Review
Discover It Review
From my Medium archive: rotating 5% categories, statement-credit simplicity, and the first-year match that turns 5% into 10%.
Credit Cards
Review
Chase Freedom Flex Review
From my Medium archive: rotating 5% categories, the Sapphire pairing that boosts every point, and what the no-fee math realistically returns.
Review
Chase Sapphire Preferred Review
From my Medium archive: the CSP's 25% redemption boost (the 2022-era rule; Chase moved to Points Boost in 2025), the value math against its $95 fee, and my own mileage after a year and a half with the card.
Credit Cards
I Held the Blue Cash Preferred for Four Years, Then Downgraded. Here's the Math.
After four years with the Blue Cash Preferred I downgraded to the free Blue Cash Everyday. The break-even is $3,167 a year in groceries, and my life stopped clearing it.
Credit Cards
The Financial Hot Potato: 0% Interest Credit Cards and Balance Transfers
0% interest credit card promotions—how they work, their risks, and why lenders offer them as a financial lifeline or potential debt trap
Credit Cards
Debunking 4 Common Credit Myths
A small collection of common misunderstandings I've corrected for friends over the years.
Credit Cards
Limit Testing with Credit Limits
Just because you have it, doesn't mean you should use it.
Credit Cards
Your Credit Journey: A Simple Guide to Building Strong Credit
An explainer series to understanding and improving your credit
Credit Cards
Credit Scores | All The Rest
The remaining 20-40% of our scores.
Credit Cards
Credit Scores | Credit Usage
How close are you to maxing out? Try staying under 30%
Credit Cards
Min-Maxing | Credit History
Some "hacks" and a thought experiment about long-term optimization
Credit Cards
Credit Scores | Credit History
And the only way to actually boost this factor... time!