Toofarfromthesea

5 hours ago, ducklite said:

Spending went up because people who previously wouldn't shop there due to the inconvenience now do.   If WaWa suddenly stopped taking credit cards, I'd shift my business to RaceTrac, even though I prefer WaWa.

Of course.  This is the problem with these kinds of studies, it is difficult to isolate things - but isolating the studied behavior is the hallmark of correct design.  I haven't found a study that even TRIES to do this in the cash/credit card arena.

On 2/4/2020 at 4:15 PM, ilikeanswers said:

 

I do agree with you on this point. We saw this happen with recycling which has ended up with us increasing our plastic output by a 1000%. If carbon offsets are treated as supplementary then it is ok but if we treat it as the solution then we have a problem where people aren't willing to make the sacrifice or do what is more difficult to have the big impacts we need in carbon reduction.

You know where that plastic that came down those 10 rivers in Asia and Africa, making up 90% of the plastic in the oceans, largely came from?  Our 'recycling'.  Until recently most of our recycled plastic was shipped off to China and other faraway countries where they made some 'recycling' use of it and then the rest went down the river.  Had we never 'recycled' that plastic to China to Asiatic Rivers to the Oceans what would have happened to it?  It would have gone into a modern, environmentally sound landfill.  Where it would never have gotten anywhere near an ocean.

Now that China no longer is taking that 'recycled' material it gets dealt with in a much better way that doesn't end up in the ocean.  

On 2/4/2020 at 4:43 PM, ilikeanswers said:

 

There are actually numerous studies that have demonstrated that people are more likely to make a friviolus purchase using either debit or credit card whereas if asked to hand over cash it seems to make people stop, think and reconsider purchasing. So if you have a spending problem ditching cards may in fact help curb your impulse. It should be noted most studies have not found a difference between debit or credit cards. On a side note studies have also found that people will on average spend more online in one shop than they do in a bricks and mortar shop and the results are consistant even if the bricks and mortar shopping is done with a card. So if you really want to curb your impulses don't shop online😆.

Have you actually LOOKED at those studies?  This discussion caused me to go look at the ones cited most often.  They involve an abstract made up situation.  There is nothing in those studies that is based on the actual spending by actual people. 

And to the extent that the claim has any validity whatsoever, I strongly suspect there is a large overlap between people who spend more on a card than they would have with cash and people who do not pay their card off in its entirety every month.  I doubt that very many people who are paying their full balance every month are spending more profligatively than they would with cash.

2 hours ago, erllje said:

Then insurance kicks in, they say since we use the flights we are entitled to no compensation 

OK, I see.  Unfortunately I think you are going to have tough sledding getting compensation because it will likely fall to a 'force majeure' clause in all of the travel contracts involved in your trip.  It sucks, but it really is difficult to establish any basis for liability because of the nature of the causative factor.

24 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

A lot of people have turned the lives around following Ramsey's principles.  It's not for everyone but there are certain types that need Ramsey.  One of Ramsey's points is that putting stuff on cards leads to over spending.  You'll think more if you're paying cash than if you're using credit.

Then he shouldn't sell it as blanket advice.  And I'd have to review the 'spend more with credit cards' studies myself, because most studies that get reported in the popular press are dreck to anyone with a statistical background.  But hey, it made him a millionaire.

People shouldn't toss around terms like meta analysis without understanding what they mean as I don't know what this 'study' was, but it was nothing like a meta analysis.

2 hours ago, AlanF65 said:

I guess the most important point is "points" cards and credit cards have high interest rates. None of them make sense if you aren't going to pay the bill off every month, why pay 15%-39% interest to get 1%-5% back? If you don't typically pay your cards off every month you are probably better off with a card with a lower rate or a free 18 months of interest IF YOU CAN PAY IT  OFF before 18 months. The goal is to reduce the overall cost.

 

 

I think this is what is meant when 'being responsible with credit's is talked about.  I haven't paid a cent in credit card interest charges in decades.  I don't even look at or know what the interest rate is on my CSR because it is inapplicable to me.

I know not everyone is in that situation, so I agree that unless you have the means and discipline to pay your balance in full, on-time, every single month, using a credit card is fraught with peril.  I don't object to Ramsay's advice on that score, it is his blanket condemnation of credit cards. 

It isn't a one-size fits all world which means advice depends on circumstances.  He would have me give up all the things I get from my credit card at 0 cost because someone else got themselves underwater with credit.  And that is just crazy.  Any advisor who gives everyone the same advice just has a schtick, not sound advice.

