I love credit cards so much! v2.0 (see first page for add'l details)

[LuckyMamaInDE]

Chiming in on the diet workout conversation LOL. I am in a very frustrating time with my progress (or lack of since maintaining is not working anymore), but we have an elliptical. It does bore me to tears, I can only do it while watching really good tv series, that I will only allow myself to watch while working out. Work is getting insane again, so I fear time for this is going away again for a few weeks. We also bought a used commercial grade weight stack unit. I am trying to build more muscle, not sure if that's working at all or not. We had a treadmill years ago, and that worked well, but it got to the point where it hurt my knees and ankles too much.

I messed something up and lost my multi-quotes saved from yesterday, so I'm just quoting this one.

After years of trying with an (inherited) treadmill and elliptical, we joined a gym that opened up within 2 miles of our house. I discovered that not only can I lift heavy weights but that I love it! I followed some online lifting regimens from female trainers and that was fun, though I had trouble motivating myself to get out of the house when the weather was gross. Now I take group bootcamp-style classes at the gym that incorporate kettle bells, TRX straps, weighted balls, and all kinds of fun equipment. Knowing that other people are counting on my attendance makes me get up at freaking 5:30 for a 7am class (I have to hydrate before) or interrupt my day to get to the 12:30 classes. When the weather is dry and temps are between 35 and 85 I walk the 2 miles to the gym---no more excuses! So I now take 4 classes a week and go to yoga on Saturdays with dh. On my off days, I walk as much as possible. Bad weather days means I walk circuits around my downstairs while reading twitter or disboards on my phone Good weather days means I walk 6 miles roundtrip to the library and the grocery store or to the farmers' market on Sundays.

So I am the most fit I've ever been in my life at 53. I am stronger than any woman I know who is older than 30. Heck, I am stronger than many men! My stress is managed. My resting heart rate and blood pressure are low. I sleep well once I fall asleep. I have great arms

But I have gained 10 pounds that are *not* muscle in the past 2 years, shown by fancy body composition measuring at the gym. This apparently is my only perimenopause symptom. It is incredibly frustrating

I cook and bake everything we eat because of food allergies. We eat out twice a month. Half our meals are non-soy vegan this summer because dd19 is trying recipes that she can make at school. I drink water, sparkling water, decaf coffee, and decaf tea. I only drink adult beverages at special occasions and when we are out. After reading my food logs, my trainer says I'm doing everything right but that I just can't fight biology and that I should plateau soon, based on her other clients of similar age, and be able to lose weight once the %&*$# hormones settle down. I hope so.

 

[Tikitoi]

This is same for us. My dd really wanted to work at the Disney store but they closed the one by us and it’s 30 mins (in no traffic) to the closest one.

Same for us. DD wanted to work there while going to college but the one at our mall closed. Now the nearest is an hour away.

Chicago suburbs are one giant strip mall after another. The indoor malls aren’t doing that great, many have multiple empty stores, but they are still building strip malls even when current ones aren’t rented. The Disney stores near us are in outlet malls, one 10 miles away, the other 15 which is a minimum 30 minutes but longer during rush hour.

We had such a good time in your city last month. Loved walking up and down N Michigan Ave. Went to the Disney store and bought a Disney Windy City shirt for me. I like to get those when I can. Got a couple NYC ones.

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

Hi from Germany!
Today is our last full day on the Danube ABD River Cruise. It's been good, although the heat is so very tiring. I think I prefer to travel in Central/Southern Europe in the winter and more northern Europe in the summer from here on out. The ABD guides were good, we enjoyed our prenights in Budapest and tomorrow we'll fly to Prague. I do think this is a great trip for multi-generational travel and we've met some really nice people (including a fellow churner so whoo hoo).

The current European heat wave is INSANE I look forward to hearing more about your trip!

