Better Future: Free Background Check Powered by Checkr

(Update 2023: Better Future suspended their free background checks during the pandemic, but I just noticed that they are back up and running, An inaccurate background check can prevent you from getting a job, so it is better to check now and … [Read the rest]

Public App Treasury Account Review: 6-Month T-Bill Interest With The Ease of a Savings Account?

Investing app Public just announced a Treasury Account which basically lets you buy and hold 6-month US Treasury Bills in a more convenient wrapper (press release). You can invest as little as $100 and they will buy the T-Bills for you (and sell … [Read the rest]

Paper Savings Bonds: Pay w/ Credit Card by 1/17, Use Tax Refund To Increase Purchase Limit by $5,000

As inflation spiked, so did interest in purchasing inflation-linked Series I Savings bonds. Some folks have been going to extra lengths to increase their ability to purchase them, buying savings bonds for kids, trusts, LLCs, corporations, and so on. … [Read the rest]

Best Interest Rates on Cash – January 2023

Here's my monthly roundup of the best interest rates on cash as of January 2023, roughly sorted from shortest to longest maturities. We all need some safe assets for cash reserves or portfolio stability, and there are often lesser-known … [Read the rest]

MMB Portfolio 2022 Year-End Update: Dividend & Interest Income

Here’s my 2022 Year-End income update for my Humble Portfolio. I track the income produced as an alternative metric for performance. The total income goes up much more gradually and consistently than the number shown on brokerage statements … [Read the rest]

Citi Premier Card: 60,000 ThankYou Points (Worth $600 in Gift Cards, 60,000 Miles, $600 Airfare Offset, $480 at Amazon, More)

The Citi Premier Card is an improved rewards credit card with the ability to transfer points to airlines miles as well as an added $100 annual hotel savings benefit. Right now, they have a sign-up bonus offer of 60,000 bonus points (redeemable for … [Read the rest]

MMB Humble Portfolio 2022 Year-End Update: Asset Allocation & Performance

Here's my quarterly update on my current investment holdings as of the end of 2022, including our 401k/403b/IRAs and taxable brokerage accounts but excluding real estate and side portfolio of self-directed investments. Following the concept of skin … [Read the rest]

Personal Capital: $100 Visa Gift Card For Financial Advisory Sales Call (Expired)

Update: This offer is now expired and not currently available. I am leaving up the details for those that did the deal previously. Expired offer: $100 offer is back. You must sign up by 1/31/23 and have your meeting by 2/28/2023. Personal … [Read the rest]

2023 Retirement and Benefit Account Contribution Limits: 401k, 403b, IRA, HSA, DCFSA

The beginning of the year is also a good time to check on the new annual contribution limits for retirement and benefit accounts, many of which are indexed to inflation. Our income has been quite variable these last few years, so I regularly adjust … [Read the rest]

Portfolio Asset Class Returns, 2022 Year-End Review

Happy New Year! I enjoyed a little winter nap. This worked out fine as successful investing does not require constant attention. To be honest, if all my research and/or experience showed that lot of trading activity led to greater returns, I'd … [Read the rest]

Some Holiday Thoughts on Effort, Results, and Control

Happy Holidays! I hope that everyone reading this is enjoying time with family and friends in their own tradition. This is a time for reflection, but my interest in diving deeply into financial topics has been low recently. As I sit amongst a pile … [Read the rest]

Equifax Data Breach Settlement Payouts Being Sent (Check Your Junk Folder) + Ongoing Benefits Reminder

Update December 2022: You may not even remember that you filed a cash claim in the 2017 Equifax Data Breach Settlement, but the payments are finally being sent out. I nearly deleted the email as it ended up in my Junk Folder. The settlement … [Read the rest]