7 hours ago, 2wheelin said:

And yet he’s the millionaire. How many of you are?

For a millionaire, he made exactly the kind of rookie mistake he should have been warning the people who made him a millionaire against.  IMO he demonstrated exactly the kind of lack of thought, impulsiveness, and lack of discipline that characterizes people who should not have credit cards.  But by no means is that an argument against credit cards.

Lots of snake oil salesmen have become millionaires.  I think there are better measures of intelligence and capability than net worth.

But hey, if you like him and his advice, God bless you.  IMO, clever people can turn their credit card into a little profit center.

2 hours ago, erllje said:

What I meant about being booted from our hotel was our flight out was not till 6:30PM we asked for a late check out but didn’t receive. We will get a refund from Celebrity for the cruise but we will not be reimbursed for airfare which was $2498.13. I feel since they waited to the last minute to deny us boarding they should reimburse us for flights.

Just curious.  Given that almost all flights are non-refundable, if they had told you a week earlier wouldn't you still have been on the hook for the airfare?  Just trying to figure out why it would be X's problem.

12 hours ago, Chrisfromco said:

Hi everyone!! We are thinking of trying out MSC in the next year or two. We would like to try one of the new ships in the Caribbean, probably February 2021. We have always booked our cruises through XXXXXX, but MSC is not serviced as far as I can tell. Would you recommend finding a TA or booking directly? I know we're not supposed to ask about specific companies here, but I'm just not quite sure of the best place to start. I was hoping to get some OBC or some other perk that a TA may provide. Thanks in advance for any help!

We are also not supposed mention TAs, which in this context includes that bigbox store you mentioned.  Not ragging on you, just letting you know.  Pretty much anyone you book a cruise through other than directly through the cruiseline is a TA.

On to your question - I never try to tell someone what they should do, but I am happy to share what I do.  I do my own research and do not require a lot (or any, really) handholding, so I go looking for the best deal I can find with a reputable agency.  My method is to use a site that lets you specify the sailing and cabin class you want and then different TAs can bid.  The bidding TAs don't know who I am unless I contact them about their offer. 

My first evaluation of the different offers is how well the TA paid attention to what I specified.  Then I look at price and I do as much research as I can on the different TAs that are still in the running.  Since in most cases the fare is identical the differences are generally in perks - mainly OBC, but sometimes things like free gratuities.

This approach has worked well for me, even on MSC.  On my most recent booking I got 450 in OBC, which represented about 9%.  I asked the TA if unused OBC was refundable and she said it wasn't.  And then she offered to reconfigure her offer to a direct 200 fare reduction and 250 in OBC, to reduce the chances of having unused OBC at the end of the cruise.

My approach may not be right for everyone, but it works for me.

Am I missing something?  Other than a passing reference to CC reviews there is no description of the methodology the study used that I could see.  Which means it is essentially impossible to assess or judge the credibility of the 'study'.  
 

But maybe this is just the 21st century version of 'science'.  Or maybe I just missed that part at the link?

IAC, good.  maybe fewer people will book with MSC and prices won't rise.

3 hours ago, ilikeanswers said:

 

In America what is the minimun spend per month you need to qualify for cashback? In Australia the average is around $1000 a month on eligiable (refers to mostly retail) purchases. Though sometimes for the first three months you can get a deal where you only need to spend a few hundred.

Some cards have minimum amounts you have to spend in the first few months to get the bonus miles/points, but other than that I've never seen a rewards card in the States that has any minimum spend after that.  For example, on the CSR we have been discussing the current offer is 50,000 points (valued at $500 cash or $750  if spent through Chase's portal) provided you spend at least $4000 in the first 3 months.  But then you get your points on purchases no matter how little you spend in a given month.

7 hours ago, Stateroom_Sailor said:

 

Dave recently talked about his Disney Cruise, where he got  "Mickey Moused", shocked at the balance from all his room key swipes, a reminder of why he doesn't deal with credit cards.  Next Disney Cruise, he claims he'll probably do it again.

And people take advice from him? 

SMH

Insurance policies frequently have 'force majeure' or 'Act of God' exclusions that may come into play.

1 hour ago, Joebucks said:

 

That there is the problem with the social justice culture we have. "Be as carbon neutral as possible" sounds very noble, but what does that really quantify? Everyone wants to enjoy their luxuries, developments from bulldozed forests, travel, etc. But what are we really ready to do except for "asking others to be responsible"? Textbook political nonsense.

