lot of financial planning and advice can start to seem pretty routine over time: maximize contributions to tax-advantaged savings vehicles, invest in a basket o..
Conrad Bora Bora – good availability for Sep 2019 and Jul 2020
Conrad Bora Bora is one of the most aspirational points properties in any program. The perfectly blue lagoon of Bora Bora on a sunny day is magical. Coupled with mountain view ..
The New Hilton Website SUCKS
Websites across the board have been getting worse. Chase, Amex, BA – you name it. Specifically, they’re being dumbed down for mobile, which is great for that environment but at..
Two current and upcoming bonused manufactured spend opportunities
Today I want to flag a couple manufactured spend opportunities to make sure readers are aware of them.$15 off $300 in Office Depot/OfficeMax MasterCard gift cardsThrough August 2..
This is how hard the credit card churning game has gotten
I only opened ONE new credit card in 2019 so far (it’s August now), with one more hard pull for a denial. I applied for 3 cards yesterday, all 3 are pending or denied, and judgi..
Why workers should fight for entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship, too
Become a Patron!Even though this blog is committed to promoting entrepreneurship, I often say I don’t think everyone should become an entrepreneur, for the fundamental reason tha..
Long Haul Traveling with a Toddler – Thoughts and Tips
I’ve gone a few rounds with The Deal Mommy on the worst age to fly and at this point unless she declares an age above of seven to be the
The wealthy Illinois degenerates were good and right for getting their kids a free education
Become a Patron!Last week, the nonprofit journalism enterprise ProPublica wrote a breathless expose about a number of wealthy Illinois families, and their law firm collaborator, ..
Episode 31: The Hotel Status Loyalty Trap
0:42 Bank of America $300 Personal Checking Bonus (HT DoC) Requires $4,000 Direct Deposit in 3 months You need to have a checking account with BofA to quality for their
The Fidelity “dead accounts” study is fake, not wrong
Become a Patron!I’ve noticed an interesting phenomenon, which I call “common knowledge about common knowledge” (doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, I know). It’s when some piece..
What will the Social Security funding “crisis” look like?
Become a Patron!When ignorant people want to sound serious, they start solemnly intoning about the Social Security funding crisis and the need for a “long-term” “fix” to the “pro..
How to Rent DVC Points and Save Money on Your Disney Stays
For years I’ve been hearing about the magic of renting Disney Vacation Club points to save money on your Disney stays. I finally got the chance to rent DVC points
What do the wealthy need from their financial advisors?
I’ve had two conversations lately that got me thinking about a question which, for obvious reasons, doesn’t come up in most people’s lives: what do you do after you’ve exhausted
No, you don't need to buy fixed-value gift cards for the Giant/Stop & Shop/Martin's grocery promotion
Doctor of Credit is one of my favorite resources for news about promotions (although they post so much stuff the website is almost unusable; I prefer their Twitter and RSS
Why I just changed my 529 asset allocation
Become a Patron!I’ve written before about what I consider the two best 529 college savings plans: the Nevada-sponsored Vanguard 529 plan and the Utah-sponsored my529 (formerly UE..
Episode 30: 5 Irrational Fears Around Points & Miles
Today we’re back with what turns out to be a meaty review of core Milenomics philosophies, but first the news… 0:30 Citi Double Cash to Earn TYP? (HT DoC) Coming
How To Get Free Travel With Car/RV Relocation
I’ve recently been intrigued by the idea of car/RV rental relocation as a way to get cheap (or even free) trips.
That’s right. You can get a rental of an RV
Do this now: activate 3rd quarter bonus categories and register for hotel promotions, plus double Flexpoints on dining
With the third quarter already upon us, it’s time to make sure you’ve activated your third quarter bonus categories. In addition, there are a slew of hotel promotions currently a..
Book review: “Maid” and the problem of the undeserving poor
Become a Patron!I just finished a fascinating and important book called “Maid,” by Stephanie Land, which seems to have been shepherded to publication by Barbara Ehrenreich, the a..
Map of Choice Hotels [with Choice Points]
Finally, here is the map of Choice Hotels by points price. This is one of the last hotel chains as part of the Complete Map series (which can also be