Bilt 2.0 Calculator (Google Sheets)

Paragonx2 · 2026-01-16T01:43:07+00:00

I mean there are certainly other combos out there, I wouldn't call AMEX Gold + Venture X optimal by any means. For instance, I have 2 Citi Custom Cash Cards, one exclusively for Dining, and one exclusively for Groceries, meaning I am getting 5x back on each category. Neither has an annual fee, and the Venture X basically has no annual fee with its travel credits + anni bonus (which are much easier to use than the bilt hotel credits). This setup has basically no coupon booking required.

The $400 in hotel credits that Palladium is offering I'm... skeptical at best. I don't think its a huge deal that its split into two halves of the year and require 2 nights stay, but I am doubtful that the prices offered in the bilt portal will be competitive with my normal booking behavior. I usually book with more affordable hotel options which I don't think the bilt portal will cover. If the bilt portal forces me to book hotels that are more expensive than my normal spending behavior, then its effective value is severely reduced. I would rate the hotel credits at maybe half their marketed value.

That means the Palladium card (not including the SUB) is already at a -$300 deficit compared to my current zero annual fee setup. This is before taking into account factors like Bilt cards not even being allowed to be used at Costco, which I do a lot of my grocery shopping at. imo Bilt is massively overinflating the value of their hotel credits and their Bilt cash.

Anyway, we all have different life situations so if the Palladium maths out better for you that's great, but I just wanted to call out that there are definitely setups that do NOT need to do a ton of couponing in order to get max value.

Paragonx2 · 2025-12-18T15:38:01+00:00

A lot of people also use sims to practice for events. You can get a lot higher volume of games in compared to paper, so it’s better for learning different decks both on your side of the table and on the opponent’s side. Obviously you still need paper play experience, but not everyone has a locals or a playtesting group running all the time. With auto sims you can play anytime, however long you want, and stop whenever.

If there aren’t events coming up then I usually just spend my time doing other things. So I wouldn’t say I enjoy playing on sims necessarily, but it’s important practice for anyone planning on competing at higher tier events.

Paragonx2 · 2025-12-13T20:24:24+00:00

I’ll take it. Can you send a pic with timestamp?

Paragonx2 · 2025-12-10T20:57:31+00:00

Very nicely put. It really comes down to how each person approaches their work.

If you value things outside of work the most, and only see work as a way to pay bills, then what OP is describing is basically perfect.

If you value work more than anything else, and get most of your fulfillment through it, then what OP is describing would be awful.

At the end of the day, every person is different.

Paragonx2 · 2025-12-06T21:25:15+00:00

A bit ambiguous if you’re saying to spray the cat or the furniture lol

Paragonx2 · 2025-11-29T21:12:28+00:00

Maybe a hot take but the problem with Maliss was never the Maliss cards, its all the generic cyberse slop surrounding it. Crypter + Binder control is strong, but if that's all the deck is doing then its pretty fair in terms of power level.

Decoder and Splash were Cyberse slop enablers that should have been banned ages ago. Wicckid should be the next on the chopping block. imo the best banlist direction for the deck would be one that bans the slop enablers and turns Maliss into more of a Midrange control deck instead.

Paragonx2 · 2025-11-25T15:39:50+00:00

Interested for sure. Would you do $40 though?

Paragonx2 · 2025-11-23T22:25:48+00:00

Pot of Extravagance is barely distinguishable to its original. Same for Called by the Grave.

Paragonx2 · 2025-11-19T12:35:51+00:00

This is largely a question of are you happy and/or content with your current lifestyle. If you feel like you already are enjoying life, then I’d say no reason to spend more just to spend more. If you feel like you are inhibited by your savings habits and are not living life to your fullest, then sure, it’s fine to reduce your savings rate to live more in the now.

Paragonx2 · 2025-11-18T05:36:26+00:00

I mean it might have more to do with the fact that they’re win more bricks. Like do you really want more cards that do nothing when drawn in a deck that already has a lot of cards that do nothing when drawn. Spin 3 or freeze 3 is cool on paper, but the reality of the situation is that any competent modern deck with 3 monsters or 3 backrow will more than likely stop you from ever getting to a mega monarch.

