Catching up with some gem comments while also catching up from a glorious day at Cedar Point. My favorite ride of all time is the Dragster, NOTHING like it. Every single time I go on it it ends up with a loud “YEAH!”…never gets old. Plus, my 12 year old daughter did many roller coasters with me, I was so proud! I think she has some of my genes!
TBB Blog Mission: To Entertain. Educate. Inspire. In That Order
You can support TBB by clicking/forwarding any of our Referral Links and starting your online shopping at our Amazon affiliate link . Or click on the Amazon Banner on the right, thank YOU!
From the Buzz post “Churning Chase Cards, Hilton 1 & 2 Category hotels, Gorgeous Pools, NYC wingsuits, Banker training video, Credit Card Numbers, Adult film industry, Blog Drama Galore” This post generated 156 comments, another TBB record! What is more remarkable is that not one was by the former resident blog troll, wow!
Andy Shuman @ Lazy Travelers: What ARE bloggers allowed to talk about? Everyone wants originality, yet no one in our hobby can write original articles EVERY DAY. No one. It’s a myth! All bloggers have to repackage old information every now and then. This is true for everyone, including the bloggers you like, including the bloggers you love and yes including yours truly, too. 
This is even true for travel bloggers who have nothing to do with miles and points. They also repackage old info; but in our hobby, repackaging old info may also mean outing something that other people would love to keep swept under the rug.
I don’t mean to criticize, George, but since you review other blogs, you are not faced with this dilemma. You always and will always have enough material. 
But you must appreciate that this is not the case for everybody.
Whether or not a blogger sells affiliate links, they still have to write. It always goes against my nature as a writer, to discover something and keep quiet about it. Sometimes, being quiet about something is excruciatingly painful. And sometimes, you have to weigh the risk of outing some secrets against the risk of losing your relevance, that is if you have any to begin with.
If this is true even for my tiny, tiny blog, then to everyone who makes even a part-time living with theirs, losing relevance is like a death sentence. Cryptic language is one thing that can help. On the other hand, cryptic language will drive away everybody who happens to stumble upon your website from a search engine…
When anyone finds a solution to this conundrum, please feel free to let me know. [makes some great point indeed]
TBB [that’s me, ok I am biased here—>full disclosure!]: I see hobbyists and business men who primarily pump credit cards. I am a hobbyist (I can see Delta Points now going mad screaming “he pimps the Amazon link every day in every post”…it’s ok to go WTF!). I am busting my ass here trying to produce something of a high quality to (primarily) entertain, educate and even inspire. I see my tough love as a way to inspire bloggers in a way, to shake them out of their bubble they have built drunk in the bank money they have been getting and getting them to see HOW THE REST OF THE REAL WORLD sees them. Yes I believe in praise and do it more than any other blogger (most just kiss each other’s ass for hits/traffic/ghostwriting/etc). But, like I said, I decided to fill this niche of blog reviewer in MY hobby space that has grown so much, it would be hypocritical if I just gave ONLY praise. Besides, it would be boring as HELL for ME first of all (and I am guessing the readers).
My blog is a form of self-expression. Nobody has to read it if they don’t like it. I like doing my thing, I always have.
If I offend bloggers I am sorry. They offended me first I try to be fair. I listen and LOVE negative feedback.
I am hitting the reset button. I am no longer commenting on others’ blog posts that I think are designed to draw comments and traffic like several lately. I will continue to review blogs here as long as I can, errr, my wife allows me lol. Like I always said, don’t take things too personally what I say here. Better yet, Ignore me like most bloggers in the Ignore list do!
But for crying out loud if I think your blog deserves to be in the Love & Like lists I will certainly do it. SO GIVE ME THE GOOD EXPERT EDUCATIONAL CONTENT (Along with everything else I list in the blog reviews). YOU HAVE A FREE PASS TO MAKE IT IN THAT LIST! I WANT BLOGS TO MAKE THAT LIST!
Actually, you know what. I can’t believe people care about my lists LOL.
TBB
Bully/Coward/despicable —->ALL of that for Amazon link LOL
P,.S. At the end of the day, when bank credit card easy money goes away, you can see how fast the vast majority of numerous blogs of new “experts” split! Their blogs only exist to pump credit cards. I can’t wait for that day! But, we live in America, where you never underestimate the stupidity of a vast portion of people to do idiotic things with their finances….like applying for 7 miles/points credit cards in one day while only looking for cash back cards to offset the cost flying from Tampa to Topeka.
harvson3: Chase and the other banks are paying bloggers commission to write advertising copy. Sure, Chase could shoot one thousand ads at Franklin’s barbeque and entice you to get their card, and you’d see it as another ad from Jamie Dimon’s bank.
