If you're after points, having the cash in the bank to immediately pay off the credit card makes sense. Planet Money had a piece recently on a dodge people looking to run up their credit points were doing -- you could order a couple thousand dollar coins directly from the treasury (for face value!) and then turn around and deposit them in your bank to pay off the credit card. (You know, the "legal tender" thing.) But because you'd legitimately spent the money, you got the credit points.

Because of the news story, the Treasury has closed up the loophole, alas.

I heard that story about the dollar coins! There was a mind-boggling description of the vault where they keep bags and bags of them. It's huuuuuge.

(I love dollar coins. I think people should use them.)

So the dollar coins were being treated as an addition to the balance in your account, instead of just being the same money in a different form?

So basically it was a loophole around cash deduction without mandatory interest with your credit card? Crafty.

I *really* want the points. Travelling business/first class last Christmas was addictive, but there's no way in hell I'm paying asking price for that shit. I'm startled by the idea anyone does. I assumed everyone's working points and frequent flier accounts, etc. I mean, I don't know any rich people who haven't translated that into FF points, I guess. Which means I don't really know rich. However "I'm going to Singapore for the weekend just to rack up points. Maybe I'll buy cheap silk and pearls when I'm there." is plenty rich from where I'm standing.

you could order a couple thousand dollar coins directly from the treasury (for face value!) and then turn around and deposit them in your bank to pay off the credit card. (You know, the "legal tender" thing.) But because you'd legitimately spent the money, you got the credit points.

Oh my God, it's money that pays for itself! AND creates virtual money! Amazing!

I assumed everyone's working points and frequent flier accounts

I used to just take the cashback, but then my card started offering airline tickets, so for $250 or less, I can get a ticket up to $400. The problem, I found, is that the price the travel agent has is more than the price I can see on the website, so it's not the best deal...but it's still a deal. Sort of.

That 100 sitcom episodes site crashed my computer.

I recently gave $50 to a kickstarter which was for a former actor at work who was making a movie. He was only in one show, and had a really small part, and I atually thought he was kind of a dumb ass, because he COULD NOT keep his shirt tucked in backstage and one of the dressers had t fix him every time. But the preview of the movie looked good, plus, I really like supporting Kickstarter projects.

So, I get an email today thanking me for helping fund the project and explaining how to get my reward. Which is a motivational wake-up call from this former student. DO NOT WANT. That just seems so weird-- like possibly cute for people really close to him, and maybe fun for complete strangers, but for me-- no thanks.

Can you give the reward to someone else?

I have a friend with awesome credit who, back in the day of high interest rates, bought his *house* on his credit card. His credit was so impeccable that his rate was lower than the going mortgage rates. Admittedly, it was a crack house in a terrible neighborhood, which he then gutted and renovated, and petitioned the city council until they replaced all the sidewalks.

I am DONE with proofing this client's final drafts! WOO! Sunday night is FREE. Bring on the books and TV, baybee!

Anyone who flies first-class more than once is rich, by my standards. I got upgraded for free once by a very nice person (airport lady, I hope you are having a nice day!) because my friend and I were...I dunno? Nice? Broke? Nice AND broke? I have no idea. And it was the Charlotte to Mexico leg of the trip and it was SWEET!!

I think I have a very low bar for what is wealthy, in my eyes.

Anyone who flies first-class more than once is rich, by my standards

Hahhha! I fly first class all the time. I am not rich (though I am certainly not poor either). But other than with frequent flier miles, I've never PAID for first class...