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

[afan]

Our schools here in CO go back either the first or second week of Aug (depends on district). I thought most of the south was same - I know TX & GA go back early. I want to say my cousin in Houston area said her kids go back first week of Aug.

District my house is in goes back the 14th, Charlotte's big district goes back the 26th. I think all of the south goes back before the end of the month but not necessarily next week.

 

[gottalovepluto]

DH just told me that on one of his last work trips he was paying for something and the person noticed the labels on his card and mentioned them... so he explained... and she told him maybe it was time for him to be a big boy and learn how to use his own cards

She obviously doesn’t have half the credit game you do! Pop quiz for her: what’s the Freedom bonus right now? What is it next quarter? What’s the Amex offer?! (Fine, the last one is a trap but if she’s as on top of her game as she sounds the answer would be “uhhh...” instead of “which one?”)

 

[wendow]

Here in Michigan we go back anywhere from mid August to the day after Labor Day.

I wish our kids went back after LD. Summer has barely gotten going here in CO when it's time to go back. My kids aren't in the schools full time but the school schedule affects everything like outdoor pools, sports schedules (my ds8's "fall" soccer begins Aug 5th), Scouting, etc.

 

[wendow]

She obviously doesn’t have half the credit game you do! Pop quiz for her: what’s the Freedom bonus right now? What is it next quarter? What’s the Amex offer?! (Fine, the last one is a trap but if she’s as on top of her game as she sounds the answer would be “uhhh...” instead of “which one?”)

What is the next quarter for Freedom?

 

[gottalovepluto]

Rey is a much better Jedi

Rey is awesome!! My second favorite SW character after the gal in Rogue One *spoiler alert* (how not SW nerd am I? I really liked Rogue One. I legit thought it was part of a trilogy. Even after everyone obviously died I just thought they’d pop back to life because it’s the movies and they had 2 more left!! ...The depths to which my soul was crushed when my brother informed me that night that it was a stand-alone movie...)

 

[wendow]

District my house is in goes back the 14th, Charlotte's big district goes back the 26th. I think all of the south goes back before the end of the month but not necessarily next week.

Maybe it is the Charlotte kids giving us trouble! If you look at historical data, this time in Aug isn't typically a crowd level 7. That's very high. Even if kids aren't quite back in yet, they are geared up for going. July was supposedly a ghost town at WDW so this seems odd. I just wonder if a lot of people decided to sneak trips in before SWGE opens, knowing they may wait awhile to go back...?

 

[amalone1013]

Rey is awesome!! My second favorite SW character after the gal in Rogue One *spoiler alert* (how not SW nerd am I? I really liked Rogue One. I legit thought it was part of a trilogy. Even after everyone obviously died I just thought they’d pop back to life because it’s the movies and they had 2 more left!! ...The depths to which my soul was crushed when my brother informed me that night that it was a stand-alone movie...)

I really liked Rogue One, much more than expected. Like, I was indifferent going in. I keep telling DH I'm going to rewatch the originals... I saw them once, in a marathon day on a snow day, when I was 15 I've never seen the prequels.

 

[miztressuz]

The Force Awakens was fine, if a bit derivative. I was literally cringing in my seat and in physical pain when I watched The Last Jedi.

I think we do sometimes share a brain cell.

Finally watched Force Awakens, and I swear there was a word for word scene in there from A New Hope - ok I'm sure it intentional to invoke the Trilogy and not laziness - but agreed it wasn't as bad as we thought it could be. So we continued on to Last Jedi... OMG. Almost couldn't make it until the end, hubby didn't. He left the room to do something, missed the big Skywalker fight scene and wrapup at the end, I gave him synopsis so he could decide if we should rewind... the look on his face I can't describe and then said 'yeah no, sounds like 10 minutes of my life I didn't miss. we can let that go'
We're not entirely sure if we should continue now with any of the others

So opinions, have you seen Rogue One or Solo? I thought Solo might get a couple laughs in. Really not sure what to make of Rouge One after seeing these two... although we are curious what storyline(s) they co-opted for that one. (To pay homage I'm sure)

 

[gottalovepluto]

What is the next quarter for Freedom?

Ummm...
Narrator: not actually having a CF @gottalovepluto hits the Google

Holidays!! Turns out there were 2 trick questions in there.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

What is the next quarter for Freedom?

Trick question - it's a closely guarded government secret that will be release no more than 16 days prior to the beginning of the next quarter. If she got that one right she is a churning jedi!

 

[wendow]

I really liked Rogue One, much more than expected. Like, I was indifferent going in. I keep telling DH I'm going to rewatch the originals... I saw them once, in a marathon day on a snow day, when I was 15 I've never seen the prequels.

You aren't missing anything with the prequels. Except Jar Jar and that is no loss at all

 

[Lain]

Rey is awesome!! My second favorite SW character after the gal in Rogue One *spoiler alert* (how not SW nerd am I? I really liked Rogue One. I legit thought it was part of a trilogy. Even after everyone obviously died I just thought they’d pop back to life because it’s the movies and they had 2 more left!! ...The depths to which my soul was crushed when my brother informed me that night that it was a stand-alone movie...)

I liked Rogue One.

Hated Solo (except for Donald Glover’s young Lando).

 

[wendow]

I liked Rogue One.

Hated Solo (except for Donald Glover’s young Lando).

OMGoodness, same! Same!!!

 

[Lain]

You aren't missing anything with the prequels.

Young Obi Wan Kenobi!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

From the producers who brought you Churning Shower Thoughts by SouthFayetteFan comes a new special edition post...
A Fireside Chat with SouthFayetteFan...

