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

[Alexle2007]

Would that be the same as a HELOC? I’m familiar with that and we have one open. Just never heard the term ‘equity loan’ but that sounds like a HELOC.

I think of a HELOC more like a credit card that you can draw different amounts from where as an equity loan is typically a set amount that you take the set amount on like that $100k for the house expansion. Instead of a HELOC where you have $100k available and I borrow $10k for hard wood floors and 6 months later I borrow another $5k to have the house painted and then 2 years later I borrow $40k to have the basement done so first I am paying on $10k, then $15k then $55k. The cash-out allows to pull equity into that primary mortgage so it is part of that single loan and not separate when you refinance. So if you wanted that $10k for hard wood floors, you refi was $210k but you take that extra $10k as cash and refi for $220k. We haven’t done any of them.

 

[wendow]

I think of a HELOC more like a credit card that you can draw different amounts from where as an equity loan is typically a set amount that you take the set amount on like that $100k for the house expansion. Instead of a HELOC where you have $100k available and I borrow $10k for hard wood floors and 6 months later I borrow another $5k to have the house painted and then 2 years later I borrow $40k to have the basement done so first I am paying on $10k, then $15k then $55k. The cash-out allows to pull equity into that primary mortgage so it is part of that single loan and not separate when you refinance. So if you wanted that $10k for hard wood floors, you refi was $210k but you take that extra $10k as cash and refi for $220k. We haven’t done any of them.

That makes sense! Thanks for explaining the difference.

 

[EACarlson]

Looks like we're back to softball tournaments in 3 weeks so we've decided if Disney is open, we'll go.
Then I need to decide whether to book a hotel via Hilton points or UR for a tournament. I'm leaning toward burning Hilton points so I don't fall into anything like last year where Marriott didn't want to give me the room I booked because I used "expedia (UR)", checked in around 9pm, and they were full.

What type of softball? I'm an umpire and have heard nothing about when things will start around me. I'm supposed to be working a big tournament in Chicago Father's Day weekend, we'll see how that goes.

I would go with Hilton points if you have them, most places you can check in on the app and use your phone for a room key. Anything booked with a third party is last on the list of those they are going to take care of if they're oversold.

 

[2TxAgs]

@becauseimnew - I'm sitting here with my 2019 Utah Parks shutterfly album, being envious that you're going soon! We went for just 4 days and it wasn't enough - we want to go back! We did Zion, Bryce and Capitol Reef and flew into/out of Vegas. Capitol Reef is so beautiful, it's surprising that it isn't more well known. We had an amazing night watching the Milky Way rise out at Capitol Reef - just before the park entrance is a scenic stop, and we were there around 7pm. As we were thinking about leaving, a few folks started showing up with cameras and talking about taking pics of the Milky Way. I thought those kinds of pics needed to be taken in the middle of the night, but around 9pm it was dark enough and it was AMAZING! It's been a bucket list item for me for years and that night was so special. The gorge at CR is a great hike.
At Zion, you'll need to park and take the shuttle back to the Narrows. Not a problem, just an FYI. We left Zion at 8AM and by the time we got to Bryce at 10ish, they were full in certain parking areas and we were limited in what we could see. I suspect things may be less crowded for you this summer, but who knows, so I would advise to get to Bryce early.
This will be a trip you'll talk about for years - enjoy!

 

[orangecuse]

Our refi closes this week so I did a thing!

Amex alerted me I could get 20k for referrals off of my gold (maybe always the case? I cant remember). I referred P2 and he was offered the 50k for Gold but more tantalizing to me was the 30k for the everyday preferred. No popup and instant approval! We use his blue biz alllll of the time so they must be happy with that!

Since Chase biz seems mostly dead for now I am debating Hyatt or CF or double dip next.

 

[Limes96]

Would that be the same as a HELOC? I’m familiar with that and we have one open. Just never heard the term ‘equity loan’ but that sounds like a HELOC.

I believe that
HELOC= Home equity line of credit
So it’s the same thing. At least that’s my understanding.

