At a few airports around the country, there are free programs that let you skip ahead in the security lines. We all know about CLEAR, which costs $209 a year, but did you know they offered a free program called Reserve powered by CLEAR? For example, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has the SEA Spot Saver program. … Read more

CardPointers Product Name: CardPointers Product Description: CardPointers is an app that helps you maximize the rewards you earn from your credit cards. Includes a browser extension (Chrome, Safari) that automatically adds special offers. About CardPointers CardPointers is an app that helps you maximize your credit card rewards by help you know which benefits are available … Read more

The Roth IRA is one of the best investment vehicles available, which is one reason why they limit your contribution based on your modified adjusted gross income. Normally, if you’re under the income limits, a single filer can contribute $7,000 for 2025 ($8,000 if you are age 50 and older). If you make more than … Read more

When I started my first blog in 2004, I was in my early 20s. I’m now in my mid-forties. And while my first blog no longer exists, I still remember a lot of the posts I’d written (and I can always peek into the Wayback Machine if I forget, you can too… enjoy!). Over the … Read more

Ever wonder why everything is sold as a monthly payment? It’s not an accident. Marketers have realized that if you take a big price and break it down into a series of smaller, more palatable payments, we are more likely to buy something. It’s called the Monthly Money Trap. Depending on where you live, a … Read more

Credit card piggybacking is when you add someone else as an authorized user to help them improve their credit history and thus their credit score. Adding someone as an authorized user is free and they will see that credit line appear on their report, which can help improve it. Remember that the FICO credit score … Read more

I grew up with a solidly middle class upbringing. My parents owned our home, my dad worked full-time and my mom worked part-time. We were frugal, as many immigrants are, because we had to be. My dad came here on an education visa with a one-way ticket. He would send money home all the time. … Read more

A sweeping new piece of legislation known as the “Big Beautiful Bill” is packed with tax breaks, expanded deductions, and changes to key government programs. This bill could dramatically alter the financial landscape for millions of Americans. Here’s what you need to know. Read more: Existing Tax Rates Become Permanent PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/shutterstock.com The … Read more

The retirement account landscape seems like a mish mash of acronyms – 401(k), IRA, HSA, etc. If you’re new to this, as I was when I first started working, it can be overwhelming. Fortunately, there is an order of operations when it comes to saving for retirement. And it’s an order that works for everyone, … Read more

Our kids’ school sent out a list of summer reading programs that we’ll look to get our kids involved in. It’s great that so many books stores and organizations are getting in on the action that was once the domain of Pizza Hut and their Book It program! (and if you happen to live in … Read more