Ways to support Out and Out during the COVID-19 pandemic

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!

Ways to support Out and Out

Cheers to the many years this blog has been around

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.

a drawing of a plane flying through a line

First pass at designing the Out and Out logo

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:

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. 😸

a man holding a camera and a cup of coffee

Thanks for using my links to get a new credit card if you were planning to apply for one anyway

And of particular interest right now:

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:

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

Amex Blue Business Plus

a man holding up a credit card

This little card is amazing if you have a small business

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

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:

Cash back for shopping

a close up of a card

Get free money for shopping online

  • 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)
a screenshot of a cell phone

Def give Hooch a download – super easy cashback

Checking accounts

a screenshot of a blue and white website

This is my favorite checking account by far

  • 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

a woman standing in a gym

Plastiq lets you pay most bills through your credit card for a 2.5% fee

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

Investing

a screenshot of a gift card

Get $5 when you start 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:

Get your $#!+ together

a screenshot of a website

I use Todoist daily, constantly

Here’s how I use it:

Cheap razors

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

Buy a pair of shoes

a pair of feet wearing blue shoes

A simple, comfortable, logo-free shoe

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:

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!

* If you liked this post, consider signing up to receive free blog posts in an RSS reader and you’ll never miss an update!

Announcing Points Hub—points, miles, and travel rewards community. Join for just $9/month or $99/year.

BEST Current Credit Card Deals

  • Capital One Venture X Rewards—Earn 75,000 Venture miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening, plus a $300 annual statement credit for travel booked through Capital One
  • Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card—Earn 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months and 3X bonus points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year
  • Amex Blue Business Plus—Earn 15,00 Membership Rewards points once you spend after you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of Card Membership and 2X bonus points on up to $50,000 in spending per year with NO annual fee

The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

About Harlan

Just a dude living in Memphis, traveling, and working toward financial independence.

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Comments

  1. Nice post, a respectful and honest way of dealing with life nowadays. Sure, I’ll throw some love your way when I’m shopping, easy enough to use your links.

  2. Normally just a lurker here but just wanted to voice my support and let you know I will be shopping through your Amazon link. Hope things start looking up for all of us soon.

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