ENTER To WIN a FREE MSR Freelite 2 Ultralight Tent

The new MSR Freelite 2 is an ultralight double wall tent weighing 2 pounds 11 ounces that has 2 doors and ample interior room for wide sleeping pads and gear.

The MSR Freelite 2 Backpacking Tent (MSRP $439.95) is a lightweight, two-person, double walled tent that weighs 2 pounds 11 ounces that puts more emphasis on interior space and livability than other lightweight double-walled tents in its class. Easy to set up, the FreeLite 2 is a nice option if you want a lightweight backpacking tent that can serve double duty as a spacious one person tent when you hike alone, or a two person tent when you backpack with a partner. Ventilation in the tent is good, with an abundant quantity of mesh in the inner tent and good separation between the rain fly and inner tent to promote air flow. The inclusion of two doors and two vestibules makes this tent doubly livable and comfortable and will be a sure hit with anyone you can convince to go camping with you.

To Enter

To enter this random raffle to win a MSR Freelite 2 Backpacking Tent, answer the following questions in a comment below.

1. Do you use a footprint when you set up a camping tent or shelter?
2. If yes, why? Please explain briefly (so others can learn.)
3. If yes, do you use a footprint or groundsheet that is specifically designed for your tent or something else?
4. If something else, what is it?

Example Responses

I own a few different tents, but I always use a footprint when I pitch them to protect the bottom from abrasion. I use a big piece of tyvek that fits underneath all of them, rather than buying a separate footprint for each one.

I always sleep in a hammock, so no footprint, ever. :-)

I like to put a piece of plastic underneath my tent so rain doesn’t leak through it. I don’t own the footprint for this tent, but use the thin plastic that comes in a shrinkwrap window insulation kit because it’s lightweight and easy to replace when it wears out.

I sleep in a MLD Duomid pyramid tarp with an inner tent that has a floor. I never use a footprint. Too heavy. 

I camp under a flat tarp and use a cuben fiber groundsheet to keep sand and moisture away from my sleeping bag.

Deadline to Enter

The deadline to enter this raffle is Monday, July 25, 2016, at midnight EST.

• All raffle entrants will have one chance to win.
• A winner will be selected randomly from all valid entries.
• Please keep everything rated G.
• The prize winner can live anywhere that has postal service (including international.)
• If you have any questions, leave a comment.

Leave a Comment to Enter

1. Do you use a footprint when you set up a camping tent or shelter?
2. If yes, why? Please explain briefly (so others can learn.)
3. If yes, do you use a footprint or groundsheet that is specifically designed for your tent or something else?
4. If something else, what is it?

           

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We All Buy Groceries — Here are the Cards That Will Earn You the Most Cash Back

When it comes to things people buy most often, food has to be at the top of the list. Whether it’s eating out at a local restaurant or purchasing groceries to make a meal for your family, food is just one of those basic human necessities that you have to spend money on. So, it should come as no surprise that many credit cards offer incentives for grocery purchases, most in the form of cash back rewards.

Some great credit cards for groceries have come and gone. Many of you might have the old Sallie Mae Barclaycard Mastercard, an amazing card for all-around rewards with 5% back on gas and groceries and no annual fee. Unfortunately, that card is no longer available, but let’s look at some of the best cash back cards for groceries.

Cash Back Cards

American Express Blue Cash Preferred^®

The Blue Cash Preferred® card is a front-runner for cash back at grocery stores. It clocks in at 6% cash back at grocery stores in the United States, up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then, it drops to 1%). It also offers 3% cash back at gas stations and select department stores, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

The card carries a $75 annual fee, but you’d earn that back after $1,250 in groceries (just spending around $100/month). Furthermore, the current offer on the card gives you $150 back after $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months, which would pay for the annual fee for the first two years.

You can learn more about the card here.

American Express Blue Cash Everyday^®

The Blue Cash Everyday^® card is very similar to the Preferred, but with no annual fee. Instead of 6% cash back, it offers 3% cash back at grocery stores, again capped at $6,000 in spending per year. It also carries a similar cash back bonus of $100 back after $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months, as well as 2% cash back at gas stations and select department stores, and 1% on all other purchases.

