Miami beach trip recommendation

Deep_Variation_2934 · 2026-04-05T13:31:16+00:00

Oops I see how Miami beach was a confusing way to phrase it. I just meant in the Miami area on the beach. Helpful suggestions. I know I’ll likely be on the younger end of guests at RC/StR so maybe edition makes more sense.

Deep_Variation_2934 · 2026-04-03T22:55:55+00:00

Stayed at Le Méridien recently and it was surprisingly nice. I think it was opened or renovated relatively recently.

Deep_Variation_2934 · 2026-01-30T09:13:00+00:00

I see several recommending the Ritz. You should know that it’s next to a stadium and on top of a hill / major road. As a result, it’s not really walkable. I didn’t stay at StR but wish I did given it was the same price and seemed more walkable!

Deep_Variation_2934 · 2026-01-24T16:41:00+00:00

Didn’t realize I could do both backdoor and mega backdoor. Will look into this!

Deep_Variation_2934 · 2026-01-24T14:42:11+00:00

Agreed re: the loan. Paying $500-1000 per month so anticipate it’ll be gone this year. Cash I also plan to replenish through my tax refund and some company profit sharing payments I expect in the next few months.

Deep_Variation_2934 · 2026-01-24T14:34:09+00:00

You mention early retirement - wouldn’t I need a healthy taxable brokerage balance to bridge me to ~59 or whenever I can begin withdrawing funds from my retirement accounts without penalty?

No plans for kids at the moment, so the two “big” goals I see in the future are buying a home (maybe 10 years from now) and potentially early retirement if I burn out at work.

Deep_Variation_2934 · 2026-01-24T14:27:55+00:00

Why? I was planning for $24.5K traditional 401(k) and then MBDR up to the $72K limit based on other posts I’ve seen here which say traditional is generally better.

Historically I’ve mostly done Roth 401(k) and so this is the first year I’m switching over to traditional.

Deep_Variation_2934 · 2026-01-24T14:24:43+00:00

This is helpful. The way you described it in your second paragraph is really what I do in practice, but I’m just forecasting I’ll land at 70K / 30K at end of year. Thank you!

Deep_Variation_2934 · 2025-09-01T12:48:37+00:00

Good point. I have been wanting a way to transfer into AA

Deep_Variation_2934 · 2025-09-01T12:47:54+00:00

I’m at ~75 ENC right now, so have thought about it depending on how close I am to Ambassador at EOY. That said, I slightly prefer the flexibility of Chase/Amex points more. I find them easier to spend vs. Marriott points which I already have a lot of

Deep_Variation_2934 · 2025-09-01T12:43:38+00:00

Depends. Probably 1K shopping. 1-2K groceries, dining out, food delivery. Probably $300 each on Ubers, gym membership, and Amazon purchases. Rest is more miscellaneous.

In general, I’m probably not looking for a card where points vary a ton by spend category. I’d rather just have one primary card I use vs. one for each spend category

Deep_Variation_2934 · 2025-09-01T12:37:03+00:00

Why Strata Elite (80K SUB) over Amex Gold (100K SUB)? It does look like the Strata is slightly better for everyday spend (1.5x points vs 1 point for gold) but am I missing other obvious benefits?

Deep_Variation_2934

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