 

[pillow]

Capitol Reef is so beautiful, it's surprising that it isn't more well known.

I know, right? Capitol Reef was our favorite! We liked it more than both Bryce and Zion. Sigh . . . wish I was there right now!

 

[kmc8826]

Would that be the same as a HELOC? I’m familiar with that and we have one open. Just never heard the term ‘equity loan’ but that sounds like a HELOC.

An equity loan is different from a HELOC in that you are borrowing a set amount of money to do with what you want. You don't change the amount of money that part is set as is the interest rate. You are still using the equity of your home as collateral. But instead of a variable interest rate like on a HELOC you borrow say 30k at 4% interest and then have a the equity loan as second mortgage for the next 7 years to pay it off.

 

[snugglebug]

What type of softball? I'm an umpire and have heard nothing about when things will start around me. I'm supposed to be working a big tournament in Chicago Father's Day weekend, we'll see how that goes.

I would go with Hilton points if you have them, most places you can check in on the app and use your phone for a room key. Anything booked with a third party is last on the list of those they are going to take care of if they're oversold.

We play travel ball. Texas is just about open. Practices (already doing at a limit of 4 people) begin on 5/31. The PDF the governor put out says tournaments and games to begin 6/15, but we have a tournament organizer here that says they are a for profit company that organizes events, not a Little League (specifically mentioned) or organization so their previously scheduled 6/12 tournament will go on. Our first tourney will be the State Championship lol

 

[hsmamato2]

@becauseimnew - I'm sitting here with my 2019 Utah Parks shutterfly album, being envious that you're going soon! We went for just 4 days and it wasn't enough - we want to go back! We did Zion, Bryce and Capitol Reef and flew into/out of Vegas. Capitol Reef is so beautiful, it's surprising that it isn't more well known. We had an amazing night watching the Milky Way rise out at Capitol Reef - just before the park entrance is a scenic stop, and we were there around 7pm. As we were thinking about leaving, a few folks started showing up with cameras and talking about taking pics of the Milky Way. I thought those kinds of pics needed to be taken in the middle of the night, but around 9pm it was dark enough and it was AMAZING! It's been a bucket list item for me for years and that night was so special. The gorge at CR is a great hike.
At Zion, you'll need to park and take the shuttle back to the Narrows. Not a problem, just an FYI. We left Zion at 8AM and by the time we got to Bryce at 10ish, they were full in certain parking areas and we were limited in what we could see. I suspect things may be less crowded for you this summer, but who knows, so I would advise to get to Bryce early.
This will be a trip you'll talk about for years - enjoy!

when we visited, we stayed right at the edge of each park,Zion was especially easy,we just walked over from our hotel to the narrows area... Bryce we drove over at sunrise

 

[kmc8826]

Just cancelled two AMEX companion certificates with Delta for flights I had booked in March for trips in August and September. Original plan was to use AP's and take each of the girls down alone this year. We decided that this is not the year to do that so after about a 45 minute hold found that the practice now is that Delta is just refunding the money paid onto the card and then extending the certificates out 6 months. I had one other companion certificate that the anniversary date is also being extended on. I am sad that the plans are not happening but glad that Delta is being so customer friendly. Bad part is that I made the flights as part of the spend on my Plat when I was meeting the MSR so I will need to make that up ASAP.

 

[hsmamato2]

I know, right? Capitol Reef was our favorite! We liked it more than both Bryce and Zion. Sigh . . . wish I was there right now!

we stayed at a sweet little family run campground right nearby here....technically we missed most of this park b/c we got lost the day before and drove to the edge of Lake Powell... beware of cool little gas stations built into the rock cliffs and turns that are easy to overlook

 

[danceintherain]

I'm still planning Disney for July. Looks like we're back to softball tournaments in 3 weeks so we've decided if Disney is open, we'll go. I'm hoping Southwest will extend their distancing on the plane (currently ensuring middle row can stay empty until end of June). I've decided we need to book ADRs for lunch to get a break from the heat. I don't know if we'll be 4 or 5 though. I can get Beaches N Cream for 4 and for 2 at slightly different times, but not for 5/6. Should I book them both or just leave my party of 4. ODS says he highly doubts he'll be going with us.

