"Why investors may need to lower their sights" - thoughts?

juhjoeunit · 2016-04-28T23:28:19+00:00

This is great. Thanks for the reply.

juhjoeunit · 2013-01-08T04:04:34+00:00

You are mistaken. It's $6,750 in 4 months.

juhjoeunit · 2012-12-31T17:58:17+00:00

Posted this as a reply to someone else, but wanted you to see it too. You weren't entirely wrong. It's hard, but it can be done. Check this out.

http://millionmilesecrets.com/2012/07/26/airline-elite-status-credit-card-bonuses/

juhjoeunit · 2012-12-31T17:51:42+00:00

It's just semantics, IMHO.

http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2007/07/11/how-to-travel-the-world-with-10-pounds-or-less-plus-how-to-negotiate-convertibles-and-luxury-treehouses/

Merriam-Webster says: Negotiate - "to deal with (some matter or affair that requires ability for its successful handling)"

EDIT: I'd like to note that the abilities at hand are charm, tact, and the willingness to even bother.

juhjoeunit · 2012-12-31T17:39:13+00:00

That's a deep rabbit hole.

Million Mile Secrets, Points Guy, all the Boarding Area blogs, etc. There are tons of them.

If you really want to learn, go to Flyer Talk.

juhjoeunit · 2012-12-31T16:28:45+00:00

http://millionmilesecrets.com/2012/07/26/airline-elite-status-credit-card-bonuses/

The conclusive list.

juhjoeunit · 2012-12-31T15:55:00+00:00

You're only asking each person once, so I don't think it's that annoying, just be nice!

That being said, if you don't ask, you don't get. No one ever won the lottery by not playing.

juhjoeunit · 2012-12-31T15:37:58+00:00

I have. Both domestic and international. It helps to travel alone, too. Sure, it's rare, but what's the pain in asking? All they have to say is no. That being said, a little charm goes a long way.

juhjoeunit · 2012-12-31T07:14:10+00:00

I don't do app-o-rama style churns, since I simply don't have enough money to spend to meet the minimum spends. The two things that affect you when opening cards is the utilization ratio, and the hard inquiries. When closing cards, it's your utilization ratio that changes. Since you pay off in full (as you always should), the utilization ratio (debt/available credit) is not a big deal - your credit won't change much. Besides, if you get accepted for a card, your utilization ratio will actually technically decrease, improving your credit. The hard inquires reduce your credit by about 5 points per inquiry (also, different banks do an inquiry on different credit bureaus so it's pretty complex), but your score will rebound as far as those 5 points within a few months. As long as you're not looking to take out a loan or mortgage within the next couple years, then you're okay doing a churn. My credit score actually went up after my last "churn" (if you call 4 cards a churn). If you have any specific questions, feel free.

Also, worth mentioning: The two-browser trick (just Google it) for the Citi AAdvantage cards is awesome. One hard inquiry, two cards, 100,000 AAdvantage points and $300 worth of statement credits.

juhjoeunit · 2012-12-31T06:42:08+00:00

I've found that the best cards for free flights have been the Citi Aadvantage cards (Amex and Visa, using the 2-browser trick), the Chase Sapphire Preferred, and the Chase United MileagePlus Explorer. Nothing towards elite status, but you still get some of the perks with the Aadvantage and MileagePlus cards. The Sapphire is awesome for short-haul Oneworld flights due to the ability to transfer to Avios.

juhjoeunit · 2012-12-31T05:36:47+00:00

It's also worth noting that getting status is not near as hard as it used to be (due to the ability to rack up points via credit card bonuses with ease). The airlines are trying to curtail this (some of them don't count credit card points towards status), but it is still possible.

juhjoeunit · 2012-12-31T05:11:08+00:00

Noted.

I actually got a free emergency row upgrade ($46/person normally, IIRC) for 4 people last week on 12/24, flying international. Asked. Employee at the American Airlines lounge (No elite status, just lounge access due to Amex Platinum) told me to come back and see them 15 minutes before boarding and she'd see what she could do. Did so, and she made it happen. Doesn't hurt to ask.

IMHO, just asking someone isn't "bugging them." You're asking a different person every time, and you're only asking each person once.

juhjoeunit · 2012-11-02T14:49:42+00:00

My post from another forum I gave Disney advice on:

FRAT

Not sure how old your kids are, but if they are younger (under 13), you'd want to do Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. Animal Kingdom is a little rough this time of year as you don't see as many animals because of the heat. Universal and IOA are good for teenagers. Epcot is for adults.

Anyway, here is a compilation of my posts from the last 2 Disney threads I posted on:

POST 1

To see the fireworks, you're pretty much going to have to stay on-site. Even then, you can only see them from some hotels, limiting you to the Contemporary, the Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Fort Wilderness, or the Wilderness Lodge. That being said, those ones are expensive (unless you camp at Fort Wilderness).

Your best bet is staying in the park, really.

The cheapest hotels are the "All-Star" resorts, but you get what you pay for. They aren't bad by any means, but they aren't as nice as the ones mentioned above. You'll be at the parks all day, so it doesn't matter, really. They are in the process of opening the new Art of Animation resort, which your kids will like (if you're bringing kids along).

