FoundersCard Review 2021: Benefits, Updates, Cost – And Is It Worth It?

Time to update my FoundersCard review for 2021! I’ve been a member for 7 years by now. Each year, they add more (and more useful) benefits, keep the best ones, and refine their partnerships based on member demand and use. The upshot is making the most of even ONE perk can outweigh the $395 membership – and the rest is gravy. And when you sign up with...

2w

New job, no credit card debt, car paid off, and IRA maxed out – December 2020 Freedom update

Happy Holidays! I feel a little bad for saying this but… 2020 was actually a really good year for me. No, I didn’t travel nearly as much as I wanted and being at home all year with an occasional trip to the grocery store wasn’t what I had in mind. But I did a lot of good, important work. Most of it inward. I know this year has been hard for so many...

4w

Amazon bank points deals: Save big by using 1 Amex, Capital One, Chase, or Citi point (YMMV)

I’ve been using bank points of all kinds to save on Amazon purchases recently and wanted to share. This next week is the last dash to purchase gifts before the holidays, and in many cases you save big bucks by adding these promotions to your account and redeeming a single bank point. These deals come and go frequently. Sometimes I’m targeted, other...

Dec 2020

One year of tracking later, my net worth is up $60K – November 2020 Freedom update

About a year ago, I started seriously tracking my net worth. And every month, I’ve posted what I call Freedom updates. Obviously, 2020 has been a wild ride and a lot has happened. I’ve had months where I’ve been way up and way down. Sometimes by tens of thousands from month to month. After bouts of whiplash, I want to look back at where I started –...

Dec 2020

Easy Status Match: Caesars Diamond to M Life Gold to Hyatt Explorist through December 31, 2020

This is rather niche, but it works! Through December 31, 2020, if you have Caesars Diamond elite status, you can match it to M Life Gold, and from there, to Hyatt Explorist. I just did it this past weekend. The only hitch is you must do the Caesars to M Life match in person. And of course, have Caesars Diamond status to start with, which is a free...

Dec 2020

Trip Report: My Texas-sized road trip to Austin, Big Bend National Park & Marfa

I spent most of last week partying in Austin, hiking in Big Bend National Park, and driving. Lots of driving. I drove over 1,000 miles last week. But let me tell you: West Texas is insanely gorgeous. I had no idea. I kept thinking, “This is Texas?!” as I hiked and drove around the Big Bend area, very much in the middle of nowhere. I was also able to...

Nov 2020

A Bounce Back to a ~$150K Best-Ever Net Worth – October 2020 Freedom Update

Last month sure felt dismal. Felt like throwing money into a fire pit, like I wasn’t catching up to my effort. There have been so many ups and down this year that I should’ve known better. But sometimes doubt gets the best of us and it’s hard to keep riding the wave. October was much better. I am putting 30% of my paychecks into my 401k and aggressively...

Oct 2020

Booked: A Texas Road Trip to Austin & Big Bend National Park

I don’t post industry news – and as most of the world remains closed to Americans, I’ve withdrawn inward. Instead of planes, I’ve found solace in my car during the pandemic. My last trip was to Arkansas, and that was back in July. I’ve been mostly shut-in, but am venturing out again, feeling more empowered and eager to explore. A wandering soul needs...

Oct 2020

Down $4,000 & feeling nervous this month – September 2020 Freedom Update

September is drifting past; Virgo season is over. Summer grass to fall leaves. I feel like I’ve been plugging away – and then I look at the numbers and I’ve actually slipped. This month, I’m reminding myself that progress is slow and steady and every month won’t have big eye-popping gains. Plus, I’m getting three paychecks in October and anticipate...

Sep 2020

Progress & setbacks, but up $18K anyway – August 2020 Freedom Update

It’s been a weird month. Financially, things have been great. But I’m getting antsy about the next life phase and been doing a lot of “hanging in there” recently. I had the idea to buy a little house in the Memphis area and move closer to family. But waiting for things to reopen. And keeping an eye on the upcoming election. And hoping to keep my job...

Aug 2020