Category: Managing Money

modern minimilist bedroom
What I've Been Learning About Tidying and Minimalism
For the past few months, I've made it a point to review at least one book a month as part of my Money at 30 column on Dyer News. While I've enjoyed most of the books I've read for this effort, more often than not, I write my review and then move on with my...
Basic Money Milestones to Achieve by 40
In today's society, when do you make the jump into actual adulthood? While some might stick with the traditional "18" answers, others would argue somewhere in the 20s or even 30s. So, when it comes to hitting 40, I guess that means you should really have your s*** together! Although I'm still a few months...
a green sprout growing
What I’m Learning About Dividend Investing
When it comes to investing, the end goal is almost always the same: make money. However, the paths you take to get there can vary. One such option that’s really grabbed my attention as of late is dividend investing. For some investors, dividends may just be an afterthought while, for others, they’re the main attraction....
The Ultimate Guide to Shopping and Saving at Aldi
Do you ever consider how much you’re spending when you go to the grocery store? For many of us, it’s one of the larger expenses we have in our lives. After all, since eating is a necessity, we’re more inclined to just accept the prices we pay instead of looking for alternatives.
wallet with credit cards and money
Splurge Smarter: What to Consider Before Spending Your Money
When it comes to saving money, so-called "splurging" may very well seem like the ultimate enemy. I assume that, when most people think of what it means to splurge, it mostly involves spending hard-earned money on foolish things you don't need thanks to some random impulse you have. While that may be partially true, I...
Robinhood app
4 Things You Didn't Know You Could Do With Robinhood
At this point, it's pretty safe to say that the stock trading app Robinhood has forever altered the brokerage industry. Not only has the service demystified Wall Street for millions of young investors but has also forced inspired other firms to lower their trade commissions and introduce beginner-friendly features. All the while, Robinhood has made...
soccer field
Planning Your Next Money Goal
At times, managing your money can be a bit overwhelming. Even if you feel like you're generally on a positive path, it can be difficult to know what your next move should be. This is where setting specific financial goals can be extremely helpful — but what goal is right for you? To help you...
shopping in a warehouse club store
Are Warehouse Clubs Worth it for Couples? The Pros and Cons
For as long as I can remember — including back when it was Price Club pre-merger — my dad has been a Costco devotee, filling our home with all things Kirkland. Therefore, I had plenty of first-hand experience with warehouse clubs and the products they offered. Of course, there's a difference between shopping for a...
putting money into your iRA
Tips For Maxing Out Your IRA (And Why You Should Before April 15)
Last year, for the first time, my wife and I managed to max out our IRA — something we saw as a major money milestone for us. While I'd love to say that this move was motivated purely by wanting to be prepared for retirement (which of course we do), the truth is that the...
front end of a new car
Purchasing a Vehicle: Buying New vs. Leasing. vs. Buying Used
Last year, for the first time since I was 20 years old, I purchased a new car. Well, more accurately, my wife and I bought a new to us car. Prior to landing on this decision, we considered different routes for replacing our aging sedan — including buying a truly new vehicle or even leasing one....
Featured Articles
How Chase Just Got Me to Keep My Sapphire Preferred Card
A couple of weeks ago, my wife received replacement cards for our Chase Sapphire Preferred in the mail. This served as our reminder that, if we did want to downgrade the card as we'd been talking about for years, now would be the time. See, I'd convinced her to get the card while it was...
How Utilization Impacts Your Credit Scores: My Real-Life Example
You 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 Tuesday: Allbirds Weatherproof Hightops - How They Compare to Mizzles
As 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...
This New Hardshell Carry-On Luggage Option Has My Attention
Welcome 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...