I bring you eclectic links about SPAC madness, vaccine spotter, valuable points, Afghanistan war defeat, we travel to Iceland and Yakutia, warn you about speculator mania, enjoy more Warren Buffet quotes, the best Covid-19 coverage with lots of hope and inane governors trying to kill more people and a lot more while we are all waiting to get vaccinated…
TBB Blog Mission: To Educate. Entertain. Inspire. In That Order!
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TOP PICKS
Top picks are for truly exceptional quality content.
This made me cry. You have been warned. Thank you nurses. “This is like the flu” smh.
Inside a Covid I.C.U., Through a Nurse’s Eyes
TRAVEL
This wave WOW!
Meanwhile in Iceland…
A Hyatt opens and I am there! Photographer Captures The Lives Of People In Yakutia, Where It Gets As Cold As -58 Fahrenheit.
COVID-19
I think we are making the same mistakes we did 100 years ago smh. Instead of just hunkering down for just one last push to really drive the virus down to nominal levels while going all out on vaccinations, instead, we have the States easing virus restrictions despite experts’ warnings. While we are going to have all the vaccines we need here by the end of May. It is a race…And it is surreal I wish I was older!
Don’t jump your lanes ok? Tech Tips to Help Score a Covid-19 Vaccine Appointment at CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens and More.
Based in Michigan? Michigan COVID-19 Vaccine Spotter. I could be posting stupid clickbait shit with shocking videos for the clicks you know…
Things you learn in my blog: 10 trillion coronaviruses weigh less than a raindrop!
PERSONAL FINANCE
As it currently stands, you can see what your new stimulus check will be under the American Rescue Plan using this calculator. I usually do not do this until a specific legislation actually becomes law…because until then EVERYTHING is subject to change!
Speculation is in lately, you may have noticed. When Everyone’s a Genius (A Few Thoughts on Speculation. It is a great read and…be careful out there!
Investing is not the study of finance. It’s the study of how people behave with money. And sometimes those behaviors are absolutely wild.
As mentioned in my previous blog post, Warren Buffett is a giant quote machine: Warren Buffett warned that ‘hot’ stocks fade, joked about his age, and celebrated America in his annual letter. Here are the 10 best quotes.
Maybe I start a TBB SPAC, you in? Anyone Who’s Anyone Has a SPAC Right Now. Like I said, some areas of the market are approaching bleeding levels of insanity. In my long career in this field, I can not believe sometimes the unbelievable inventiveness of some people to come up with ever clever ways to separate people from their money. Do not fall for this crap!
CURRENT EVENTS/POLITICS
I was advised by a reader to tone down my politics so I do not alienate half of the audience out there. Like I ever did anything strictly for clicks/money here! Been doing my thing here for eight plus years….with only yardstick being: “Is this worth sharing? Will it educate, entertain or inspire”. That’s it.
For some reason, many think I am this hard core Democrat. I can assure you I am not! I am very pragmatic and tend to be floating in the middle. I have voted for Republicans (in local and State races) before if I think they will do a better job than the alternative. And I really respect Republicans who are not Trump sycophant ass kissers and enablers. Like this guy: The Man Who Refused to Bow. Adam Kinzinger says he’ll fight to take his party back from Donald Trump. I really hope the Republican party finds itself away from the current shit it is drowning in. We need a party to be in the opposition to stop the governing one from running wild, it is democracy damn it! But as long as the big lie that the election was stolen is still being so shamelessly insisted on…what do you expect from these brainwashed people so deep into this orange cult! I think the reader who asked me to tone it down politely to help me now thinks I am crazy. It is what it is. It is my blog and I love the fact I can express myself. You do not have to read it, go read a clickbait blog selling you to death daily.
ODDZ & ENDZ
I learned a lot in this article about noise. Sounding the alarm: How noise hurts the heart. Loud road and air traffic has been linked to a greater risk of high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes. Scientists are uncovering new details about how what you hear stresses the cardiovascular system. Maybe the move away from the cities due to Covid-19 was a good thing but will it last?
I am conflicted here. After 20 years fighting, are we just going to give it back to the Taliban? Last Exit From Afghanistan.
Just discovered this photographer Victor Sukhorukov.
MILES & POINTS
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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: The worst airline miles to collect are, by far, Delta Skymiles. The worst hotel points to collect are Marriott Bonvoy points. This does not mean you should say no to them. By all means, if you happen to use them just be aware you are not going to get an amazing deal burning them. Most bloggers will not tell you this because…how are they going to sell you Delta and Marriott credit cards?
Good reference post: Gift hotel points, free night certificates, and award nights booked with points: Rules by program.
This was reported by every credit card selling blog in the blogosphere. Because it was a layup to sell more Amex cards. American Express Adds Cell Phone Protection on their Premium Cards (Platinum, Delta). If you make your decision to get an Amex card just because of this, well, what can I say…smh.
Some good thoughts here: These Points Are About to Become More Valuable…
Marriott Bonvoy points suck, do not get Bonvoyed!
RIP eBay Bucks program. This has been sucking for a long time and now it is finally out of its misery by joining a long list of killed programs. Good riddance!
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.
I am trying cryotherapy today. I go inside a booth and I get frozen at -169 F. If I don’t come out call 911.
