I bring you the best places for river tubing, the golden age of fraud, learn about the secret credit card, lol at an epic TBB pic, watch out for U-Hauls in Hawaii, travel to Denmark to “ski”, warn about tax refund myths, listen to a fantastic podcast about what the hell is going lately, India is facing apocalypse, learn how Pfizer makes the vaccines, learn about the Liquid Paper founder, a sad story about the writer’s alcoholic mother and…by now, you know you come here to read stuff you won’t find anywhere else. All in one post I mean. Enjoy the weekend!
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TRAVEL
I went river tubing in two places, in my town Ann Arbor, Michigan and in Belize some years ago in a cruise stop. I like it, very relaxing. 10 of the best places to go river tubing in North America.
I am hearing more and more of these car rental nightmare stories, hope it does not happen to you! Why are Hawaii visitors cruising around in U-Hauls? Blame the pandemic. Can you imagine you plan a vacation to Hawaii and…you get around in a U-Haul? The horror, the horror…
If you want to see a ‘snowless’ ski slope in the heart of Copenhagen. Wait, that is not all. If you want to see a ‘snowless’ ski slope in the heart of Copenhagen on the roof of a power plant…I am not joking around, you won’t believe what happens next when you click THIS link! Here is the website for it Copenhill.
PERSONAL FINANCE
Tax professionals have been pounded into submission ever since Covid hit. They don’t get mentioned like others in the front lines. But, oh man, the demands upon them have increased so much it is absolutely insane. Many years ago I got out of the full time tax field, phew. I now handle the taxes of my ongoing wealth management clients only and it is manageable for me. I feel for fellow CPAs out there trying to do the right thing for their clients amidst an ongoing onslaught coming from all directions, mainly Washington DC that is. Then again, it could be worse…such as not enough work so it is what it is I guess. Make the best of it and continue to take good care of clients. Oh wait, I lost my train of thought again, not surprised. So, here we go: Don’t fall for these 6 tax refund myths. Do your part to help us out, thanks. And help yourselves too!
Speaking about scams and fraudsters, maybe we entered a new era? Be careful out there! The Golden Age of Fraud is Upon Us.
During bull markets and economic boom times people witness others becoming very wealthy. So they let their guard down, take more risk than they reasonably should and trust people they shouldn’t while chasing easy riches. And the people most susceptible to financial fraud tend to be the more highly educated investors who have already made a ton of money.
This is one of my favorite podcasts: Infinite Loops. It is a fascinating discussion with a dude going by as “Jesse Livermore” online about MMT and valuations, Bitcoin: Bull & Bear Cases, Transactional valuation Intrinsic valuation, Managing future crises, Financial History, Art and just an excellent conversation that will help you make sense what the hell is going on these days in the economy and markets. It is long and could be a bit wonkish to some of you. I know at least one TBB reader (DML) will love this.
COVID-19
I can’t believe CDC can confuse us more. Come on you guys, get it together! The CDC Is Still Repeating Its Mistakes. The agency’s new guidelines are too timid and too complicated.
Finally, the CDC guidelines are not just timid and inconsistent. They are late: We’ve known about outdoor transmission being a much lower risk for almost a year now. We should move cautiously, for sure, but excessive caution creates fatigue and mistrust. In the United States, case counts and deaths are trending down thanks to our impressive vaccine supply, and because of the tragic reality that millions have already attained some level of immunity from being infected. Over the past year, we’ve also gained tremendous understanding about transmission risks—where they are high and where they are very low. It’s time that our rules reflect that reality, and spell out their reasoning explicitly, so they can inform and empower us as we trudge through the rest of this miserable pandemic.
I always wondered how the vaccines are made. Maybe you did too. Well, after clicking this link you will know: How Pfizer Makes Its Covid-19 Vaccine. Here is an Archived link. New York Times is raising the monthly subscription fee to $17 per month… 🙁
Meanwhile, there is a nightmare unfolding in India. Not that they were not warned about it smh, governance matters! In Covid’s grip, India gasps for air: ‘If there is an apocalypse, this has to be one’.
ODDZ & ENDZ
At some point in our lives we all used this Liquid Paper product to white out a mistake we did while typing. And the story behind the company is amazing! The secretary who turned Liquid Paper into a multimillion-dollar business. Bette Nesmith Graham invented one of the most popular office supplies of the 20th century. Today, she’s largely been forgotten. I love stories about entrepreneurs, we owe a lot to them!
What a sad story written by the son of an alcoholic mother. I mean, how tragic. Sometimes, you can only do so much about some people… The Queen of the S.R.O. In gritty 1980s New York, one West Village flophouse became a last-chance refuge for addicts, criminals, LGBTQ runaways, and anyone with nowhere left to go. And my mom was their queen.
Please. Don’t. 50 Bizarre ways to die. I am not going to ask you which one is your favorite LOL.
American lawyer Clement Vallandigham shot himself in a court room in 1871 while showing the jury how his client’s alleged murder victim had actually shot himself [There are better ways to win a case, come on!]
MILES & POINTS
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If you do not see a credit card with my affiliate links, perhaps I could refer you? Contact me!
This section is about my hobby addiction of collecting frequent flyer miles and hotel points since the early 1990’s! Feel free to skip this section and parts of the next one if this is not for you.