If instead you read how Emily and Daraius went to Polynesia (in a 30-part series, natch), and you trusted/liked Daraius, you’d see that as a trusted person recommending that you get a credit card. The fact that they’re working for Chase is secondary, and not immediately evident. The intent is the same as the Franklin’s ad.
I don’t think Chase is going to put out ads showing people how to extract money from it, and they’ll keep tight reins on how many loopholes/tricks the pitchmen/pitchwomen can “divulge.” Witness, for example, how the Chase reconsideration line numbers quietly disappeared from MMS.
And that’s… how you stay Chase-y, my friends.
Miles Abound: Chase and Amex both specifically prevent the use of the word “churning” and actions around closing accounts to reopen to obtain multiple bonuses in their affiliate agreements. Blogs that used to post about churning have edited and/or removed posts with such references.
AgendaGuy: Will the Template 69 employee please stand up, please stand up.
Marathon Man: What we need to do people, is make it so all the CCs have a reason to no longer want to give affiliate money to the bloggers. For the CCs, however, they are gonna be like: Ok we like all the cash that generates. It generates XYZ number of hits or apps to our cards. You guys find a way to replace that revenue and we will cut em all out. THERE my friends, be the challenge before us ALL!
TBB: My whole beef with it is many blogs take the “hobby” and package it in a way to be perceived as experts and then, bang, click on my credit card links. I mean, the whole MMS site was based on that, look at the mission! It is just deceptive marketing damnit because some of these big blogs are so out of touch what goes on on the ground that is completely laughable! I agree with what Marathon Man is saying in principle about deals staying alive, not outing them, network with your friends, help others, find your own tolerance, be mindful of the risks, etc.
From this post: “Random Thoughts by TBB: Newbies, role of critics, drama, douche bags, my therapist, faking it”
TBB: Everything dies 
[sit back and think about it…grasp the meaning of this? Think!]
[Former resident troll and devoted reader of my blog ingy (aka Rick, the Frugal Travel Guy founder) blessed us with his presence and gave me an update on the TBB blog metrics as he is much more interested in them than I ever was. Also went on and on about me harming the hobby not being civil. I should go back and find the 10 best ingy comments but got no time to work on that template. Also readers link to some of his old gem comments here. Buzz (pun intended) off to your blog pumping them 29 miles/points credit cards to newbies looking for a cash back card!]
bk3day: Gary’s click-bating, over dramatic “headlines” annoy me more than everyone’s requisite linkie filled posts.
Perhaps, it’s because Gary’s blog used to regularly provide informed and useful content?
Maybe every now and then he still does. Shame I’ll miss it because I refuse to support his current editorial/marketing policy by continuing to click and view his posts.
Feels good to “Just Say No”!
p.s. Reclaiming those few minutes of my life previously spent reading those rehashed summaries Gary now passes off as content is like find the new 10X everywhere card!
Ramsey‘s WTF Thought of the Day: Here is my snarky take on the BA sketch drawings http://boardingarea.com/our-bloggers/ Wandering A looks 12 years old. Miles Professor looks like a tired soccer mom. Delta Points looks fat. Mommy Points looks hot. Brian from The Gate looks very handsome. FammiVolare looks like a Hit Man. Jeffsetter outta sue. Extra Pack O’ Nuts looks Black. Gleff looks just adorable.
Check out my updated blog lists: Blogs I Love, Blogs I Like, Blogs I Ignore
Please pass my blog link to your friends and family if you think they will enjoy it too.
TBB
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Hi George!
I was in too big of a hurry to spell your name correctly, I apologize. Have a great weekend! [TBB Template: Fixed it…when will I be accused of censoring next?]
Enjoy the Los Cabos Hilton! Love that hotel, relaaaaaaaaaax. Loved the breakfast there too, yummmy!
Third? Wow, a first for me…. Anyhow, forgetting the miles and points blogosphere for a moment — can I ask a serious question? Do you really think the Dragster beats Millennium Force? 🙂
Yes. And bronze is still hardware!
