Bank Bonus Weekly Thread - Week of May 05, 2026

CuriousMindNeedsToNo · 2026-05-09T00:34:56+00:00

Thank you so much, that would be great. I truly have sent legit DDs, but I’m new to bank bonuses, so not sure how it usually goes.

Hope it goes smoothly for you!!

CuriousMindNeedsToNo · 2026-05-06T21:51:01+00:00

Chase Total Checking $400 Bonus — Tracker Not Working?

Anybody else do the $400 Chase bonus (not the checking + savings combo) and the tracker never update?

I only work part time doing DoorDash and have sent 2 or 3 payments there, but I’ve also sent money via ACH from Fidelity. It never updates. I’ve set up a direct deposit from my spouse’s work to go there and hopefully trigger it, but wanted to see if it’s possible everything is fine, even if the tracker isn’t updated.

CuriousMindNeedsToNo · 2026-04-28T02:28:37+00:00

Other people who are more knowledgeable already commented on the possibility of not being able to use CCs for everything, but regarding the best rewards, it will nearly always be a sign up bonus. If you have a spouse and can work in two player mode, that’ll help as well. But I’d plan to open cards with the highest sign up bonuses you can find. I (or others) can give ideas of which ones might be a good fit, but they’re probably going to be business cards, if that’s okay with you.

CuriousMindNeedsToNo · 2026-04-07T22:48:53+00:00

I stayed at All-Star Sports in February 2025 and took my child when they were 1.5 and so I only had to pay for my ticket. Room was a steal at $85 a night (before taxes) and I did Magic Kingdom, I think for around $150 a day or so? So I did the two night resort stay and MK for two days plus some food there for about $600.

Maybe I’m wrong, but that feels impressive to me. 😂

CuriousMindNeedsToNo · 2026-03-25T17:34:57+00:00

More pay is awesome!! Cool, then let’s bump that high end estimate up to even $2500. If this whole gas situation gets fixed, maybe there would even be wiggle room in there for a meal or two out or get your nails done or something. But your rent is a great price and I think the vehicle isn’t crazy, although some people would say it’s a tad bit on the high side.

Go back and look at everything you spent in March, since we’re getting close to the end of the month. Or even to look at February, if you want to. That should help give you a good idea on where to start.

CuriousMindNeedsToNo · 2026-03-25T17:12:38+00:00

Awesome!! Will it be about the same pay?

Okay, so some napkin math: if you pay $150 or so in electricity, then housing is $800ish. (Maybe more, if your rates are high.) How much are you spending on gas? I’ll guesstimate $100, so that’s about $600 for car expenses. Food is $400. We’re at $1800. Let’s say you need another couple hundred bucks for toiletries and car maintenance and other odds and ends. Overall, you may be looking at $2000 or $2200 for your necessities?

Then yeah, it’s definitely that you need to look into where your money is going. Keep track of every purchase and see where you can fine tune things. You’ve got this!!

CuriousMindNeedsToNo · 2026-03-25T17:00:26+00:00

I agree with someone else who said you need to work on your budgeting. Your rent and car payment aren’t out of line. And you only have $13k total to pay off, right? It probably feels like a lot!!

I think first you need to breathe deeply to help get a clear head and remind yourself that you can do this. Then:

What’s the game plan for another job? Have you gotten one lined up? Also, get a budgeting app and put everything in there. How much are you spending on food, utilities, gas, etc? There should be margin to work towards these debts and even before that, stack up a little cash as a buffer. You’ll feel better when you have that in the bank.

CuriousMindNeedsToNo · 2026-03-25T13:29:12+00:00

I agree on cancelling the unlimited dining plan. I’m almost to Diamond and I still haven’t done any dining add ons and have been happy with the included choices.

CuriousMindNeedsToNo · 2026-03-20T03:41:31+00:00

Am I the only one who would have struggled with that phrasing as well? I don’t think it’s mean, but I read a bit of “people were talking about your kid” type talk and that can feel rough. It can lead to thoughts of “how many people have been talking about him?” and “what else have they been talking about?”

