What a strange time to be a travel blogger. And what an especially strange time to be a travel blogger who’s also interested in personal finance topics. I can’t travel, and the economy is going through one of the rockiest, decline-iest, bear market-yist times in a generation – or a lifetime. #iquit #not

There’s no question page views and blog revenues are declining right now. There’s simply lack of interest and people are more preoccupied with daily existence rather than aspirational trips and points balances. I’m still here and ready to get back those types of reports. Trust me, I’m ready to book an epic trip the second things return to normal (in my cabin fever haze).

But what really rattled me was when my company slashed everyone’s salary and started cutting expenses left and right. So now I’m low-key worried about my future and thought – well, there’s no harm in asking for support. Plus, many readers might not know there are so many ways to support the blogs they enjoy. Including mine.

It’s always been hard for me to ask for support. But I figure nothing ventured, nothing gained. And oh, how I’d like to venture right now!

Many of the ways you can support are super simple – by clicking a link at no cost to you. Affiliate links are free for you and directly support the blogger of your choice – including me.

And most links have a benefit to you in the form of promotions for services we’re mutually interested in.

I encourage everyone to support the blogs, little guys, small businesses, and local joints they love – we need you more than ever during this pandemic. So please please please use our links!

I will also go ahead and say thank you for the first of many times throughout this post. Thank you for your support!

Ways to support Out and Out

When I started this blog in March 2013, I had no real plan or goal for it. I threw out ideas I had about banks, card, points, miles, and general travel – and what do ya know? People responded. Those people formed my tribe of followers.

That was seven years ago. Over time, I’ve leaned into the craft of blogging and use this forum as a way to hone my writing and personal interests. Along the way, I’ve made many friends, attended conferences, hosted meetups, and consistently written about my journeys throughout the points and miles world.

What I’ve come to learn is that travel is my biggest passion. So the thought of being locked away without being able to step on a plane whenever I want is kind of crazy. I’m grateful for all the trips I’ve taken – I couldn’t name a favorite if I tried – and hope to take more again soon. It’s best that we stay inside until this virus subsides. But as a born traveler, it’s taking a different kind of toll on me.

For now, we all have to get through the next few months. Myself included.

If any of these things below can benefit you and you want to directly support the blog, please use my links and codes. I appreciate the support as I try to sell my Dallas place and hold on to my job for as long as I can.

Looking forward to the next evolution… whatever that’s going to look like. Grateful for any support right now.

Earn and burn

Right now is an excellent time to:

• Accumulate miles and points
• Run test searches for routes your interested in
• Recalibrate your cards and loyalty programs
• Dream about new trips
• Look for new travel opportunities
• Earn cashback on your daily supplies

So while we can’t redeem points right now, we can certainly start collecting miles to get ready for the time comes when can redeem them.

And as crappy as hotels and airlines have been over the past decade, I think we’ll see a time when they’ll have to soften their requirements – especially as travel slowly ramps back up in a post-virus world. We might even already be in another recession. Remember 2010 and how they threw the world at us?

With that, here are ways you can support Out and Out directly.

Sign up for new credit cards

Many banks have pulled their credit cards from affiliate relationships. But there are still some cards that remain, like:

• Select Chase cards (personal and small business)
• Amex personal cards
• Wells Fargo Propel Amex – my review
• A few US Bank cards
• And a few others I can’t mention because of compliance

Here are my links if you want to explore:

• Travel rewards credit cards
• Airline credit cards
• Hotel credit cards
• Cashback credit cards
• Small business credit cards

If there’s a card you find that you’ve been meaning to apply for and it’s the best available public offer, thank you for using my link!

I get my links through CardRatings, and they have been an amazing partner with me for a couple of years by now. So when you see CardRatings, just know you’re in the right place. 😸

And of particular interest right now:

• 0% APR credit cards
• Balance transfer credit cards

I actually just took advantage of a balance transfer offer myself, to consolidate some balances and give myself a bit more time to repay. Especially with this move coming up. (Need to write about that.)

If you’re in a similar situation, having a 0% APR rate or a cushion to repay with a balance transfer offer can be a real breather while you get through the next few months. I know they’ve certainly been there for  me when I needed them.

Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Here is my personal referral link to both cards:

• Get a Chase Freedom Flex℠ or Chase Freedom Unlimited® card here

And here are a couple of posts to help you decide which is best for you:

• Honest Review: Chase Freedom (With Any Sign-Up Offer)
• Chase Freedom Vs Freedom Unlimited: Which Is Better for Your Spending?

