I love credit cards so much!

[gottalovepluto]

Okay color me stupid.....why are ya'll cutting your credit limits. I have a CRAZY amount of credit to my name between my personal and business accounts. I wanna say I have $150k out there, LOL. I am carrying $8500 in credit card debt I'm paying down. And I've got $300k mortgage. So my thought is the more credit I have to me, the lower my ratio is and the better my score. My SPG Biz account I think has a $25k limit, I have several other cards around $15-18k. What's the perk in having lower lines?

I'm outside of the chase 5/24 and will be for awhile. If y'all are lowering to get Chase cards.

Personally I lower just to stay under the cc companies radars. Don’t want to appear to be a Bust Out risk. The most common reason is applying for Chase cards as they will only extend a person so much credit.

Are you into Bank Account bonuses? Might be a nice way to take out a small chunk of your cc debt.

 

[kmc8826]

@mmmears those considering the Hyatt card before the current 60,000 points offer apparently disappears I sent the email to my husband on the refer a friend and it has the current offer and says to use by January 24th. So while I do think the current offer will expire that is another option.

 

[kmc8826]

Have any of you DVC owners been following the stuff about the 2020 point reallocation? I have and it is seriously depressing me to the extent that I am not even as excited to take our first DVC trip in a couple weeks. What do you guys think . . . are they overreacting? I keep reading it all (there are pretty much three huge threads going on right now) and basically it is making me regret buying both the direct and resale contract this year. It would be beyond dumb to sell before I even really use it but I am actually tempted the more I read.

 

[Happy814]

@calypso726 beautiful pictures, thanks for sharing! What is the current temp?

 

[Happy814]

I’ve seen akl and POR in July.

Was this recently? A few weeks ago I had BC, BW, and WL popping up for my dates on Priceline and now nothing . I hesitated and now I'm regretting it!

I'm also kind of confused about Hotwire. I feel like they are easier to identify on Priceline.

 

[elgerber]

Have any of you DVC owners been following the stuff about the 2020 point reallocation? I have and it is seriously depressing me to the extent that I am not even as excited to take our first DVC trip in a couple weeks. What do you guys think . . . are they overreacting? I keep reading it all (there are pretty much three huge threads going on right now) and basically it is making me regret buying both the direct and resale contract this year. It would be beyond dumb to sell before I even really use it but I am actually tempted the more I read.

I haven’t paid a ton of attention to be honest. I saw some one or two point increases a night at the BW, which didn’t seem to be a huge deal, but I probably should look further. I can’t imagine it being a big enough issue for me, that I would ever consider selling.

 

[Psychodisney]

Have any of you DVC owners been following the stuff about the 2020 point reallocation? I have and it is seriously depressing me to the extent that I am not even as excited to take our first DVC trip in a couple weeks. What do you guys think . . . are they overreacting? I keep reading it all (there are pretty much three huge threads going on right now) and basically it is making me regret buying both the direct and resale contract this year. It would be beyond dumb to sell before I even really use it but I am actually tempted the more I read.

I’ve read a little but honestly haven’t looked that closely. When we first purchased in 2002, a 2br at BCV for our March spring break was 275 points, it actually is less now. I think it depends on what size units you are looking at.

 

[wendow]

Was this recently? A few weeks ago I had BC, BW, and WL popping up for my dates on Priceline and now nothing . I hesitated and now I'm regretting it!

I'm also kind of confused about Hotwire. I feel like they are easier to identify on Priceline.

Me too! I had all those same ones popping up and now, boo, they are gone.

Yes, I was looking around at random July dates a week ago or so and kept getting AKL and the app was thinking the mod was POR but I wasn't sure how to tell that.

Hotwire used to just need to be narrowed down to Bonnet Creek and airport shuttle as the only amenity. I have been staying away from looking for now (until I know if I can book!) so I'm not sure if that has changed.

