It’s that time of year when everyone makes resolutions. So I figured, “why not do my readers a solid, and make their lists for them?” The only hesitation I had is that these lists often contain items like; 1. Eat more chard. Or 2. Exercise to the point of exhaustion on a daily basis. Psyched […]
Philosophy of Miles
My original idea to write a post discussing the miles game with someone who was suspicious of the endeavor, really came from a place of wondering how anyone could possibly have a problem with it. I see the miles game is a huge win-win proposition. Not only is my family traveling everywhere for free now, […]
Sleight of Hand
I would like to present myself as an evolved individual who can see beyond the simple confines of the political game. But I’m not that guy. The fact is, I’m a liberal,a lefty, and a bleeding heart. I’m a big fan of progressive taxation, redistribution of wealth towards the middle and lower classes, social mobility, […]
Conversation with a Miles Skeptic
One of my friends is pretty into the miles game. Credit card churns, manufactured spending, planning trips, he’s all in. In our conversations he’s confided in me that his wife (aka “Mrs. skeptic”) is not a such fan of the miles game. She remains dubious. So I thought it would be interesting to have a […]
Checking Boxes
Sometimes the easiest way to get things done is to have a simple checklist. As a medical intern I sometimes had a census of 15 patients who were all my primary responsibility. Each patient was his or her own universe, with a unique constellation of medical and social issues. So it could have been overwhelming. […]
Worst Case Scenario
There are no free lunches in investing. The only possible exceptions to this axiom are diversification, and value investing, both of which have the potential to increase portfolio returns relative to risk. Aside from these exceptions, however, risks and returns are inextricably linked. If you want higher returns, you must accept the higher risk of […]
The Bridge
Travel hacking can add value to your life in so many ways. That’s what keeps it so interesting, the insatiable drive to find the next clever way to leverage creative thinking into tangible rewards. From simply saving money that you would’ve otherwise spent, to making exotic award bookings, to testing out first-class products that you […]
Cash Backing, an Alternative to Travel Hacking
Playing the miles game is such a win-win situation. On one hand you learn new skills; Organization, creativity, and attention to detail come to mind. On the other hand you save thousands of dollars and are able to expand your world with amazing travel experiences to exotic destinations. As an ordinary working stiff, you can […]
Numerology
Numbers are important. They define proportion. They expose injustice. They keep score. They enable us to see how small and unnoticeable differences over a long time period can compound to become profound and palpable sums. One of the best uses of numbers is in defining goals. I think this has to do with our human […]
Don’t Pay, Do Play
In the field of manufactured spending one of the most common metrics is “cents-per-mile-earned.” The idea here is that if you’re doing manufactured spending, there are always some costs associated with the exercise, and those costs can be quantified if you divide the total cost of the manufactured spending in cents by the total number […]
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