Amex Blue Business Plus

Get 10,000 Amex Membership Rewards points when you spend $3,000 in the first three months of account opening.

• Open the Amex Blue Business Plus card

I love this card because you earn a flat 2X Amex Membership Rewards points on every purchase on up to $50,000 spent each calendar year.

Also – did you know your small business has a credit score? Yup, it does. Check it for free with Nav.

Also consider a FoundersCard membership to get small business discounts. Those could come in handy, especially right now.

Shop on Amazon

Thank you for starting your shopping through my Amazon links:

• Shop on Amazon – thank you!!!
• Sign up for Amazon Prime – free shipping and free 2-hour grocery delivery (plus lots of movies, photo storage, and more)

Cash back for shopping

• Dosh – it’s a card linked program, so link a card to start! Super easy savings and cashback at many places, including grocery stores
• BeFrugal – get $10 once you earn $10 through this shopping portal
• Rakuten – get $10 once you make your first purchase through this shopping portal
• Hooch – get $5 just for signing up – earn 1% back on lots of common purchases just for linking your cards
• Giving Assistant – get $5 just for signing up
• TopCashBack – one of the best shopping portals out there. I use it constantly. They often have the best rates
• Honey – a Chrome extension that automatically applies the best coupon codes and searches for best prices as you shop (my review here)

Checking accounts

• SoFi Money – get $75 when you make two direct deposits of $500+
• Aspiration – get $25 cash when you join + 5 free ATM withdrawals per month

In particular, I love SoFi money because you get free unlimited ATM withdrawals worldwide. It’s better than the Schwab account in my opinion.

Pay bills

• Plastiq – get $500 in fee-free dollars and pay nearly any bill with a credit card, including your mortgage, rent, or car payment

Free food

• Uber Eats – use code “eats-rfufr” to get $7 off your first order with no minimum

I have been using this constantly since lockdown. They have $0 delivery fees on local businesses. Support them and get free food!

When you rideshare

• Get $10 in cash when ride with Uber or Lyft ($5 back on your first two rides) with Freebird with referral code “OUTANDOUT” – my review here (I use this app constantly)
• Sign up to ride with Uber
• Sign up to ride with Lyft

Investing

• Acorns – Sign up and get $5 free to start investing with acorns – my review here
• Personal Capital – start tracking your net worth today. Get a $20 Amazon gift card when you link an investment account!
• Stash – get $5 free to start investing with Stash

Here’s why I recommend Acorns to start your investing journey:

• 5 Reasons You Should Get Acorns for Micro-Investing (Even If You Have Other Accounts)
• Acorns: A Simple Way for Beginners to Invest (And You Should!)

Get your $#!+ together

• Sign up for a free trial of Todoist Premium – the best todo list around

Here’s how I use it:

• Todoist Review: How I’m Using It to Organize My Life and (Travel) Goals

Cheap razors

• Dollar Shave Club – the cheapest and best razors for both guys and gals, courtesy of me

Buy a pair of shoes

• Buy Allbirds – and read my review here. I am currently wearing a pair of these bad boys

For the pups

• BarkBox – to give your dogs something to play with + treats every month
• Rover – get $20 off your first house sit (although you might not need it for a while)

Bottom line

I think I’ve injected every affiliate link in this post I’ve ever come across, which was exactly the goal. All of these links cost you nothing and directly support me and this blog.

All of it is especially welcome right now, and I hope it can also benefit you with some free cash or products where indicated. In particular, card sign-up bonuses can be valuable, including:

• Travel rewards credit cards
• Airline credit cards
• Hotel credit cards
• Cashback credit cards
• Small business credit cards
• Chase Freedom Flex℠ or Chase Freedom Unlimited® card
• Amex Blue Business Plus card

If you’ve found Out and Out useful or just enjoyed reading it over the years, thank you for your support during what’s an unprecedented time in our history. I humbly accept your support and look forward to “business as usual” – whatever that means in a post-virus society. Here’s a list of every single Out and Out post, just for reference.

Thank you again and I appreciate your comments and readership over the years. Let me know how I can help guide you through points and miles once the dust settles.

Please stay safe and healthy. And thanks again. Cheers to safe travels very soon!

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