Tag Archives: Gift Cards

a close-up of a paypal logo

Part 2: My Manufactured Spend Strategy with PayPal, Chime, Meetups, Reselling, and More!

Posted on by . 29 Replies

Good morning everyone, welcome to part 2 of my Manufactured Spend strategy.  If you haven’t already, please read part 1 before this post.  This post doesn’t really have any new MS strategies, I just talk about various avenues of learning about MS strategies and clarifying some of the MS strategies that I *do not* participate in.  Most people assume I do every sort of MS out there, but that is not correct.

PayPal My Cash Cards, PayPal Business Debit Card, and PayPal Extras MasterCard

I used to buy PPMCCs to pay off my PPEMC, but PayPal told me not to do that anymore.  I used to use my PPEMC to pay my PPEMC via Evolve Money and get free PayPal Points, but Evolve Money closed that loophole.  I used to use my PPBDC for online debit card loads with Serve, but I might close my Serve Card soon.  The future of PayPal in my MS arsenal is unknown…

PayPal to Bluebird Logo

Continue reading →

a red and silver card with circles

Part 1: My Manufactured Spend and Redbird Loading Strategy

Posted on by . 120 Replies

Good morning everyone, I wanted to respond to Frequent Milers’s post (My manufactured spend strategy) and share my own MS strategy.  You will probably be surprised by my strategy, maybe inspired, and maybe even disappointed.  Let’s get started…

Every Sunday, Staples releases their latest Easy Rebate offers/coupons here.  This week, we have more paper on sale and a few smaller deals, like $5 off food and tape.

Staples Rebates 1-25-2015

Continue reading →

blue letters on a white background

Review: New United MileagePlusX App puts an Online Shopping Portal in your Pocket

Posted on by . 27 Replies

This afternoon, United Airlines sent out an email announcing their new MileagePlusX app for Apple and Android smartphones.  I was interested in seeing how it was possible to earn 2x, 3x, and even 4x using the app, so I tested the app by using it at Office Max, Office Depot, and Panera Bread.  Check out their video demo here.

United MileagePlusX Email 1

Continue reading →

a black letter b

Recent Tech Funding: Uber $1.6B, Raise Gift Cards $56M, Shazam $30M, Chime $8M, and RadPad $2M

Posted on by . 4 Replies

After moving to the Bay Area, home of the tech startup, I learned about a website called Crunch Base, which is a big database full of information regarding some of the my favorite companies.  You can find information about pretty much any tech company, big or small, new or old, all in one place.  I received an email from them this morning about some recent funding (debt financing, venture funding, etc.) and thought it would be fun to share.

If you want to learn more about the following companies, check out their Crunch Base pages:

Uber Crunch Base 1-22-2015 Continue reading →

a blue credit card with white text

How to Close your American Express Serve Card

Posted on by . 33 Replies

If you ever decide to switch from your American Express Serve Card to a Bluebird Card or Target Redbird Card, you will first have to close your American Express Serve Card.  Follow this tutorial and your Serve Card will be closed in a few minutes.  The first thing you need to do is log into your Serve online account and click the profile link.

Serve Home Page 1-15-2015

Continue reading →