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bskptkl

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  1. As the holder of almost every credit card out there, AXP runs circles around BoA in terms of keeping me engaged and using their cards. I have the 2.625% cash back card and a couple others from BoA and hardly use them. Chase is the second best card issuer. Citi third. These top 3 brands all have transferrable points programs (as does Cap1 which won't approve me), which makes them much more flexible and valuable. All the other cards (BoA, Barclays, Wells Fargo, PenFed, Synchrony, NFCU, Banco Popular) go in the drawer.
  2. Me too. I went from a Costco card and a 2% cash back Fidelity card in 2018 to 34 open cards currently and 28 closed cards since then. And that's just me. We are a family of 6, so the wife has opened around 30 cards and the kids maybe 10 each. The cards I use most; Amex Gold - 4x dining, Amex Biz Plat - 5x gas, Citi Double Cash - 2x on everything. Optimizing spending is fine, however, the point of churning is opening new cards for the sign up bonuses.
  3. Not surprising - but generally you'll get the most value from booking a hotel (not transferring or buying gift cards). When I have tracked it, I would get around 1.1 cents per point. You'll get better value if you book 5 consecutive nights (because the 5th night is free). One suggestion: divide your point stash by 4 and look for a 5 night stay at the highest category hotel where you'd want to stay 5 nights. I like these guys - as far as credit card analysis goes. They have 0.62 as a reasonable redemption value for Marriott points and explain why here: https://frequentmiler.com/what-are-marriott-bonvoy-points-worth/ I used to be a Fidelity 2% cash back guy until mid 2018 - then I saw the "churning" light. Around 60 opened cards later, I have millions of points, have taken several first class trips, and my credit score went up. It's become a hobby and fills the time when the markets are slow. That same web site has a "best cards" section that I recommend if you are looking for a valuable card to open.
  4. Amen. I'm in almost exact same position - averaged the position down to $22 and happy to exit a bit of a sore spot with a profit. Not gonna complain about it!
  5. I talked to the guys at MRTI a couple of years ago. They were raising 2 OZ funds at the time. Haven't kept up, but the pitch sounded reasonable. I think their fund was called Maxus Opportunity Funds. I used to own MRTI. It's done well. I wasn't completely comfortable with the management, but I know some who love the guy.
  6. A little CRAI at $69.50. I think the odds are in my favor.
  7. If you own it in an US IB account, you will get the dividend/distribution in original currency. If CAD company paying CAD, you will pay withholding tax of 15% though. Does that work for you?
  8. That was my conclusion. Icahn would have lost the board. But the puzzler is - who the heck is buying and why? Shareholders will be beholden to Icahn. I'd say that's a negative, but what do I know? I just keep selling...
  9. Anybody still own this? The price action suggests SPAC mania has struck.
  10. This is what option market makers do and the dividend is priced in. There is no free lunch!
  11. As others have said, the IB platform is useful for <15 friends and family accounts. I do this for a few of my friends, but mostly my own kids. I limit the accounts to around 5k and concentrate on odd lot tenders and the like. The accounts do well percentage-wise, but on a small base. I'd have to agree with the prevailing sentiment, however... What I have found over the years: managing money for others changes the process - like the Heisenberg uncertainty principle - the mere act of observing an event, changes the event. The feelings and emotional process of managing OPM is totally different than trading your own portfolio. As such, I heartily recommend going through the process in a small way to try it out before jumping into or considering full time money management.
  12. Nice summary. Thanks. Agree the cash burn is too high - that's why I'm voting my shares for the new slate. Though, if it goes much higher, I'll have to let some go...
  13. By mail? Through your broker? I own in several accounts and got nuttin. Edit: spoke too soon - TD sent a copy. Also thanks mjm for forwarding.
  14. Makes me feel better about my stranded 99 shares of MGM (times a bunch of accounts) from that busted tender! Thanks for posting.
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