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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…

Understanding the hidden forces that keep money tight, and how to create breathing room If you have ever thought, “I make decent money, so why does my account still hit that number two days before payday?” you are not broken. You are not lazy. You are not bad with money. In many cases, paycheck to paycheck living is a cash-flow problem. Timing, fixed costs, and debt payments can squeeze your monthly margin until even a solid income feels thin. The goal of this guide is not to shame you into a stricter budget. It is to help you understand what…

One of the reasons I’ve been a long-time supporter and affiliate partner of Fundrise is its willingness to innovate. Since its founding in 2012, shortly after the JOBS Act opened private investments to retail investors, Fundrise has consistently looked for ways to democratize access to institutional-quality investments. From launching diversified private real estate funds like its Heartland and Income funds, to expanding into venture capital through the Innovation Fund, Fundrise has steadily pushed into areas that were once reserved for large institutions and ultra-high-net-worth individuals. So when I received an email from Fundrise announcing its plans to list the Innovation…

The best small-business loans vary by use case, with bank and SBA loans offering the lowest rates and online lenders providing faster, more flexible funding.Consider factors like qualifications, cost, speed and flexibility in order to choose the best business loan for your needs.A business lending marketplace can allow you to apply to multiple lenders with a single application and provide personalized guidance. At some point, most small businesses need more money — whether it’s to stock shelves, buy new equipment or expand their footprint. A business loan can help, but figuring out where to start isn’t always simple.Below, we’ve identified…

Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich talks to Melissa and Tony, a couple who immigrated from Mexico with big dreams and an even bigger work ethic. In less than a decade, they’ve built a net worth of nearly $900,000. But beneath the surface of their impressive paper wealth, they’re carrying almost $1 million in debt and are completely misaligned on their financial goals. With their second child due any day, Ramit helps them uncover the root of their money woes, from differing money styles to the profound impact of their upbringing. Can they finally get on…

I have wanted to lose 10 pounds (~6% of body weight) ever since I started Financial Samurai in 2009. I have come close, dropping five to six pounds in some years, but never quite hitting the double digit goal. As a result, for more than 16 years, I failed to accomplish something that should have been straightforward, especially for a supposedly rational economist and personal finance nerd. There were even moments when I considered intentionally gaining a lot of weight just to make losing 10 pounds easier. The idea felt similar to racking up a ton of credit card debt…

Gondola is a free hotel search and booking platform that easily lets you compare the cost of cash and award stays. This makes it easier to find award prices across multiple brands simultaneously and decide whether to use cash or points to book a hotel stay.It has many of the features you’d want in a travel search tool: price alerts if the cash or points price drops, fast results, and even helpful historical price data for a specific property. You can even sort the search results by redemption value. That’s more detailed information than other platforms provide, like PointsYeah and…

Buying a home is a big step, and if you’re a veteran stepping into civilian life, the process can feel even bigger. Fortunately, VA home loans offer unique advantages that can make the process easier and more affordable for service members.   Unlike many traditional loans, you don’t need a big down payment before getting approved.  That means you can focus on finding the right home instead of stressing so much about saving  Let’s break down how these benefits work and the eligibility requirements in more detail.  What Is a VA Home Loan and How Does It Work?  A VA home loan is a mortgage program available…