This is a great card if you don’t think you’ll spend enough money each year to cover the Preferred’s $75 annual fee.

You can learn more about this card here.

BankAmericard Cash Rewards™

The BankAmericard Cash Rewards™ is a solid all-purpose card, and offers 2% cash back on groceries. It also offers 2% on warehouse stores and 3% on gas, and all of the cash back rewards are available on up to $1,500 in purchases quarterly. It has no annual fee and currently boasts an introductory 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 60 days after opening your card.

Currently, they are also offering a $100 cash reward bonus, just for spending $500 in purchases within 90 days of opening the account.

Chase Freedom^®

The Chase Freedom^® offers 5% cash back rotating quarterly on up to $1,500 in purchases in that three-month period. Chase changes the categories every 3 months, and right now, unfortunately, we’re at the end of the grocery store bonus period (it’ll end on June 30th). This is a great card as the quarterly rotations can really add up for other common purchases like restaurant meals, online shopping, and department stores. This card has no annual fee, and earns 1% on all other purchases. It also has a sign-up bonus of $150 back when you spend $500 in the first 3 months.

(Of note, the Discover It^® Cashback Match™ card is a similar rotating-category card that earns 5% cash back, though grocery stores are not currently listed on their cashback calendar.)

Points Cards

American Express Everyday^® Preferred

The EveryDay® cards by American Express are the points-earning counterparts to the Blue Cash cards. The Preferred card earns 3x Membership Rewards points at supermarkets up to $6,000 in purchases per year, 2x points at gas stations, and 1x everywhere else. It also carries a neat 50% points bonus if you use your card 30 or more times in a billing period, effectively netting you 4.5x MR points. The sign-up bonus right now is 15,000 MR points after $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months, though historically it’s been as high as 30,000 points.

The Everyday^® Preferred has a $95 annual fee, so it’s a little steeper than its cash back cousin, but Membership Rewards points are relatively valuable and carry a lot of redemption flexibility. The real key to earning the most value from this card is whether or not you’ll use it for those 30 or more times in a statement cycle.

American Express Everyday^®

The Everyday^® card, similar to the Blue Cash Everyday^® card, carries no annual fee. It earns 2x Membership Rewards points at supermarkets up to $6,000 in purchases per year and 1x everywhere else. Instead of the 50% points bonus, it offers 20%, though you’ll need to use the card just 20 times in a billing period to earn that.

American Express^® Premier Rewards Gold

The Premier Rewards Gold card is a very flexible card that can earn you significant Membership Rewards points.  When purchasing groceries, you’ll earn 2x Membership Rewards points, but it doesn’t stop there. You’ll also earn 2x points at restaurants and gas stations, and 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines. That makes this card a great points earner, and it carries some additional benefits on top of that. The card offers a $100 airline fee credit for incidentals like baggage fees, and carries a hefty sign-up bonus: 50,000 MR points after spending $1,000 in 3 months.

The downside to this card is its $195 annual fee, though it’s waived for the first year. Consider this card if you want to use it for more than just groceries, as the sign-up bonus and 3x airline points are quite valuable.

American Express^® Hilton HHonors™ Surpass

If you’re interested in Hilton points, the HHonors Surpass is a really compelling card. You’ll earn 6x Hilton HHonors™ Bonus points for every dollar you spend at grocery stores, restaurants, or gas stations. You’ll also earn 12x points at participating Hilton hotels, and 3x points on all other purchases. The card also carries complimentary Hilton HHonors™ Gold status, earning you a 25% HHonors base points bonus, and every 5th night free on standard room stays of 5 nights or more. There are other Gold status benefits, as well, like complimentary wi-fi and late check-out. The current sign-up bonus on this card is 75,000 Hilton HHonors™ Bonus points after you spend $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months.

This card has a $75 annual fee that is not waived, but it’s a compelling card if you’re looking for a hotel card, particularly if you find yourself frequenting the Hilton line.

