Category: Money Management Tips

Money Management Tips

The Spotify Car Thing and Super Planned Obsolescence

by Kyle BurbankJul 9, 2024

Have you noticed that the nature of consumption has been shifting? These days, questions such as "What is a product?" and "What does it mean to own something?" need to be asked as the answers are evolving. In the case of the first question, recent standalone AI offerings have revealed a growing trend of businesses basically treating paid customers like beta testers. Meanwhile, as far as the ownership question goes,...

Money Management Tips

FinTech Fallout: Lessons From the Synapse/Evolve Bank Dispute

by Kyle BurbankMay 21, 2024

Over the past several years that I've been covering FinTech, I've seen my fair share of apps shut down. Yet, I've never seen anything quite like the situation that's playing out right now. As of this writing, several neobanking customers are unable to access their funds due to a dispute between Synapse and Evolve Bank. So, what is going on between these two and how does it impact some FinTech...

Money Management Tips

How I Found My Tax "Sweet Spot" This Year

by Kyle BurbankApr 16, 2024

Well, I waited until the last minute, but I got my taxes done and paid before the deadline. At this point, while I wouldn't say I'm good at preparing my returns, I do at least have enough experience to troubleshoot mistakes. On top of that, I also have a decent idea of how the various factors of my somewhat complicated tax situation come together and affect my total bill. Despite...

Money Management Tips

How to Activate a Virtual Card Number on Apple Cash

by Kyle BurbankApr 9, 2024

In 2017, Apple expanded its FinTech aspirations by introducing a peer-to-peer payment account called Apple Cash. With this account, users could easily send and receive payments via iMessage. What's more, while customers could elect to transfer received funds to a linked bank account, they could also be spent directly using Apple Pay. The only problem was that, for merchants that didn't accept Apple Pay, there wasn't a way to use...

Money Management Tips

Money at 38: The Major Ways My Finances Have Changed

by Kyle BurbankJan 23, 2024

In 2016, I wrote a guest post for what was then called Dyer News (now Fioney) about my "financial awakening." What inspired that article was the fact I'd just checked my credit for the first time, leading me to take a greater interest not only in my money but in the topic of personal finance in general. Needing a title, I settled on calling it "Money at 30" — which was...

Money Management Tips

The Top 5 Money Tools I'm Using Most in 2024

by Kyle BurbankJan 16, 2024

Over the past several years, I've reviewed countless apps, platforms, and other tools related to personal finance. Often, I've also taken to naming some of my top picks for each year. Originally, this list featured apps that I was bullish on before transitioning to a collection of what I thought were the "most fascinating" startups. Well, unfortunately, the FinTech market has seen several casualties along the way, wiping out some...

Money Management Tips

5 Ways My 2024 Finances Will Look a Lot Different From 2023

by Kyle BurbankDec 26, 2023

With Christmas 2023 now in the rearview, it's basically 2024 already. In turn, as one does, I've been thinking a lot about the new year and what changes I can expect. So, rather than discussing my money goals for the new year, I simply wanted to share some ways our finances will differ in 2024. My 2024 Financial Changes Mortgage instead of rent By far the biggest life change my...

Money Management Tips

Comparing Cashback Portals: What's the Best Tool for Holiday Shopping?

by Kyle BurbankDec 12, 2023

If you're buying anything online, the biggest tip I have is always the same: try a cashback portal. Of course, with the number of these platforms growing, the question becomes, "Which one is the best?" Unfortunately answering that isn't so easy. Luckily, I had an idea: compare some popular cashback tools using a set of real-world parameters. In other words, what types of cashback rates can you get on select...