Category: Quick Tips

Every Friday I post a new Quick Tip covering a wide range of topics, including ways to save money, travel tips, personal products/services I find interesting, and more.

Sams Club storefront
This Special Offer Makes Joining Sam's Club Even More Affordable
It was a few months ago that my wife and I decided at long last to become Sam's Club members. That milestone was mostly made possible thanks to an Amex Offer that saw me earning a $25 statement credit, bringing the effective rate of my first year of membership to just $20. Well, this week,...
TV with food
Earning 20% Cash Back on DoorDash, Streaming with SoFi Money
Ever since I started taking an interest in FinTech and reviewing various apps and services, SoFi has stood out to me as one of the most interesting companies. While they were previously known mostly for their student loan refinancing (something that thankfully doesn't apply to me), in just the past couple of years, they've expanded...
iPhone SE
Why the New iPhone SE is Probably My Next Phone
This week, without much of the pomp and circumstance Apple is typically known for, the company unveiled its latest iPhone: the iPhone SE. Now, if you're like me, this is slightly confusing because there already is an iPhone SE — I know, because it's what I currently own and use (then again, the iPhone numbering...
Get Me Out Of Here button
Sniffing Out a Website Scam
A few weeks ago, I wrote an entire post dedicated to cool items I've discovered thanks to Instagram ads. However, this week my wife and I had a slightly different experience on the platform — one that almost led us right into a potential scam. To set the stage without getting into too much detail,...
Masterclass logo
Looking for Some Edu-tainment? MasterClass is Offering a Special Deal
Wouldn't it be cool if you could learn about photography from Annie Leibovitz, take in filmmaking tips from Ron Howard, or even get a crash course in magic from Penn & Teller? Well, that's exactly what MasterClass offers — video courses taught but some of the most prominent celebrities in their field. Unfortunately, while the...
frustrated woman holding a credit card
Filing My First Ever Credit Card Dispute
One of the benefits of using a credit card over a debit card is that it typically includes more protections. For example, in the event a company takes your money and doesn't fulfill their end of the deal, you may be able to file a dispute, essentially deputizing the card company to help you get...
Local shopkeeper
Support Your Local Businesses Right Now (If You Can)
As you are surely depressingly aware, the COVID-19 outbreak is having a massive impact on the United States at the moment. With health being of paramount concern, many businesses are either proactively closing or are complying with local or statewide orders. Unfortunately, these closures are hitting small businesses especially hard as they likely don't have...
Brandon Flowers
"It Could Have Been Worse"
This week has not been great for me. Well, all things considered, I'm pretty sure there are few who would rank the past seven days among their best. However, in addition to all that general stress, this week we found out that my wife would need to undergo surgery for a wrist injury. Thankfully, she's...
under a waterfall
Don't Go Chasing APY
If you have an online bank account or other high-yield savings, chances are you got an e-mail this week informing you that your interest rate was being cut. That's thanks to the Federal Reserve cutting rates by a half-a-point in an emergency move amid the spread of COVID-19. Yes, that's kind of a confusing sentence...
handing out a credit card
How Adding an Authorized User to Your Card Can Benefit You (and Them)
First of all, I realize I've been writing about the American Express Platinum card a lot lately — but, hey, it's my shiny new toy so please bear with me. While penning my full review of the card recently, I realized there was one way I might be able to further benefit from the card....
Lexus with Carvana license plate
The Spreadsheet and Comparison Figures I Used When Buying My Used Car
Last summer, my wife and I decided it was time to replace our aging sedan. But, instead of buying an actual new car, we decided to shop the used market for something that would be an upgrade for us but at a decent price. Basically, the goal was to find a reliable car that would...
Credit Karma shield
Credit Karma Can Show You What Passwords You Really Need to Stop Using
We all know that, in order to keep your online accounts and data protected, you shouldn't reuse passwords. Of course, actually sticking to that sound advice can be a bit more challenging. Moreover, if you've since wised up and changed your ways, accounts you may have forgotten about could still leave to trail for hackers...
Featured Articles
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...
Would it Be Wrong to Try This Potential Free Checked Bag Trick?
I 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...