Money saving tips and tricks

Money saving tips and tricks

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When the Crypto Ride Hits a Bump — How to Bounce Back, Not Break

When the Crypto Ride Hits a Bump — How to Bounce Back, Not Break

When the Crypto Ride Hits a Bump — How to Bounce Back, Not Break

Buying Holiday Gifts on a Budget

Buying Holiday Gifts on a Budget

Fin Story: The Year I Tried to “Wing It” with Gift Shopping A few years ago, I promised myself I’d spend less on gifts. Then I walked into a mall with no list, no budget, and a peppermint latte the size of my head. Three hours later, I had

Save Time and Money on Holiday Travel

Save Time and Money on Holiday Travel

Fin learned the hard way that last-minute travel can cost more than the trip itself. This holiday, plan smarter — save time, money, and stress before you even pack your bags.

Pay Yourself First: The Rule That Changes Everything

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Pay Yourself First: The Rule That Changes Everything

Pay Yourself First: The Rule That Changes Everything

Fin’s WFH Story: Coding in the Age of AI

Fin’s WFH Story: Coding in the Age of AI

The last article was about WFH specifically, and I had some thoughts as someone who works from home as a programmer... Coffee mug in hand. Hoodie on. Code editor glowing in the dim morning light. That’s how most of my work-from-home days begin. I’m a programmer — and like

Work From Home, Without Losing Your Mind (or Your Wi-Fi)

Work From Home, Without Losing Your Mind (or Your Wi-Fi)

There’s something magical about brewing your own coffee and starting “the commute” that’s five steps to your desk. But if you’ve ever tried working from home full-time, you know it’s not all cozy hoodies and flexible hours. It’s a balancing act — comfort meets discipline. The

Impulse Buy Armor: Fin’s 24-Hour Rule

Impulse Buy Armor: Fin’s 24-Hour Rule

We’ve all been there. It’s late at night, you’re scrolling Amazon, Target, or that random ad Instagram shoved in your face, and suddenly you’ve convinced yourself that you need a $60 gadget you’ve never thought about before. For me, it was a countertop mini donut

Side Income, Low Friction: $200–$600/Month Ideas That Don’t Fry Your Brain

Side Income, Low Friction: $200–$600/Month Ideas That Don’t Fry Your Brain

Weekend-friendly, ad-safe ways to earn a few hundred a month—no MLMs. Fin’s micro-service ideas, vetting checklist, safety tips, and a burnout-proof schedule.

Utility Bill Audit: Kill the “Phantom Loads” (Fin’s room-by-room playbook)

Utility Bill Audit: Kill the “Phantom Loads” (Fin’s room-by-room playbook)

Stop paying for “nothing.” Fin’s 60-minute room-by-room audit cuts standby power, dials in thermostat & hot water, and uses off-peak timing—plus a built-in phantom-load cost estimator.

Phone Plans & MVNOs 101 — how discount carriers work, coverage gotchas, and when they’re worth it

Phone Plans & MVNOs 101 — how discount carriers work, coverage gotchas, and when they’re worth it

What MVNOs are, why they’re cheaper, the fine print (deprioritization, hotspot limits, international), and a safe step-by-step to test and switch.

Bank Fees Audit: how to dodge ATM, overdraft, and monthly charges (and the fine print to watch)

Bank Fees Audit: how to dodge ATM, overdraft, and monthly charges (and the fine print to watch)

One-hour playbook to find and stop bank fees: ATM, overdraft, monthly maintenance, and the sneaky fine print—plus scripts to request refunds.

Fin’s Monthly Budget Playbook — plus a simple calculator you can use right now

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Fin’s Monthly Budget Playbook — plus a simple calculator you can use right now

A clean, in-page budget calculator—enter take-home pay and bills, tag as need/want/savings, see your 50/30/20 split, and export to CSV. No sign-ups or external scripts.

Unit-Price Ninja: grocery math that saves real money (with a “cents per ounce” table)

Unit-Price Ninja: grocery math that saves real money (with a “cents per ounce” table)

Fin’s quick story Last month I reached for my usual pasta sauce. New “Family Size!” sticker, same price. Looked bigger… until I checked the fine print: 22 oz down from 24 oz. The “deal” wasn’t a deal—just shrinkflation in a hoodie. That’s when unit-price ninja mode

Emergency Fund, Made Doable (Fin’s 3-Stage “No-Shame” Plan)

Emergency Fund, Made Doable (Fin’s 3-Stage “No-Shame” Plan)

Start small and automate: the buffer ($250–$1,000), one month of core bills, then 3–6 months. Fin’s story + tiny automations that quietly add up.

Mortgages, Decoded: loan types, first-time buyer perks, USDA benefits, and why ARMs deserve caution

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Mortgages, Decoded: loan types, first-time buyer perks, USDA benefits, and why ARMs deserve caution

Not financial advice. For decisions about your situation, talk with a licensed mortgage pro or a HUD-approved housing counselor. The super-short primer A mortgage is a long-term loan secured by your home. Your payment usually includes: * Principal + interest * Taxes + homeowners insurance (escrowed) * Sometimes mortgage insurance (PMI or an annual fee)

Eating on a Budget: The Power of Noodles

Eating on a Budget: The Power of Noodles

Budget cooking without strict recipes: a 6-part noodle framework, cheap upgrades, and a week of fast, flexible meals.

Credit & Credit Cards: Rewards Without the Regret

Credit & Credit Cards: Rewards Without the Regret

How to use credit cards responsibly: rewards, match-to-spend, protections, and habits that keep interest at zero. Education only.

401(k) Basics: Don’t Leave the Match on the Table

401(k) Basics: Don’t Leave the Match on the Table

401(k) basics in plain English: employer match, compounding, and simple index options. Education only—no financial advice.

Fin’s App Roundup: Track & Tame Subscriptions (No Sponsors… yet 😅)

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Fin’s App Roundup: Track & Tame Subscriptions (No Sponsors… yet 😅)

Best apps to track and cancel subscriptions on iOS/Android—plus where to cancel in App Store or Google Play. No sponsors, just tools.

Meet Fin: Small Money Habits That Actually Stick

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Meet Fin: Small Money Habits That Actually Stick

Smart Fin Tips is a calm corner of the internet where we break down everyday money questions into plain-English checklists, simple frameworks, and light analysis of what’s happening in the world. No hype. No “get rich yesterday.” Just practical ideas you can actually use.