I am refinancing a home and needed to get a few closing documents notarized. The UPS Store charges $5.00 per page, which can really add up, so I started searching for some free notary options. After doing a Google search I found a few free options like the local library, city hall, credit unions, banks,…
A little over 6 month ago Chase began imposing a new rule on credit card applications that require a customer to have no more than 5 newly opened accounts on their credit report within the last 24 months. This has become known as the “Chase 5/24 rule.” Hence, if you are planning to apply for…
At a certain point one has earned enough miles and hotel points that cash becomes an attractive option. After perusing many cash back credit cards, I came across the SunTrust Cash Rewards Credit Card, which seems like a pretty good cash back earning card, especially since it has no annual fee. Depending on your relationship with…
One of the best features of the Chase Ritz Carlton Rewards Card is the free club level upgrade. If you have stayed at a Ritz-Carlton hotel you know that access to the club level is quite valuable and the Ritz will charge you quite a bit for it. I just signed up for the Chase…
IHG Rewards just released their “Into The Nights” promotion where you can earn up to 2 free hotel nights by completing a set of tasks. The promotion requires you to complete a set of tasks where you earn bonus points for completing a certain amount of tasks. Many will ask, are 50,000 points worth two…
I have never been a loyal Sears customer, but recently I’ve found myself ordering quite a few items from them. In fact, their “Shop Your Way” deals on certain electronics items have been pretty spectacular. When you combine the points with a miles earning portal bonus, you can often buy electronics for cheaper than any…
Marriott is now offering a Platinum challenge called “Road to Platinum” to select members. The program basically grants you Platinum (or Gold) status after completing the required number of stays in a 3-month period. The following are the stay requirements for each level. Marriott Rewards Elite Status Challenge Requirements Status Stays Required Time Period Platinum…
One of my all time favorite credit cards is the American Express Starwood Preferred Guest card. It’s great because Starwood hotel redemptions are among the most favorable in the industry, but the option to convert Starpoints into airline miles often at a 1:1 ratio offers another tremendous avenue to value. To top it all off, if…
I made a huge gigantic oops recently that I think might help many of you out there. In February my wife signed up for the Citi AAdvantage Executive Visa Card. The card included a huge 100,000 mile sign up bonus if you spent $10,000 within “3 months of becoming a cardmember.” We were consumed by…
I think Kiva is a great idea and platform for connecting investors/donors in developed countries with microfinance lenders in developing countries. And I strongly believe that there are a lot of people who want to help others help themselves in developing countries who can establish a business for themselves if they had a bit of seed money…