Since Hua has willingly accepted bronze, i am taking the second place and the bronze, hehe 🙂
Sorry, Silver. By the way, how did Grant manage to edit his post? George, do you have a template for privileged readers or what 🙁
Was wondering the same…
It was the TBB template doing its job. Edited it more to make it more clear. Nothing can go by you guys 🙂
DP changed his name again. He’s now Delta Mileage Run. I wonder how many miles he is earning with mileage runs these days. Next he might tell us to earn Delta miles with the US Mint.
No, he has a 2nd blog dedicated to Delta mileage runs! It’s just another avenue to lure suckers who still do mileage runs in this age to…hit them with more credit card links.
Just read your lists of blogs you like, tolerate, and ignore, and noticed that you primarily dislike blogs that have been successful at making money. Is that a coincidence?
That is true, but I think there are a few BA blogs that are on the like/love list that make money, like Frequent Miler, Hack My Trip, Wandering Aramean, and Rapid Travel Chai. Plus I think some of the Saverocity blogs make money. You can make money by blogging without pumping credit cards in every post.
No offense Holly, but some of the stuff you freelance write on FTG is downright painful to read…..
None taken! We all have different tastes!
Ramsey you’re being too kind.
Hey, flame away if it makes you feel better.
Just so you know, five years ago I was working 40-50 hours per week at a job I hated. I had two spinal fusions in my early 20s that never quite healed all the way, and the stress of my job exacerbated that problem, leaving me in chronic pain. But I didn’t go whine in a corner. Instead, I built a freelance career from the ground up-often working 80 hours per week between my full-time and part-time jobs. Once my online income finally surpassed what I made at my job, I was able to quit. I have worked harder than almost anyone I know and I didn’t achieve my goals by listening to every insult that comes my way.
You should read the comments I get on Yahoo News, U.S. News, or Get Rich Slowly. I’m constantly accused of things like being a negligent parent, a slut, a gold-digger, or being just plain stupid. Someone even sent me a full page email accusing me of being a 40-year-old man from Canada once. Trust me, once your 1000th person tells you how much you suck, you no longer care.
The bottom line: Because of my hard work, I work in the comfort of my own home making twice what I did at my old job. And more importantly, I’m no longer in chronic pain. So laugh all you want. I’m laughing all the way to the bank.
Holly,
I think it is great that you took the situation you had and created something better. I’m not sure if you are yet in a place where you can see a distinction, but it is not about making money, it is about how you make money.
If you are anything like me, you need to first take care of yourself, and then once you have that covered you start having the luxury of being selective. When I look back over my time, I have made money honestly, and don’t have anything that I wouldn’t be ashamed of discussing and defending. However, I have also decided to quit certain activities because I felt that ethical conflicts of interest were too prevalent.
I now chose to earn in ways that fit my moral code better, so I don’t “laugh all the way to the bank” because it’s not all about the money, its about going about life in a manner that fits your code.
My impression on The guys on the list of ignores have all opted to go just for the money and not have the considerations that I outline here. It’s all about running to the bank and bragging at personal success.
Personally, I stopped bragging about my personal success and how much money I made a while ago, and I would rather use a blog as an outlet as a hobby that is positive and productive to the readers, rather than using the readers to fund my bank account.
Hope that helps explain the nuance of what confused you about the ignore list, it is only my take on it though, and I can’t speak for George.
Holly: See the responses by Grant & Ramsey 🙂
I have elaborated on my views about my hobby/addiction here:
http://travelbloggerbuzz.com/travel-milespoints-blogosphere-has-turned-into-a-giant-credit-card-pumpization-scheme/
After you read this perhaps I can answer specific questions of yours?
TBB reviews blogs. I stand by my lists. I think they are the best, at least in my own mind lol.
My views about FTG are well known. I stand by them too.
Hey, just making an observation. That’s all =)
I stumbled upon your site because I saw someone mention “TBB” which is occasionally what I call my own travel website. (The names aren’t actually similar at all)
I don’t sell credit cards on my travel website, so I’m not offended at all.
Excuse me but…I see a nice “Credit Card Offers” with the finest Barclays cards on your site.
Many FTG writers (former & current) stumble upon my site…Actually, they post more comments here than on FTG! 🙂
Not my frugality site, my travel site- http://www.travelbluebook.(TBB) It is actually my husband’s site and more of a hobby than anything else. He doesn’t even have AdSense on it or anything.
I do sell some credit cards on Club Thrifty, but it’s more random than anything. I certainly don’t sell enough of them to count on it as a reliable income source.
