Disney Parks, Planning

Spreadsheet
Spreadsheet

If there is one thing we are consistent about when we travel to Disney, it is having a well-organized plan.  It isn’t that we want to script every second of the day, but we do like to have an idea of what park we are going to, when our FastPass+ reservations are, and where we are going to eat.  Our plan isn’t as complicated as a D-day landing, but does have a basic framework. read more

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Disney Gift Cards, Shopping, Target

Today, December 20th 2015 only, Target is selling gift cards for 10% off, up to $300 worth.  You can get them online or in store.  There is supposedly a limit of $300 per household, but there is nothing stopping you from ordering $300 online, then heading to a few stores to pick up more.  Remember, you can use these gift cards to stack up and get Disney Gift cards using the Target 5% discount. read more

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Credit Cards

I got my first blog related question from a friend/reader the other week.  He was fine with sharing the question and the related advice. Question: We have an expense coming up that will total around $4000 due in the next week or two, so I’m thinking about opening a new credit card and floating it on there.  We will be able to pay off the expense slowly over time.  The other option is to pay it in full with our tax return in early 2017, so a 15-month 0% APR intro period should get us there..  That said, I’ve narrowed it down to three cards: 1. Chase Freedom 2. American Express Blue Cash Preferred 3. Citi Diamond Preferred The first two have a 15-month 0% period, while the Citi has a 21-month period. The Chase Freedom card has rotating categories that earn 5% back up to $75 each quarter ($300 per year) and 1% back on everything else.  It has no annual fee and is usually issued as a Visa card. The Blue Cash Preferred gets 6% back on groceries (up to $6000 in charges / $360 in cash back per year) and unlimited 3% on gas and has a $75 annual fee, which we would easily earn back. The Citi Diamond Preferred earns Citi Easy Deals Points that can be used toward merchandise, gift cards, and local deals. I don’t think we would get much use out of the Citi rewards, so I’m leaning more toward the Chase Freedom or American Express Blue Cash Preferred. That said, the 21-month 0% APR intro versus 15-month is attractive. Our highest expenses that can be paid with a CC are, in order: groceries, electric bill, real estate tax, gas, cell phone, home insurance, and satellite TV.  That said, I’m concerned that I won’t be able to take advantage of one or two of the potential Chase Freedom categories each year because we don’t spend much on dining, shopping, or travel. Whatever card I get I would want to have for the long term; I’m not picking solely based on the ability to finance this short term payment. According to Credit Karma, I have very good odds of getting approved for all three cards, so that factor doesn’t narrow it down. Do you have any feedback on any of these three cards? Answer:

Thanks so much for asking.  Here are my thoughts: read more

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Credit Cards, Hotel Cost, Travel Cost

IHG Website
IHG Website

We’ve previously discussed some of the many benefits of the Chase IHG Rewards Club Select Credit Card.  One of the best benefits to the card is the free night you receive when you pay the $49 annual fee for the card.  This night can be used at any IHG property, which includes the InterContinental, Hualuxe, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, Even Hotels, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites, and Candlewood Suites brands of hotels.  As long as the property has an award night available, you can use your free night. read more

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Planning

pre

Going through security at the airport is right up there on my list with going to the dentist.  I like the result, but getting through the process isn’t the most pleasant thing.  Going through the airport security with children in tow is even worse.  Taking your laptop out of your bag, taking off shoes, coats, and at the same time trying to talk your kids through the process can make for a hectic experience.  Well, the Transportation Security Administration provides a solution to the problems that they have caused!  Its called TSA Precheck (along with its big brother, Global Entry).  For $85, you get entry into the TSA Precheck program for five years, which lets your avoid a great deal of the hassle of going through airport security. read more

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