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.
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Loop Earplugs Lived Up to the Hype (My First-Hand Review)
In just a couple of months, I’ll be turning 40. As you can imagine, this milestone has led me to reflect a lot on my aging body and how I’ve mistreated it over the years. One example is my poor ears, which have endured too-loud music from headphones, as well as at the many shows…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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American Express Platinum Refresh Rumors Are Heating Up
The day before Chase unveiled the overhauled version of its flagship Sapphire Reserve premium card, American Express teased that a major update to its iconic Platinum Card was also in the works. Since then, we haven’t heard any solid (read: official) updates — but rumors about some possible changes have become more pervasive in the…
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Anker Has Several of Its Travel-Friendly Products On Sale
Traveling in 2025 often means packing a lot of chargers. I know that whenever I’m getting ready for a trip, I have a long checklist of devices I need to make sure I can power up while I’m away. On top of that, it’s always a good idea to have a backup power bank to…
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Time to Think Small? Why Hank Green is Adjusting His Investments
I take my YouTube algorithms very seriously. In fact, if there’s a video I want to watch but that I don’t want to be served more of after, I’ll open the link in Incognito or an alt account (even sacrificing my ad-free Premium privileges in the process). Similarly, if I’m going to check out financial…