My Picks

If I were choosing one of these, I’d have to go with either the Blue Cash Preferred® or Everyday^® Preferred. A solid 6% cash back just can’t be beat, and you can argue that the MR points earned by the Everyday^® Preferred can match or exceed that value. The Blue Cash Preferred® quickly earns back its annual fee and can net you significant cash back if you’re a big grocery buyer, to the tune of $295 annually if used to its capacity. The Everyday^® Preferred, when used properly, can earn you 27,000 MR points in a year, and at a rough value of ~$0.02/point, that’s $540 in flexible redemptions.

Happy shopping!

The post We All Buy Groceries — Here are the Cards That Will Earn You the Most Cash Back appeared first on The Dough Roller.

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Tenkara Rod Company Sawtooth Rod and Package Review

The Tenkara Rod Company Sawtooth Package includes most of the components you need to start Tenkara fishing – rod, line, line holder, flies, a protective carrying sleeve and hard case.

If you’re interested in trying Tenkara Fly Fishing and have never fished before, I recommend that you get a Tenkara Package like the Tenkara Rod Company Sawtooth Kit (rod, line, flies, and accessories) which includes all of the basic components you need to get started and is backed up with some good instructional videos on the web. I wish it had been available when I learned Tenkara fly fishing because and it took me a long time to assemble all of the pieces of a Tenkara setup.

Don’t underestimate the learning curve for Tenkara if you’ve never fly fished before. Most of the information you find online about Tenkara is written by people who can’t remember what being a beginner fisherman is like. Tenkara and its accessories are also sufficiently different from mainstream fly fishing that you’ll get horribly confused by trying to make sense of the babel of terminology, technology, techniques offered up by the pundits.

If you already fly fish with a rod and reel, I’d recommend you skip the Sawtooth Package but consider buying the Sawtooth Rod ($128) and 13’5 feet of line by themselves. Chances are you already have everything else offered in the package and don’t need the other accessories.

The Sawtooth Package

Tenkara Rod Company’s (TRC) Sawtooth Package includes the following:

• 12 ft Sawtooth rod
• Protective rod sleeve and plastic case
• 13.5′ of high visibility orange tapered line
• Circular line holder
• 3 Tenkara flies

Unfortunately, it is missing one very important component called tippet that you need to buy before you can start fly fishing. Tippet is a near-invisible monofilament line that you tie to the end of the high visibility tapered line at one end and your fly on the other. It breaks often, so you to replace it peridocially. TRC sells their own branded tippet for $5. I also recommend Rio Powerflex Tippet 4X, which is ideal for trout.

Besides that, the Sawtooth package is a good value for beginners. There are still a number of ways to tweak it but that’s knowledge and know-how that you don’t need at the beginning and you won’t be able to appreciate until you’ve gone fishing a half dozen times.

The Sawtooth Rod is 20 inches collapsed

The Sawtooth Rod

The Sawtooth is a twelve-foot rod that weighs 3.2 ounces with nine collapsible sections and a 20 inch collapsed length. Twelve feet is a good rod length for mountain streams and small rivers that don’t have a lot of overhead vegetation.

The base of the rod is covered with a 11.25″ cork handle with a bronze-colored screw-on butt cap. The cap has come unscrewed on my rod a few times, so I check to make sure it’s tight whenever I remove the Sawtooth from its protective case. The danger is that the collapsible sections will fall through the rod handle if the cap comes undone and potentially break. It’s pretty easy to reassemble the rod afterwards, but annoying to do in the field. Still knowing how to do it is useful if you ever break the rod tip and need to substitute a broken section for a new one.

Bronze screw-on butt at base of rod

When you extend the Sawtooth rod, it’s important to give each segment a little tug to make sure that it’s firmly inserted into its neighbor: there’s a little play between the segments that can result in the rod collapsing unexpectedly or the lillian can get caught between the uppermost segments and break. A little precaution goes a long way to avoiding this though.

