(Part 2) Best products from r/churning

I have three physical wallets:

• Everyday wallet to hold driver's license + 6 cards + cash. It's tiny but also accessible. I love it.
  
• Larger wallet that holds driver's license + 12 cards, plus 3 currency/receipt pockets. Good for when I'm away from home and can't swap cards in/out as needed, but it doesn't fit in pockets well. It really needs a laptop case, backpack, or man purse to hold it.
  
• Sock drawer card holder
  
  Apple Pay/Google Pay/Samsung Pay is also a great way to carry a few more cards without physically carrying them.
  
  Target REDcard and gift cards can be done through their app, so no need to carry those. Buying gift cards at 5%+ discount is a great way to not lose the REDcard discount while still meeting MSR/getting points.

This is great, thank you so much for such a detailed response and great itinerary. Will def check out that tempura restaurant and spend a few days in Fukuoka.

I LOVE yuzu hot sauce! I'm sure this isn't the same as the one at the restaurant but I highly recommend the Trader Joe's yuzu hot sauce for something you can get here. Wish it was a little bit more spicy but love the strong yuzu flavor.

Thanks again for your itinerary!

I'm going through the same exercise. I'm super picky (OCD?), so I've tried out about 12 different wallets. Still in decision making mode, but here are a few suggestions...

http://exentri.com/en/the-wallet/ - This was my previous carry. It's great, but I tend to carry around too many CC/debit/ID/insurance cards for it to stay closed w/ MOs and cash, which drove me nuts. Also WM MOs are just a hair too tall. It will stay closed with 6-8 cards.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01F8EDDH4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - Currently trying this one out. I like it, but I don't love it. I prefer a small, compact wallet (not sure how to square that with churning and my preference for carrying multiple cards) while it's not too fat, it's a bit wider than my iphone 7+. One good thing about this wallet its that it's tall enough to hold WM MOs without them sticking out the top. Note: this same company makes several different wallet varieties in this same vein.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0195RSQDG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - Just ordered this one (delivery tomorrow) because I once used a similar wallet without the three individual card slots or a snap close. Hope this will be a keeper.

Hope this helps and would love to know if there are other suggestions!

I did two weeks in Colombia with a carry-on sized rolling duffel bag and a Tom Bihn aeronaut backpack, I try to never check bags and typically only travel with carry-on.

https://www.tombihn.com/products/aeronaut-45?variant=34039227783

I saw this bag recommended on a few reddit travel threads and it’s great because you can carry it by the shoulder strap or on your back like a backpack while wheeling around another bag. What really sold me on it was the large side pockets, they are large enough to fit a pair of shoes in. My rolling duffel is nothing special, but I’m pretty sure it’s close to the maximum carry on dimensions.

I was able to fit two weeks of clothes in the duffel and in the backpack was extra shoes, 15” laptop, dslr camera + a couple accessories, toiletries, misc items and still had room to bring back a jacket and jeans I had bought on the trip as well as 4 pounds of coffee.

Looking back on it, I had plenty of time and opportunities to have my laundry done while I was there so I could have easily packed less clothes and it’s good to know that is always an option on a longer trip.

For a wallet: I have not carried a wallet in a couple of years now, I hate carrying things in my pocket other than my phone so I’ve gotten phone cases with card holders on them.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DVH5WGQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_HILgDb71K74F0

I have this one currently, I think it can hold up to 7 or 8 cards, but I typically just have my ID, health insurance card, and 3 credit cards in there. I got this one because I can use a pop socket on the flat metal back but it is a little bulky and heavy and tires my fingers out (first world problem).

On Kauai, if you do one helicopter tour on the islands, do it here. Hanalei is a great little town, and you can see the Napali coast from Kee beach. Probably worth a trip up to see the Canyon and Kalalau valley.

On Maui highlights are the road to Hana, and sunrise from Haleakela. If you like snorkeling consider doing Molokini from a boat.

On the big island I'd go to the Volcano, Waipio valley. If you like snorkeling, Captain Cook is great. Kona is famous for deep see fishing if you like that.

What else you do depends on what sort of holiday you want. Days by the pool, lying on the beach, historical state parks, botanical gardens. There's plenty of choice of things to do. I'd invest in the series of "revealed" guide books if I were you. They're really great help in planning.

