Quick TipsYou may already know that Credit Utilization is the second-largest factor FICO considers when determining your credit score. Specifically, it makes up 30% of your score, topped only by Payment History at 35%. But what does that look like in practice? Well, I recently got the "opportunity" to see firsthand. In April, I elected to...
Travel Product ReviewsAs I've mentioned more than a few times before, after purchasing a pair of water-resistant Allbirds Runner-Up Mizzles a few years back, they quickly became my go-to travel shoe. That's because they're not only comfortable but also help protect my feet from wet weather while on the road (there are few things I hate more...
Quick TipsWelcome back to another Quick Tip — and the latest edition of our occasional, unofficial series Things Kyle Wants to Buy. When I returned from my most recent trip, for some reason, I had hardshell luggage on my mind. That's strange because my current soft-sided luggage has served me well and, moreover, I've traditionally not...
Quick TipsI don't remember the last time I paid for a checked bag on a plane. Granted. I've paid for carry-ons while flying Allegiant — but, in the cases where I have elected to check a bag in recent years, it's been a free gate check since I occasionally volunteer to part with my bag early...
Travel Product ReviewsLast week, I set off for San Francisco from my home in Springfield, Missouri. But, since I was flying Delta, I of course needed to make a stop in Atlanta before my flight back in the correct direction. Over the years, I've spent plenty of time at ATL, so when something new pops up, I...
Quick TipsRemember a few years ago when Wordle took the world by storm? Well, after that, it seemed that several other daily games popped up as well. Over time, the lineup of games I actually bother to play daily has evolved — but there are a few that I keep returning to. That's probably because, even...
Hotel ReviewsWhen it comes to my Travel Tuesday hotel review series, I often wonder what travels might be featured in my latest installment. That's when it hit me that: instead of looking to other cities for adventure, I could feature a property found right here in Springfield, Missouri. Hotel Vandivort is a unique boutique hotel we’d...
Quick TipsFor a good portion of my mid to late 20s, I made my living pretending to be in high school for television. As it turns out, part of the reason why I could pass for younger is that I can't grow a beard to save my life. Unfortunately, this lack of growth also means that,...
Travel Product ReviewsUpdated on May 5, 2026 To me, one of the most annoying parts of traveling in 2026 is ensuring that I pack chargers for all of the various devices I plan on bringing with me. That's why, in the past, I've been a fan of Rolling Square's InCharge multi-purpose cables that have built-in adapters. But,...
Quick TipsWell, I did it. When I was sharing my 2026 credit card strategy, I noted that I was mulling over the idea of adding the Charles Schwab version of the American Express Platinum Card to my wallet, with the intent of then phasing out the "vanilla" version. With that plan stuck in my brain for...
Quick TipsAdmittedly, I've been a bit down on FinTech in recent years. That's mostly thanks to the Yotta/Synapse/Evolve debacle, which brought to light some major issues and misconceptions about neobanking services. In turn, while I still use plenty of financial technology apps and a few neobanks, these days, the vast majority of my money is held...
Travel TipsIn recent years, there's been a lot of talk about how Las Vegas is far from the value destination that it once was. Heck, I've written about this phenomenon as well — and have felt it first-hand to great frustration. Well, presumably in response, two Strip hotels are introducing something a bit different. Recently, Luxor...