Thurs, So I showered

 Is it really Thursday? I'm losing track of the days of the week. I actually woke up pretty excited to start my day. I jumped in my lukewarm shower with undesirable water pressure. It was more of a long-rinse. I just couldn't bring myself to use soap. Too much effort.

I'd just been having these weird sweats and felt gross.

I have some shopping to do, and even though I've been putting it off but also looking forward to doing it, I don't feel the motivation at the moment. Maybe when the sun comes back.

I suddenly feel quite sleepy.

I want to work on some paper CEs.

A bit sad one of my bank bonuses didn't post. I thought it was supposed to be super fast. I wonder if I didn't use the right referral. Oh well. I'm going to try not to cry. Tomorrow, my next step is to just do 5 more transfers. And then there's nothing else I can do.

I got a little discouraged last night because I tried to apply for Upgrade's line of credit card. Even with a soft inquiry, I was declined. I actually was going to legitimately use them as a new bank because I really want my current bank to have some alerts. A quick online search led to a NerdWallet review that led me to Upgrade. 

Then when I saw the bonus that comes with their line of credit + checking, I was like, perfect! But now that I wasn't approved for the line of credit, I don't want to open the checking account just yet because it will disqualify me for the bonus in the future. Also, not sure how I missed that on DoC since I'm on their site pretty regularly. I guess they launched in 2021.  Hmm. I might sign up for the DoC newsletter. It'll give me some mail to open.

But so this led me to trying to figure out what's going on with my credit score and these "hard inquiries." It doesn't seem like it's that many, given my recent history of opening 2 to 3 credit cards a year for the last couple years. And I hadn't closed them as abruptly as I originally thought.

From what I can figure, there are 2 things happening. I think the reporting algorithims are having trouble with my name change. When I search for my credit report with Name 1 vs Name 2, I get 2 different credit reports!  (Spoiler: I think moving forward even it makes things a little harder and I get more declines initially, I'm moving forward with Name 2 for banking stuff; I want to extend this to all my life, but I hate using my real name on online forms, so we shall see). 

Anyway, from what I can figure, the one credit card I've had for 10+ years might have stopped reporting as Name 1 to TransUnion when I had Credit Card update my name last year. So I think on Name 1's credit, it looks like I have no open credit cards. 

And for Name 2, it looks like I've only had that credit card for less than a year if it shows up at all. 

And on 1 report - it looks like I have 2 mortgages, and on another, it looks like I have 2 student loans because both were transferred and closed at some point to different lenders. And it doesn't help that we're not paying on student loans right now.

So the reporting agencies are spitting out nonsense that doesn't make sense. I tried explaining this to one CSR and she was not having it. I didn't really understand what was going on with my credit report either because I am still unsure how invested I am in travel hacking. I was just poking around, but now it's turned into this whole thing. Honestly, I'm not that motivated to solve it.

I was wondering how this might impact my applying for the Fidelity card in the future, and I did a quick search and at least they have a reconsideration line so maybe a person can manually look at my stuff and approve me. 

In other news, I tried to buy the Ashley Tibbee chaise lounger after another bone-hitting experience on the futon.

First, I'm pretty sure I tried to buy this same chair while I was at Call Center #1!

Second, a quick search showed three different prices

Ashley: $499 (w/ delivery and tax, it was $620)

Macy's: $649

ACF: $370 (free shipping)

Really! I don't even know what made me decide to look for it in other places. But isn't that funny!

So I wasn't ready to pay $620, so I was deciding between some $200-$300 chaise lounges at Wayfair. They looked fine but the $900 one from Kelly Clarkson looked even better!

When I finally stumbled upon the $370 one I felt like that was a good compromise to get the brand name (and hope that means better). I whipped out my credit card; unfroze it; and it was declined! I was so mystified with all my recent credit problems, that I even called the credit card company. They were no help, they just said try again!

Every year now since about the time I was looking at moving, so around 2019, this bank has let me down 1-3 times where my credit/debit card gets declined for no apparent reason.  (I think that started my new search for a better bank, part 2). 

So I was confused for a little bit. Not believing in signs but just genuinely confused, I decided to wait and sleep on it. Nothing clearer happened. I just don't feel as motivated to buy the chair.

Thing 3: This same thing happened when I tried to buy this chair but with my credit union's debit card! On a completely different site. And that was like at least 5 years ago.  How wild right! 

I don't know what's going on but my capacity for this is diminished. The sun is out, so I'm feeling like I should go run some errands.

Let me see how much of my shopping list I can actually order for curbside pickup at Walmart!

In other news, I am getting more comfortable with my new life and my new name. It definitely wasn't what I envisioned but here we are.

(Side note: when trying to look into the Walmart app, I just checked my messages and the French girl finally responded! I was a little bit thrown off when she didn't respond. So this makes more sense.)

I really want to start stretching because yesterday my fingers and elbow were pretty achy and I looked up arthritis and it can result from inactivity. I don't know how to motivate myself. Repetitive actions with no purpose just isn't something I can do longterm. 

I think when things settle COVID/weather wise, I will just try to do seasonal sports - that way, I pay for it, so I'll be more inclined to go, and it's in short bursts so it's more manageable and I can get variety. Top of mind - rock climbing, dance, softball.  Well at least I have a why - don't get arthritis. It has nothing to do with living longer (or boosting my mood). I just hate pain. And it has nothing to do with being in shape to attract a man. 

So that's where I am. Toodles!