 

[shairpdrh]

Have any of you DVC owners been following the stuff about the 2020 point reallocation? I have and it is seriously depressing me to the extent that I am not even as excited to take our first DVC trip in a couple weeks. What do you guys think . . . are they overreacting? I keep reading it all (there are pretty much three huge threads going on right now) and basically it is making me regret buying both the direct and resale contract this year. It would be beyond dumb to sell before I even really use it but I am actually tempted the more I read.

I read the first few pages right after the announcement (and a few glances at the threads since), but decided not to keep reading constantly. I felt similarly when I first read the charts, but I realized that we are still going to get to visit our favorite resorts for a reasonable cost. I will probably be more upset if they follow this with another change next year along the same lines. Our biggest loss will be at CCV since we only have the points for a specific number of nights on the old chart and now can't cover the same number of nights. It is a bummer for sure. Not sure if people are overreacting, but I am trying not to read too much as I don't think anyone knows what will happen next year. Hope you can find a way to feel some excitement before your trip!

 

[wendow]

@calypso726 I'm loving your pics! Keep'em coming please

 

[GlamMistress]

Have any of you DVC owners been following the stuff about the 2020 point reallocation? I have and it is seriously depressing me to the extent that I am not even as excited to take our first DVC trip in a couple weeks. What do you guys think . . . are they overreacting? I keep reading it all (there are pretty much three huge threads going on right now) and basically it is making me regret buying both the direct and resale contract this year. It would be beyond dumb to sell before I even really use it but I am actually tempted the more I read.

Yeah I was very disheartened. I am still waiting on my final buying documents - haven't even paid yet (resale takes FOREVER). I was going to immediately buy another contract after this first one is finalized but now I'm not. I'm going to wait a little bit instead. The experts on the DVC pages seem to think there will be another reallocation for 2021 as well.

I don't think people are overreacting.

 

[GlamMistress]

I’ve read a little but honestly haven’t looked that closely. When we first purchased in 2002, a 2br at BCV for our March spring break was 275 points, it actually is less now. I think it depends on what size units you are looking at.

People seem generally annoyed because studios and 1bedrooms all went up and the bigger (pricier) units went down. I get the studios for capacity reasons but the 1beds does seem insane since those are last to book anyway.

 

[kmc8826]

People seem generally annoyed because studios and 1bedrooms all went up and the bigger (pricier) units went down. I get the studios for capacity reasons but the 1beds does seem insane since those are last to book anyway.

Yes that’s my issue...we bought for the one bedrooms and it does not make logical sense for them to be going up. At BLT and OKW our 2 resorts it is a big jump. The fact that 2 bedrooms went down a little in the summer season doesn’t matter as we wouldn’t go then anyway.

I probably need to just stop reading all about it. At this point DH and I have decided to at least do our scheduled trips for this year (using most of our points as well as taking advantage of the AP’s). Next year at this time we can reassess. Hopefully at least the part of DVC holding its value will hold true.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I don't use the tiny check register, but I created one in excel that I print out. I use a three ring binder. The front part is my register sheet so I can track the money in/out of checking acct. The back part is notebook paper. Every month gets a page where I write bill, due date and amount. Then I divide those between the two paychecks and further between the payment method (which CC or NFCU bill pay). I mark them on the sheet as I pay them so I know I don't miss one. As much as I'd like to ditch the paper, it's nice to flip back years and compare that electric bill or things like that. The only time I missed a payment was due to giving birth lol It was only one bill and one time. Every few years I pull out pages, staple them together by year and file them, in case we ever want to refer to them, and I have in the past, though rare.

Note to self: “giving birth” added to list of missed payment reasons...

(All in jest! I would never. Karma would bite me so bad... )

 

[elgerber]

Hopefully at least the part of DVC holding its value will hold true.

I don’t know about more recent purchases, but I could double my money on my BWV. But I bought 16 years ago.

 

[Judique]

Some Antarctica pics from today for @Judique and anyone else that is enjoying them.

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Keep them coming! I've been up close and personal with seals in my day, but have only seen penguins a few times, once at the New England Aquarium when they had a penguin exhibit - not sure if that is still there. Your pictures are beautiful!