Despite this, the Sawtooth is a fun rod to fish with and very easy to cast with a simple movement of your wrist and forearm. There’s good sensitivity when fish hit the hook, even with the furled line included in the Sawtooth package. The manufacturer rates the action at 5:5 although it feels softer. Casting accuracy is very good and the rod handles nicely when hauling in small to medium-sized trout under one foot in length. It’s a excellent value for the money and I enjoy fishing with it.

Protective Carrying Sleeve and Hard Case

The Sawtooth is long enough that you’re going to want to carry it around with its protective plastic hard case. The protective plastic case weighs 4.5 ounces and holds one rod. It has a screw-on cap at the end. You can also use it interchangeably with other Tenkara rods. I consider a protective case a must have for longer rods, although you can often dispense with one if you get a very short 8′ rod for small stream fishing. I never carry the protective sleeve that comes with the Sawtooth because I don’t see a need for it. The sleeve also inhibits drying when your rod gets wet.

High Visibility Orange Tapered Line

The Sawtooth comes with 13.5′ feet of high visibility orange tapered line with a tippet ring at the end. While less sensitive than flourocarbon line, it’s easier to cast for a beginner since the line is denser and heavier and less prone to the wind. The line length is too long if fishing narrow mountain streams, but good for reaching both sides of whitewater sections on smaller rivers, like the Miller’s River shown in the video above. While TRC sells a 10.5′ high visibility line, I’d recommend going down to 8′ or 9′, but this is something you’ll need to experiment with. It can be good to carry multiple lines with different lengths with you if you’re uncertain what fishing conditions will be like.

Traditional Tenkara braided line with black tippet ring

The tippet ring is a great addition to the line and helps preserve it. As far as I know, TRC is the only company to sell a high visibility tapered line with a tippet ring spliced on, although it’s easy enough to add your own.

Circular line holder

When fishing with a long line, a circular line holder like the one included in the Sawtooth Package is a convenient way to store your line when not in use. While you can run your rod through the center hole so you can wind up excess line as you move from spot to spot on a river, you can’t store a pre-attached line on your rod in the protective case, so it’s ready to go at a moments notice.

EZ Line Keeper on the Sawtooth Rod

I prefer to use EZ Keepers to wind up my line looping it around the end posts in a figure 8 pattern to prevent tangles, and stick the hook into the cork handle to secure it. That way, I can slide everything into my rod case and pull it out when I want to fish without any setup. It’s a matter of preference. I move around a lot on rivers and prefer to store my rod in its case as I bushwhack from one spot to the next.  They’re something I’ve added to the Sawtooth myself but TRC also sells them as an accessory.

Three Tenkara Flies

The three Tenkara flies that TRC includes in the Sawtooth package are unremarkable reverse hackle flies. Nice to have, but you’re going to want to buy several dozen inexpensive flies from a less expensive source. Most fisherman go through a bunch of flies every time they go fishing. They fall off, get caught in trees overhead, get caught on pieces of wood in the river, or fish run off with them. I usually carry a few dozen every time I go fishing.

The flies that most Tenkara specialists sell like TRC, Patagonia, or Tenkara USA sell are too expensive and simply not worth it. I recommend buying Tenkara flies from the Big Fly Company instead, at just $0.65 a pop. They also sell a wide variety of traditional fly fishing patterns which you can also fish on a Tenkara rod. Or you can learn to tie your own flies. It’s easy enough.

Instructional Videos

The TRC has a number of handy videos that will get you started and that add a lot of value to Sawtooth Package. They’re also good to give you a taste of what’s involved in a Tenkara setup if you’re interested in learning more about this highly portable form of fly fishing. They would have saved me a lot of time when I had to teach myself these techniques.

• Extending a Tenkara Rod
• Fastening Line to your Tenkara Rod
• Attaching a Tippet to your Tenkara Line
• Attaching a Fly to a Tippet on a Tenkara Rod
• Tenkara Casting
• Catching a Fish on a Tenkara Rod

Recommendation

The Tenkara Rod Company Sawtooth Package ($159) is a good Tenkara starter kit for beginners who want to try out Tenkara fly fishing without having to assemble a lot of disparate gear from multiple sources. Buying a kit will help get you started much faster and with a lot less frustration even if you have to replace elements as you gain more experience and angling skill improves. If you’re already an experienced fly fisherman, I’d recommend purchasing the Sawtooth Rod alone. It’s excellent for catching trout up to a foot in length on small rivers and mountain streams and at 12′ is a good all round rod for fishing many types of water from riffles to runs and everything in between.