Yet the elites flout the very things they advocate for.  Like the candidates supporting the Green Nude Eel while piling up massive numbers of private plane hours.  But that's OK because they offset them by making payments to the protection racket called 'carbon offsets'.  It is all flummery.

2 hours ago, clo said:

I read on The Points Guy about a couple who have 17 cards EACH and use a spreadsheet to keep track!!!!!!!!

My sister is like that, and compounds it by joining every 'loyalty' program under the sun and keeping meticulous records on each.

When I got the CSR I also got the Chase card where every quarter they change the types of purchases that get 5x points, planning to only use it on those 5x purchases.  But I found that it was more trouble than it was worth so now everything goes on CSR.  It isn't quite as simple as paying for everything with turnips, but it works for me.

Anyone who believes the climate change stuff and still cruises, flys, and heats their home with fossil fuels is outing themselves as hypocrites.  As in SO MANY things:

NEVER listen to the words.

ALWAYS watch the actions.

Last I heard, those Oxford students who DEMANDED their college immediately divest from fossil fuel companies haven't taken up the college head's offer to shut off the central heating in their quarters.

2 hours ago, That sinking feeling said:

Completely agree. 

Exactly.

And if someone believes that strongly about global warming then what the heck are they doing cruising in the first place?  They are no different than the celebrity hypocrites who 'save the planet' by eliminating meat at their awards dinners, but who arrive at those dinners in private planes and stretch limos.  Everyone wants to tell OTHER people what to do while excusing themselves when it is inconvenient to live up to their own rhetoric.  Ricky Gervais would have a field day with these hypocrites.

Never believe their words.  Watch their actions.

On 1/29/2020 at 8:46 AM, complawyer said:

i have cruised with ncl at least once a year since 2010 and am a platinum plus member. is it just my imagination, but has anyone noticed that when ever ncl has a so-called sale, be it 30% off, $1000 off, the actual costs of the cabin remain the same. I have also noticed that when the run the 3rd person sails for free, the price for the other 2 people goes up.    Are they actually giving the public a true sale.  Whenever I call to inquire about a cabin, they always seem to manipulate or quote a price much higher than I mathematically worked out. Any thoughts or am I just mathematically challenged

Never listen to the words.

Always do the math.

18 hours ago, lenquixote66 said:

Are you addressing me as Horacio Alger ?

It is a quote from Hamlet.  I figured such a well-educated guy would get the reference.  Sorry.

1 hour ago, lenquixote66 said:

I am in my ninth decade of life ,well educated and have never heard of a pony,horse,monkey or iguana helping a human with emotional issues.

There are more things in heaven and Earth, Horatio, / Than are dreamt of in your philosophy 

2 hours ago, ontheweb said:

It is a bad thing because if the TA goes out of business, you are out the money as the cruise line does not have it. Plus it would be a sign that the TA is not as ethical as they should be.

 

As to what you would do in that circumstance, I do not know. I hope someone else can answer that.

 

Maybe you should also ask you cc company how to set it up so you can check online, password protected of course.

If you paid the TA with a credit card and they go out of business you are completely covered, under US law and will NOT be out anything.  If you pay by check or debit card, OTOH, you become an unsecured creditor of the TA and will be lucky to get back pennies on the dollar.  This is a huge reason to always pay for deferred products or services with a credit card.

2 hours ago, ilikeanswers said:

The number of fake emotional support dogs is exploding – why?

 

5 Things to Consider Before Judging Fake Service Dogs

 

Seems the issue of ESAs are bound up in a lot of other issues. Not sure there is a simple solution to the problem🤔. 

People who have legitimate SERVICE animals should be the biggest opponents of ESA abuse, as they call into question and taint their legitimate need.

32 minutes ago, Stateroom_Sailor said:

 

In what ways would you like to see those minds opened?

Actually I couldn't care less.  If someone wants to portray themselves as ignorant that is their business.

It is also important to distinguish between ignorance and stupidity, as the former is curable and the latter is not.

2 hours ago, DarrenM said:

I agree since about 2008. Prior to that the banks fell over backwards to give any one any amount of credit. I know this from experience.

 

And the fact that banks still make huge profits and give out huge bonuses still suggests to me that they are up to no good.

 

And to that patronising poster that claims I am insufferably ignorant, I suggest that you get to know me first. Its not ignorance to have an opinion. Especially against organisations that caused such pain for so many people and never ever apologised.

Well you certainly have a reading comprehension problem as I said no such thing.  I said you liked to PORTRAY YOURSELF as incurably ignorant, but that I didn't believe it.  It is just a part of the class clown role you seem to enjoy playing.