Also, the big island is more "active", so if you want to finish your vacation in relaxing by-the-pool mode I'd plan to finish at the Hyatt (free nights) in Kauai which is spectacular.

I love these comments because I get to brag about the best wallet I’ve ever found:

Serman Brands. Super thin, even with a half dozen cards and cash. Pull tab is awesome and the money clip is a dream. I sweat a lot and it’s held up great. Had mine for a year now.

More of a fuzzy neck brace than a pillow, but this thing has been a godsend on many a redeye.

Trtl Pillow - Scientifically Proven Super Soft Neck Support Travel Pillow – Machine Washable Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LB7REBE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Msbrzb7ZN4JF2

Sure!

Amazon link, Jet Link. We just got it, but it has worked well so far. Bought the generic vacuum bags from amazon to save that extra.


I'm not sure if either the 15% or 20% off code is still valid, but even at $20 off it's a great savings.

Not a suitcase, but I am very happy with Fjallraven's No.6 50L duffel. BIFL quality and versatile. On top of that, I got an extra couple thousand miles buying a couple during a bonus sale on the MP portal and then opening CSR price protection claims for the 37% difference in the Amazon price.

We were debating between the Westin and the Shelbourne before the merger, as they are across the street from one another, being location wasn’t a factor. Settled on the Shelbourne because we had Gold with Marriott and received the free breakfast in the restaurant. There’s a mini series on the hotel, kind of interesting. I really liked looking at the guest registers in the small museum alcove, wife said she liked the tea time the best.

I have this wallet in black. Great wallet for a couple of credit cards, license and a couple of other cards. Can fit into my pocket easily and it's been holding up nicely. Have had it for about 1.5 years.

http://www.amazon.com/Boconi-Collins-Calf-Weekender-Black/dp/B003VKXSKA/ref=sr_1_3?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1464368758&sr=1-3&nodeID=7141123011&keywords=boconi+wallet

Can anyone recommend a good cheap card swipe scanner to use for tracking gift cards without having to type all the info in?

Found this one on Amazon which got an A from a FakeSpot but prefer churned recommendations to Amazon reviewers.

MSR90 USB Swipe Magnetic Credit Card Reader 3 Tracks Mini Smart Card Reader MSR605 MSR606 Deftun https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DUB4GVO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_D3g4BbRQSR2RF

1st priority needs to be the match next month.

2nd, she needs to focus her attention on her training/residency. (Please don't buy a house. Please, please, please!)

3rd, paying off those loans. She's has more than average (average med school debt is ~$200k), but still manageable if you guys are smart about it.

Read The White Coat Investor. It will help you a ton!

Somewhere around 9th or 10th priority is playing the churning game.

​

I know this isn't the advice you were asking for, but please listen to old Dr. highway22.

The solution is to have multiple wallets. I have a main wallet where I keep just a few cards, an MS wallet, a big credit card wallet where I keep all the active cards, and a binder where I keep all the “sock drawered” cards.

I really like this for the big credit card wallet:

https://www.amazon.com/Buvelife-Credit-Leather-Storage-Capacity/dp/B07BRFTNGL/ref=mp_s_a_1_10?dchild=1&keywords=credit+card+wallet&qid=1572278575&sr=8-10

These aren't cheap but it was worth it to me for the ability to have my passport, credit cards, all currencies, money orders and a pen fit in a relatively slim wallet.

https://www.amazon.com/Bellroy-Leather-Travel-Wallet-Java/dp/B01LWNMEXV/ref=sr_1_7?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1500994397&sr=1-7&nodeID=2475895011&psd=1&keywords=bellroy&th=1

I use a trading card deck box. Holds 80 trading cards, probably a good amount of less credit cards due to thickness, but it gets the job done and it's pretty lightweight. Easy to toss in a backpack too or put in a coat pocket when you need to do loads.

http://www.amazon.com/Ultra-Pro-Solid-White-Deck/dp/B003TYWR5K/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1452214461&sr=8-3&keywords=deck+box

amazon has a mini file cabinet for business cards with 3 drawers...saved my life lol

it is made of plastic though, wish it was metal, but it does the job.

​

https://www.amazon.com/Mini-Cabinet-Business-Holder-3-Drawer/dp/B000CCDQC0