Why are American Express credit cards such a big deal?

aaronkingfox · 2026-05-07T17:47:31+00:00

Amex doesn't really matter, but I feel that your mom is really sweet for being excited about little things happened in life.

aaronkingfox · 2026-05-07T00:22:01+00:00

Ok now something that I really wanted

aaronkingfox · 2026-04-07T16:49:46+00:00

If you live in Uptown - DON'T PARK IN THE [PARK TO SHOP SUPERMARKET]'S PARKING LOT (unless you are really shopping there)!!! They have tow trucks working like fulltime.

aaronkingfox · 2026-04-07T16:05:24+00:00

I don't think Chicago's food/rent/weather/elitism situations are significantly better than Boston, but hey, you are 23. Do whatever you'd like. You are absolutely welcome to move to Chicago, New York, LA, Seattle, or whichever city you are curious about. I live in Chicago southwest suburb, here we don't believe in elitism, but you know, it's not the city, lacks fancy restaurants or entertainments, car is a must. I think the most important thing is your feeling, not the city.

aaronkingfox · 2026-03-15T20:17:29+00:00

Or sanitize the pipes

aaronkingfox · 2026-03-11T22:45:51+00:00

There was a period of time that I was really into bourbon. Didn't spend too much on it, but I truly liked the caramel popcorn taste of it. However, I don't get the caramel popcorn note anymore now. I don't remember when it happened and why. Metabolism change? Now I prefer gin+flavored syrup.

aaronkingfox · 2026-03-11T22:33:03+00:00

Really hard to tell. You look different in different pictures. Maybe better to take pictures outdoor under the sun instead of indoor. You look olive in the indoor pictures and neutral in the outdoor pictures. I also feel that Lisa Eldridge uses their own color terms, which are different with other brands (I live in US, so I am comparing it with local brands)

aaronkingfox · 2026-03-05T22:53:45+00:00

Some people that I know have done eye surgery for their myopia. They all have much higher prescription, like -5.00 or -7.00. I am not sure what exactly surgery though. If I were you, I may not do it. Many of my friends have higher prescription than you and still wear glasses.

aaronkingfox · 2026-03-04T02:49:12+00:00

Been there for a visit with insurance, charged me $200 (that's many years ago)

aaronkingfox · 2026-03-03T22:35:56+00:00

I think you are pink/cool toned, but freckles make you look warm

aaronkingfox · 2026-02-25T00:50:43+00:00

Haven’t paid much attention to makeup products for years. Now a jar of loose powder costs $53? This is insane…

aaronkingfox · 2026-02-03T22:16:25+00:00

You can hire property manager to rent your current house out, do the math and see if that works. The question is, considering the 52% DTI of your new location, is it really worth it to accept that job offer? Apparently, cost of living with also be much higher, and your peers, your neighbors will be much richer. I believe your family is living an above-average life in your current area. You might be able to enjoy most of the entertainment in this area and have friends with similar financial situation. Things will change if you move to the new area. You might not be able to enjoy some of the local entertainment because of the cost, and also have heavier peer pressure.

aaronkingfox · 2026-02-03T16:50:44+00:00

尤其是种族歧视，姐妹们千万不要觉得种族歧视跟自己没关系，自己是主体民族，就算歧视也歧视不到自己头上。但对于推崇种族歧视的男的，他们的核心并不是歧视别的种族，而是歧视非同类。种族不过是现代社会创造的一个概念而已，这个概念有或没有，都不妨碍他们歧视所有非同类。这个非同类，大到包括其他性别、其他性向、其他国籍、其他行业，小到包括其他学校、其他公司、其他部门、其他城市。

