<b>The first time I received some decent SBD was when <a href="http://steemstream.com">SteemStream</a> got discovered and trending on the frontpage. I was tired after working long hours, and when I woke up I found the SBD's in my wallet and my SteemPower all up as well</b>

My parents where visiting us that day and the sun was out. We decided to go have dinner outside at a nearby restaurant in my neighbourhood in Amsterdam and told them about 'Steemit'. Earlier I had introduced them to my 'virtual money machine' (my ETH miner) so it was not all jibberish to them... 

At the end of the dinner I said: *'This one is on me, I had such a great day!'* But then my mom replied when I came back from the waiter / cash register and asked: *'But you can't pay with it right?'* And she was right, I had paid with my bank's fiat debit card. (In The Netherlands / Europe we have debit cards by default).

<h3>So I made it my quest to find a way of paying with Steem originated earnings, just for the heck of it:</h3> <sup><b>Note:</b> The following tutorial and knowledge is by far not new for everybody but n00bs like myself might like it:</sup>

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<h4>1. <a href="https://www.e-coin.io/?ref=631254fad56842ef96050c120bdf0f89">Register an account at E-Coin.io <sup>*ref link</sup></a></h4>
- Note: the referral code gives you <a href="https://www.e-coin.io/?ref=631254fad56842ef96050c120bdf0f89">25% discount</a> on the $3 VISA virtual card creation fee - which you can pay with Steem too.
- E-coin will soon be rebranded to Wirex, but for now you should register via E-Coin.io
- Should the site directly ask to create a card after registering, cancel that part, and first get some Steem (BTC) in on your E-coin balance.
<a href="https://www.e-coin.io/?ref=631254fad56842ef96050c120bdf0f89"><img src="https://s9.postimg.org/ek80w70m7/tut1_go_to_ecoin.jpg"></a>

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<h4>2. Put some BTC in your 'Bitcoin account balance' by clicking 'View Address'.</h4> 
- This address will only be visible for 10 seconds so copy it with [CTRL / CMD] + C. Be sure to copy paste the correct address. 
- Every time you click you will get a new address, but all previously generated addresses will still be tied to your account. 
https://s10.postimg.org/9dzy2njtl/tut2_get_address.gif <a href="https://s10.postimg.org/9dzy2njtl/tut2_get_address.gif">GIF link (if broken)</a>
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<h4>3. Use <a href="http://Blocktrades.us">Blocktrades.us</a> to conveniently convert and deposit some Steem or Steem Dollar in one step to your BTC address account on E-coin</h4> 
1. Pick either Steem or Steem Dollar in the left dropdown and Bitcoin in the right dropdown
2. Paste the BTC address you generated in Step 2 (on E-coin) in the 'Your Bitcoin receive address:'-field. 
3. Hit 'Get Deposit Address':
4. Copy the 'Memo' text as instructed per Blocktrades suggestion:
http://i.imgur.com/dIpVIT6.gif <a href="http://i.imgur.com/dIpVIT6.gif">GIF link (if broken)</a>

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<h4>4. Go to your Steemit Wallet and click the 'linked' Steem or Steem Based Dollar and hit 'Transfer' from the pop over menu</h4>
- The transfer modal dialog appears
- Fill in all the blanks, including the correct 'to' (blocktrades) and 'memo' (the value you copied just now in Step 3.4)
- Hit 'Transfer'.
https://s9.postimg.org/ypzclhxcv/tut_4_steemit_transfer.jpg

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<h4>5. Let the magic happen!</h4>
1. Blocktrades receives your Steem (or SBD) and converts it to BTC and forwards it to your account balance on E-Coin.
2. E-coin receives the BTC from Blocktrades and you will be notified within about 30-40 minutes max. that your account balance was loaded with some BTC. 

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<h4>6. Create a Credit Card on E-coin for $3 <sup> <a href="https://www.e-coin.io/?ref=631254fad56842ef96050c120bdf0f89">25% discount</a></sup></h4>
- If you pick a virtual card (VISA) for online shopping you will receive it instantly. 
- If you pick a physical card (MasterCard) you pay a lot more $17, but obviously you can just go to the ATM with that one.
- Just hit 'Request new card' fill in the details (get as creative as you like here :D, not if you pick physical card ofcourse)
- And you will receive an email with your new card number, valid thru and CVC code.

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<h4>7. Top up your card in the E-coin Dashboard page by hitting the 'Top up' link</h4>
<h2>Now go buy the whole internet, and then some :D</h2>

Some notes: 
- I am not affiliated with E-coin. I wrote this tutorial as I undertook these steps recently
- I put in a referral link so you get  <a href="https://www.e-coin.io/?ref=631254fad56842ef96050c120bdf0f89">25% discount</a> on your $3 dollar virtual card (VISA) or $17 physical card (MasterCard).
- Limits apply: $/€2500 (or £ 2000) lifetime use on your $3 virtual card (but you can just make another one) or get verified by uploading your passport scan... (mehhhh).
- You can't order a physical card in USA and India due to regulations... But who needs physical when you have mayonaise?