JP Morgan (Chase) Brokerage Transfer Bonus: Up to $1,000 for $250k/90 Days

Updated offer details. Brokerage firms compete for "assets under management", and many are willing to give you cash to encourage you to move your assets over to them. The bonus size will usually vary with the amount transferred, but also pay … [Read the rest]

Citizens Bank $400 Checking Bonus (Direct Deposit Required)

Citizens Bank is offering a $400 checking bonus with relatively simple requirements. However, they only offer checking accounts to residents of certain states mainly in the Eastern and Northeastern US (CT, DC, DE, FL, MD, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, … [Read the rest]

Brokerage Fraud, Two-Factor Authentication, & Security “Guarantees”

Fraud attempts seem to be coming at us 24/7, and this story of a couple losing $180,000 from their brokerage account was very sad. However, what really caught my eye is that not only could they not track down the funds (where was it withdrawn to? … [Read the rest]

Reader Questions: Cash and Bond Holdings Details

I've gotten a few reader questions about my personal cash and bond holdings, so I thought I'd combine them here. You may be surprised that I don't chase the top rates that much myself anymore, although I still do attractive deposit bonuses (most … [Read the rest]

MMB Portfolio Dividend & Interest Income – 2026 1st Quarter Update

Here’s my 2026 1st Quarter income update as a companion post to my 2026 1st Quarter asset allocation & performance update. Even though I don't focus on high-dividend stocks or covered-call strategies, I still track the income from my portfolio as … [Read the rest]

Spruce Money Fintech App: $50 Referral Bonus w/ Direct Deposit (H&R Block)

(Update: The previous offer ended 4/15 and the current offer is a $50 bonus with a new expiration date of 5/31/26. I did get my bonus the day after my direct deposit posted and my debit card was activated, so it was indeed simple and … [Read the rest]

Best Interest Rates Survey: Bank Accounts, Treasury Bills, Money Markets, ETFs – April 2026

Here's my monthly survey of the best interest rates on cash as of April 2026, roughly sorted from shortest to longest maturities. Banks and brokerages love taking advantage of idle cash, and you can often earn more interest while keeping the same … [Read the rest]

CIT Bank Platinum Savings APY Boost Promo: 6-Months at 4.10% APY (New and Existing Customers)

(Update: The end date for this offer has been extended to 5/31/26.) CIT Bank has a new limited-time Platinum Savings APY Boost Promotion, offering a boosted interest rate of 4.10% APY for 6 months on their Platinum Saving account that is 0.35% APY … [Read the rest]

Chase Bank $900 Checking + Savings Bonus w/ Coupon Code (Updated 2026)

(Update: Here is an alternative version, which only requires a checking account and does not require direct deposit nor a savings account. Thanks to reader Sweepster.) Back again, new expiration date 7/15/2026. Here's another megabank bonus to … [Read the rest]

How Vanguard Investors Made $5 Trillion Over Last 10 Years

A new Morningstar article points out that between December 2016 and December 2025, Vanguard investors contributed about $2 trillion in net investment flows, while also gaining $5 trillion in market appreciation (income and gains). They listed two … [Read the rest]

MMB Portfolio Asset Allocation & Performance – 2026 1st Quarter Update

Here is my 2026 1st Quarter portfolio update that includes all our combined 401k/403b/IRAs and taxable brokerage accounts but excludes our house and small side portfolio of self-directed investments. Following the concept of skin in the game, the … [Read the rest]

5% Cash Back Cards: Restaurants, Home Improvement, Amazon – April through June 2026

Activation reminder for 2026 2nd Quarter. The credit cards below offer 5% cash back and up on specific categories, some fixed and some that rotate each quarter. It takes a little extra attention to which card you're using, but it can add up to … [Read the rest]