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In this conversation, I sit down with Dr. Majid Fotuhi to explore one of the biggest forces quietly reshaping our economy: healthcare, longevity, and the role of AI in medicine. We talk about the tension between automation and humanity, the real risks of device addiction, and what it means to live in a world where virtual experiences are competing with physical reality. But beyond the philosophical questions, there’s a powerful investing angle here. If healthcare, longevity, and human-centered services become more valuable in the decades ahead, what does that mean for markets, for financial planning, and for how we allocate…

Empower is a financial tool that enables you to manage 100% of your finances from a single dashboard. Previously called Personal Capital, I’ve used the app for years. In this Empower review and user’s guide, I’ll walk through all of its features and how to leverage them to help you make the most of your money. Quick Take Empower delivers a complete view of your finances in one place. It automatically syncs your checking, savings, credit card, loan, investment (401(k), IRA), and even mortgage accounts, providing a real‑time snapshot of your net worth and overall financial health.It offers cash flow…

Debt doesn’t always happen all at once. Balances can creep up through everyday expenses, rising interest, or a financial setback that throws a budget off track. When options feel limited, retirement savings may seem like a potential source of relief.  For workers with years of contributions, a 401(k) loan may be more accessible than applying for a personal loan or adding to credit card debt. But borrowing from retirement savings comes with risks that can affect long-term financial security.  Before using a 401(k) loan to pay debt, it helps to understand why people consider this option, how these loans work, and the tradeoffs involved.  Why a 401(k)…

One of the more entertaining aspects of financial social media is watching hyperbole get passed around like a hot potato. Almost every month, there seems to be a new label designed to classify where people supposedly stand in society. We already have poor, low income, lower middle class, middle class, DUPs, HENRY, mass affluent, Fat FIRE, poor millionaire, and rich. If there is one thing we love in addition to earning money, it is categorizing ourselves and others. And if we can categorize others below where we stand, we might feel a little better about our own situation. Since 2009,…

Discover was once a major player in the home equity loans business, but you may have noticed these products are no longer available for new applicants. The lender also no longer accepts new applications for its refinance loans, meaning it’s completely out of the home lending business. So what does this mean if you already have a Discover home equity loan — or a mortgage refinance — and what are your best options if you were hoping to apply for one?What happened to Discover’s home equity loan business?The driving force behind Discover’s about-face on home lending was Capital One’s acquisition…

After Fundrise announced it plans to list the Innovation Fund on the NYSE, I decided to do some more research on how different funds actually trade and why float matters more than most investors realize. My main goal was to get a better idea of how the fund may trade compared to its Net Asset Value (NAV). Most investors assume that if something trades on a stock exchange, it must work the same way as everything else on that exchange. A share is a share, liquidity is liquidity, and price should roughly equal value. That assumption is wrong. Two funds…

Avant provides credit cards and personal loans at varying credit limits. They also provide varying methods for keeping your payments on track if you are in a financial bind. If you cannot get a hardship payment plan that fits your monthly cash flow, we can often settle with Avant for fifty percent or less of what you owe. The ideal time for you to call Avant yourself, and talk to them about payment flexibility, is when you are barely late. I cover why being late, even just a little bit (a day or three), is so important in my hardship…

Chevron and Texaco have the same co-branded gas credit card thanks to a 2001 merger that united the two companies. Issued by Synchrony Bank, the Techron Advantage credit card earns rewards at both Chevron and Texaco gas stations. Unfortunately, the card’s baseline rewards are fairly stingy considering that the average price of a gallon of gas hovering just below $3 (as of February 2026). There are ways to increase your per-gallon savings with the card, but they require more spending on your part and a commitment to get gas mostly from Chevron and Texaco.Here’s what to know about the Techron…

Did you see an interest charge on your most recent credit card bill? If you’ve ever stared at your statement, wondering where that number came from, you’re not alone.  Interest charges on purchases eat into your finances and can cause your credit card bill to inch up a little each month.   In this blog, you’ll learn what interest charges are and why they’re on your bill. You’ll also learn how to calculate interest and discover tips for avoiding (or minimizing) interest as much as possible.   What Is an Interest Charge on Purchases?  An interest charge on purchases is the extra cost you pay when you carry a balance on a credit card after the…

Mint was one of the first free online budgeting apps when it launched in 2007. I used it when it was first released. Intuit purchased Mint in 2009 and recently shut Mint.com down. Current users are now forced to find a replacement. Here are the 10 best Mint alternatives worth considering. NOTE: I’ve used all of these apps extensively, many for years to test them. Two of My Favorites 1. Monarch Money: My wife and I have used Monarch Money for about two years and it’s my favorite budgeting app. It tracks budgets and spending, keeps track of recurring expenses…