Then I need to decide whether to book a hotel via Hilton points or UR for a tournament. I'm leaning toward burning Hilton points so I don't fall into anything like last year where Marriott didn't want to give me the room I booked because I used "expedia (UR)", checked in around 9pm, and they were full.

I'm assuming your son is older and can be left alone. If that's the case, and he won't commit either way (all of my brothers are like that) then I would just leave it, and he can just not come along to that one ADR. I know my Mom would be freaking out about this, because she feels left out if anyone gets left out, but for our last few Disney trips my brothers have gone off and done their own thing most of the time anyway.
If it's a problem for most of your ADRs, then I would pick and choose some to do the extra ressie for and some not. But, if you've managed to get an ADR for 5 for most places.

As for the other....I'd probably book with Hilton points. We've run into issues with booking through 3rd parties recently also. It's such an annoyingly stupid thing that can happen.

Just woken up by my ring. I check the footage and someone in a hoodie runs up to the front door and looks like they touch the camera and run off. Is this something bored teenagers do? I’m about to throw up.

Considering bored teenagers were eating Tide pods, who knows what kind of shenanigans they'll be getting up to by the time they're all back in school full time.

What the heck. That’s frightening. Hopefully it’s just someone messing around. I’m in a group on Facebook for our neighborhood and someone was driving around looking into people’s open garage doors. He stopped in front of the house across the street from us 3 times and the guy that lives there was on the roof the whole time. He got in his car and followed the guy after the third time and saw him stop in front of multiple houses that had garage doors open. I would guess the majority of people here have cameras on their houses

We actually had a chain of robberies that involved people going into people's cars and stealing their garage door openers, then coming back later to use that as entry into people's houses. Apparently, most people don't lock the door that comes in from their garage. We always dead bolt ours, because it's warped or something, so if we don't it flies open all the time.

 

[Limes96]

An equity loan is different from a HELOC in that you are borrowing a set amount of money to do with what you want. You don't change the amount of money that part is set as is the interest rate. You are still using the equity of your home as collateral. But instead of a variable interest rate like on a HELOC you borrow say 30k at 4% interest and then have a the equity loan as second mortgage for the next 7 years to pay it off.

That makes sense!

My CIP bonus just posted and I finally got my refund URs from the Europe trip deposited back in my account, so I’m pretty happy about that. We won’t be able to handle another MSR for maybe another two months now. Our spending is so low right now, and we’re still spending down our travel refunds. I am still thinking CSP for P2. Considering maybe a C1V for me towards the end of summer maybe. But the verification we had to do for P2’s C1V last summer was a big pain in the rear. Not sure if I want to go through that or not. I can’t believe we’ve only gotten one card so far this year.

 

[alryan]

I don't know how many people this will help since it's for US Cellular, but I had a Chase offer for save $45 when you spend $30 on your first month service. I needed new charging cords so I thought it was worth a shot to try that and it went to redeemed with a purchase from an US Cellular store. I bought it Friday and it went to redeemed today. I had it on my CIC and DH had it on his Freedom. Today is the last day.

 

[Haley R]

I'm assuming your son is older and can be left alone. If that's the case, and he won't commit either way (all of my brothers are like that) then I would just leave it, and he can just not come along to that one ADR. I know my Mom would be freaking out about this, because she feels left out if anyone gets left out, but for our last few Disney trips my brothers have gone off and done their own thing most of the time anyway.
If it's a problem for most of your ADRs, then I would pick and choose some to do the extra ressie for and some not. But, if you've managed to get an ADR for 5 for most places.

As for the other....I'd probably book with Hilton points. We've run into issues with booking through 3rd parties recently also. It's such an annoyingly stupid thing that can happen.