I’ll make sure to check back regularly now that I know you exist! I think it’s funny!
Well, I added your TBB in my Feedly list…you are #345…I don’t know why I am doing this to myself for just the Amazon link mega dinero lol.
Yeah I intend my site to be ridiculously funny…it’s entertainment above all, primarily my own.
If you want to read funny things go back in older posts and find the ones with over 100 comments (except the recent one with 156) and read ingy’s (Rick of FTG) comments towards me. They are really “funny” all right 😉
I will do that one of these days when I get time, I promise! =)
I am really moved by Drew. He doesn’t pump credit cards at all but continues to provide quality content living on a very moderate monthly income. I want to support him but he doesn’t have an affiliate mechanism that I use. For example, I will not continue applying for many credit cards going forward. So how do I get to support him even if I want to. I think he should explore paypal route like Freequentflyer does. Same goes to TBB and Saverocity. I am posting this here because I am sure these guys will have a look here on a daily basis.
They need an NPR style fundraiser.
To me, i feel more and more obligated to these guys as it is sort of becoming one sided. I continue to get plenty of tips and tricks or entertainment (like here) at no cost as they continue to add value in my life for next to nothing. To me amazon link is not going to work. I haven’t ordered for more than 50$ i think in the past 3 months or so. For credit cards often the links at TIF or Saverocity are inferior compared to those elsewhere. Hmm. Tricky for me. Time for George, Drew and Matt to come up with some ideas?
Thanks for the support guys. Oh yeah about the Amazon link I am pimping non stop (or so says Delta Points lol), zero orders yesterday.
Tough to get a business model that works without credit cards in this space. It is becoming more evident every day. So….trying to avoid having to find a business model as long as it takes I guess. 🙂
I am glad the subscription model via Paypal works for the Free-quent Flyer. But I absolutely despise Paypal as a company and don’t want to make them money.
I am at my time limits. When I find some time I always have work projects of my own work that feeds my family. So I barely keep up the Buzz blog review posts and get to work on something else in addition when I find time…which is almost never! The to do list is unreal and getting longer. Sadly I am clueless on how to do templates and will not pay a ghost writer…can you imagine someone else writing as me and signing of as TBB?…Disgusting!
To me this is an avenue to express myself. I am still shocked more than friends and family read me or even care what I have to say. I am learning more about this online world every day and it is still fun for me. Sometimes the time constraints get out of hand but I just work through it. I am proud of what I have managed to do here in less than two years. If I put the money first in front of the blog’s mission it will stop being fun. Yes I am very aware how much money I am saying no to simply by the number of emails I still get begging me to get cc affiliate links to help me out which flatters me incredibly! But going that route has the costs in limiting my expression and that is a tough pill to swallow. The first WTF I shout these compliance dudes will be emailing me to delete it 🙂
Open to ideas. I love NPR and always give money to support them. Maybe start an association of responsible bloggers who agree to put the reader first and will adhere to responsible blogging practices? Have people donate to it and then somehow the assocation disperses the funds to the members? You see…I have no time or the technical expertise to pull of something like that? Anyone??
So…TBB keeps going and waiting for things to just happen. I am sensing Mrs TBB is just not too pleased that this 3 month thingie has lasted so long…
For now, please pass my URL to friends and/or family who may enjoy it. If you ever shop at Amazon I would appreciate if you remember to use my link (and if not, no big deal…really!). But, at least, PLEASE, try to support the responsible bloggers in my Love and Like lists and Ignore the mega pumpers because, frankly, they get enough people to click on their cc links anyway. Every vote counts…I mean, every click counts! Make yours count too! Think 🙂
Seems to me there are a fair amount of hobbyists here, who, like me, would LOVE to have a place to go for ‘conversions’ where the profit from them would, instead of going into a blogger’s pocket, go to a charitable cause. Or possibly a multiple choice per app of charitable causes from which to decide. Writing for myself, I’d love to think my next app-o-rama conversion profits could be split among the Red Cross, perhaps a good education program for a country I’ve visited, or even Drew’s adopted adoption family. The possibilities are approaching limitless 🙂
Here’s a free business model for someone who won’t get rich in $$, but in satisfaction of doing right and good things.
