Articles by Madison


Save Money with Roadside Assistance from a Credit Card

Posted by Madison on August 4, 2016

A couple weeks ago one of our cars broke down. My husband called me at home and asked if we had roadside assistance. He implied that one of the zillion credit cards we have should have it as a benefit. He was right, but it’s in that long section of credit card benefits I usually […]

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2017 Tax Rates & Historical Tax Brackets

Posted by Madison on August 1, 2016

What do the 2017 tax rates and 2017 tax brackets look like? 2017 tax rates are used to file your 2017 tax return due in 2018. The 2017 income tax brackets will continue to keep the 10%, 15%, 25%, 28%, 33%, 35% and 39.6% tax brackets in place from last year. These are permanent tax […]

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Starwood 2,500 Point Bonus to Add Authorized User

Posted by Madison on July 29, 2016

Starwood is offering a free 2,500 points when you add an authorized user to your American Express account. Put this one in the easy column since it took about 30 seconds. I’m a fan of easy Starwood points since we redeemed them for free hotels on our Disney trip and for free hotels on holiday […]

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Schwab Checking and Brokerage $100 Sign Up Bonus

Posted by Madison on July 22, 2016

We have held our main checking account at Schwab Bank for years. Why? Because they offer free ATM withdrawals. And interest (although the rate is really low right now). There is now a $100 sign up bonus making the switch worth it. To open a checking account and earn the bonus you’ll need a brokerage […]

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American Express Simply Cash Plus $250 Sign Up Bonus

Posted by Madison on July 15, 2016

We use our Simply Cash Business card from American Express to earn 5% cash back on our cell phone bill. American Express rolled out a new Simply Cash Plus Business card this year expanding the limits on cashback. The limits were already pretty high, so I don’t find that to be very exciting, but I […]

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Alaska Airlines 30,000 Mile Sign Up Bonus

Posted by Madison on June 24, 2016

A reader just let me know about an increase in the sign up bonus for the Alaska Airlines Visa card. The bonus in now 30,000 miles; we picked up this card earlier this spring when the sign up bonus was only 25,000 miles. In addition, they offer an annual companion fare on a round trip […]

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3rd Quarter 2016 5% Rotating Cash Rewards Credit Cards

Posted by Madison on June 20, 2016

3rd quarter cash back is here! It’s time to organize, activate and put your cards into a regular rotation. Reevaluate Quarterly Cash Rewards It’s our quarterly check-in to reevaluate the cards we are carrying to take advantage of the best 3rd quarter 2016 cash rewards credit cards bonuses. Every quarter we reevaluate the cash back […]

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New Fidelity Rewards 2% Cash Back Credit Card

Posted by Madison on June 17, 2016

Fidelity is switching their Fidelity Investment credit card from American Express to Elan. The Fidelity Investment Rewards Card earns 2% cash back on all purchases. I rotate our credit cards quarterly to earn the highest reward on all of our purchases, but I do have a favorite everyday spending card. I’ve used our Fidelity card […]

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Best Credit Cards to Maximize Cash Back at Costco

Posted by Madison on June 16, 2016

Next week, Costco is making the switch from American Express to Visa cards. With the switch, there are plenty of new options to earn cash back. The good news is that you probably already have some of these cards in your wallet, or tucked away wherever you store your cards that aren’t in rotation right […]

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Amazon $5 Credit When You Reload $100 in Gift Cards

Posted by Madison on June 10, 2016

Amazon is giving out $5 promo codes when you reload an Amazon Gift Card. You’ll have to hurry… this one expires June 15! Like most Amazon offers, it is targeted, so you’ll have to see if you qualify first: Amazon Gift Card offer. If you do, it’s an easy way to earn a free $5 […]

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