Newbies: You must always compare what travel will cost you vs how many miles or points you will burn. Unless, like some of us, you have millions of miles/points or…you are dead broke (probably not you). So, my daughter bought a round trip ticket Detroit – Miami and she told me afterwards. I asked her “Why didn’t you ask me, I could help you”. And she responds “$116.80 round trip, I knew it was a great deal and I heard you say to book first and ask questions later”. I nodded approvingly…
There are two types of this bank’s cards: Which AmexCards are Credit Cards? How many can you get?
Today is the last day of April. Some good advice here: Closing Out April. Especially this:
Check for any credit cards that have had annual fees post and call the bank for a retention offer. I suggest saying: “I’m thinking of closing this card given its high annual fee, but before I decide what to do I was wondering if there are any retention offers or spend bonuses.” Bonus if you add “COVID has made it hard to use the benefits”.
Caveat: If you take a retention offer from AmericanExpress, plan on keeping that card for 12-13 months to avoid getting popups denying you credit card bonuses in the future. Good retention offers are well worth the extra year.
Exhibit #345,765 why Marriott sucks. You won’t hear that from bloggers when they sell Marriott Bonvoy cards. Bonvoyed Again! Marriott HQ Weighs In On Insane Hotel Credit Card Fees.
BLOG BUZZ
We are now entering BLOG BUZZ, a section for advanced hobbyists and veterans of this fast imploding hobby and also a section where I go on and on about some stuff that happens in my life because it helps me feel better about myself.
Some of us will shake our heads about the black card: The secret credit card that’s only for the rich. I am surprised no other blogger posted about this #notreally #againandagain
And just like that, here comes another Hilton Devaluation: Highest Redemption Level Now 150K Points Per Night. Back in the day, I burned 100k Hilton Honors points for 6 nights at the Hilton Waikoloa Village. Yeah, SIX nights! No trip report, it was pre digital camera days! We loved that place, son floated for the first time in the swimming pool and he has been fearless ever since.
Talk about a Tight Fit!
And I leave you with this…
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TBB
travelbloggerbuzz@gmail.com
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Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
“Show some restraint, ma’am-I’m married.”
“It’s not a race, it’s a marathon”.
Sam nailed it with the first caption!
We’re going back into our Costa Rican version of “lockdown” on Monday. ALL non-essential businesses closed for a week. Yes, we’re riding a new Covid wave and our gov’t “leaders” declare it’s URGENT that we shut down. On Monday. FOUR days after declaring it’s URGENT.
My eyes suffer from rolling fatigue!
Happy weekend.
#TBBon
Yeah, you like that?
Buzz clocks 2:37:46 in the 40.
Water, water….
thanks for the post Buzz, great tubing list. I would add the Nooksack in Washington, lots of bald eagles in winter, bring a scarf…
The Nooksack! Man, that is recently melted ice and snow! Bring a wetsuit too! (I live in Bellingham, so I know that river)
The Miami Beach Airport Express Bus (Route 150) will take her from MIA to South Beach for only $2.65 each way. With a free hotel, cheapest beach vacation ever!
I imagine you gave runner 594 some great advice!
CopeHill, does it hurt when you fall?
“Bette Nesmith Graham invented one of the most popular office supplies of the 20th century.”
She also created Mike Nesmith, her son, who was/is in The Monkees!
Thanks for the heads up! I’ll report back!
@ Sam: That first one is epic, thanks for the laugh!
@ GringoLoco: It is rough man. All over. Some places more than others. We are ALL struggling with this shit. Some more than others. Especially kids. Been around three different suicide scenarios of teenagers around here…Just got to keep going and I wish these kids knew that we are all struggling. My way to cope is to…blog, thanks guys.
@ two Davids: Thanks. Made mental not on Nooksack.
@ ABC: She is staying at friend’s house from college. Very near to the beach. Celebrating the end of her first college year. Told her I want to see the grade report 🙂 Actually, I had no idea 594 was behind me…she was really struggling after she finished. Yeah, looking at that slope I was thinking…oh man, I do not want to fall here!
@ Carl: Yeah, good catch, I was actually going to mention it. What a life hey! Interesting place you are visiting, maybe they need an extra? 🙂
@ DML: Let me know what you think.
Biden has not taken credit or even mentioned the stock market once you guys.
“The stock market’s performance during Biden’s first 100 days has officially bested everyone from Trump back through Truman”
https://fortune.com/2021/04/29/stock-market-performance-under-biden-first-100-days-sp-500-spx-nasdaq-dow-jones-djia-april-2021-update/
Thanks Biden!
So, stock market goes up short term during Trump…he is a genius!
Stock market beats everything on sight short term under Biden…you are ridiculous for stating Biden is a genius…
Got it.
Bye bye Rams smh.
FYI, a New York Times digital subscription is only $1/week with a student email address.
Good to know, thanks!
Are you wearing your wife’s tights?
If I did…I would not fit in them and would not be able to move!
They are mine, high quality from local running store I spend too much money in. Actually, weather people were saying it will be sunny and mid 50’s and debated if I should just wear my shorts. Well, got up around 5 am and of course it was too cold and decided I am just going to wear them and hope it is not get too hot after, you know, we are warmed up after the first mile or two. SO GLAD I did…because it never got much warmer, it was mostly cloudy and started raining a bit too and near the end a cold wind picked up and…SO glad I had them. So, good tip: Go with your gut feeling 🙂
καλό Πάσχα amigo!