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Before we had kids, we would travel internationally a lot. Twenty years ago, online banks were just starting to become mainstream so most of our options were brick and mortar banks. I took some local currency with us but I also relied on the partnership between Bank of America (my bank) and Barclays. You could … Read more

I have a Solo 401(k) at Vanguard for many years and it has served me well. The small business portal, when you manage the account from the employer side, looks a bit dated but functions just fine. I’m able to quickly make contributions once a month (I’d have loved a way to automate it but … Read more

We have two HVAC systems in our home that are likely within the last few years of their working lives. They’re both A/C only using coolant that’s been “outlawed” (R-22) and were installed in the 1980s. They work fine, with the occasional replacement of their coke can sized capacitors, but we’re getting close to needing … Read more

Personal finance fads come and go. For many years, the FIRE “movement” was extremely popular. It was a repudiation of the traditional “work 40 years and then retire” idea that had been made popular in the “good ole days.” Then the hot topic was “quiet quitting,” where you do the bare minimum at work to … Read more

Drop servicing is a business that sells services to clients and hires external contractors, such as freelancers or agencies, to complete the work. If you’re a freelancer, switching to a drop-servicing business model has benefits. If you’re efficient, it can be less time-consuming than handling all client work on your own. Of course, managing other … Read more

Bluevine Product Name: Bluevine Product Description: Online bank offering interest-bearing checking accounts, financing, and billpay capabilities for small businesses. Summary Bluevine is an online bank that has some great offerings for small businesses, such as the ability to earn interest on your deposits, get cash back on credit card purchases, and access financing through a … Read more

Tribes are fun. It’s why sports are so popular. We identify with a team. It’s your team vs. my team. Or it’s our team vs. the world. We call them our teams but we don’t play on the team or have ownership. We just watch the games. Why they’re our team is rooted in something, … Read more

My cell phone bill is one of the larger utility bills I pay. I use cheaper cable TV alternatives and now pay just $12 monthly to watch TV. With four teenagers in the house, I assumed I was stuck paying a giant cell phone bill. However, I found a way to cut costs. I’ve compiled … Read more

MoneyLion is one of the most popular finance apps for securing cash advances. You can access extra funds on short notice, which can then be repaid by the time your next paycheck arrives. MoneyLion has also expanded its product menu beyond just being a cash advance app, and now offers services such as credit cards, … Read more

Ownwell Product Name: Ownwell Product Description: Ownwell is a service that will protest your property tax assessment and attempt to get it lowered. They will also look for other discounts and programs that may lower your tax liability. They work on a “savings-or-free” model, which means you only pay them if they reduce your taxes. … Read more