Disclosure: Tenkara Rod Company and Garage Grown Gear provided Philip Werner with a sample Sawtooth Package for this review. 

           

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6 Ways to Find The Awesome Jobs That Never Get Advertised

The jobs we see advertised, whether online or in the press, are merely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what is actually available. In a competitive market, most employers know that they can hook candidates without spending cash on third party ads — leading to a vast majority of roles being filled without Joe Public ever even hearing of them.

We all know that things have changed out there, but learning how to tap into this unadvertised market can be tricky. There are awesome jobs waiting for your application, you just have to know where to look.

Try these ideas to get you started:

Use your network

Your network is the best place to start. And that’s true regardless of the sort of job you are looking for and whatever stage you’re at in your career. The odds of encountering people wanting to help you are stacked in your favor, as many companies offer a recruitment bonus for their employees. Get introduced to a job opportunity through a friend and you both win.

Start with the network you already have, and make sure that they all know you’re looking for work. Be as specific as possible so that people can really help, asking for introductions, leads, and informational interviews about different businesses.

Grow your ‘in person’ network by attending networking events, conferences, and meetups, through interest groups, business associations, and Chambers of Commerce. Step away from the buffet table and get talking.

Think outside the box when it comes to your network – the ‘in’ you need to a business you like might come from one of their suppliers, customers, or a personal friend of an employee.

Leverage social media

Once you are out of your comfort zone and chatting, networking in-person can be productive, intuitive, and even fun. But naturally, it is limited by where you are and what events you can attend. Social media, on the other hand, can be accessed 24/7 and give you a global reach — so no excuses.

LinkedIn is the original platform for professional networking, so make good use of it. But don’t overlook other social media channels, including FaceBook and Twitter. They all have their uses.

Using LinkedIn, you can make individual connections and join groups. Make sure that your profile is up to date and has the right keywords for your industry. This will reflect your skills in a way that recruiters can understand.

Get noticed by joining in the conversation, sharing interesting and original content, and commenting on discussions which are professionally appropriate. Once you have built relationships, use the platform to ask for the introductions or help you might need to push you forward on your job search.

Apply speculatively

One popular approach is that of ‘guerrilla job hunting’, a term coined from the world of guerrilla marketing. Just as guerilla marketing takes alternative and proactive routes to get right into your home, this job search method calls for you to be bold and use your wits to get your foot in the door.

To get started, you need to identify targets: the companies for whom you would aspire to work. Don’t worry at this stage whether or not they have roles available for you. Ideally, you would select ten to twenty businesses, and work on building connections there before making speculative applications. Maximize your chances by finding growing companies who will likely have new positions to fill. Then, make your name stand out to the right people.

Naturally, you can send in your resume and a cover letter, but don’t stop there. Connect with the business and hiring managers on social media. Ask them for informational interviews. Attend conferences and networking events where you can meet them and develop a relationship.

Position yourself positively by engaging them about topics that matter to your industry. For example, you might write a slide deck or blog post about a particular challenge the business faces. If you then share it with your connections in the company and ask for their thoughts — possibly even suggesting solutions for them — you’re showing your ability to solve problems and drive the business, even before you’re asked.

Keep trying

Persistence is a must. You should remain cognizant of the thin line between networking and stalking. It’s important to be persistent if you’re looking for a role which might never be advertised, though. Even if you’re initially knocked back, stay in touch with your new connections and try to nurture the relationships.

If you are turned down for a role after submitting a resume or interviewing, ask for feedback. You can also request to stay in touch with the company. Maybe there is something just ‘round the corner.

Be ready

One peculiarity of the unadvertised jobs market is that you never know when an opportunity might appear. You need to be ready to capitalize on any openings you spot.

