Here's a reader question via email that comes up pretty regularly, and I'm surprised that I don't have a dedicated post answering it. So here it is! 😁 Hi Jonathan, I have been following you for a long time and appreciate your work. … [Read the rest]
Reader Question: Credit Card Bonuses, Paying Annual Fees, and FICO Scores
Posted on November 1, 2022 // 3 Comments
PNC Bank Checking Account Bonus ($200 or $400)
Posted on October 27, 2022 // 3 Comments
Update: Based on what I see in my zip code, it appears this bonus was extended to January 2, 2023. PNC Bank is one of the Top 10 largest banks in the US, and they have a nice bonus available as well. Enter your zip code into their checking … [Read the rest]
Discover Card Free Online Privacy Protection Review (Delayed Success!)
Posted on October 26, 2022 // 11 Comments
Follow-up: Although the initial scan did not find any hits (even though my data was on the sites), a subsequent scan did a better job and Discover removed my data from 33 different hits from the 10 people search sites. I randomly spot-checked them … [Read the rest]
The Average Portfolio Asset Allocation of a Millionaire (You Might Be Surprised)
Posted on October 25, 2022 // 4 Comments
The current issue of the Journal of Financial Economics has a new paper titled Millionaires speak: What drives their personal investment decisions? about how millionaires invest their money (via Alpha Architect): We survey 2,484 U.S. individuals … [Read the rest]
Target Date Retirement Fund Average Glidepath Trends 2012-2022
Posted on October 24, 2022 // Leave a Comment
Everyday investors now have trillions of dollars invested inside Target Date Funds (TDFs) with their "set-and-forget" simplicity that provides "industry-standard" investment advice for a relatively low cost. Many people are out there selling better … [Read the rest]
Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity (MYGA) to Immediate Annuity Example (Rates Now 5%+)
Posted on October 19, 2022 // 13 Comments
Many people hold a blanket assumption that all annuities are bad investments. Indeed, many annuities offer confusing promises with high hidden expenses, but I believe that certain annuities can be a very useful tool in retirement planning. First, … [Read the rest]
Federal Student Loan Forgiveness Application Website Now Open
Posted on October 18, 2022 // 49 Comments
Update 10/18/2022: You can now apply for the Federal Student Loan Debt Relief Program at https://studentaid.gov/debt-relief/application. "Time to Complete: About 5 Minutes. No Login or Documents Required." Original post 8/24/2022: The … [Read the rest]
Firstrade Broker Deposit or ACAT Transfer Bonus: Up to $4,000
Posted on October 16, 2022 // 19 Comments
Firstrade is a broker unique in that they include $0 online stock/ETF trades, $0 options + $0 per contract, and $0 mutual fund trades (including no-load). Most of the major brokers charge per options contract and for no-load mutual fund trades. … [Read the rest]
Starbucks + Delta Airlines Promo: 500 SkyMiles + 150 Stars
Posted on October 12, 2022 // Leave a Comment
Delta Airlines is partnering with Starbucks, including with a account linking promo worth an easy 500 Delta Skymiles and 150 Starbucks Stars (worth a free drink of any size or breakfast/snack item): 150 Stars and 500 miles when you link before … [Read the rest]
Public Stock Brokerage App: Up to $10,000 ACAT Transfer Bonus (New Tiers)
Posted on October 11, 2022 // 16 Comments
Update January 2023: Public has been gradually making the bonus tiers higher and/or the bonus amount lower, but the offer is still alive. Please visit the offer page for the most current tiers and terms. Updates 10/11/22: Here are a few … [Read the rest]
Amazon October 11-12 Prime Day 2022: Free $10 Credit w/ $50 Gift Card Purchase
Posted on October 10, 2022 // 12 Comments
Amazon is having another Prime Day on October 11 & 12, basically another day of deals. Here are the low-hanging fruit like a $10 gift card credit and a few select deep-discount deals. Otherwise, I check on the things I need to buy anyway and try … [Read the rest]
MMB Portfolio 2022 3rd Quarter Update: Dividend & Interest Income
Posted on October 5, 2022 // Leave a Comment
Here’s my quarterly income update for my Humble Portfolio (2022 Q3). 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]
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