Author: Kyle Burbank
-
My Surprising Concert Parking Win Thanks to SpotHero
This week, I had a chance to cross an experience off my proverbial bucket list after my wife and I drove to Tulsa, Oklahoma (that’s not the exciting part) to see Sir Paul McCartney in concert. I’ve enjoyed The Beatles’ music since I was a kid, but over the past few years, I’ve not only…
-
Travel Tuesday: Hyatt Regency Portland (at OCC) Hotel Review
Last month, I headed out to my fourth in-person FinCon — this time taking place in Portland, Oregon. Shortly before heading out to the West Coast for the event, I booked my room at the official event hotel: Hyatt Regency Portland. Did this end up being a smart move? Let’s take a look at my experience…
-
I Tried “Build Your Own Chipotle” and It Was a Pretty Good Deal!
A few weeks ago, Chipotle announced its latest offering. Now, you can order a “Build-Your-Own Chipotle” pack using the fast-casual dining chain’s online ordering platform. Billed as feeding four to six people, this is meant to be an option somewhere between ordering a la carte and getting catering. Well, being the diligent personal finance reporter…
-
Cava Wants to Match Your Hotel, Airline, or Restaurant Status
In the past, I’ve highlighted different “status matching” opportunities from airlines, hotel brands, and even casinos. However, this is the first time I’ve seen the practice employed by a fast casual chain restaurant. That’s right, Cava has launched a new status match promotion — and a wide-ranging one, at that. To celebrate the launch of…
-
Travel Tuesday: Capital One and Bilt Rewards Keep Adding Travel Transfer Partners
When I first started getting into rewards credit cards, I loved the way I could earn cashback on my purchases and then spend those funds on pretty much whatever I decided to earmark them for. Then, as my travel started to pick up, I began learning more about different credit card currencies beyond cashback and…
-
More Weather Protection: Allbirds Now Has Waterproof Shoes
For years now, I’ve been a fan of and written about Allbirds shoes — specifically their Mizzles line. In fact, I just cited them as the shoe component of my favorite travel outfit. Because of this, I’m always interested when they launch a new product. On that note, this week, I got an email from…
-
Andrew Yang is Launching a Mobile Service with a “Data Dividend”
Since running for President back in 2020, entrepreneur Andrew Yang has managed to keep pretty busy. On the political side, he helped form the Forward Party (which has endorsed candidates in nonpartisan races as well as both Democrats and Republicans who adhere to the party’s core beliefs). Now, he’s founding a new mobile provider with…
-
Travel Tuesday: Do You Have a Favorite Travel Outfit?
As is often romanticized, there once was a time when people really dressed up for air travel. These days, though, comfort is the name of the game. Whether that means donning attire that lends itself to sitting in a plane seat for hours on end or something familar and fun, many among us have go-to…
-
How I’m Already Adjusting to the Updated Amex Platinum Card
Well, it happened. You may recall that, when we got word that the American Express Platinum card would receive a refresh, I admitted that I was quite nervous about the prospect. So, now that we have all of the details (including the increased annual fee), what are my feelings on this revamp? Honestly? I’m positively…
-
FinCon 2025 Recap: Takeaways, Successes, & Random Thoughts
Last year, I returned to in-person FinCon events after being absent for a few years. Soon after that event in Atlanta wrapped, I had purchased my badge for the 2025 conference in Portland, Oregon. When I did so, I realized pretty quickly that this was to be a big one. Not only was it the…
-
How I Tapped My Amex Airline Credit for a More Comfortable Trip
For as much as I love the American Express Platinum card and get positive value from the card’s credits, that doesn’t mean that every credit is so simple to use. I’m not even talking about the $300 Equinox credit that barely covers one month of the gym’s membership fee. No, I’m speaking of the famously…
-
Amazon Just Killed the Way I’ve Mooched Free Shipping For Years
I don’t remember the last time I paid for shipping on Amazon. When I head to the site to buy something, I just expect it to be shipped for free. In fact, long ago I’d stopped even looking for the Prime shipping logos on listings. Yet, all this time, I had never actually paid for…