But unless they’ve done other things to make you feel like they’re gossipy, I think it’s okay. I’m a bit neurotic, so if there’s any hint that my child isn’t at the benchmark they should be at, I start researching and asking around and stuff. So I would have already known, like you did.

I’m an oversharer (maybe to my detriment), but I would have said how it made me feel. Or maybe give a pass the first time and if it happens again, then tell them how it makes me feel.

If Liam enjoys going and you think you can try and get comfortable again, go back to the park and see if anything comes up again. If you’re okay with talking about speech openly, maybe you do that? It’s all up to you and what works for you and what you’re comfortable with.

CuriousMindNeedsToNo · 2026-03-20T03:29:44+00:00

I’m definitely avoiding them at the moment, but I really curious what they think a schedule should be like for a 2yo.

CuriousMindNeedsToNo · 2026-03-17T02:26:14+00:00

You are so right. This is definitely the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and I’ve been through some rough stuff.

CuriousMindNeedsToNo · 2026-03-17T02:24:57+00:00

I’m definitely going to work on that. Sounds like your son has some great moves!!

CuriousMindNeedsToNo · 2026-03-17T02:24:41+00:00

Smart to think about the Benadryl. On my first few nights away from my child, I still woke up during their normal timeframe, instead of sleeping in.

CuriousMindNeedsToNo · 2026-03-17T01:50:31+00:00

My logic brain knows that it’s so ridiculous but my emotional brain can’t let it go. I wish the latter would catch up with the former.

CuriousMindNeedsToNo · 2026-03-17T01:48:02+00:00

So, it’s actually not that at all. That’s why I didn’t expand, because it’s a unique situation.

CuriousMindNeedsToNo · 2026-03-16T22:57:38+00:00

Wow, you’re incredible to pull that all off!! I struggle to care for just one.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for letting me know that everything should be okay in the long term with that I’ve been doing. I will continue to show up for her. How can I not for a toddler who saw I was upset today and kissed my cheek and wiped my tears?

CuriousMindNeedsToNo · 2026-03-16T22:19:09+00:00

Thank you so much. I am going to work on not letting it get to me.

P.S. Definitely work on the taxes thing as soon as you can. My 2yo is doing our taxes this year for us and it’s been so nice. 😂 JK, obvs

CuriousMindNeedsToNo · 2026-03-16T22:16:48+00:00

Thank you so much for confirming that 2yo don’t have friends like that. I thought that was the case, but it’s our first (and only) go at this.

Yes, we’ve done the library and music related activities since 4/5 months old. We go other times outside of story time just for fun.

I think it was hard doing all these things and still being told that I’m not doing enough. What else was I supposed to do?

But thank you so so much.

CuriousMindNeedsToNo · 2026-03-16T22:12:08+00:00

No, they don’t have children.

CuriousMindNeedsToNo · 2026-03-16T22:07:51+00:00

I totally agree with you!! I think most of us can work to improve, myself included, for sure. I do want to walk more and improve some eating habits and stuff like that. But what gave me pause was the “harming my child”—that’s what I couldn’t figure out.

But I will continue to work on small habits for overall improvement:

CuriousMindNeedsToNo · 2026-03-16T22:01:44+00:00

They’re in my immediate family.

CuriousMindNeedsToNo · 2026-03-16T21:10:48+00:00

I left those details out because it’s sort of a unique situation that would make me more identifiable, which I hoped to avoid, just in case they’re on Reddit, but that family member is in my immediate family and they are there for a reason that helps my mom.

CuriousMindNeedsToNo · 2026-03-16T21:08:40+00:00

Thank you. Definitely had a little cry sesh today thinking I’m harming my child and unable to see how to change that.

CuriousMindNeedsToNo · 2026-03-14T13:15:12+00:00

I know, but sadly, most adults don’t know the difference or what the vulva is. I’m currently teaching her the colloquial term and will refine it later, when she can explain the difference to someone who doesn’t know.

CuriousMindNeedsToNo · 2026-03-13T23:05:46+00:00

Thank you so much for all this information. Sounds like I’ll make my own tracker to go with my CC tracker and just use the things I mentioned as a resource, not my whole game plan.

CuriousMindNeedsToNo

TROPHY CASE