I love credit cards so much! v6.0 - 2023 & 2024 (see first page for add'l details)

[Alice Sr.]

We are currently watching Shrinking and are enjoying it. Just finished three seasons of Slow Horses. Also watched Presumed Innocent, Mythic Quest and Severance. Watched a few episodes of Morning Show but couldn’t get into it.

Yikes Slow Horses, I read the 1st book it was good but I decided not to read any others. I bet the show is intense. I guess it's all relative, but I get freaked out easy. I have had several of the free 3 month offers but never took them up on the offer, I will next time.

 

[ten6mom]

I’d go with no because it costs a few hundred to set up a LLC with the state. Costs depend on the state. And then any other taxes (at the time for my state there was a $250 business entity tax every other year). I did have an LLC for a while, but it was making $30-40k in profit. So yeah I needed a LLC. But for $2k…nah.

You also have to keep receipts and such as backup for a Schedule C. And tax time will be more expensive because you have to upgrade to the more expensive tax software tiers that have the schedule C. Make sure you think of all these extra expenses when deciding on whether to go forward.

I wouldn't. For that amount I would go as a sole prop and add it on to your personal taxes. I don't see much of a liability that an LLC is setup to mitigate. FWIW, I make about $7k annually officiating. And I pay about $60 extra each year for the self employed tax software that walks me through everything.

Thank you! I didn't think it would be worth it but I knew someone here would know for sure!

If I gave my this fledgling business an actual name, and then I wanted to apply for a biz card specifically for it, should I apply still under my own name or should I put the business name in the application? Do you think it matters?

 

[EACarlson]

I'm planning to cancel my Amex Delta card, I have an upcoming trip booked on points. Willi still get free bags or will Delta know I canceled the card?

Terms say the card must be open at time of travel. I don't know how quickly AMEX updates Delta on changes, I know it's only a couple days for new accounts.

Thank you! I didn't think it would be worth it but I knew someone here would know for sure!

If I gave my this fledgling business an actual name, and then I wanted to apply for a biz card specifically for it, should I apply still under my own name or should I put the business name in the application? Do you think it matters?

If you try to give it a name, you have to file with the state that you are operating a business under an assumed name. Triggers all kinds of issues with the state, and may will require articles of incorporation. My day job is dealing with trucking companies, the amount of paperwork to go from John Doe, to John Doe Trucking, is insane.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

I'm planning to cancel my Amex Delta card, I have an upcoming trip booked on points. Willi still get free bags or will Delta know I canceled the card?

My brother cancel his Amex Gold. Two days later he no longer could get 15% off point bookings. But in period between he could and tried to drain his balance. Anyway, seems to be quick, 2 days in his experience

 

[hsmamato2]

Apple tv...started watching Palm Royale and loving it so far

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Brief summary of my trip to Roma, Firenze and Bologna. I was gone a total of 13 days and had such a good trip!

My hotel in Rome, Hotel D'Inghiliterra, was booked using 4 FNCs. It re-opened on Sept. 27 after a 1 year refurb. I am not sure what they renovated because the hotel still felt authentically original, but I guess that's the point. The staff at the hotel was amazing -- all so nice and helpful, always smiling and friendly. I had to pinch myself to believe that I was staying using FNCs because it was SUCH a nice hotel and the cash rate would've been a cool $1,500.00 / night. I was upgraded to a deluxe room, which was SO nice and had a huge walk through closet. LOVED it and would definitely stay again (but never on cash, would have to be points or FNCs because it's so far out of my budget). Breakfast was included -- they had a small buffet with some fruit, cold cuts, cheeses, yogurts and cereals, plus they brought a huge pastry basket to the table and you could order a hot dish from their menu. Food was delicious. Location was clutch -- 3 min walk from the Spanish steps and within an easy walk of most of the main sites. Sadly the main fountains in Roma are under construction for the 2025 jubilee (Trevi, Fountain of Four Rivers, fountain in front of the Pantheon and Triton's Fountain). Oh and my room was super quiet (the room on one side was still under renovation as was at least another room on my floor). I glanced into 1 of the room under construction and it was super small.

In Roma I did a tour of the Colosseum through the Roman Tour Guy (couldn't by tickets direct) through the Gladiators Gate. I've toured the Colosseum previously, but it was over 10 years ago, so I really enjoyed it. We also went to Palentine Hill. Our tour guide, Ahmed, was incredibly knowledgeable. I also did a day trip to Tivoli by metro and bus. Oops, first time I made a mistake on public transit -- I got off the bus waaay too early. But Google maps was useless (said my stop was number 13 and it was probably more like stop 30). Anyways I had to walk to a nearby hotel and they ordered me a taxi (which cost me 30euros, so costly mistake, but at least I made it). Didn't help that the bus didn't have any announcements or a sign board and since it was a local bus far outside of Roma, no one spoke English.

Overall I loved Roma and would love to go back next year for a few days (not sure that I'll make it, but I can dream).

Firenze to follow.



I wasn't a huge fan of the bathroom, but for the size and beauty of the room I got used to it! I don't understand the placement of the towel rack in the shower -- I had to actively concentrate when having a shower not to bang my head into the corner of the rack because it's pretty tight.


Walk through closet -- loved the closet!

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Thank you! I didn't think it would be worth it but I knew someone here would know for sure!

If I gave my this fledgling business an actual name, and then I wanted to apply for a biz card specifically for it, should I apply still under my own name or should I put the business name in the application? Do you think it matters?