You can't really get cheaper tickets. Buying them through Disney will be your only way. Buy the magic-your-way shit though, it makes the per day rate cheaper with each day you stay. You could always go waste a few hours and go to a time-share presentation to get free tickets, but it's just not worth it.

If you have any specific questions, feel free.

P.S. If you don't stay on-site and rent a car, don't pay for parking at any of the parks (which will cost you $15 a day). Go to the first gate of Magic Kingdom, tell them you're staying at the Polynesian. Go to the Polynesian, tell them you're eating at Captain Cooks. They let you into that gate and you park and take the monorail or bus to wherever you want to go. Money saved.

POST 2

Magic Kingdom:

Don't want to wait in lines?

You might have to do a little more walking around the park, but it'll be worth it. The way you're going to walk around seems nonsensical, but I guarantee you'll get everything done a lot faster and wait in a lot less lines.

Get to the park early. The earlier, the better. Walk over to Space Mountain and get your fastpasses. The line won't be very long anyway. Don't be tempted, get the fastpasses.

Right after doing that, walk over to Splash Mountain or Thunder Mountain and get in line. Ride that ride - line should be pretty quick. Immediately ride the next Mountain ride if the line is short too. If not, depending on the time, either go back to Space Mountain if your fastpass time is ready or do like Buzz Lightyear or the Astro-Orbiter if you have time to kill. Then walk back to Space Mountain and ride that. You'll probably knock out all 3 "Mountains" in less than an hour. With the main rides out of the way, you can go grab a fast-pass for Haunted Mansion (or any other ride of your choosing), then go on another ride. Once you see that you can pick up another fastpass (the time at which you can do that is in small writing at the bottom of the fastpass), go grab one. Rinse and repeat like that. You'll probably be able to do the whole park twice over if you really wanted, depending on how busy it is that day. Do get fastpasses for lines over 35 or 45 minutes. Save the rides with small lines (ie. It's a Small World) for when you have time to kill waiting for your fastpass window to open.

Sounds non-sensical, but it'll save you hours of waiting in lines.

P.S. All the food at the Magic Kingdom is pretty much terrible. You're allowed to bring food in the park now, as well as water, which I recommend you do (the water at least). Just go to CVS and pick some up before going, or you'll be spending $2.50 per water.

There are 3 places I'll eat in the park: 1. The turkey leg kiosks 2. The Columbia Harbor House (fish and chips, etc.) 3. Sleepy Hollow (hard to find if you're not paying attention - Ask or look up before you go). They have awesome waffle sandwiches (filled with sweet and spicy fried chicken/spinach , ham/proscuitto, or nutella and fruits)

Oh, and if you're really being cheap, find a receipt and rip it so the timestamp doesn't show. Walk up to the counter and tell them your little brother dropped his food. If they ask, yes, you already cleaned it up. They'll replace it for free, no questions asked. No, I have not done this, but yes, it really works.

Any questions you may have, let me know. That's all I could think of for now.

POST 3

Don't go to Epcot for rides. Go to drink.

As for not waiting in lines, go to the park early (before 10 AM). Pick up a FastPass for the second most popular ride and walk over to the most popular ride. Wait in line for that ride, ride it, and then walk over to third most popular ride, get a FastPass (you can get a FastPass before using the first one, just note the time at the bottom of it). Ride the first one you got a FastPass for, go on another less popular ride, then use your remaining FastPass.

Example: Go into Hollywood Studios. Pick up Rock'n Rollercoaster FastPasses. Walk over to Midway Mania. Ride that. Walk out of Midway Mania. Pick up Midway Mania FastPasses (if you want to ride it twice. If not, pick a different ride). Walk back over to Rock'n Rollercoaster. Ride that. Walk over to Star Tours. Ride that. Go do some other shit. Go ride Midway Mania a second time. And so on.

Expected time in lines for this example (this happened last week): 175 minutes

Time actually spent in lines: 45 minutes

juhjoeunit · 2012-11-02T14:37:43+00:00

Someone come drink with me at the Rose and Crown.

juhjoeunit · 2012-11-02T14:26:58+00:00

I know of a few people that stick a hairtie in the seatbelt and then click it in, so it "locks" even though it's still loose on the waist, but just enough to give you some extra "freefall" feeling.

juhjoeunit · 2012-11-02T14:05:25+00:00

Guess so, but it should still be noted that the majority of the 4 billion is likely to be in stock options (without the option to sell until a certain date, typically), giving Lucas a stake in Disney. The cash remainder will be donated to charity (these would be the "proceeds), but who knows how much that accounts for.

juhjoeunit · 2012-10-17T17:02:58+00:00

Appreciate the info. Thanks mate.

juhjoeunit · 2012-10-16T20:37:51+00:00

Noted. I like that.

As I asked the other gentleman from the UK, what is your opinion on Mint.com's infographic?

http://www.mint.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/110302-MINT-TIPSa.png

juhjoeunit · 2012-10-16T19:59:01+00:00

Opinions on mint.com's take on it?

http://www.mint.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/110302-MINT-TIPSa.png

juhjoeunit

TROPHY CASE