What is a Credit Card Shuffle?

A credit card shuffle is a very smart way to place your credit card debts under your thumb so that they are most manageable. “Manageable” in this context means you get to have the most effective ways of paying them off at the best interest rates in the most feasible pay-off time frames.

Is this even possible? The answer is, of course, it is.

What exactly is a Credit Card Shuffle?

Basically, then a credit card shuffle is the act of enrolling to a new credit card company and transferring your outstanding balance into that new credit card in order to benefit from lower interest rates and more manageable repayment “grace periods.”

The aforementioned interest rates and pay-off benefits of credit card shuffle comes in, basically, by “shuffling” credit cards.

This debt repayment resort is done by applying for a new credit card and transferring some or all of your balance into that new credit card.

In the event that your enrollment for a new credit card is successful, the new credit card company will “pay-off” the balance you owe to your previous credit card company. This time instead of owing the money to the previous company you will now repay the debt to your new credit card company.

Things to Consider when doing Credit Card Shuffle

The factors to count in to effectively get that foresight of your shuffling success mainly revolve around three things. These three things are…

1. How much balance you will transfer from your existing credit card to the new one? Eye on the areas which you are most likely to lose repayment control such as those with rising APR and/or those with sky-rocketing effective APR. Also, consider leveraging free balance transfer fees by applying for a long-term credit deal. However, get around a repayment plan so that you can pay-off the balance as soon as possible.

2. Your new credit card’s APR. Most companies offer their new clients the benefit of zero APR for the first 6 months. See if these 6 months of 0% APR will actually save you a significant amount in comparison to how much you will be paying for this portion of the dues in the existing credit card.

3. How much will you be able to pay your new credit company for the balance you have transferred? The length of time it will take for you to repay the balance you have transferred will greatly increase your chances of breaking free from your exiting and your new credit card’s interest rates. Also, being able to repay the credit faster, as in being able to settle the balance before the zero APR period expires, will enable you to slash a huge amount off of repayments and interests.

The secret behind the success in getting the most out of a credit card shuffle lies in getting your repayment priorities straight and having the patience to look around for that credit card company who will help you maximize your credit card shuffle benefits.

Written by www.money-meerkat.co.uk

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Gault Homestead

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Inscription:

Included as part of a 320-acre land grant awarded to J.P. Whelin in payment for his service to the Republic of Texas Army, this property has had a long and varied history. Soon after he was granted the land, Whelin sold it to Nathaniel C. Raymond, who in turn sold it to John M. Gault two years later.

Gault built a log cabin on the Whelin grant in the 1850s, and he and his family established a farm. In 1855 they purchased adjoining land from Captain Nelson Merrill and soon thereafter built a larger home on that tract of land.

Gault died about 1865 and was buried in Merrilltown Cemetery. The homestead property remained in his family until 1892, when it was sold to William and Edna Graves. They maintained the Gault homestead as tenant property for a number of years, during which the original cabin was enlarged with a board-and-batten addition. R.C. Cox acquired the property in 1929, and his family lived in the cabin through the following decade.

After a succession of owners, the Gault homestead became part of a modern housing development in the 1980s. It remains as a reminder of the Merrilltown community and of the county’s early rural heritage.

Location:
2106 Klantenhoff Dr.
Erected:
1990

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Pflugerville, Texas

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Inscription:

Henry Pfluger (1803-67), who migrated from Germany to Texas in 1849-50, moved his large family here in 1853. Other settlers joined them, and in 1872 a school was begun on Henry Lisso's farm. Immanuel Lutheran Church was founded in 1874. Primarily a farming settlement, Pflugerville had no commercial businesses until 1890, when Louis Bohls built a general store. A post office was opened there in 1893 with Bohls as postmaster. In 1891 two community organizations were formed: the German-American Mutual Assurance Association, to insure townspeople against natural disasters; and "Pflugerville Schuetzen and kegel verain," a shooting and bowling club.

The village began to grow when the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad arrived in 1904, George Pfluger (1834-1910) and his son Albert (1878-1969) platted the townsite, and George donated land for a train depot and a school. Early businesses included drugstores, groceries, a hotel, grist mill, cotton gin, ice factory and Archie Ward started a telephone system. Farmers State Bank, chartered in 1906, became First State Bank in 1933. A newspaper "The Pflugerville Press," was published from 1907 until 1942.