That has been in my mind but I am working on setting up TBB to be bought out by KKR first 🙂
Man, I got a mortgage and 2 kids to get through college, I can’t do this myself! Plus, this has the potential to send many bloggers back to their cubicles so this person becomes Public Enemy #1. I believe this was Ingy’s intention but that charity site was too much work obviously so he gave it up to increase the money from mailing in more posts to FTG. You know, priorities 🙂
Just spent the last 3 hours on a Saturday night working on Monday’s Buzz post and drinking heavily…I need help!
If Ingy spent half as much time working on his charity projects as he did commenting on here, he’s have on helluva org set up already.
Buzz, you know I like you.
But this schtick that ‘I work like a dog and have no time’ gets old. Firstly, if you’re working those long hours on a small easily-formatted blog then you should figure out how to be more efficient, or just screw it and spend more time on what’s actually important–family.
Secondly, I’m positive that much help would be given from the blogging community that comments here if you would honestly ask for it. And for a project like I proposed above I strongly feel that a group collaborative effort would give many the chance for a ‘feel good’ in taking the money out of disingenuous self-serving bloggers’ pockets and putting it towards a greater good. Blogging is inherently an egotist pursuit, but I still, perhaps naively and idealistically, believe in the innate and intuitive goodness of people. It’s just that sometimes they need a kick in the butt, or an organizer.
Again, if you’re so swamped that you can’t get the ball rolling by devoting a post to it, well, I honestly feel you should quit and spend more time with yourself and your family 🙂 The travel community will miss you, but will survive.
But I think there’s an opening for something greater than the sum of the parts, and if I’m correct the satisfaction will more than make up for the initial marginal work in starting the snowball down the hill. I volunteer what I can bring, but I’m retired for more than a decade and my skill set solely consists of nagging bloggers 🙂
And, like Richard Bach said…everything I’ve written could be wrong.
Much time is spent on going through 345 blogs, err, excuse me, 346.
You have no idea how much time consuming blogging is until you try it. And I hardly spend any time on bank affiliate stuff and complying!
I don’t ask for help, I am a control freak! I like doing things alone because, well, I have control over…everything.
Your idea is very noble and hope someone can take it from here. It is an ideal idea (hmm, that kind of rhymes?) for a retired person with some tech help! I need to just keep doing what I am doing, I like it deep down. When it no longer is fun I will stop.
Keep nagging….financially independent retired/older people can be a good fit for this.
Not me. At least not until…I am done with tuition bills for my 12 year old daughter 🙂
George, the next best thing for CC links would be credit card referral offers for various Chase and AMEX cards. Most offers are as good as the publicly available offers and proves you have a card rather than pumping it for the money.
Also if you have referral links for other programs. You won’t get rich, but it will pay for your next Panera coffee.
Never underestimate the stupidity of the US Banks and the typical debt obsessed American consumer to keep this thing going…It only happens here to this scale! People deep in the hobby benefit greatly but I an not sure this is good for our society overall. We have some young people your age addicted to meth and other substances around my area and I can’t help but wonder if they got into this mess after they read something about miles and then found FTG and got 7 credit cards at once or something 🙂
Haha I think it’s a bit of a stretch to blame FTG for the meth addicts around A2. In the credit card game, there are winners and losers. If we were all winners, the banks would be the losers and they would not stand for that. Plus all the losers pay for our luxurious trips around the world. On a serious note, credit card debt (and debt in general) is a terrible burden on our society, especially for the younger generation. It’s unfortunate that college degrees cost so much and the job market is still not the greatest.
Hey, you should be out and about at the Los Cabos Hilton, they usually have weddings, go crash the party, they are all drunk anyway!
Sometimes the losers do crazy things that harms many in general. Robin Williams had money problems too! Of course you are not going to see interviews of people like this but I bet my Amazon revenue many are harmed by getting into this who should not be! But who cares as long as they click on the cc ads…I need to go to sleep
Just 7? Thought you said it was like 40 something at once.
29
Sleep sounds good. Nothing to do in Cabo at 10:30pm on Saturday night anyways…
Oh there is a lot to do at Cabo if you know where to go. But I agree the Hilton gets really quiet…unless there is a wedding!
You are making me want to go to Cedar Point tomorrow night when I’m in Sandusky.
It’s either that or write a hotel review of the Fairfield Inn (which I’ll probably do anyway). That’s about as anti-Vendoming as I can get.
Maybe we can make Sanduskying a thing. Oh wait. That doesn’t mean what I think it does after Penn State, does it?!
Sanduskying..LOL.
Cedar Point coasters are awesome!
So I hear… I’m really, really tempted. Maybe if I can get my work done….