We have experienced a lot of growth on our thread recently. I would implore DISchurners both new and old to read some scattered thoughts I'd like to share with you. This is NOT directed at any one person but rather a series of thoughts that I wish to share with the group as a whole:

On Strategy, Pacing and Velocity...

• Have a strategy... If you're not sure where to start, ask! Especially in your early stages, it can be easy to get drawn off course, distracted by the allure of some new offer that isn't truly your best move. Develop a strategy with your end goal in mind (trip to Europe, free flights to Disney, over-water bungalow hotel, etc.) and stick to it! Your strategy should include which cards you plan to get and how you'll space them out to "play safe".
• Deviate from your strategy ONLY if the juice is worth the squeeze. A once in a lifetime best offer? Snag it!! But if this "great offer" rolls around every few months...perhaps it's not the time to deviate from the plan.
• PACING IS ESSENTIAL! Especially if you are a new churner...adhere to the velocity recommendations. THIS COMMENT might be particularly helpful if you don't know what I'm talking about. I get it...you have a lot of spend coming up, and that next card would be great right now...WAIT.IT.OUT. Shutdowns are real, denials will come, and pop-ups are not worth it! If you are only churning for the next 3-4 months towards 1 trip, maybe it's worth the risk. If you're in this for the long game...then play the game responsibly!
• If you're trying to go too fast, and you ask on the thread if it's ok...we will not say YES. You can do what you want, but understand, that we will not validate and provide our blessing on somebody pushing the envelope on application velocity. I and many others on this thread do not want to be the reason you get shutdown or denied. If you're ok with it, then do it, but don't expect our blessing (and that's ok...only you can decide what's best).
• If you find yourself paying Plastiq fees only to hit your MSR too quickly and be sitting on the sidelines waiting for your next card then consider if those fees were worth it? Perhaps you should just use your organic spend to hit those MSRs. OR perhaps you need to work a card with a nice category bonus into your strategy so that you can use that in between MSRs.

On Manufactured Spend (MS)...

• Always remember, this isn't a game - there is real money at stake here. Start slow - make sure you know what you are doing!
• Don't get in too deep - Your avenues to liquidate gift cards could dry up tomorrow. Nothing is promised here, and if you end up with $10,000 in VGCs can you float that if you're unable to liquidate?
• Understand your costs and rewards - it is possible to MS and lose money if you do it the wrong way. Also evaluate if it is worth your time, some people think it is, others do not. You do not NEED to MS to churn.
• Know the risks - Gift Cards could be stolen or drained, You could be subject to scrutiny by employees. I don't say these things to dissuade you from doing it - but be aware of the risks.

On other miscellaneous topics...

• If you are jumping in with American Express - research the RAT! You need to understand what works and what doesn't, you need to have a plan for keeping continual spend on your card. Do not become a victim of Pop-Up. Churny the Bear says "Only you can prevent Pop-Ups". A few dollars here or there won't cut it!
• Plan ahead! Reducing your credit limits an hour before applying IS NOT going to help! Paying down your balances on other cards the day before you apply won't make a difference. Manage your portfolio of cards constantly - Proactively reduce CLs & Don't wait until the last second to close cards (when it's necessary to close them)!
• Don't get caught up in FOMO - especially with certain points currencies. If you don't have a use for Hilton points, don't earn them! If Delta doesn't fly from your airport, don't apply! Make sure you that when you earn program specific points (Airlines/Hotels), you have a use for them, and even better, a backup use for them!
• Don't draw eyes to your account if you can avoid it. Is it really necessary to expedite that card?? That might be an indication that you didn't plan ahead well enough... Loophole didn't work out, chalk it up as a loss and try again - you have no leg to stand on. Be responsible and don't "ruin it for everybody" by complaining when you know you're not entirely in the right.
• BE ORGANIZED! Start a spreadsheet, and keep track of everything! When did you apply? When did you earn the bonus? What is the annual fee? When did you close the card? All of this and more is very important! The best churners are keeping track of everything!

I wish everybody here nothing but success as churners! As our community grows, it's hard to maintain that level of personal interaction. We have a lot of newbies floating in with the veterans. We have lurkers galore on the thread as well who are solely learning from what's said. Please understand that this thread is like being in Churning 101 and Churning 401 at the same time. Stop, Think, and Ask questions!

That comment should be good for at least 50 ........

Haha!! Seriously though, it was something I've been thinking about all week. It's just been a long time since we had one of these "meta" comments about responsible churning.

I prefer not to react to the posts that are fishing for them

C'mon @afan - the only thing standing between me and 50 is you...

 

[speedyfishy]

Rey is awesome!! My second favorite SW character after the gal in Rogue One *spoiler alert* (how not SW nerd am I? I really liked Rogue One. I legit thought it was part of a trilogy. Even after everyone obviously died I just thought they’d pop back to life because it’s the movies and they had 2 more left!! ...The depths to which my soul was crushed when my brother informed me that night that it was a stand-alone movie...)

When I went to see the movie I thought It would be a trilogy too. I remember walking out of the theater and asking my SO if I really just watched these people die. But the tie in and everything was really clever. I was just so shocked.

 

[miztressuz]

I liked Rogue One.

Hated Solo (except for Donald Glover’s young Lando).

And now I have my answers

 

[speedyfishy]

(except for Donald Glover’s young Lando).

He was my favorite

 

[wendow]

Young Obi Wan Kenobi!

Yeah, he is cute, I guess.

 

[mmmears]

Our schools here in CO go back either the first or second week of Aug (depends on district). I thought most of the south was same - I know TX & GA go back early. I want to say my cousin in Houston area said her kids go back first week of Aug.

As far as I know most of California doesn't start until the 2nd half of August at the earliest, with some school districts starting much later. Also I'm pretty sure that NY and that area goes back to school after Labor Day. It sure does mess with the trips though.