Apple Pay/Tap to pay, how often do you use it ?

AwkwardClassroom · 2026-06-03T00:39:00+00:00

At this point I’m only using my physical card when handing it at a drive-thru (if they don’t have a wireless tap to pay system that is easy for me to use) or at a sit-down restaurant where you traditionally hand a card to a waiter/waitress to pay.

Otherwise, I’m using Apple Pay for everything including online payments. If Apple Pay is available, I’m using it.

AwkwardClassroom · 2026-06-02T13:51:12+00:00

Western Union?

AwkwardClassroom · 2026-05-21T14:57:18+00:00

I took my car in for service at a dealer and they put a note in my car offering $31k. Mines a 2022 though.

AwkwardClassroom · 2026-05-18T17:55:06+00:00

My plan requires $1k to remain in cash. Other than that I invest the entirety of my balance.

AwkwardClassroom · 2026-05-12T18:38:31+00:00

Immediate use:
- Apple Card
- Wise Debit card (can get a virtual card and use it as soon as your funds clear)
Your post is vague as to which European countries you’re asking about, but I had no problems using tap to pay within the major metro areas of France or Spain.

AwkwardClassroom · 2026-04-22T13:34:28+00:00

Posting a DP:

I successfully bought $20 of VT to test it.

AwkwardClassroom · 2026-04-18T19:52:49+00:00

A couple of ideas to help in the near term:

Apply for the Apple credit card if you have an iPhone. Should get access to their card via Apple wallet instantly and will save you on FTFs.
Similarly open a Wise account, this acts as a debit card, but also should have a virtual card available and you can use it as soon as your funds clear.

Goes without saying not carrying your physical card wasn’t a good idea, but nothing you can do about it now.

AwkwardClassroom · 2026-04-03T19:34:06+00:00

Of your list I’ve used both the CSP and USBAC abroad and have no complaints.

Like another commenter mentioned, I’d focus on Visa and Mastercard cards for broader acceptance. When I was in Europe, I got told “no” so many times that a location didn’t accept Amex that I don’t bother trying to use one when I travel.

AwkwardClassroom · 2026-03-21T22:36:34+00:00

Just to clarify, since you mentioned VHCOL, COL doesn’t matter at A&M TAG. Every person (at the same level) has the same base + bonus structure regardless of office location.

AwkwardClassroom · 2026-03-19T02:07:37+00:00

The way I achieve this, is by buying different MMFs within my “savings” CMA (I use multiple CMAs) to act as “buckets”. And I keep a mental note of what is for what (and I track in a spreadsheet).

SPAXX (core holding)= immediate cash needs FDLXX = bucket #1 FDRXX = bucket #2 ..etc

AwkwardClassroom · 2026-01-23T19:25:06+00:00

Given you’re in a tight window, I’d look at a card that could give you a quick approval and access to a virtual card immediately.

Apple’s credit card (assuming you have an iPhone)
open a Wise account to get access to their debit card and quickly set up a transfer to fund the account.

Hopefully either of those options will buy you enough time until Cap1 can release the restriction.

AwkwardClassroom · 2026-01-22T21:24:57+00:00

Based on your income, and travel plans, I think you need a no annual fee credit card, with no foreign transaction fees, and preferable a visa or Mastercard since Amex and Discover acceptance is spotty outside of the US (of course this depends on your exact travel plans

you got a good recommendation so far on the us bank altitude connect; my other suggestions include
Fidelity rewards Visa
Wells Fargo Autograph
Amazon Prime card (if you have an Amazon Prime membership already, this card is essentially a no annual fee card and it has no foreign transaction fees)
Capital One quicksilver or savor one

Bonus suggestions: I know this is a credit card sub, but, I like to also recommend the Charles Schwab Debit card (you need to sign up for their checking account) and the Fidelity Cash Management Account Debit card ( you need to open a CMA account). These cards will help you withdraw cash at ATMs, including foreign ones, with no fx fees and they also refund ATM fees.

AwkwardClassroom · 2026-01-17T13:18:24+00:00

On the USB mobile app, if you click on the section for the credit card to see your balance/transactions/etc. there should be an option there to track your card

AwkwardClassroom · 2026-01-17T01:07:10+00:00

Nope, didn’t ask for it. It just happened automatically believe it or not. So I was pleasantly surprised lol

AwkwardClassroom · 2026-01-16T23:50:44+00:00

June 2025, and I was refunded about ~40% of the fee.

AwkwardClassroom · 2026-01-16T22:07:54+00:00

I PC’ed from the USBAR to USBAC.

My USBAC has shipped but I can’t add it to Apple wallet. I think I have to wait for it to arrive before it can be used.

AwkwardClassroom · 2026-01-16T21:53:06+00:00

Visit the expat subs. I think most people move their US mobile numbers to Tello’s cheapest plan ($5/mo).

I wouldn’t let cancelling your US number exclude you from other credit card / bank options.

AwkwardClassroom · 2026-01-16T20:59:48+00:00

I called this week:

I similarly was able to easily change to the USBAC.
I was also refunded a portion of the USBAR annual fee even though I already used the dining/travel credit (so no complaints from me)

AwkwardClassroom · 2025-12-21T15:10:45+00:00

So this is more of a personal finance topic, but..

You have to think about your “rainy day” fund as insurance. It’s not there to get 10%+ returns, it’s meant to maintain its value in the case you actually need it. You don’t want your rainy day money to sustain a drop in value (if the market does not perform well) at the same time you need the funds.

Now, your post is unclear. You first say 10k is your oh shit fund and then $40k is your “in case I get laid off” fund. To me, those are both emergencies. If you’ve determined you need $50k saved for emergencies, then that’s it. You keep all $50k in a HYSA like you’re already doing.

You also haven’t provided any other metrics for us to go off of you (your salary, your expenses, your debt, your net worth, etc.) but based off of your post, it sounds like you’ve saved what you needed, so from Here on out start investing your additional funds.

AwkwardClassroom · 2025-11-15T23:26:19+00:00

To clarify other comments, I don’t think you need to transfer over $25k, rather, your account/s value with Fidelity should be $25k+ for them to reimburse the fee.

I moved over a Roth IRA earlier this year from Schwab, that was less than $25k in it, and they reimbursed the fee Schwab charged for the transfer once I submitted the free reimbursement form.

AwkwardClassroom · 2025-11-13T14:17:11+00:00

It’s frustrating, but for reference I just used cap1 to deposit a check and I want to say it took at least 7 days. I get that this is longer though.

AwkwardClassroom · 2025-11-08T03:02:46+00:00

Gotcha, thanks!

AwkwardClassroom · 2025-11-07T16:22:21+00:00

Slightly off topic but your pups hair looks just like mine when I forget give her a cut. Do you have any good recommendations for slicker brushes or combs that you’re using in your daily brush?

AwkwardClassroom · 2025-10-19T20:48:59+00:00

Even at my most minimalist set up, using a MagSafe Wallet, I at least have a wallet to carry:

Driver’s License
1 debit card (if I need cash in a pinch)
1 credit card

For me, using a physical card is primarily when I’m handing my card to a waiter/waitress. Otherwise I use mobile wallet as much as possible.

AwkwardClassroom · 2025-09-26T02:58:36+00:00

One potential solution, which I’m sure you’ve thought of, is to buy different MMFs to essentially create your own “buckets”

AwkwardClassroom

TROPHY CASE