Another client got vaccinated…We are getting there steadily…
I tried to get a retention bonus from US Bank for the Radisson Rewards Visa…and I was offered a lower APR instead, LOL!
And I leave you with this…
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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.
Good stuff today! They just announced in NC that vaccination wave 4 has been moved ahead of schedule to March 24. Looking forward to getting stabbed!
Sounds good until you try to schedule an appointment. I think it’ll be May/June for me. At least kids will be allowed to go back to school after staying home for a year! A lost year for many kids.
Regarding SPACs, why weren’t they popular during the internet IPO bubble? I am surprised that this financial vehicle isn’t abuse more by many sh!tty mid-sized tech companies. There are many, many investors itching to cash out (often 5-10 years of bad investments). I can easily mention 10 companies that should be dead. But surviving with a series X+1 or loan every other year because existing investors don’t want to take a loss. An IPO is not in the cards, but a SPAC could be since it’s not really regulated and one would avoid a WeWork like experience. It’s better to take 50c on the dollar than write it off as a complete loss!
Silver bitches.
There is a difference between Democracy and a Republic – thankfully, the US is a constitutional Republic where every State gets representation, no matter how small.
I assume that your comment is tongue-in-cheek, but in case not, please remind me again of why in a democratic republic the 2 Dakotas, with a combined population of 1.6 million and annual federal tax collections of $14.7B–have double the Senate representation of California, with a population of 40 million, and a federal tax contribution of $472B annually? This minority rule by the pauper states was NOT the original intent of the framers.
Why, because it’s in the constitution! And the intent of the framers was to give all states a voice (federalism). The system is designed to make sure that the minority has a voice.
“The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each state, chosen by the legislature thereof for six Years”
And according to the framers, they should be “chosen by the Legislature ” not the popular vote like today. So all YOU need is another amendment to “fix” this.
Don’t believe in keeping up with modern reality, I see. I guess you also believe that woman and blacks shouldn’t be able to vote, since they weren’t in 1776.
Again, we have amendments.
“You disagree with me, therefore you’re a racist.”
Be better than this.
The US education system is a giant cesspool of both mediocrity and ideological indoctrination.
Wasn’t always so. I had to read Federalist 62/63 in 7th grade.
That must make me a fascist :/
Thanks for the links! It will take a while to work through them.
I had so many Delta flights canceled last year with the resulting credits sitting in my account that it will be ages before I take a mileage flight. Fortunately, the B class flights to Japan were on miles so I don’t have THAT much money sitting in the account.
If things go wrong I’d rather be on Delta. Everything follows from that. Of course I’m interesting in the Centurion club at DCA. We shall see.
I’m tempted to visit Japan in the summer. But I don’t want the chaos associated with the Olympics. Tokyo is already crowded!
I was tempted to get the cheap business class tickets to EU with TAP.
And then it hit me, will the EU be open to US tourists? And where will I get a quick COVID test for the return?
I blame my excitement to on Biden. He should not have said that our vaccine supply will cover everyone in May.
When it rains it pours…
Big earthquare back in my hometown Larisa in Greece!
And 91 year old client had a stroke and is not looking good. At all.
Next TBB Post will drop…someday.
George
My 72 yr old sister lives in Ann Arbor and was scheduled for a vaccine at Rite-aid
on Thursday but had to drive to Toledo to get it. Was just notified by health department
this am of a pop up clinic in town for ages 65+ from 10-2 Friday. She is so excited.
Keep up the good work.
TONS of great stuff today! Too busy to say much but keep up the good work and good luck on the cryo!
Just peaking in here to say I survived the cryotherapy! It is COOOOOLD! I must say it feels pretty good overall afterwards…
Oh, and that stimulus calcurator, as it was originally up…the numbers are off as it now appears the income thresholds are definitely going lower! Making sausage can sure be messy…
Even the guru is experiencing a bear market.
Cathie Wood’s Ark Innovation Fund down 20% from peak as tech sells off. Apparently she doesn’t have a magic formula!
I wonder how Vinh is doing with his tech stock recommendations.
I agree with previous comments here, it’s hard to diversify when tech is such a hugh component of the market. And I’m not touching crypto. That’s like betting on a cult.
>>>>>>>I wonder how Vinh is doing with his tech stock recommendations.
Saw blog post opening Slack memberships again so…there 🙂
Here’s a good read on $ARKK:
https://thebearcave.substack.com/p/potential-liquidity-issues-at-ark
Nassim Taleb made the point recently that crypto is–at the present time anyway–far too volatile to serve as a store of value. I can’t figure out if it’s legit or not so I’m not about to touch it.
In today’s Friday March 5 WSJ I am reading:
Cathie Wood’s ARK Investment Faces Reckoning as Tech Trade Stalls
Firm’s ETFs are underperforming badly as investor sentiment shifts toward cyclical shares tied to an economic upswing
Never let a bull market confuse you with a genius or however that saying goes…
A blogger was bitching about Brex and he was accused of just whining…
Je suis TBB
Brex is awesome!!!!
PLUS 1 C.P.
Nice to see Bennie at OCaaT get out in front of the Brex situation with a detailed post on how he’s doing EVERYTHING he can to make sure his pigeons – er, followers – will be ok.
Oh. Wait. Guess not. Must be too busy counting his mountain of lucky coins…
You almost made me look lol
I know that the Good Folks at Brex are people of highest integrity, Praise God.