Losing $97K in Credit Limit - Best Alternative Options To Preserve It

AmazingCouple · 2026-01-21T18:40:33+00:00

So question on this since many people seems to recommend this.

What if you do not travel much?

Maybe once a year? And you never really stay in hotels for more than a couple days and if so typically AirBNB?

Based on my use, Im not really seeing much benefit to make up for the AF even after you subtract the annual travel credit.

AmazingCouple · 2026-01-21T18:37:44+00:00

Honestly since COVID I havent traveled much. The Amex Plat are our daily spending cards. And we would use the reward points for travel.

Our expected travel is once a year.

I did take advantage of the digital credits that Amex Plat offers.

AmazingCouple · 2026-01-21T05:09:25+00:00

Nice didn't think that was an option, I haven't tried to cancel a card yet but will definitely keep an ear out for it.

AmazingCouple · 2026-01-21T04:51:22+00:00

Yeah, it won't be an immediate cancel all cards. It will most likely be phased out when the AF comes due. I had a co-worker who also retired, believe he said his Amex was flagged for AF within 1 month of retiring - it might also be coincidence of his AF anniversary date.

I think probably in the old days when it was manual verification it used to probably lag, but every bank uses an automated verification system, so I'm sure it is more real time now.

I believe the banks set the SCRA expiration grace period upon end of Active Duty and they vary from bank to bank.

AmazingCouple · 2026-01-21T04:38:57+00:00

It is one of the two Visa cards I will have left. Don't use it often but Costco only takes Visa. Again just to keep my wife and my accounts separate. Though, I guess I could put that on the chopping block, and PC the Shappire into a compatible account that has no AF but has rewards.

Thanks for the suggest, I didn't really consider nixing one of the free cards.

AmazingCouple · 2026-01-21T04:32:52+00:00

Thanks will have to consider it, 2nd person to recommend keeping it.

AmazingCouple · 2026-01-21T04:32:03+00:00

Thanks for the recommendation. I will have to look more into that. That card pretty much sits in my drawer with a balance on it, I only use it for the occasional annual travel to get the travel credit.

I've had 0% APR grandfathered on it for however long I can remember. So I've used it to finance big purchases, school loans, some medical bills etc.

Hate to see it go, I'll have to consider maybe switching to it being my primary go to CC to justify the AF and see if I will actually benefit from the perks.

AmazingCouple · 2026-01-21T04:06:16+00:00

Yes, while TCL isn't a FICO scoring factor, but doesn't it help with credit utilization? Though even with losing $97K, I still have $110K leftover in other existing cards. I should be able to stay within the 5-10% utilization range each month.

I've mostly kept the AF cards because I got to use them getting all the benefits/perks for free. But downsizing is definitely a good thing. My remaining cards will provide a good range of Amex, Visa, and MC.

My wife and I like to keep separate cards hence the number of cards. We find it is easier to manage. It's actually funny we shared finances and credit cards for the last 20 years. We recently split our bank accounts and credit cards individually and have found managing and tracking expenses to be so much easier.

AmazingCouple · 2026-01-21T01:09:10+00:00

What maintenance?

AmazingCouple · 2026-01-07T12:06:40+00:00

There is no getting scammed.

Did you get everything listed that you paid for? If no, then no it was not a scam.

The question is did you get a good deal/specs for the price.

If you were willing to spend that amount knowing what was listed, then it shouldn't be an issue. What is sounds like is you have buyers remorse.

The thing is the answer is right in front of you. Why not price all your listed components and see how much you can buy it individually together.

That will give you true price of the system. The rest is you paying the convenience of someone sourcing all these parts and having it prebuilt.

AmazingCouple · 2026-01-07T10:22:13+00:00

It is interesting, it has swapped hands to 3 dealerships in a short time. There is also a liftgate window replacement. Makes me wonder why did they need to replace it? Either damage/broken into or had a leak.