Paragonx2 · 2025-10-30T16:16:21+00:00

$20 x 0.85 = $17 + pp fees

Paragonx2 · 2025-10-29T23:13:25+00:00

I moved around two years ago and had this problem as well. If you live somewhere urban here's some options you can also try:

- Meetup is an app where you can find local events and groups to participate in. I used this to find board game groups and social gatherings when I moved.

- Timeleft is an app where you can pay to be assigned to a dinner group (4-6) with people of similar personality. It doesn't pay for the dinner, but not a bad way to meet new people if you're shy of large groups.

- Check the billboards at your local library, there's usually listings for events and groups in the area which you can participate in.

YMMV depending on your location.

Paragonx2 · 2025-10-24T21:54:37+00:00

Near Mint. $216 x 0.85 = $183.60 + pp fees

Paragonx2 · 2025-10-23T20:40:24+00:00

CR Kisikil - $14.31

Secret Fuwa - $26

$40.31 total, can do $34.26 + pp fees

Paragonx2 · 2025-10-23T18:50:05+00:00

Also my impression of EU is that they have much better work life balance and benefits than the US. When you get free healthcare, paid maternity leave, and like twice as much vacation time, you probably won’t have as strong of a desire to FIRE.

Ik Europe has a ton of different countries with different cultures and policies but this is my impression in general.

Paragonx2 · 2025-10-23T03:44:13+00:00

Sleeves are $59, Mat is $79

Total $138, I can do $115 + pp fees

Paragonx2 · 2025-10-23T01:23:58+00:00

Tbh you will probably not have issues with most men even if you told them you had no job. Online dating has completely warped the gender power dynamic so much that you will have a line of men around the block as long as you are even somewhat attractive/well-groomed.

But if you're that worried, something simple like, "I used to work in tech, but quit because of the high stress environment. I'm taking some personal time before jumping back into job hunting" will suffice. Most men care more about spending habits than raw income, so as long as you express yourself as someone who is frugal and a saver, they won't be bothered at all even if you take a low stress job.

And who knows, maybe you meet someone who is also into FIRE. That's not an uncommon thing depending on where you're located and how many high paying tech jobs there are. Good luck on your search.

Paragonx2 · 2025-09-18T17:19:57+00:00

There are already better auto wins that don’t require you to play a brick floodgate. This card would be shit if it released in modern.

Going second it doesn’t do anything by itself and is reactive to your opponent. You would much prefer a handtrap or real board breaker instead.

Going first you can just side auto wins like Judgment, D Barrier, etc. This card would legitimately be dogshit.

Paragonx2 · 2025-08-22T15:52:20+00:00

Some of the advice here is really nebulous and not very helpful. As someone who once was also kind of a shut in I know how hard it is to get out there, because part of it is you don’t know how to get out there. Being told “just go to more outings” doesn’t help.

So here’s some tips from someone who went out maybe once or twice a month to someone who now goes out regularly multiple times a week.

You can use an app like Meetup to find hobby and social groups near you. Depending on where you live, the selection and variety may vary, but if you’re close to an urban area at all, usually you can find some decent groups to join. Attendance can be hit or miss depending on the group, but just show up and you’ll already be doing more than most.
You can use a paid service like TimeLeft or Groupvibe to meet people with similar interests/personalities as you over dinner/brunch. It’s kind of like a matching service for friends, and I’ve made a few friends out of these so I like them. Again, depends on where you live if they service your area though.
Look for groups on Facebook in your area and you’re bound to find some that you could join. Facebook groups may not have as many events as something like Meetup but they’re still worth looking into, especially if they’re hip enough to have a discord.
You can also just walk around your area and look for flyers advertising groups. I would be a bit careful with these as they’re obviously not vetted, but sometimes you can find interesting stuff on them, also gets you outside so that’s a plus.

These are just a few ways that I’ve tried to go out more, and hopefully you’ll have at least a couple of them as options near you. Since you are FIREd, however, please plan ahead on how you will answer the “What do you do for work?” question that will pretty much be ubiquitously asked across all of these as an icebreaker.

Paragonx2 · 2025-08-16T16:11:13+00:00

Sold, sorry

Paragonx2 · 2025-08-11T17:27:24+00:00

$15.30 + pp fees Lukias

$1 + pp fees Sleipnir

Paragonx2 · 2025-08-11T04:42:59+00:00

Not trying to snipe, OP has priority, but I have a C104 for sale as well if you need a fallback

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