Erected:
1976

Location:
101 S. 3rd Street Pflugerville, Texas

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Location:
4801 La Crosse Ave.
Austin, Texas 78739
512.232.0100

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Admission:
Regular Admission Rates:
$9 Adults
$7 Seniors 65 years and older
$7 Students 13 years and older
$3 Children 5 through 12

Free for Members and Children 4 years and under

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Hours of Operation:
Wildflower Center grounds:
9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday
Noon to 5:30 p.m. Sunday
Closed Mondays except Labor Day

Visitors Gallery, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday noon to 4 p.m.
The Store, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Sunday noon to 4 p.m.
Wildflower Café, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday noon to 4 p.m.

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Closed July 4 and Thanksgiving day.

Parking:
Free

Handicapped Accessible:
Yes.

The Center's grounds and buildings are wheelchair accessible excluding the Observation Tower and the Woodland and the Savanna Meadow Trails.

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

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Jolly Cemetery

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Inscription:

This pioneer burial ground is a reminder of the area's earliest settlers. It was formally set aside by John Grey Jolly (1825–99) and his wife, Nancy Isabel (Eskew) (1825–1921)—both buried here—for whom Jollyville community was named. The earliest marked grave is that of Margaret Evergreen Robinson, who died in 1872. Others buried here include five citizens of the Republic of Texas—members of the Thomas V. S. Strode family, who settled in this area of the state in 1841. The last burial in the Jolly Cemetery, that of Texas Confederate veteran Charlie Strode, took place in 1929.

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Erected:
1986
Location:
8600 Spicewood Springs Rd Austin TX 78750
The Jolly cemetery now sits smack in the middle of a huge collection of apartment buildings. A fence surrounds the cemetery, with a single entrance leading from a gravel trail extending from Spicewood Springs Apartments (next to building 10). Hanging from a tree at the entrance was a sign that reads "Jolly Cemetery" (When I was there the sign was laying on the ground). The historical marker sits along Spicewood Springs.

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

The entrance is actually inside the Spicewood Springs Apartments. Use the entrance nearest the historical marker. If you go around the bend, you will see a gravel trail on the left that follows the fence line. It will lead you to the cemetery (when it bends back and goes along building number 10)!

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

The sad thing was the poor condition of this cemetery. Broken headstones and entrance sign that was laying on the ground rather then hanging from the tree as it should be.  Something needs to be done to fix the cemetery up and continue showing the respect to residents who are burried here. 

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Lakeline Mall Murals

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

These ase some of the murals that brighten up the walls at Lakeline Mall. This mall is also home to a nine-screen movie theater and 18 restaurants and eateries. Lakeline Mall is located in Cedar Park, in the northwest section of Austin, Texas. It is located at the crossroads of US 183 and RR 620.

In addition the mall has some amazing architecture. All the pictures were taken near the food court and cenimas.

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Location:
11200 Lakeline Mall Dr, Cedar Park, TX 78613
Hours:
Monday - Saturday: 10am - 9pm
Sunday: 12pm - 6pm
(Holiday and store hours may vary)
Contact:
(512) 257-8500

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

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Time To Pursue the Dream

Two years ago I left Topeka, gave up my comfort zone and what I knew. Amidst harsh criticism of my move and even my marriage at the same-time.  In the process I became debt-free. The past two years have not been easy. This site, especially the blog has floundered, as I really didn't know what to do with it. Even as DebtFree4ever transitioned into WisdomSteps101.
One day recently, after prayer  my wife said that she felt the Holy Spirit tell her that I should pursue my dream of owning my own convenience store. One of the dreams, that I felt I needed to leave Kansas to pursue in the first place. A dream that I have discussed a few times over the years on this very blog. The question was how.
After some time at the grocery store here in Texas, I was asked to fill a spot in the fuel station. Was God preparing me to learn how a fuel station operates? Perhaps. Still my dream would take money. How would I ever see my dream come to fruition?
Then one of the books in the fuel station for station employees to read caught my eye. It was The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson, the author of The Prayer Jabez. In the Dream Giver, he discussed leaving your comfort zone as a first step. Something I obviously did a couple years ago. So far I have read three chapters, in which he talks about facing the hurdles (and the "bullies") that get in the way of your dream and not giving up. That is why I have decided to share my experiences as I pursue my dream.
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Free Admission Sunday July 29, 2012 - Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is celebrating the centennial of Lady Bird. Johnson’s birth. The Wildflower Center goes all out Sunday, July 29, 2012 to honor their founder, and all she has done for our nation's treasured environment. On that one day and that day only the Wildflower Center will have Free Admission. Yes you read that right, Free Admission, between 9 am and 5 pm.

