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Disclaimer If you use my link, both you and I get a $25 referral credit. I didn’t include this link at first, but a reader emailed asking for it. Since it seemed silly to withhold a $25 benefit from readers, I’ve added it — you’ll just have to take my word that my opinions are … Read more

On September 4, 2024, US Bank made big news with their announcement of an “industry-leading” card purported to earn 4% on all purchases (screenshot below). The card started accepting applications on November 14, 2024. In the ensuing 8.5 months, it has been almost comical to behold the meteoric (and inevitable) implosion of this card. US … Read more

My brother-in-law and his wife promised each of their kids a vacation to anywhere in the world upon graduating high school. My wife and I thought that was a cool idea and vaguely promised something similar to our children. The cheapskate in me secretly hoped that each of my graduating seniors would choose a tour … Read more

I’ve used Fidelity’s Cash Management Account (CMA) as my primary “checking,” “savings,” and “cash management account” for over six years. I recommend this setup to my students. I recommend it to my children. I recommend it to you. The default CMA setup is already strong. However, I’ve spent years refining it — optimizing for tax … Read more

I wrote the majority of this post before markets went to hell on April 3–4. Since then, our portfolio dropped another $250k. We’ll see how this plays out, but I can’t say I’m terribly optimistic about the fallout from what the WSJ called the “dumbest trade war in history.” I wouldn’t be surprised if equities … Read more

Another lap around the sun.   First, a 40,000 ft overview of 2024: I lost my mom (64) after an excruciatingly long and difficult sickness spanning almost a decade. I rediscovered running after a 25-year hiatus. I dragged the family to Seattle/Whistler where we hiked, kayaked, and four of us competed in a triathlon (Me, … Read more