One important way to do this is to have an elevator speech prepared. This should cover what you’re looking for in a role and express your unique selling point. Keep it to a couple of sentences so you could literally use it to connect with someone you meet for a few seconds in an elevator.

Back this up with a business card, and connect with people on LinkedIn once you introduce yourself in person at events or conferences. If there is a potential relationship you want to develop, make sure you have a knock out resume and cover letter ready to strike while the iron is hot.

Demonstrate your value

Finally, you can connect with businesses by showing your value before you even talk about a role with them. Depending on your industry and situation, you might offer to be an intern, volunteer, or work on a freelance basis for companies that interest you. Show the value you add and then open up a conversation about developing into a full time gig.

A modern job search requires ingenuity. With many (or even most, according to some reports) positions never being openly advertised, landing your dream job is all about who you know and how you sell your skill set. Luckily, in our hyper-connected world, doing this is easier than ever.

What are your tips for finding unadvertised jobs? What has worked for you in the past?

 

The post 6 Ways to Find The Awesome Jobs That Never Get Advertised appeared first on The Dough Roller.

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Dream Hammock 4-Season Thunderbird Hammock Review

The Thunderbird is a 4-season hammock with an overcover (shown with down underquilt)

Dream Hammock is a backpacking hammock maker that provides a wide range of customization options for all of the hammock models they sell, ranging from 4-season hammocks to minimalist, ultralight, and net-less models. If you want custom colors and stitching, underquilt hooks, a special fabric, a different suspension or dozens of other options, these are the guys that experienced hammockers get their gear from. Dream Hammock also provides fantastic customer service and can answer any questions you have about the gear they sell, especially as you spec your hammock.

The Dream Hammock Thunderbird is a 4 season hammock, that I purchased for use in early spring and late fall when nighttime temperatures dip into the 20’s and 30’s at night. For me, having a solid overcover and underquilt quilt guides were the key features. Dual zippers, so you can enter and exit the hammock on other side area also a nice feature missing from many other backpacking hammocks. I also opted for a double layer bottom because I like the option of using foam pads for bottom insulation as well.

The Thunderbird has an internal ridgeline. Interior view with top quilt inside hammock and underquilt attached. JPG

Here are the complete specs of the Dream Hammock Thunderbird Hammock I had built:

• Length: 11 ft
• Layers: Double
• Zippers: Right and Left hand side (standard)
• Outside Fabric: 1.6 oz HyperD Dark Olive
• Inside Fabric: 1.6 oz HyperD Dark Olive
• Overcover: 1.1 oz Blaze Orange
• Asym Lay: Right
• Suspension: Cinch Buckle (head-end Orange, foot Silver)
• Tree Straps: 12 foot webbing
• Overcover: Vented
• Internal storage: Side mesh pocket
• Grosgrain Loops: Blaze Orange
• Actual weight:
  • Hammock, with cinch buckles but no straps: 27.2 oz
  • Overcover: 4.8 oz
  • Mesh cover: 4.6 oz

Granted, my Thunderbird is not the lightest configuration I could have specked out. Not by a long shot, since it’s configured for shoulder season conditions, when the daylight hours are much shorter, and where sleep and staying warm are the priority. If there is one thing that backpacking hammocks give you over other shelter types, it’s much better comfort and better sleep, which more than justifies some added weight over ultralight minimalist sleep systems.

Diagonal Lay

The Thunderbird is a gathered-end, diagonal-lay style hammock, which means you lie flat in the hammock without being bent like a banana with hyperextended knees. Instead of lying along the hammock’s centerline, you plunk your feet to the right or left of it and then rotate your body until it’s oriented at about a 30 degree angle to the centerline. This creates a flat surface that makes it much more comfortable to sleep on, making a hammock a good option for side sleepers as well as back sleepers.

The head-end of the overcover is mesh which helps eliminate internal condensation

Hammock Overcover

A hammock overcover helps prevent a lot of the heat loss you experience through the top of a hammock covered with bug mesh in cold weather and can raise the internal temperature by about 10 degrees. When purchasing a Thunderbird you have the option of just getting an overcover, just getting netting, or getting both the overcover and the netting (I chose both). You can also use the hammock without either, if you don’t need any extra thermal or bug protection.