Apply with your exact name as the business name…don’t add anything to it

 

[georgina]

The recommendation is to keep the card one year so assuming the CIP has been open that long you are fine to close it. I’d wait at least 3-4 days to apply for the CIU to make sure the CIP is out of the system

Thanks. I opened it in Oct so it is just hitting one year. I will close it on Nov 1 then, should be time to apply for CIU before the 7th.

 

[Eighty8Keys]

Yikes Slow Horses, I read the 1st book it was good but I decided not to read any others. I bet the show is intense. I guess it's all relative, but I get freaked out easy. I have had several of the free 3 month offers but never took them up on the offer, I will next time.

It was intense, but we like those. Now, horror or anything to do with the supernatural really freaks me out and I can’t watch those.

 

[Eighty8Keys]

Apple tv...started watching Palm Royale and loving it so far

We loved it too. We watch lot more Apple TV than I thought.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Does anyone have experience with applying for a credit card with a "fraud alert" on your credit? My DH applied for a card with BoA, he has his credit frozen, but unlocked all 3 agencies before he applied. He's always gotten instant approvals (doesn't apply for many cards, and never biz cards). From what I've found online, the cc company is supposed to do extra verification to make sure you're really the person applying, maybe by calling you? We have existing accounts with BoA so they should be able to contact him. Should he try calling them?

He has nothing to lose by calling them to check on the status of his application so he should. Might save you a week of waiting on snail mail.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Question for those of you who have a legitimate business...

I have a (very small... debating whether I want to attempt expanding) side hustle. I could leave it as something fun, or I could really try to go all in and actually make money doing it. (It would NOT be a lot of money... maybe $2000 income a year if it takes off). It's making pinback buttons on demand at band competitions, so not a huge market!

Because it's so tiny, do you think it's worth setting up an LLC and a business name and such? I would want a basic website (which I think my husband will do for me) and business cards and I'd have to buy some more equipment (a pop up tent, some tables, things of that nature), but I don't really know what the pros and cons are, and it really might not be a moneymaker at all. It may continue to only be something I do for fun in my spare time.

How do I decide?

Know your state laws and be able to explain in simple language to yourself why you need an LLC instead of a sole-prop. For instance that little choice right there would have doomed your business had you been in CA as an LLC costs $800/yr in taxes starting year 2- even if you lose money or are inactive.

 

[StephPlum]

Roma I did a tour of the Colosseum through the Roman Tour Guy (couldn't by tickets direct) through the Gladiators Gate. I've toured the Colosseum previously, but it was over 10 years ago, so I really enjoyed it. We also went to Palentine Hill. Our tour guide, Ahmed, was incredibly knowledgeable.

Sounds like the Roman Tour Guy is ok. I’m traveling to Rome and Florence next year. Looks like I need to be up at 3am my time to try to get Colosseum tickets. This might be my back up. I got a tour of the Vatican (on Chase portal)

I already have all my Florence tickets. Those were easier to get, I thought.

Even though it might be crowded for the Jubilee, I’m getting excited.

 

[NewbieMom]

Has anyone here been to Morocco? I can't believe I'm even considering this, but my son has this book about Morocco. After reading about Rabat and the Sahara Desert, he's been asking to go. So I'm looking into it...

 

[reliev]

this doesnt apply to me but looks like target killed the 5% gift card bonus

 

[elgerber]

this doesnt apply to me but looks like target killed the 5% gift card bonus
View attachment 908664

I believe that applies to Target Gift Cards. They consider Disney cards, entertainment cards.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Sounds like the Roman Tour Guy is ok. I’m traveling to Rome and Florence next year. Looks like I need to be up at 3am my time to try to get Colosseum tickets. This might be my back up. I got a tour of the Vatican (on Chase portal)

I already have all my Florence tickets. Those were easier to get, I thought.

Even though it might be crowded for the Jubilee, I’m getting excited.

Roman Tour Guy was fine -- I'd definitely use them again. They had 4 groups of 25 going to Gladiators Gate the day I was there. I booked my ticket 3 days before, but I only needed 1.

 

[StephPlum]

Question for anyone who has taken multiple trains in Europe. I'm planning out how to get from Italy to Switzerland. I'll have to transfer between trains to get to my final destination. How much time do you allow for transfers? I'm planning on only having a carryon suitcase and a backpack. Thanks.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Question for anyone who has taken multiple trains in Europe. I'm planning out how to get from Italy to Switzerland. I'll have to transfer between trains to get to my final destination. How much time do you allow for transfers? I'm planning on only having a carryon suitcase and a backpack. Thanks.

Depends on the size of the train station that you'll need to transfer at. I'd be comfortable with 15 minutes, which would give me time to get off the train, head into the station to see what track my next train is at and get myself there. But since Italian trains are not known for being on-time, you might want to allow a bit more of a cushion. I've been at train stations where there are multiple restaurants, shops, etc and others that have nothing more than vending machines. In general I wouldn't want to spend a minute longer than necessary at a train station.

In Florence I got to the station 15 minutes before my train and had no issue (the platform wasn't even posted when I got there).

 

[Judique]

Has anyone here been to Morocco? I can't believe I'm even considering this, but my son has this book about Morocco. After reading about Rabat and the Sahara Desert, he's been asking to go. So I'm looking into it...

I've been there, in Marrakech but it was 1978 so my info is a bit 'old' and probably won't help much. I rode a camel at the base of the Atlas mountains. Visited silver shops and rug shops. Ate delicious food with my fingers. Visited the market square and saw snake charmers and lots of soldiers. Saw belly dancers while having dinner. Flew into Marrakesh on a Caravelle aircraft.

I was just there for a short time. We were on vacation in Tenerife (Canary Islands). It's a short hop from there.