tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6525334973892331389.post1896212957475867143..comments2023-06-12T11:50:19.679-04:00Comments on not the jet set: How To: Get Kick-Backs On Purchases WITHOUT A Silly Credit CardMichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05449100145223553747noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6525334973892331389.post-65046165911952154892008-04-28T14:51:00.000-04:002008-04-28T14:51:00.000-04:00First, I don't appreciate your tone. We welcome c...First, I don't appreciate your tone. We welcome commentary and debate here, but you are walking a thin line between commenter and troll. <BR/><BR/>What I mean about "when things aren't so rosey" is that your plan - that of rewards cards - is based on the 'best case scenario'. The problem with families is that there are people in them. The problem with money is that life happens. Maybe it's a career crisis, maybe it's medical crisis, maybe it's ID theft and it takes 8 months to clean up. There is so much that can go wrong here, that it's not even funny. Something you will notice is that a lot of financial pundits are talking about how shift your investments for a down market, what to do in a down economy, how to handle the credit crisis. If you listen to Dave Ramsey's financial advice, and I'm guessing you don't - it doesn't change based on good times or bad times. It always works. <BR/><BR/>No risk!? Give me a break. These companies are <A HREF="http://financialzip.com/2008/04/22/credit-card-company-secrets/" REL="nofollow">snakes</A>! They will always find a way. Besides that, we are paying our bills <I>once</I>. We go to the grocery, shop, and pay. Done. How are you not adding risk by adding the layer of complexity of paying by credit card, waiting until the CC bill comes and then paying again? A lot can happen between those two points in time. Bank account snafus, payroll errors... There is more than enough risk to go around here - even if you are relying on auto-bill-pay. It just takes one slip up - not necessarily by you - and it all comes crashing down. And no-one assumes any responsibility in that situation - it all falls on you. There are inherent risks. People like to harp on 'irresponsible spending' in regards to personal debt and credit card debt. That is not the case as often as it is assumed.<BR/><BR/>As for the sweatshirts... I'm guessing you don't have kids in school. Schools are hurting for money as much as anyone these days. With budget cuts from the states and counties, the schools turn to fund-raisers to help. And 'fund-raisers' usually means bleeding the parents dry or some terrible, demeaning activity. Some schools have kids gathering donations on the side of the road like beggars, some have expensive team gear for sale that is not optional, some have the kids selling crap door-to-door 3 or 4 times a year. Programs like Scrip cards allows us to support the school <B>as well as</B> getting a tuition discount. Maybe the article wasn't clear on that, but those are two different things. Our school has this program and other legit fund-raisers as opposed to the crummy ones I listed above.<BR/><BR/>Yes, because everyone proudly living debt/credit-card free is clearly self-righteous. Look - we've been there. We've done that. We're not going back. We've seen the other side and it is easily better. We've had credit cards before, and they really aren't that great. Closed minded? We've lived both ways and have chosen this one. We've also chosen to share our thoughts, opinions, and experiences here. Our intent is to inform and educate, not to judge (ahem...) or demean. Have you lived debt-free? Credit-card free?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6525334973892331389.post-23476476370558112292008-04-28T11:30:00.000-04:002008-04-28T11:30:00.000-04:00what do you mean when things are not so rosey? I s...what do you mean when things are not so rosey? I strive to save money first and foremost. I pay myself first. I reduce energy costs and try to live green..... then I take the kickback. <BR/><BR/>All these things are things that I would normally buy and or have to pay for.....<BR/><BR/>THERE IS NO RISK! HELLO!<BR/><BR/>BTW ..I do not understand your sweatshirt comment.<BR/><BR/>You seem self righteous and close minded.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6525334973892331389.post-12234787380719056182008-04-26T07:56:00.000-04:002008-04-26T07:56:00.000-04:00No, Sir. It's the greed thats blinding you. As I...No, Sir. It's the greed thats blinding you. As I stated, this really isn't a huge deal, and neither are rewards cards. What's nice about the Scrip cards is that besides getting a discount off of tuition, it is also a fundraiser for the school. Meaning no 'mandatory' $50 sweatshirts to buy, and no door-to-door sales.<BR/><BR/>You can have your Upromise. If we want to put money into a 529 for college, then we'll do just that. And we do. It's not hard. <BR/><BR/>What are you doing? Paying your mortgage on a credit card? Other than that, our monthy bills - gas, electric, and phone - are not that high. Maybe you are spending a "butload" on them, but we are not. <BR/><BR/>So it looks like you are running every dime you spend through you EvilCard. That is yhe choice you've made, and the risk you have taken on. You've chosen to pay with a credit card, and then pay off the card, allowing EvilCorp to get their cut from the retailer (for doing very little). Then they turn around, toss you a pat on the head, and a hearty, "good boy..."<BR/><BR/>I can see that you are quite enamored with your card compnay, who really, really likes you. Let us know how that goes when things aren't so rosey.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6525334973892331389.post-81805702154817016042008-04-25T14:17:00.000-04:002008-04-25T14:17:00.000-04:00I am glad you are making some money... but your bl...I am glad you are making some money... but your blinding hate for credit cards companies still has you leaving money on the table. And that is what is silly my friend...<BR/><BR/>The 1% on everything else you scoff at does not really come into play for me ....just like your script cards, I purchase gift cards from the grocery store (netting me the 3%) when I know of an impending purchase at a given store. <BR/><BR/>The other thing that my credit card allows me to do is run everything I buy through upromise. Last time I checked you cant do that with gift cards. So your not adding that money. <BR/><BR/>While we are at it another thing you cannot pay with gift cards are bills. So there is a butload of money going out of your pocket with no kickback.<BR/><BR/>The last thing I will say is that the evil company that I choose to do business with actually treats me like a good customer even thought they are basically losing money on me. They alert me when something strange on my account happens. Whenever I travel, I get a call after the first purchase, and its them checking for my approval. If that charge was fraudulent, I would not pay.<BR/><BR/>and on, and on, and on.....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com