Personal Money Management Tips and Advice

Category: Money Management

minimalist living room

5 Biggest Barriers to Living a More Minimalistic Lifestyle

Over the past few years, my wife and I have strived to live a more minimalistic lifestyle. By this I mean that, while you'd be hard-pressed to call us "minimalists," we have adopted some of the principles and have worked to downsize in certain areas. And while we still have plenty of stuff that could be deemed unnecessary, we have managed to keep things much tidier than we did previously....
2023 Toyota Sienna

What's the Car-Buying Process Like in 2023?

When my wife and I purchased our most recent car in 2019, we opted for a "more modern" solution by buying online and retrieving our new (used) vehicle from a vending machine. Despite such platforms growing in popularity, believe it or not, there is still the old fashioned way: visiting a dealership. That's exactly what we did this week as we accompanied my mother-in-law on a test drive and, to...
money, diploma, and graduation cap

Do I Really Need a College Degree?

Looking back on my life so far, there are, of course, a few regrets I could name. Among the top things that I wish I did differently would be taking better care of my teeth and not having my dad get me a condo in Phoenix right before 1) the market sank and 2) I decided to move to California. In addition to that, I've often wondered how things might...
bank vault door

Why I've Finally Been Consolidating My Bank Accounts

As I've mentioned many times over the years, I have far too many banking accounts. At this point, the number would probably be best described as "dozens" (although several of FinTech accounts I've tried have folded over time). However, in more recent months, I've found myself consolidating the number of places in which I keep my cash. While I've always maintained a few primary accounts amid my growing list of...
a couple talking to a financial advisor

How a Financial Advisor Has Helped My Family in a Terrible Time

"What's the point of having a financial advisor if everything you need to know is on the Internet?" Truth be told, that was pretty much my sentiment since I started becoming interested in personal finance. On the one hand, I understood why rich people might be willing to pay someone to manage their money for them — but why should we normies turn over our hard-earned cash just to have...
roulette wheel

Are People Just Now Learning About Vegas' Tricky Game Rules?

Vegas casinos want your money! Okay, that part you knew — but were you aware of some of the tricky tactics they use to try to get more of it? Earlier this week, the Wall Street Journal published a report that gamblers lost nearly $1 billion at Las Vegas Strips casino Blackjack tables last year, amounting to the second-highest total on record. Yet, the reasons cited for this increase weren't...
illustration of streaming services on TV

7 Ways to Save Money on Streaming Service Subscriptions

Once upon a time, the idea of streaming television and movie content was not only novel but was mostly limited to just a few services — including some free ones. Well, that's definitely changed in recent years as nearly every major media conglomerate has launched its own streaming platform. And, while you'd think that the increased competition would mean lower rates, the financial realities of the medium are starting to...

What to Do With Your 401(k) From a Previous Employer

When leaving a job with an employer, there are obviously a number of changes you will experience and decisions you will need to make about your future. One such decision that is sometimes forgotten is what to do with the 401(k) you had under your former employer. In addition to any contributions you may have made to your account, you may also have a vested chunk of matching funds or...
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A Guide to Building Credit and Increasing Your Credit Scores

When it comes to credit, there’s some good news. The average credit score in the United States has been steadily rising in recent years, coming in at 715 in 2023. That may be because, today, consumers not only have more ways to access their credit reports and scores than ever before but also because there are an increasing number of options that Americans have for building credit in the first...

2024 SoFi Checking and Savings Review

Ever since I started taking an interest in the FinTech sector, one company whose name I’ve seen pop up over and over again is SoFi. Lately it seems as though that theme has been sent into overdrive as the company has not only become a household name thanks to its stadium naming rights deal but also because of the company’s continued product expansions. The most interesting development in my mind...
Brim logo

Brim Financial Raises $85 Million as It Eyes Global Expansion

Toronto-based FinTech infrastructure startup Brim Financial has announced a new funding round. About the round: Brim has revealed an $85 million round. The Series C was led by EDC Investments while new investor Vistara Growth and returning investors White Owl Group, Epic Ventures, and Zions Bank also participated. To date, the company has now raised $110 million including a Series B in 2021. According to Brim, the latest funding will...
Chase Freedom Flex card

Chase Reveals Q2 2024 Freedom 5%(+) Bonus Categories

Chase has announced its bonus category picks for the second quarter of 2024 — including some interesting twists. About the categories: As April approaches, Chase has revealed what categories Freedom and Freedom Flex cardholders can earn bonuses on. From April 1st through June 30th, customers can earn 5% (or more) in three categories: Amazon.com, Hotels, and Restaurants. Similar to how Chase embraced a "New Year, New Me" theme last quarter,...

FedEx Announces Winners of 11th Annual 2023 Small Business Grant Contest

Nearly three months after the entry period ended, FedEx has announced the winners of its 11th annual Small Business Grant Content. This year's event saw more than $300,000 in funds going to a variety of small businesses across the nation. Last month, the company revealed 100 finalists, with that list now being narrowed down to just 10 winners. This year's grand prize winners included KindVR, The Cupcake Collection, Up In...