Dream Hammock also gives you the option of adding mesh to the top and bottom of the overcover, which is helpful to prevent condensation and ice build up on the underside of the overcover in cold weather. Overcovers with mesh opening still retain plenty of heat, while also blocking any heat-robbing wind that sneaks up under your hammock tarp.

But overcovers have their limits in cold weather and don’t provide any wind protection to prevent heat loss from an underquilt. If you do opt for an overcover, I’d still recommend getting an underquilt cover from another vendor or using a combined overcover/undercover solution like Dutchware’s Vented Hammock Sock (see review) instead. I learned this the hard way on an AT trip where cold high winds stripped the heat out of my underquilt several nights running.

Side quilt hooks help suspend an underquilt and keep it positioned properly

Underquilt Hooks

The Thunderbird, like many of Dream Hammock’s other models, includes extra hooks along the sides that help keep the suspension of your underquilt in place at night and prevent the quilt from slipping over to the other side and leaving your bum exposed. They really simplify the process of hanging an underquilt and keeping it in place, a key requirement for sleeping in colder weather.

Cinch Buckle Suspension system is very easy to adjust

Cinch Buckles

There are many different kinds of hammock suspension systems available today, but I like cinch buckles because they are so simple and intuitive to use, and because I can use the same webbing and suspension hardware across multiple hammocks. Simply pull the webbing through the buckle to tighten or loosen to lengthen. Dream Hammock gives you a choice though and you can specify continuous loops or whoopie slings instead.

Thunderbird configured without an overcover or bug mesh.

Recommendation

The Dream Hammock Thunderbird is a 4 season hammock that can be customized and configured with a wide variety of different options to suit your preferences and trip requirements. Whether it’s the color of your hammock or options you can’t get anywhere else, Dream Hammock is uniquely qualified to make the hammock of your dreams. Just be conscious of the fact that the Thunderbird is designed to be a cold weather hammock, where added comfort and convenience features may well be worth some extra weight to endure long and cold nights.

Visit Dream Hammocks for more information about their products or the myriad customization options they offer.

Disclosure: Philip Werner purchased all of the products mentioned in this review with his own funds. 

           

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How to Decide if an MNVO Will Save You Big Bucks

Are you tired of having to choose between Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, or AT&T?

The first time I heard about the MVNO was during Podcast DR 007’s interview with Mr. Money Mustache (around the 27:00 mark). During the segment, Mr. Money Mustache revealed that he saved on his mobile carrier by switching to Republic Wireless, and had learned about MVNOs from readers of his blog.

So let’s take a look at MVNOs and how they can save you money on your cell phone bill.

What is a MVNO?

Most of us have heard of or seen ads for companies like Republic Wireless, Virgin Mobile, Straight Talk, and Cricket. While you probably didn’t realize it, these are MNVOs.

MVNO stands for Mobile Virtual Network Operator. Such carriers offer mobile service to consumers by piggybacking off the infrastructure of the major providers like Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T. They accomplish this by purchasing carriers’ unused network capacity in bulk, then discounting the service by repackaging phone, text, and data. These packages often target lower income market segments in the form of very affordable monthly or pre-paid plans.

Which MVNO is right for you?

There is a plethora of MVNOs to choose from and BestMVNO.com has compiled a list of carriers available in the United States. PureTalkUSA has also created a nifty table that dissects the specifics of some of the major MVNOs:

 

In addition to those resources, we have also compared some of these services head-to-head here on the site: Republic Wireless vs. Cricket and Republic Wireless vs. Straight Talk vs. Virgin Mobile.

With all this information, how do you choose?

3 Steps to Choosing an Alternative Mobile Carrier

1. Determine the MVNOs available in your Service Area
2. Select Your Device
3. Select Your Monthly Plan

1. Determine the MVNOs Available in your Service Area

Most metropolitan areas will have great coverage from all major carriers, from which these MVNOs’ services are hosted. If you live in a suburban or rural area where coverage is limited, you are usually restricted to only one or two carriers.

