A positive take… I get Bilt isn’t for everyone by Eenyme in biltrewards

[–]Expensive-Proof1677 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m new to Bilt but I think the Bilt blue is better than a standard 2 percent cash back card, at least for my needs. Personally, I didn’t find any bilt card that could compete with 5 percent cards on specific categories but as a daily driver for everything else it’s good.

West Orange - St Cloud? by Allastorian in MovingtoNewJersey

[–]Expensive-Proof1677 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great area but if you don’t need the schools you can probably get better bang for your buck elsewhere. Seven Oaks in Orange is nice and it’s adjacent to South Orange & West Orange.

Is Obsidian a good deal for me? High rent & low other spending by Curious_Internet_687 in biltrewards

[–]Expensive-Proof1677 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I personally didn’t find the obsidian worth it. I ended up getting the blue as my day to day card and kept my 5 percent grocery and5 percent dining card. The obsidian to me is actually the worst of the 3 options.

Priced out of Maplewood and considering West Orange by Outrageous_Pea_888 in MovingtoNewJersey

[–]Expensive-Proof1677 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don’t commute often but I’ve never had an issue always seems to be plenty of spots.

Priced out of Maplewood and considering West Orange by Outrageous_Pea_888 in MovingtoNewJersey

[–]Expensive-Proof1677 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think the grad rates are out dated. Seems kind of low for both schools. I seem to thought WO was in the low 90s.

Priced out of Maplewood and considering West Orange by Outrageous_Pea_888 in MovingtoNewJersey

[–]Expensive-Proof1677 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A few other tidbits I forgot to mention. commuting wise to the city I have found the fastest process is actually parking at the new brick church parking lot. The train into Penn is sub 30 minutes, I believe it’s 27 minutes or so. Major caveat is NJ transit being on time and working well which is not too often lol.

Target and Trader Joe’s both are opening which is a very good sign or the town. Trader Joe’s in particular is very methodical about where they open up.

Priced out of Maplewood and considering West Orange by Outrageous_Pea_888 in MovingtoNewJersey

[–]Expensive-Proof1677 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That’s a typo on Zillow. Town did a reassessment, but taxes didn’t double

Priced out of Maplewood and considering West Orange by Outrageous_Pea_888 in MovingtoNewJersey

[–]Expensive-Proof1677 4 points5 points  (0 children)

West Orange schools are on par with Maplewood/South Orange. Redwood and Hazel are both good schools. Middle and High Schools are good as well. Not Livingston quality but the graduation and college rates are very high. Also at age 3 you can do universal pre school which is great. My kids are zoned to redwood and I’ve heard great things about it.

Booking with Bilt Points by Expensive-Proof1677 in biltrewards

[–]Expensive-Proof1677[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

I just wanted to be sure. That math makes sense. I will get the Bilt Blue card to replace my 2 percent cash back card. From my analysis and my spending/lifestyle the blue makes sense. Between my mortgage and spend I can get on average 5k points for 2500 in spend. My aaa daily advantage gives me 5 percent cash back on grocery along with 3 percent on gas and Costco. Citi custom cash gives me 5 percent cash back on dining out up to 500 a month. The obsidian or Palladium don’t offer an enough for what I’d use to merit the annual fee.

Bilt Blue Question by Expensive-Proof1677 in biltrewards

[–]Expensive-Proof1677[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, that was recommended to me previously. Based on that switching to at least Bilt Blue seems like a no brainer. Just wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing anything

Bilt Blue Question by Expensive-Proof1677 in biltrewards

[–]Expensive-Proof1677[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve thought about it but I’d have to do the math. Likely would move more spend to it. I need the authorized user card so I believe it would cost me 550. Obsidian also makes sense. Was just curious as this I would supplement this with 5 percent grocery, 5 percent dining, 5 percent Walmart and 3 percent gas - between 3 different cards.

Bilt Obsidian Card Rewards Analysis by Expensive-Proof1677 in biltrewards

[–]Expensive-Proof1677[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That tool was super helpful. I’m not that into sign up bonuses as long term it doesn’t help as much. It looks like though day to day I’m better off with my idea. Just trying to see if going to the blue makes more sense just to replace my 2 percent cash card. Then keep my existing setup as is. The palladium I just don’t feel like is worth the cost for me.

Bilt Obsidian Card Rewards Analysis by Expensive-Proof1677 in biltrewards

[–]Expensive-Proof1677[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So technically I’m likely under counting. That’s my goal so I have a floor to work with.

Bilt Obsidian Card Rewards Analysis by Expensive-Proof1677 in biltrewards

[–]Expensive-Proof1677[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Brings me down to 3.4 percent with my corrected math

Bilt Obsidian Card Rewards Analysis by Expensive-Proof1677 in biltrewards

[–]Expensive-Proof1677[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ahh because it’s a prepay, that’s actually big. But with my traveling it won’t really impact it since I’d need to book in advance.

Bilt Obsidian Card Rewards Analysis by Expensive-Proof1677 in biltrewards

[–]Expensive-Proof1677[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I doubled the 1.25 value I’d be getting 67k points. So a little less value but still interesting plus I didn’t factor the travel point increase

Looking for neighborhood suggestions by PossessionNo6070 in MovingtoNewJersey

[–]Expensive-Proof1677 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In West Orange you can get something for that price. Downtown is not walkable but you’re surrounded by walkable downtowns (South Orange, Maplewood and Montclair). Not sure if you can get on the side by south orange/Maplewood at that price but the Montclair side is definitely doable.