The Wildflower Center goes all out Sunday, July 29 to honor our founder, Lady Bird Johnson, and all she has done for our nation's treasured environment. Admission will be FREE for visitors as we commemorate the centennial of Mrs. Johnson’s birth and unveil a new exhibit about her conservation focus that will travel nationally. Other offerings include a special one-day showing of historic pens Lady Bird received from LBJ that he used as president to sign conservation legislation inspired by her efforts. Enjoy exhibits, children’s activities and more during extended hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Lunch, drinks, snacks and ice cream are available in the Wildflower Café, noon to 4 p.m.
- The Wildflower Center

The Wildflower Center is located at:

4801 La Crosse Ave.
Austin, Texas 78739
512.232.0100

Regular Admission Rates:
$9 Adults
$7 Seniors 65 years and older
$7 Students 13 years and older
$3 Children 5 through 12

Free for Members and Children 4 years and under

Normal Hours of Operation:
Wildflower Center grounds:
9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday
Noon to 5:30 p.m. Sunday
Closed Mondays except Labor Day

Visitors Gallery, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday noon to 4 p.m.
The Store, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Sunday noon to 4 p.m.
Wildflower Café, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday noon to 4 p.m.

Closed July 4 and Thanksgiving day.



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The Old Zimmerman Home

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Inscription:

Edward E. Zimmerman came to Texas, 1844, from Germany; settled here, 1854, with wife Regina Reinhard. They had 5 children. Zimmerman built this early Texas farmhouse, 1861, of hand-hewn cream colored rock from nearby hills; lumber from Bull Creek mills. One of first residences on route of Shawnee Trail (used by traders, immigrants, Indians, and famous as a cattle trail in 1850’s and 1860’s). Regina once shot a bear at back door.

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Erected:
1967
Location:
at or near 1600 Payton Gin Rd, Austin TX 78753

The Settlement Home for Children, located on Payton Gin Road in north Austin, was once the Old Zimmerman House. Built with the sturdy construction found in Germany and architecturally inspired by the style of early Texas homes in Fredericksburg, it is estimated that the house was built in 1861. The Zimmerman family raised their children here and the house was passed down in the family through the 1920’s.

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

The Settlement Club purchased the home and the 10 acres it sits on in 1964. In 1967, in recognition of the historical value of the restored house, The Settlement Club was awarded a bronze medallion from the Texas State Historical Survey Committee.

Since that time, the house has changed both inside and outside, but the integrity and distinctive look have been maintained. The old house, which now serves as the main front office of The Settlement Home, has served as an architectural inspiration for the additional cottages and buildings that now sit on the 10 acres.
- Settlement Home

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Walnut Creek Baptist Church

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Inscription:

Organized in Burdett schoolhouse in 1856 with 10 members. First pastor was the Rev. R.B. Burleson.

Stone for the original structure was quarried locally. Lumber was hauled by ox-wagons from Bastrop.

In early days, building served as schoolhouse.

Erected:
1969

Handicapped Accessibility:The marker is visible to all persons from the driveway. If a person wanted to get closer to the sign then the driveway, then it would not be accessible.

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Location:
12200 N Lamar Blvd, Austin TX 78753


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Fiskville

Photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Inscription:
 Two area pioneers were Josiah Fisk, who arrived in 1846, and Edward Zimmerman, who came in 1854; both brought their families to the farming lands outside Austin. Zimmerman became the first Postmaster in 1873, when more than 150 people lived in Fiskville, a dispersed agricultural community along Little Walnut Creek. Most residents were farmers, but the settlement also supported several businesses. These included gins belonging to G.W. Corzine (Cazine), a former slave, and to Andrew Payton. The community and its schools eventually became part of Austin. The Fiskville Cemetery, Zimmerman’s 1854 home and area street names serve as links to the early farming settlement.

Location:
8830 N Lamar Blvd, Austin TX 78753

Erected:
2005

Photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Free Meals all Week for my Birthday

Last night my son-in-law took my wife and I out to eat to celebrate my birthday which is coming up on Friday July 13. We went to Chilies. The kitchen staff got my special ordered "Old-timmer" hamburger wrong so we ended up getting my burger fee. They messed it up by serving me a burger with guacamole on it.  Then as we were finishing up and Eric and his girlfriend paid for the meal the staff came out and sang their version of happy birthday and served me a free desert.

Free birthday desert at Chili's -- Photo by Kevin Surbaugh

In addition this morning my wife and I enjoyed a breakfast at I-Hop thanks to their free birthday meal.
However, that's not all.  I could literally get something for every meal in honor of my birthday all week. Here is a list of the other birthday deals that I am signed up for...

