First Cancelation because of Corona Virus

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I have one card that gives me 1% to 2% cash back .... But, after a while of using it, I felt the cash back was pretty minimal in the end.

Well, yeah - because the ratio is often 10,000 to 1. No one gets ahead by spending 10,000 times more than the reward, and where gasoline is the thing you are buying - you're literally burning money. (In some cases 1% cash back earns you 1 point, and then 100 points = $1 do the math.)

I'd rather reduce my driving by 20% than spend it in pursuit of 2% rewards.
 
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but if you are spending the money anyway, I'd rather get the few % back. if it makes sense to cut back on spending 20%, then by all means do that, but I'd rather get the few points off the 80% then.

I have a card that I was getting 5% back on everything for 6 months. It just ended March 31. Down to 1.8% now on everything and 3% on some things.

I'd prefer not to use cash. Especially during this crisis.

I never carry a balance on any credit card as the interest would quickly eliminate any reward. I have and will when there are interested free offers.
 
I agreed with you up to a certain point. Some gas stations charge extra if you pay with a card. Then others, the really big gas stations like BP which is my favorite, they charge the same. Those gas stations with ridiculously low prices will charge more if you use a card. That charge is so they don't have to pay those fees you do.
Credit Card companies charge merchants around 3% to use the card (plus a transaction fee), so a merchant can either build it in and charge the total price .. or they can leave it out and offer a Cash price and then you pay the difference.

Merchants HATE those fees .. especially today since they are almost forced to have people pay by plastic to minimize virus contact.
 
As a merchant, I love when people pay with a credit card. I have no problem paying the fee. The money is automatically deposited. When they pay online, the money is automatically applied to their account. The time it saves me is worth it.
 
Well, yeah - because the ratio is often 10,000 to 1. No one gets ahead by spending 10,000 times more than the reward, and where gasoline is the thing you are buying - you're literally burning money. (In some cases 1% cash back earns you 1 point, and then 100 points = $1 do the math.)

I'd rather reduce my driving by 20% than spend it in pursuit of 2% rewards.

Do you ever have the wrong cards....

Right now since January I have about $60.00 in cash back on my Costco card..They send you a check once a year last years was over $300...In the last few years I have over $400 in free gas saved from another rewards card and I've had hundreds in free groceries from another one. I'ts money I'm spending anyway and I'm not getting a discount for not using them so I might as well collect the points. I pay my power, phone, and internet bills with a credit card too just to get points or cash back
 
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I saw the best sign so far since this situation has occurred. It was on the sign for a church and it said Hope you are praying. God is bigger than the Coronavirus. I took a picture and I hope I can get it off my phone. I have to put the picture on my PC and then get it from there.
 
Do you ever have the wrong cards....

Right now since January I have about $60.00 in cash back on my Costco card..They send you a check once a year last years was over $300...In the last few years I have over $400 in free gas saved from another rewards card and I've had hundreds in free groceries from another one. I'ts money I'm spending anyway and I'm not getting a discount for not using them so I might as well collect the points. I pay my power, phone, and internet bills with a credit card too just to get points or cash back

Not denying that if a program coincides with BOTH the regular expenditures you make AND non-accruing payment methods you use - then by all means take the reward. Unless of course, you can clearly see a difference in the selling price that negates the reward.

That is not the case for most credit card users. For example, even a nominally good rewards offer associated with a credit card can be nullified if you carry any balance on that card. Many people are under the false impression that a grace period exists from the date of purchase to the payment due date but, that is only true if you maintain the card with a zero balance. Otherwise, interest is calculated on new purchases from the date of purchase and typically offsets the reward. Imagine the multitude of card users who get a $300 reward check and are completely unaware that they paid $500 in additional interest for the privilege when an alternate payment method would have resulted in REAL savings of $200.

To truly understand the value of a reward it is necessary to include any applied interest, along with any additional unnecessary purchase you made to meet a required minimum. Most card users underestimate the interest (which applies to the total purchase value ) as opposed to the reward which is only a marginal value of that purchase and further exacerbated by any additional purchase made to qualify for the reward.
 
Not denying that if a program coincides with BOTH the regular expenditures you make AND non-accruing payment methods you use - then by all means take the reward. Unless of course, you can clearly see a difference in the selling price that negates the reward.