Considering bored teenagers were eating Tide pods, who knows what kind of shenanigans they'll be getting up to by the time they're all back in school full time.


We actually had a chain of robberies that involved people going into people's cars and stealing their garage door openers, then coming back later to use that as entry into people's houses. Apparently, most people don't lock the door that comes in from their garage. We always dead bolt ours, because it's warped or something, so if we don't it flies open all the time.

That’s exactly what we just started doing. Dh said he wanted to deadbolt our door to the garage so we do that each night now. Our cars stay in the garage at all times so no one would be able to get our garage door opener unless they broke into our garage. We never leave the garage door open unless we’re doing yard work and can see anyone that goes by

 

[havaneselover]

That is just crazy! This is when I am glad we don’t live in a neighborhood and live on a private drive with only 2 neighbors.

Yeah--I grew up in the woods in CT but generally I feel safer in a neighborhood with neighbors all around. Until recently

I'm assuming your son is older and can be left alone. If that's the case, and he won't commit either way (all of my brothers are like that) then I would just leave it, and he can just not come along to that one ADR. I know my Mom would be freaking out about this, because she feels left out if anyone gets left out, but for our last few Disney trips my brothers have gone off and done their own thing most of the time anyway.
If it's a problem for most of your ADRs, then I would pick and choose some to do the extra ressie for and some not. But, if you've managed to get an ADR for 5 for most places.

As for the other....I'd probably book with Hilton points. We've run into issues with booking through 3rd parties recently also. It's such an annoyingly stupid thing that can happen.


Considering bored teenagers were eating Tide pods, who knows what kind of shenanigans they'll be getting up to by the time they're all back in school full time.


We actually had a chain of robberies that involved people going into people's cars and stealing their garage door openers, then coming back later to use that as entry into people's houses. Apparently, most people don't lock the door that comes in from their garage. We always dead bolt ours, because it's warped or something, so if we don't it flies open all the time.

I hear you. Teenage boys with nothing to do is a disaster in the making.

Last week I took dd's garage door openers and put them in her center console since she parks outside.

And I think this home security system is making me paranoid!

 

[hsmamato2]

exciting cc news of my week.... I had to buy a garden hose and some potting soil,so I put on my homemade mask crazy2: but its got cute sea turtles on it) and drove to Lowes,and added an Amazon gc to my cart and got 10% back that literally is the biggest thing I've done in a while for buying. And the parking lot was so crowded! I will need to go get some more amazon gc before the offer expires bc I know at least I will use those up (usually too fast) other than that, I have a hankering to visit the local greenhouse and buy some veggies sometime soon... I've never been a big shopper , but since masks are so awful, I now officially hate all shopping. When I used to shop, comparing prices and finding deals in the grocery store was my thing- now,when I see a product that looks approximately like what I need,I grab three and move on without even looking back... (and hope to remember to use the right UR 5x card while I'm there,but those visits are rare now)

 

[DisneyMandC]

I can definitely wait until those 3 cards drop off. The 48 months thing is a bummer though. If that was a thing when I opened the card, I either didn't pay attention or didn't think it was a big deal. I might need to convince my husband for one of the Sapphire cards, even if that's the only one he goes for...

The 48 month rule was not in effect when you got your card, which is why you didn't know about it It used to be 24 months, but that changed last year.

 

[Lain]

FYI - It looks like Amex is limiting cardmembers to 4 credit cards (personal or business) now, down from 5 previously. There has been some chatter about this since late last week (DPs, however, are a bit mixed), but MTM reached out to Amex and they confirmed via Twitter. Amex recently reduced the limit on open charge cards to 10 at a time. Open charge cards do not (at least, should not) count against your number of open credit cards (and vice versa) for each limit.

https://milestomemories.com/confirmed-american-express-does-have-a-new-4-card-limit/
ETA: If you have 5 Amex credit cards open, they'll remain open until you close them, but it appears you won't be approved for any more Amex credit cards until you close two and drop down to 3 credit cards with the 4th slot open.