 

[miztressuz]

I have to stop checking DoC for offers, I get all excited for no reason. All the Chase and AmEx offers in the last two days, I excitedly head to the sites to check and I get from AmEx 1k MR if I spend $75+ at Del Frisco Grill ( never heard of before outside of all these CC offers) and from Chase 10% back at PotteryBarn Teen.

I did get an email from BoA for some $50 Xfinity offer but since we have absolutely no inclination to ever use Comcast again I didn't even click it to find out the details.

 

[Lain]

we've met some really nice people (including a fellow churner so whoo hoo).

Are they on this thread?

 

[Tikitoi]

Is there a reason to keep closed cards that I am missing? When mine are expired or closed I just cut up and throw away.

Memorabilia...I have an old Universal Studios cc

 

[striker1064]

$200 SW GC posted today on Biz Plat as "Spd/Air Freight." Fingers crossed that still works.

 

[GZanta77]

Pretty sure that @Alexle2007 thinks Uber is the stupid one... and I agree

Ah...yes, that make sense......and I also agree.

 

[tink1970]

Conversation Starter: The Last Straw

If Amex Plat no longer conferred Centurion/Delta Lounge entry--sorry I'm way behind but the 'net is wonky between borders.

The current European heat wave is INSANE I look forward to hearing more about your trip!

Yes, it's not been fun, nor comfortable. Please pm me with any questions--I suspect my trip report would read-hot, stayed on the ship, still hot, stayed on the ship, hot, sat in Salzburg Starbucks for 2 hours....

Are they on this thread?

I don't think so but I'll ask him and if not, let him know how cool we are

 

[Haley R]

Hope you have a great time tonight @Haley R! I guess a lot of us are traveling this week. Seems that way anyhow. Hope you all are having a great time too! Safe travels! @amalone1013 @calypso726 @SouthFayetteFan and I’m sure quite a few more, but those are the ones that came to mind.

Thank you! I’m excited!!!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Do you know how much?

Most recent post I see on parent FP page is 10% but some say 15%. Some also say it is for specific resorts.

 

[WVMomof3]

All this exercise talk is motivating me again. It is really depressing to be the heaviest I have ever been, probably even heavier than pregnant too, but I did not keep track of that. I am not one to weigh myself often but definitely can tell how my clothes fit and NOT fit. About 5 years ago I was in the best shape ever. I went to the gym 5 days a week and played soccer year round (indoor/outdoor). Well, I ran around the field, I am not sure you can qualify my ability with actually playing. lol But then I had a detached retina and it sidelined me from all activity for several months. Was finally ramping back up my gym and soccer and I got injured playing. That was my last ever game. Still not sure what exactly happened, but 5 years later, my leg is still not the same. I didn't break anything but it still feels bruised and is quick to swell. So that was my excuse to stop everything. 5 years and 25 pounds later, I am just not feeling good about myself. I recently bought myself an activity tracker so I have been walking everyday for about a month. Nothing happening weight wise so I know I need to do more. I am trying the intermittent fasting, but when I wake up at 6:30 I am convinced by 8:30 that I am going to die of starvation. My big downfall is salty snacks. I used to eat pretzels all the time. I did quit buying those, but I can still find something in pantry. Right now it is Tostitos. I can eat a whole bag by myself if I don't curb myself. Just snacking here and there, not gorging so it doesn't feel like I am being bad. DH is getting a little chunky too so we both need to change our diet. Pasta, rice and potatoes are just easy and cheap. Need to figure out better recipes. It would also be helpful if DH got home earlier so we didn't eat so late and when he travels I am bad about fixing a real meal. He is the only one that wants a meal, the kids and I are perfectly happy just snacking for dinner, which I know is not good.

 

[PaintsWithAllTheColors]

Finally!! No fee $200 Visas back at Staples 6/30-706
https://www.doctorofcredit.com/staples-no-purchase-fee-on-200-visa-gift-cards-6-30-7-6/

Okay! So here's my question: Is it better to use my CIC for the 5% rewards, or the FU, with a 25% Staples offer? I've never actually used the Chase offers before so I'm not sure if that comes back as UR or what? Probably a silly question as the 25% offer seems the obvious choice, but it seemed too simple so I thought I'd double-check.

