edjr 5,547 Posted February 17, 2017 Of all the geek club lies, this is probably the biggest. I've been militant for years about junk mail, using registries like you link and contacting individual retailers/direct marketers/etc., and I still get some junk mail. Credit cards companies are among the worst at selling information to marketers. But I'm guessing your idea of junk mail is different than mine. I get no junk mail. 0 I get 1 thing in my mail a month, a local flyer with local coupons, unless people send personal cards for bday/holiday etc Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edjr 5,547 Posted February 17, 2017 I find the AMEX cash rewards card is better than those with points. You could be right. I never did much research. I did change from the $175 a year amex to the one I have now. I think it's $45 a year? Everyday Preferred card it gets 50% extra points after 30 purchases a month Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WhiteWonder 2,171 Posted February 17, 2017 Annual fees are gross. Does the cash back even offset the fee? Probably if you're spending a lot which can then get you I trouble. But if your first xx amount of cash back is offsetting the fee before you actually start getting cash back, no thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edjr 5,547 Posted February 17, 2017 Annual fees are gross. Does the cash back even offset the fee? Probably if you're spending a lot which can then get you I trouble. But if your first xx amount of cash back is offsetting the fee before you actually start getting cash back, no thanks I never use cash. I use my amex for probably 95% of everything I do My Year-End Summary CARD MEMBER AMOUNT $30,768.27 (me) $1,161.55 (baby momma) TOTAL $31,929.82 Not sure how many points that is, some were double, some were triple. lets assume 40000 on the low end. 40000 can be used on amazon for instance to pay for $400 worth of goods. The card cost me $45 a year and I pay it off every month so I never paid a cent in interest. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edjr 5,547 Posted February 17, 2017 DUNKIN' DONUTS $441.75 COMCAST $2,711.34 AT&T PHONE PAYMENT $2,135.77 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Patriotsfatboy1 1,432 Posted February 17, 2017 Ed - the Amex blue everyday cash card might be better for you. Cash instead of points (which have been going downhill) and there is no annual fee. I switched a short while ago. I have the Preferred. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edjr 5,547 Posted February 17, 2017 Ed - the Amex blue everyday cash card might be better for you. Cash instead of points (which have been going downhill) and there is no annual fee. I switched a short while ago. I will look into it. Thank you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Patriotsfatboy1 1,432 Posted February 17, 2017 I will look into it. Thank you. I just checked and I have the preferred. I think that has a fee, but it gives higher percentages. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Patriotsfatboy1 1,432 Posted February 17, 2017 My bill last month was about $11k. It had a vacation on it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frank 2,144 Posted February 17, 2017 Airfare $36.20 Did you fly to work one day? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MTSkiBum 1,593 Posted February 17, 2017 Did you fly to work one day? Actually flew twice, including one time with my wife and daughter. But we used miles, that must have been expenses at the airports. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Patriotsfatboy1 1,432 Posted February 17, 2017 Ed - check on the Preferred card too. I spend about $40k per year on my cards and the extra percentages of the Preferred covered the $95 annual fee. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vuduchile 1,940 Posted February 17, 2017 My year end statement: Shoelaces - $49,118.90 Back waxing - $157,294.12 Baby wipes - $652,416.85 Casinos - $412,023.67 NoBu - $324,910.19 McDonald's - $3.98 Private Jet maintenance - $521,047.84 Augusta International Membership - 1 MILLION dollars. Jesus. What a "whip it out" thread his turned into. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edjr 5,547 Posted February 17, 2017 My year end statement: Shoelaces - $49,118.90 Back waxing - $157,294.12 Baby wipes - $652,416.85 Casinos - $412,023.67 NoBu - $324,910.19 McDonald's - $3.98 Private Jet maintenance - $521,047.84 Augusta International Membership - 1 MILLION dollars. Jesus. What a "whip it out" thread his turned into. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Strike 3,950 Posted February 17, 2017 My year end statement: Shoelaces - $49,118.90 Back waxing - $157,294.12 Baby wipes - $652,416.85 Casinos - $412,023.67 NoBu - $324,910.19 McDonald's - $3.98 Private Jet maintenance - $521,047.84 Augusta International Membership - 1 MILLION dollars. Jesus. What a "whip it out" thread his turned into. You left out the Asian hookers and blow, or do you pay cash for those? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fandandy 3,311 Posted February 17, 2017 My year end statement: Shoelaces - $49,118.90 Back waxing - $157,294.12 Baby wipes - $652,416.85 Casinos - $412,023.67 NoBu - $324,910.19 McDonald's - $3.98 Private Jet maintenance - $521,047.84 Augusta International Membership - 1 MILLION dollars. Jesus. What a "whip it out" thread his turned into. One word, VELCRO. I switched 2 years ago and just paid off the cabin on the lake. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edjr 5,547 Posted February 17, 2017 You left out the Asian hookers and blow, or do you pay cash for those? one thing I use cash for Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
penultimatestraw 473 Posted February 17, 2017 I get no junk mail. 0 I get 1 thing in my mail a month, a local flyer with local coupons, unless people send personal cards for bday/holiday etc Using just that single registry? Unpossible. After a huge effort several years ago, I was able to eliminate ~ 90% paper junk mail. I only collected the mail once a week, and it was usually just a couple items. Slowly it has re accumulated - local advertising flyers, real estate notices, solicitations for conferences, charitable foundations, throwaway medical journals, etc., etc. And anytime you buy something on line or provide your email, random electronic spam invariably follows. I've unsubscribed to ten times as many lists as I ever registered for, because every damn company sells your information, whether you opt-out or not. Maybe you're just not as desirable a target as me? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edjr 5,547 Posted February 17, 2017 Using just that single registry? Unpossible. 100% When I moved into my new place I was inundated with junk mail. Then I signed up with my new address and it took a few months, but it stopped. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
penultimatestraw 473 Posted February 17, 2017 100% When I moved into my new place I was inundated with junk mail. Then I signed up with my new address and it took a few months, but it stopped. i didn't use that registry before, but anything that requires SSN makes me a bit nervous. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edjr 5,547 Posted February 17, 2017 i didn't use that registry before, but anything that requires SSN makes me a bit nervous. I did my homework, I did my research. i promise you it works. it does take months. I 1st signed up for it (used my social) around 2011, never had any issues Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vuduchile 1,940 Posted February 17, 2017 How is spending under 50k including only 27k a year in daily living expenses bragging. It might not be bragging per se, but it's still a "look at me" move. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edjr 5,547 Posted February 17, 2017 It did not have to be. Really I wanted other geeks to follow suit and then I was going to criticize their spending habits. My master plan fell apart. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