If you’d like to know which carrier (Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, or AT&T) is best for your home and work address, Sensorly.com has “unbiased” mobile coverage maps available on their website. After determining the best carrier for your area, you can cross-reference the best carrier for your area with the corresponding MVNO on BestMVNO.com.

2. Select Your Device

Once you’ve filtered out the services available in your area, you need to determine which device will work best for you. Do you need a good camera, expandable storage, a bigger display? Do you need the newest iPhone or are you willing to settle for a lower-end device?

If you need a simple smartphone, I can personally vouch for the Moto E, available on many MVNOs. It is a solid device which will perform all your basic functions flawlessly.

Here is a sample of devices available:

Republic Wireless – Moto E $99

Google’s Project Fi – Nexus 5X starting at $199

StraightTalk – Bring Your Own Phone $0.99

3. Select Your Monthly Plan

When I had unlimited data from T-Mobile, I never used WiFi and had once racked up 21GB of monthly data usage, mostly due to the podcasts I would download and listen to during my 3 hour daily commute. I have since reduced my commute, transitioned to a family plan, and, with some data saving tricks, I never go above my new 10GB data allowance.

Personally, I don’t think I could find a MVNO plan offering the same amount of data at a competitive price.

MVNOs are great for users who don’t use a lot of mobile data. If you rely on your home and work WiFi for most of your mobile browsing needs, then these solutions may also work for you. Take a look at some of the plans offered:

Republic Wireless Plans

Boost Mobile Plans

Straight Talk Plans

I suggest you look through your previous mobile carrier bills and calculate a monthly average of:

1. Data you consume
2. Minutes you use
3. Text/SMS you send

Compare your usage and see if there is a comparable plan (step 3) with an MVNO that is offered in your service area (step 1) with the device you want (step 2).

Putting It All Together

I’ve put together a few examples (as of June 25th, 2016) for you here.

In this first example, let’s say that I’ve determined that: 1) Verizon was the only carrier that provides service in my area, 2) the Samsung Galaxy S5 was the device I would like to use, and 3) I need at least 3GB of data. This is how an MVNO alternative would compare to its hosted carrier:

Carrier: Verizon	Verizon	Total Wireless (Verizon MNVO)
Device:	Samsung Galaxy S5	Samsung Galaxy S5
Device Cost:	$552	$349
Data Allowance:	3GB	5GB
Monthly Cost:	$65	$35
Due Upfront:	$552	$384.99
2 Year Total:	$2,112	$1,189 ($923 savings!)

In this next example, let’s say I’ve determined that: 1) all major carriers are offered in my area, 2) I had no device preference, and 3) I need a minimal amount of data and minutes. This is how an MVNO alternative would compare to its hosted carrier:

Carrier:	AT&T:	PureTalk (AT&T MNVO):
Device:	LG G3 - Metallic Black (Certified Pre-Owned)	Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3 4.7 (Similarly Priced)
Device Cost:	$179	$165
Data Allowance:	Unl. Talk/Text, 300Mb data	600 Minutes, 400Mb Data
Monthly Cost:	$45	$24.95
Due Upfront:	$179	$189.95
2 Year Total:	$1,259	$763.80 (a savings of $495.20)

Other Considerations

It is not all about service, device, allowances, and cost. Some of these carriers offer additional benefits that may be beneficial to the right consumer. Republic Wireless offers WiFi calling for those who get absolutely no service at home, but have WiFi available. Both  TPO Wireless and Google’s Project Fi use multiple carriers to provide a consistent overlap of coverage.

Overall, if you need the latest flagship device from Apple or Samsung OR use more than 5GB of data, an MVNO may not be the best solution for you. MVNOs are perfect for low data usage consumers who are willing to sacrifice their selection of devices in order to achieve a very competitive price. If you are willing to make that compromise, the three steps above will help you break free from the traditional carrier. Plus, you can save money while doing so!

Have you switched, or thought about switching, to an MNVO? What are your thoughts?

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