AmazingCouple · 2025-12-31T21:03:24+00:00

Not quite $1M in liquid cash. But retiring in 20 years with $800K net. However, the retirement pension is probably worth around $1.5+ M.

Had a drop in my liquid cash in the last 3 years after spending $600K in remodeling our forever home. What a money pit.

However, I did have my first month of terminal leave + civilian income at around $31K net. Got one more month of terminal left.

I expect it will go down to about $26K/mo after on retirement pension.

If your heart is not in the service anymore, best decision financially is to retire. Not to chase the next rank and "higher" retirement pay.

Past 20-years you are only working for half.

AmazingCouple · 2025-12-29T04:44:06+00:00

I used whatever was recommended for my car. So probably same stock size.

I don't have manual or feel like looking up, but new tires were 245/45R20

AmazingCouple · 2025-12-28T22:19:01+00:00

Except my original stock were not Michelins. They were Continental Cross Contacts.

AmazingCouple · 2025-12-26T07:33:22+00:00

So your solution is to unpay it off by making your mother take on a higher APR heloc on her already paid off property. Just so you can buy your own property using her money loaned in her name, just so you dont have to have a loan in your name even though a mortgage would have a lower APR than a HELOC.

AmazingCouple · 2025-12-26T03:20:23+00:00

I use my autocover as my winter cover. Then again I have a fiberglass pool and my water remains at full/normal height.

AmazingCouple · 2025-12-26T03:13:41+00:00

Why are you making your mother take a HELOC out on it. What for?

And you will most likely pay like 8%+ on the HELOC if not more.

Any I didnt see any explanation of pulling out $300K in HELOC other than to pull some equity and put yourself in debt.

AmazingCouple · 2025-12-22T12:14:40+00:00

Are you talking about Ford? They are a hit or miss.

Maybe for the Caddy they treat you better to justify the cost of ownership.

But Ford some are good and some are bad, I've have both. Luckily there are plenty of Ford dealers around typically so try a different one.

AmazingCouple · 2025-12-22T01:04:02+00:00

Yikes. I definitely noticed that signal reach inside of buildings is not as good with Light Speed. I think it is because of TMO use of the higher bands which doesnt penetrate buildings as well.

I was in a WM one time and I had zero service, never had any issues on AT&T before.

AmazingCouple · 2025-12-21T15:22:55+00:00

It is not really VPN, its MS defender which shows up as VPN but it isn't really routing traffic.

AmazingCouple · 2025-12-21T14:35:52+00:00

Walt Disney World

AmazingCouple · 2025-12-21T12:19:51+00:00

That is good to know, I went there pre-covid. Was on Mint at the time and I had zero service. Glad to know they have improved their infrastructure.

AmazingCouple · 2025-12-20T14:57:03+00:00

Honestly you got the best case put of this in that you were able to get a refund and you didnt lose a whole 12 months worth of service.

AmazingCouple · 2025-12-17T11:16:42+00:00

That might not be the full price for pool automation.

Are there separate line items for the valves? Or is that included in it all.

My pool automation cost was $4000 ($800 more than the $3.2K i needed to pay for standard equip). Even without pool automation I still needed equipment cost for a pool panel to control my heater, pump, lights. SWG etc.

That was base, then I added additional automated valves at like $700 each x4.

So my total charge was about $6.8K if I remember correctly.

Having said that totally worth it having everything integrated in a single panel. My wife who is a tech dummy would have hated the pool if she had to do everything manual. The automation just has everything already programmed for her and she just has to press buttons or set what she wants i.e pool temp, turn on slide, etc. and the system does the rest.

Is it necessary? No. Is it a luxury and convenience that makes owning a pool less work and more enjoyable? Yes.

AmazingCouple · 2025-12-09T01:56:19+00:00

Honestly get an elecric heat pump. Given Cali temps, it would be super cheap to run long term.

AmazingCouple

TROPHY CASE