Category: Finance

American Airlines AAdvantage credit card with Citi gives you the first checked bag free ($25 value). Also, if you’re on the plane ride, they will try and hand you a brochure with a referral code on there. Use it to apply online and get 10,000 additional bonus miles, than the typical 30,000 they give you upon your first $1,000 purchase in the first 3 months.

I failed to include my referral code, so they just credited me a bonus 10,000 points. I missed out on the two free admiral passes, but I don’t think I would’ve really utilized those anyway.

Also, up to 4 others in your party will get their first checked on baggage for free.

I’m going to use the card to purchase airline tickets. But my regular purchases, since I get 2% cash back, I prefer that over miles.

Part 1 can be found here: USAA Bank Threatening to Close Account Because of Suspected Business Transactions

USAA can’t specify which transactions have been “determined” to be business transactions. It’s serious enough that they want to close my account. Yet, when I ask specifically which transactions are in question, they choose not to provide that information.

Will USAA tell me what the specific transactions are that have been determined as business transactions? Nope.

Super wonderful, and helpful people on the base at Fort Buchanan. I wish I could tip for the immense help for some of the enlisted. Life saver! There is an air of gratefulness for many of the individuals having the privilege to shop on base.

I’m reminded of the things I love about the military (its people) and the things that were frustrating (bureaucracy).

And with the local tax increasing to 15% (so I’ve heard but can’t confirm), the sense of gratitude will only grow.

For those of you who have a military ID like me, Fort Buchanan, which is around Bayamon, has tax free EVERYTHING. BX, commissary, food court, furniture store, banking, GAS, library, fitness center, bowling alley, etc. etc. Unfortunately, cars don’t apply to the tax savings, but luckily, Puerto Rico used cars aren’t taxed!!!

There are also children’s activities, DOD school, club activities, theater. I’m pretty sure my kids would be able to participate on the various kids activities they have there.

I’m feeling tons more comfortable knowing I have such a great resource at hand. It makes transitioning so much easier.

Found a place today in “Paseos de Dorado” area without using a “buyer’s” broker by going directly to the “listing” agent’s through http://www.clasificadosonline.com/ (which is like the Craigslist for Puerto Rico). This is for renting specifically.

That definitely pissed off some agents in the area. Very unprofessional some of them, and I don’t mind publicly disclosing my interactions. I ended up going with an “outsider” that wasn’t known to the “regular” agents that listed in the area.

THE WORST OF OFFENDERS

Going back to the worst offender. First, for about 20 minutes, she’s trying to guilt trip me because she made “so many calls” and called so many brokers to help me find a property. This was after I told her explicitly that I was going direct through classificadosonline.

She then says that there are some properties that weren’t listed on that site and that she’ll show me that she’s co-broking with another agent.

If this agent had spent more time actually finding out what I WANTED rather than trying to guilt trip me into how much I NEEDED to have a buyer’s agent (for which I told her explicitly I didn’t want), then she wouldn’t had wasted both our times the next day for these “secret” showings.

The first house was over my EXPLICIT budget. The previous day, I had seen 6 homes by which I was comparing it to. I walked into the house, asked her the price, and then immediately walked out.

The second house was someone already living in it. I told them how quickly I needed to move in, and the occupant said NOPE. Okay, SEE YA! No more properties to show, and then this agent does another layer of “guilt” tripping me by saying, “DO YOU KNOW SHE SPENT ALL DAY CLEANING THE HOUSE FOR YOU?”

Have a good day!

TRIGGER: http://ericpetersautos.com/2016/03/05/dont-buy-new/

Interesting spin on things. Especially now with fully Automated cars on the horizon, it may make sense to hold off on an outright purchase for at least new cars.

Used cars is a different proposition, but even that is getting to be less worthy due to the fact that even used cars are becoming so complicated you need to have them serviced by specialists.

It was the best house I could afford in my area for $430,000 for the square footage, proximity to work, condition, school district and rent potential being close to Cal State Fullerton. Rent potential was a large factor in my purchasing decision.

Due to the unique home layout, I was able to rent out a portion of my house for upwards of $1,236 / month offsetting my monthly payment with impound (property taxes & insurance) of $2,145.80 / month. So that was $909.80 / month for the house out-of-pocket. Principal is about $674.77 / month (which goes back toward equity), so I was really paying $235.03 / month for 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,500 sq ft (including garage which is my man cave). This doesn’t include home appreciation.

January 2015, my home was appraised for $616,000 which enabled me to get a home equity line of credit available to be drawn upon at $57,000 which will most likely remain untouched for now until I find a worthy investment.

The previous apartment around 2007 – 2009 was a 2 bedroom, 1 bath apartment, for $1,050/month. With my Veteran status, I managed to do 10% down, and refinanced a couple times down to 3.25% over 30 years in November 2012. Down payment sources came from savings, Roth IRA contributions, and saving up for about a year prior to the house purchase living in a hotel suite paying no rent

UPDATE: Part 2 USAA – Your Checking Account May Be Closed for Business Transaction Use (Part 2)

USAA has a “back office” that you will never be able to contact directly that has the power to close your Checking account with essentially no contest. The “back office” can determine your account is being used for “business” purposes. Even if the reasoning behind their decision is flawed there’s nothing you can do about it.

I just spent an hour talking to different individuals in regards to this letter I received in the mail:

My main question: what specific transactions were considered “business” transactions.

The first tier was no help, and just frustrating. He was just giving general answers, without specifics when I was asking specific questions.

The second Tier, “Executive Resolutions,” Chip, basically said he couldn’t do much either. He read off the notes on the account. He mentioned that the payroll checks I had deposited into my account, from my same employer of five years, were “suspicious” also because I transfer the funds out right away. I transfer them out right away into a higher interest Savings Account, which I’ve been doing essentially since becoming a member 9 years ago.

The Manager, Erik(sp?), which I never talked to, said that some “notes” will get passed onto the Back Office Department that makes the final decision.

I normally love USAA (except for Life Insurance and Home Mortgage), but this breach of trust without recourse is concerning. There should exist some way to contest the decisions of this “back office.” As a member of 9 years, I’d expect at least an inquiry to me personally about their perceived “business” activity, rather than their approach of “guilty until proven innocent.”

Reference: Your Checking Account May Be Closed for Business Transaction Use

Thank you for trusting USAA Federal Savings Bank with your banking needs. We’re writing about an urgent matter concerning your checking account ending in 2644. This account is a personal account and is not set up for business use. We recently evaluated activity on your account and determined that it is being used to process business transactions. Indicators for business transactions can include:

• Deposits made in the name of a business.
• Deposits for a merchant account (an account that allows a business to accept credit/debit card payments from customers).
• Memos on deposits/checks that indicate transactions arc related to business transactions.

Because of this usage, we may be forced to close your account. Please stop all business transactions within 30 days, or we regret that we’ll be forced to close your account.

If you believe this letter has been sent in error, or if you have questions, please call us at 1-800-531-USAA (8722). “We value your membership and urge you to take immediate action.