That is not the case for most credit card users. For example, even a nominally good rewards offer associated with a credit card can be nullified if you carry any balance on that card. Many people are under the false impression that a grace period exists from the date of purchase to the payment due date but, that is only true if you maintain the card with a zero balance. Otherwise, interest is calculated on new purchases from the date of purchase and typically offsets the reward. Imagine the multitude of card users who get a $300 reward check and are completely unaware that they paid $500 in additional interest for the privilege when an alternate payment method would have resulted in REAL savings of $200.

To truly understand the value of a reward it is necessary to include any applied interest, along with any additional unnecessary purchase you made to meet a required minimum. Most card users underestimate the interest (which applies to the total purchase value ) as opposed to the reward which is only a marginal value of that purchase and further exacerbated by any additional purchase made to qualify for the reward.

I agree wholeheartedly. I rarely if ever carry a balance and some of the rewards I mentioned are available regardless of payment method. Some will give you more rewards if you use their card though. Obviously there are plenty that carry a balance to pay for my rewards and I'm really OK with that
 
I just had a June 20 wedding postpone. Definitely the farthest out, but farther out than expected. Sucky part was it was postponed to a date I was already booked, so I gave them a referral.
 
Well it looks like middle of July before I play again. July 11 is working on a date in October now and June 27 postponed till next year. July 4,5 8,12 and 15 have either cancelled or are looking to reschedule at some point and the A/V gig for a June trade show is cancelled too. On the upside 2021 should be good LOL
 
I'm not in panic mode and yet I do have to say it's a bit disappointing to not be at work doing what I love to do because of this situation. My reason for feeling that way is because after having the operation and recouperating things were picking up.

What has helped me at this time is the serenity prayer. It says God grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not chane, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.
 
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... It says God grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not chane, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.
Pray for the wisdom part first ...
 
Well for me it's a bit depressing coming off of major surgery, feeling much better and raring to go but can't.
 
Got my first cancellation today for May 30th. The only guidance we have from our Governor (Washington State) is a stay at home order until May 4th. It sucks because it was at a pretty cool venue in a wine cellar under ground and a referral from a wedding coordinator in a small resort town in WA.

I decided to refund the retainer and wished them the best and hope that they can have a celebration when this is over and of course include my services. It's only $300, I keep all retainers in a seperate account until the event is over, so not a big deal. I think that is the way to go in this scenerio and in my own situation.
 
Just received an email from my May 24th client. That wedding is in PA. The bride said they are "Still On", but depending on how the next week goes with the VIrus they could post pone it. Asked me if I am available on a couple of different dates in July. ...I really hope this wedding does happen on May 24th though.
 
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Just had 2 of my July weddings reach out. So far all April, May, June and some of July gigs have been moved to next year.

Uggg.
 
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The main problem is that if even people can go out, a lot won't at first so clients are canceling big events, like weddings, and I probably would too if I were in their shoes.
 
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Just received an email from my May 24th client. That wedding is in PA. The bride said they are "Still On", but depending on how the next week goes with the VIrus they could post pone it. Asked me if I am available on a couple of different dates in July. ...I really hope this wedding does happen on May 24th though.
You're feeling like most of us. Hoping this situation doesn't last much longer and we can get back to what we love to do and make money.

I got a date to be in Weequahic Park May 31st for my birthday celebration. I'm banking it's not going to happen. My friend who is a DJ feels this thing will last to the end of the year. Of course we all want it over sooner than later. This is forcing a lot of people to make major changes in their lives.
 
You're feeling like most of us. Hoping this situation doesn't last much longer and we can get back to what we love to do and make money.

I got a date to be in Weequahic Park May 31st for my birthday celebration. I'm banking it's not going to happen. My friend who is a DJ feels this thing will last to the end of the year. Of course we all want it over sooner than later. This is forcing a lot of people to make major changes in their lives.

I went back to work today. I was told my job is probably secure at full time hours for 2 to 3 more weeks...Maybe 4. After that, Hour Cuts are very likely to happen. If this lasts into mid May and longer...Management has no clue what is in store. Depends on if the stores and service people are ordering enough from us due to residential pools being used a lot by people. The theory is that since nobody can go any where, when summer hits, those that have pools at their houses will be using them A LOT...which means service people will be called into open the pools up, maintain, or repair them. ...If that is the case...then my job is probably secure for the duration of this shut down. A large chunk of our business is down...Commercial Pools (They are all closed)

If the theroy does not pan out, well...Some changes may be made at work. Maybe a cut of 5 to 10 hours a week...Maybe lay offs....I do not think they would start lay offs until we see how summer is though. If the shut downs are real long like into fall/winter...I can see lay offs occurring for sure.