WATCH OUT FOR GIFT CARD FRAUD: Fatwallet has a thread about one type of gift card fraud to watch out for. Apparently somebody out there is putting stickers over the barcodes of Visa gift cards, Vanilla Reloads, and suchlike. The stickers themselves are barcodes for other gift cards, so when you buy the gift card and you think you’re adding money to it you’re actually adding money to the crook’s card.
Bottom line: if you’re into points and miles via gift cards and prepaid debit cards, it wouldn’t hurt to run your finger along the back of the package to make sure that’s the original bar code and not a sticker. Hopefully none of you have run into this kind of thing.
HOW TO WORK THE UNITED AIRLINES AWARD SYSTEM: Frugal Travel Guy has some nice information about booking United Airlines award tickets. This installment is about adding open jaws and stopovers to your tickets to wring more value out of them. It’s worth a read if you’re stockpiling Ultimate Reward points or United miles.
MCDONALD’S MONOPOLY CHALLENGE FINAL RESULTS: Brandon and Jim have wrapped up their epic McDonald’s Monopoly Challenge at Bargaineering. They “won” a collective 151,000 calories, so hats off to them!
MORE HOMES FOR A DOLLAR: I recently mentioned a Detroit home which had been on the market for over a year despite its low, low price of $1. Watch out, Detroit–here comes Gary, Indiana! The city is selling a dozen houses for just one dollar each. There are conditions, however:
Buyers must have lived in Gary for at least six months; have $1,000 in savings; earn at least 80% of the median annual income of $35,250 in the area; and demonstrate that they have the financial ability to rehabilitate the home.
The program is open only to those who do not currently own a home, and they must occupy the house for five years before they assume full ownership. If they leave before that, they forfeit everything.
What are you waiting for? Get thee to Gary!
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