 

[wanderlust7]

can you please explain to me how this is supposed to work? I tried the link DoC for $30 off $60 using MR,it said I got it, but at checkout,no. Are amazon gc ineligible?

Amazon and Visa/Mastercard GC are not eligible. The other GCs work.

 

[platamama]

Okay! So here's my question: Is it better to use my CIC for the 5% rewards, or the FU, with a 25% Staples offer? I've never actually used the Chase offers before so I'm not sure if that comes back as UR or what? Probably a silly question as the 25% offer seems the obvious choice, but it seemed too simple so I thought I'd double-check.

Check the details of your 25% Staples offer, in the past the maximum was something like $6 or something like that. I didn't get targeted for this offer so I don't know what the fine print says. Remember to calculate in that you also earn 1.5x with the CFU in addition to the cash back... the Chase offers are cash back credits on your statement, not URs.

With your CIC, you'd get the UR equivalent of $10 on a $200 vgc.

 

[3 DD love princesses]

I get up at 4 am M-F. Drive swim carpool, exercise, shower, and am off to work by 7:15. To me not doing it is like not brushing my teeth. I feel disgusting.

Wow give you credit that’s a lot of steps.

Finally!! No fee $200 Visas back at Staples 6/30-706
https://www.doctorofcredit.com/staples-no-purchase-fee-on-200-visa-gift-cards-6-30-7-6/

Thanks might have to do this to hold me over while I figure out what next. Too bad it’s not mc then I could do the Mortage.

Okay! So here's my question: Is it better to use my CIC for the 5% rewards, or the FU, with a 25% Staples offer? I've never actually used the Chase offers before so I'm not sure if that comes back as UR or what? Probably a silly question as the 25% offer seems the obvious choice, but it seemed too simple so I thought I'd double-check.

You can split the payment.

 

[PaintsWithAllTheColors]

Check the details of your 25% Staples offer, in the past the maximum was something like $6 or something like that. I didn't get targeted for this offer so I don't know what the fine print says. Remember to calculate in that you also earn 1.5x with the CFU in addition to the cash back... the Chase offers are cash back credits on your statement, not URs.

With your CIC, you'd get the UR equivalent of $10 on a $200 vgc.

Thank you! I didn't realize it was a statement credit.

The maximum is $17.50, which I think, with my FU 1.5x gets me a value of $22. I value UR points at 1.5CPP, so my CIC would get me $15, but it's still better to go with the FU.

 

[miztressuz]

Okay! So here's my question: Is it better to use my CIC for the 5% rewards, or the FU, with a 25% Staples offer? I've never actually used the Chase offers before so I'm not sure if that comes back as UR or what? Probably a silly question as the 25% offer seems the obvious choice, but it seemed too simple so I thought I'd double-check.

Chase offers are statement credits and it doesn't affect your points earning on the purchase from what I recall. However, the 25% back is capped so you max out with a $70 purchase. The better choice would be to do a split payment to max the offer and put the remainder on the CIC.

 

[DisneyMandC]

I have to stop checking DoC for offers, I get all excited for no reason. All the Chase and AmEx offers in the last two days, I excitedly head to the sites to check and I get from AmEx 1k MR if I spend $75+ at Del Frisco Grill ( never heard of before outside of all these CC offers) and from Chase 10% back at PotteryBarn Teen.

I did get an email from BoA for some $50 Xfinity offer but since we have absolutely no inclination to ever use Comcast again I didn't even click it to find out the details.

I've gotten none of the recent Staples offers on Amex or Chase, or anything good for that matter. I was trying to think of some good reason to get the fee-free VGCs at Staples next week, but with the Best Buy deal dead and no Staples offer, I don't see a reason to.

 

[PaintsWithAllTheColors]

You can split the payment.

Okay, yeah that's what i'll do. If my math is right, that'll get me $29 back in total value!