1. Get a free Blizzard at Dairy Queen by joining DQ Blizzard Fan Club
   
2. a free 16-ounce fruit drink for your birthday by joining OJ Quench Club at Orange Julius
3. a free meal at SouperSalad by joining their Souper Fresh Club.
4. A free Sundae at Culver's. I hate going to places that serve Pepsi rather then Coke products, but I can suffer though to get a free Sundae.  I must admit their food tastes good, but would be 3x better with a coke then the Pepsi crap they serve. 
5. Get a Free Grand Slam on the day of your birthday when you sign up for  Denny's Rewards program. Just have to print out the email and show your id to claim your free Grand Slam.
   

So as you can see it be a full week of great discounts.  If I want I can find more.  Deal Seeking Mom has a complete list.   It would be easy to eat all 21 meals the entire week completely free, especially if someone was single and eating alone and well they don't call me the "Prince of Thrift" for nothing.  It's also a great way to check out places that you have never ate at before as well.  For example, even though I own Berkshire Hathaway I have never been to an Orange Julius in my life.  The freebie for my birthday would be great introduction to this fast food place that I technically am a stock holder of. 

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Jollyville Community and School

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Inscription:

This area was first settled in the 1840s by Henry Rhodes. He was soon joined by such pioneers as Elisha Prewitt, who fought in the Battle of San Jacinto, and Civil War veterans Elisha Rhodes, J. Bryon Jenkins, and William H. Thompson, whose home at this site served as a stage stop. In 1866 Confederate veteran John G. Jolly established the Jollyville community. The owner of a store and blacksmith shop, he gave land for a cemetery and for a school (200 ft. W), which was merged with Pond Springs in 1903. Later growth in the Jollyville area resulted from nearby urban development.

Erected:
1983
Location:
Is near
12883 Pond Springs Road, Austin TX 78729

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Pond Springs Community and School

Photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Inscription:

After James O. Rice settled in the 1850s near a spring-fed pond, the area was called “Pond Springs”. By 1854 a log school building was erected near the pond (1 Mi. N) and also served for worship and a social center. Thomas S. Rutledge ran a nearby store, post office and blacksmith shop. After the post office closed in 1880 and the Austin & Northwestern Railroad bypassed Pond Springs in 1882, the community declined. The school was consolidated in 1903 with Jollyville, moved to this site in 1927, and became part of the Round Rock district in 1969.

Erected:
1979
Location:
7825 Elkhorn Mountain Trl, Austin TX 78729 (in the schools parking lot)

Photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Balcones Fault Aids Colonization of Texas

photograph by Kevin Surbaugh

photograph by Kevin Surbaugh

Inscription:

Curving through the center of Texas from Hill County south and west to Uvalde County is the rugged escarpment-fault called Balcones. The abundance of natural resources associated with this geologic formation affected the pattern of colonization in Texas. The numerous springs and wooded hills of the escarpment and adjacent fertile prairies attracted Indian tribes and Spanish colonists before the area was permanently settled by Anglo-American pioneers.

Spanish explorer Bernardo De Miranda in 1756 named the formation “Los Balcones”, meaning “Balconies”. Part of El Camino Real, the “King’s Highway”, skirted the fault line. Spanish missions and presidios were located at Springs near San Antonio, Austin, and elsewhere, but many Spanish settlements disappeared before 1800.

Anglo-Americans led by Stephen F. Austin began to settle near the Balcones escarpment before 1830. Through their courage and determination, early pioneer settlements grew into the towns and cities that today dot the fault line. The town of Austin, with its combination of beauty and natural resources, was chosen capital of the independent Republic of Texas, which became the 28th state of the United States.

erected: 1976
Location: Marker is on North Capital of Texas Highway (State Highway 360), on the right when traveling south, through West Austin in Travis County, just west of Spicewood Springs Road.

Thien Hau Buddhist Temple

Photo  by Kevin Surbaugh

 Thien Hau Buddhist Temple (12248 N Lamar Boulevard) is one of approximately six Buddhist temples in Austin. It is probably the most architecturally appealing.


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In the Year King Uzziah Died, I saw...

(Isaiah 6:1) In the Year King Uzziah Died, I saw...
Location: North Austin Christian Church, 1779 Rutland Drive (inside)

Photograph by Kevin Surbaugh

Photograph by Kevin Surbaugh

Photograph by Kevin Surbaugh