Wallet Hacks
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I share the money tips, tricks, and strategies I use to manage our finances, invest wisely, use credit responsibly, and get the most from our money. Join us as we figure this out together!
Wallet Hacks
2d ago
Temu is an online shopping marketplace offering deep discounts on products manufactured in China and shipped directly to the consumer. First launching in the U.S. market in September 2022, Temu exploded in popularity after running several ads during the 2023 Super Bowl.
However, concern about Chinese-owned Temu has grown on several fronts, with complaints about the quality of its products and labor practices within its supply chain. Others have raised concerns about parent company PDD Holdings’ alleged ties to the Chinese communist government.
It all begs the question: is Temu a legit online s ..read more
Wallet Hacks
5d ago
When Mint shut down in 2024, Intuit took away one of the best free budgeting apps available.
People had complaints about Mint, there were certain things that weren’t perfect and you had to deal with a lot of ads and product pitches, but the core features worked quite well. And it was free.
Intuit urged people to switch to Credit Karma, but that didn’t go well, and there was a void.
Why are there so few free budgeting apps? Offering a free budgeting app is difficult because of expenses. If you want to offer automatic synching of transactions, you have to rely on Plaid. Plaid is really expensive ..read more
Wallet Hacks
1w ago
A week ago, I received a letter from AcreTrader about one of the farms we invested in.
(it's the Middle River Almond Ranch in San Joaquin County, CA)
Costs were going up, revenues were down, and they were going to run out of money.
Cost Inflation: Farm input costs (fertilizers, fuel, labor) have skyrocketed, exceeding initial modeled cost projections by 50-100%. California's regulations further amplify these cost pressures.
Interest Rate Hike: Borrowing costs have tripled, significantly impacting cash flow, and raising concerns about the Company’s long-term profitability.
Almond Price D ..read more
Wallet Hacks
1w ago
Flagstar Bank is a regional bank that has 420 branch locations located in the Northeast and Southwest United States. They’ve been FDIC insured since 1987 (FDIC Cert #32541) and you may have heard of their parent company, New York Community Bancorp.
NYCB acquired Flagstar Bank in 2022 but after the acquisition of Signature Bridge Bank (due to failure) in 2023, the company decided to unify all of their names under the Flagstar brand.
They have gotten into the bank bonus game by offering a nice bonus for those looking to open a new checking account and are able to move over a modest direct depos ..read more
Wallet Hacks
1w ago
Recent Federal Trade Commission data shows consumers reported losing nearly $9 billion to identity fraud in 2022. This is an increase of over 30% from 2021.
While the sharp increase in financial fraud can be alarming, there are steps that you can take to minimize your risk of becoming a victim. This includes knowing how to freeze (and unfreeze) your credit report.
Here’s how credit freezes work, how to place one, and what it can (and can’t) do to help you protect your credit rating.
Table of Contents
What Is a Credit Freeze?
How Does a Credit Freeze Work?
How to Freeze Your ..read more
Wallet Hacks
1w ago
First Tech Credit Union was founded in 1952 by folks at Hewlett-Packard and Tektronix and now has over 650,000 members serviced by 33 branches, mostly in the northwest United States. As a federal credit union, they are regulated by the NCUA.
They offer a whole suite of banking services but today I’d like to share with you their $300 checking bonus offer.
Table of Contents
How to Join First Tech Credit Union
First Tech Rewards Checking Bonus – $300
How Does This Offer Compare?
How to Join First Tech Credit Union
As a credit union, they are required to restrict membership to eligible parties ..read more
Wallet Hacks
1w ago
Ever wonder why it’s popular to slam on buying coffee?
It’s because of David Bach’s The Latte Factor.
In The Latte Factor, we learn that everyday little purchases can add up. If you buy a $5 cup of coffee every day, you’ll spend $1,825 in a year. Invest it at 8% return each year and in 40 years, you’ll have close to half a million dollars.
It’s a powerful idea but morning coffee was just an example. Bach’s point wasn’t about coffee, although it resulted in a convenient term, but about mindless spending in small amounts. They add up.
What happens, though, this advice is then parroted by other p ..read more
Wallet Hacks
1w ago
Nowadays, a family cell phone plan can include anyone from your kids to your parents to your best friend.
Finding the cheapest family cell phone plan is important regardless of who you include in your plan. Family plans with major cell phone carriers can cost $60, $70, or more per month, per line, depending on your chosen features.
At those prices, a family of five could pay $300 monthly or more for cell phone service. Before you go that route, consider the following options to save money on family cell phone plans.
Best For
Learn More
Families with varying data usage
Learn More ..read more
Wallet Hacks
1w ago
A solo 401(k) lets a business owner and their spouse set aside funds for retirement. Also known as an individual 401(k) or self-employed 401(k)—a solo 401(k) can provide more flexibility than other self-employed retirement plans due to its generous contribution limits and lenient minimum qualifications.
Like an employer-sponsored 401(k) or an individual retirement account (IRA), choosing a provider with the right investment choices at the right price is critical.
We compare the best solo 401(k) providers to help you save for retirement, build a diversified portfolio, and enjoy hands-on custome ..read more
Wallet Hacks
2w ago
You can file your tax returns for free if you have a simple tax situation. That includes W-2 income up to a certain dollar amount and limited interest and dividend income. If you exceed the limits or have more a more complicated income and expense situation, you will likely need to pay a fee for the service.
Before we explore the different free tax filing options, remember that if you’ve failed to file the previous year’s tax returns, your situation has already been complicated by the delay.
For many, the best strategy will be to pay a professional tax preparer to ensure your taxes are filed a ..read more