 

[magickingdomprincess]

Have any of you DVC owners been following the stuff about the 2020 point reallocation? I have and it is seriously depressing me to the extent that I am not even as excited to take our first DVC trip in a couple weeks. What do you guys think . . . are they overreacting? I keep reading it all (there are pretty much three huge threads going on right now) and basically it is making me regret buying both the direct and resale contract this year. It would be beyond dumb to sell before I even really use it but I am actually tempted the more I read.

No, I guess I need to go read up. We book studios since we only have 91 points. I'm guessing I'm not going to like it...

 

[gottalovepluto]

Just got a call from my mother that my grandmother had just passed away. I am glad we were able to make the trek to NH on Christmas Eve to see her. My grandparents live right behind my parents, so after dinner, my bother and our DWs took my grandfather some food down to say hi and see how they both were. We walk in and he has the TV on a station playing Christmas music with the fireplace on the screen. Off on the side he had the little LED Christmas tree plugged in (pic attached). He went into their bedroom to make sure she was awake. We walked in and said hi, to which she just smiled and nodded. On their dresser was a beautiful bouquet of the prettiest roses I had ever seen, illuminated by the light on the dresser. He told us it was his final gift to her on Earth. He even set a small radio in the room so she could listen to Christmas music. The rest is history but the memories live on.

Sorry for the long post but I wanted to share it here, with my friends.

I hope everyone has a wonderful New Year!


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That’s such a beautiful memory. Even more beautiful if she was still with you undoubtedly, but to pass with so much love in her life is a true blessing. My heart breaks for you and your family

 

[Judique]

Have any of you DVC owners been following the stuff about the 2020 point reallocation? I have and it is seriously depressing me to the extent that I am not even as excited to take our first DVC trip in a couple weeks. What do you guys think . . . are they overreacting? I keep reading it all (there are pretty much three huge threads going on right now) and basically it is making me regret buying both the direct and resale contract this year. It would be beyond dumb to sell before I even really use it but I am actually tempted the more I read.

I've been through point reallocations a couple of times. Going into my 19th DVC year. They only make certain parties happy. I've never been that party so I've seen my points needs rise each time by a few points here and there. Initially we were studio dwellers. Eventually we started using one bedrooms as family needs grew and then 2 bedrooms for Hilton Head. From what I can see they did not reallocate at Hilton Head and I'm unlikely to get a two bedroom at WDW. So that means my studios and one bedrooms at BWV (my main resort) will be a few points higher depending on dates or length of stay. I am sort of back to studios for about half my stays and I definitely go less.

Obviously I've never gotten upset enough to sell. I don't like the move to over water villas and fancy cabins that most members will never enjoy, me included, but I've long ago accepted that DVD (Disney Vacation Development) is business oriented and will figure out how to make money and attract customers who will buy and sell at will. Disney only has to sell the unit once, but they have to build what people want - I'm no longer their key demographic - and they have to make that price point somewhat within reach of the customers they are trying to attract, so they use their powers to take what they need to run DVD and keep building. I especially don't care for dues increases for stuff like 'security checks' but they hit us with that also even though they have their ways of saying this is what the members ask for'.

I'm not following the threads at present. I've been reading Dis for quite a few years and I've read it all before. It's pretty much the same rehash we hear over and over. You vote with your dollars in situations like these, and I'm far enough into it to realize that I'm not going anywhere. There's really only one Disney. But, I've got 'just enough' points. Just 300 now. Some of my friends have 1500 to 3000, but some of my friends go more than me and have a lot more money than me. Even so, they are not regularly renting bungalows or cabins. The other thing is I like to mix it up and go to other areas for a night here and there or a week here and there and have no problem with offsite but also enjoy onsite. My mind is not locked into Disney as the only vacation.

 

[WVMomof3]

Way to go, Ravens! It looked like the Steelers had a nice view of their victory!

Boooooo. Though the Steelers have been disappointing this season, I am kind of happy to see the season end. lol Two bowl games and this, and my teams are 0-3 in the last 3 days.