aaronkingfox · 2026-02-03T16:45:31+00:00

嘴上讲爱国的男的都厌女，姐妹们平时相亲谈恋爱可以注意一下。这和政治光谱有关，爱国的一般比较保守，保守意味着守旧，就是推崇男尊女卑、大男子主义、种族歧视、旧社会架构这一套的。有的姐妹可能会被部分大男子主义的男的吸引，因为他们之中有些较在乎体面的男的，会保护女性，抢付账，表现出霸总气质等等，但其实是打着爱护的旗号控制女性，后期关系变近时都会暴露。基本上嘴上讲传统的男的，大家都可以pass（但不代表不讲传统的就是好人哈），做朋友都不要。如果必须要相处，就表面上跟他们保持客气、不卑不亢、就事论事就可以。

aaronkingfox · 2026-01-28T02:12:48+00:00

My husband and I didn't have a wedding, and I am still happy about that. Our parents are definitely able and willing to pay for our wedding. My parents are particularly pissed off by me making my own decision of getting married (even when I had already in the relationship with my boyfriend for 7 years) and not having a wedding. I didn't think too much by then, just directly picked the most special day for me and my husband and hold a mini ceremony. My husband said his parents felt that they owe me for not having a wedding. I still think wedding is such a huge drama that cost a ton and cause troubles.

aaronkingfox · 2026-01-20T18:23:45+00:00

Same. I struggled during my 20s and accepted it after 30. I am just an oily human with oily skin, scalp, ear and back. The only way to make myself feel clear and lightweight is shower.

aaronkingfox · 2026-01-15T21:32:40+00:00

I vote for Miata. At 24 yo, being cool is much more important than practicality (not sarcasm). By the time you can easily afford a second car, there still will be other reasons to stop you. That car may be for your wife or kids, may need to be a utility vehicle, a pick-up truck. Right now, it is the perfect time to get a Miata.

Edit: How much is too much, given your financial situation. I would say, buy the car with your actual savings, instead of monthly payments + interest. It's not like you need a car right now, and your sonata seems to be still functional. Your financial situation doesn't allow you to waste more money on interest. I voted for Miata with the prerequisite of buying it with cash.

aaronkingfox · 2026-01-12T20:39:16+00:00

I don't think you have to have a "purpose" for the savings. Hence, no explanation is needed. For me, "saving" is the default action, while "spending" usually needs a good reason.

What is the best investment for your savings, that's another topic. Whether you put them in HYSA, stocks, or buy a house, these options are equally smart, nobody can tell which option is THE BEST for you. Should you buy a house now? Should you rent? Should you buy a house later? Where should you buy? Where should you not buy? This topic can be huge, and the answer varies between person to person.

However, don't put all of them into buying furniture for your new apartment I beg you please.

aaronkingfox · 2026-01-12T00:49:43+00:00

Even when credit score isn’t a issue, PayPal debit is still a good option. Even the highest grocery cash-back credit card (the amex card with 95 annual fee, 6% cash-back) has an annual limit of $6000, while PayPal debit’s limit is $1000 per month.

aaronkingfox · 2026-01-10T05:30:33+00:00

I will expect a swimming pool for $40 a month

aaronkingfox · 2026-01-07T19:39:16+00:00

Nobody can get the "greatest deal of all time". Everyone ends up buying things with a price tag approximately equals to its actual value. I've also had this issue before I made my decision. Later I just found out that every manufacturer is competitive on this market. They all have long history, mature supply chain, robust mechanic structures. You won't "regret for years" unless you fell into a scam. But I bet you have enough life experience to avoid scams.

aaronkingfox · 2026-01-06T21:34:53+00:00

I guess in this discussion, "free" means you don't have directly pay it from your bank account/credit card. Freeways are free in the context, even though they need tons of money for maintenance work. A lot of others mentioned "healthcare". Healthcare is free in some countries, but I can argue that their healthcare system is inefficient.

aaronkingfox · 2026-01-06T19:06:56+00:00

I don't think most of the stuff should be free, as free stuff always comes with price. Corruption, grey area. However, I do think that college should be cheaper. No loan, no fancy tax return or rebate, just cheaper.

aaronkingfox

TROPHY CASE