Recommendations

This page is where you can find all of the resources that I have used personally and recommend as they provided me value.

Financial Tools

• Mint.com 

All my financial accounts in one place. Can easily tag purchases, create budgets, see net worth, set up text/email alerts, and all sorts of trending analysis. I check my Mint account religiously and best of all its free and secure!

• Capital One 360 Savings Account *

Capital One 360 Savings was something I picked up reading “I Will Teach You To Be Rich” by Ramit Sethi. No Fees or Minimum balance required, .75% interest rate, Setup multiple Saving Accounts, Savings goals, set up automatic deposits, and spend less time on your finances.

I started my savings accounts in June and automatically make two electronic deposits a month. I have four different savings accounts (Emergency, Travel, etc.4) and four savings goals. They say when you create separate savings categories you are less likely to touch the money as you invest in the specific savings goal. I found that to be true for myself.

Capital One 360 also has excellent customer support that has helped me with questions along the way. (Also connects great with Mint!). Sign up through my link and get $25 free!

• Debt Reduction Calculator – Vertex42.com

There are two common ways to pay off debt:

Debt Snowball – Pay off the lowest balance first. Advantage – Quick Wins and fewer creditors owed.

Debt Avalanche – Pay off the lowest Interest Rate first. Advantage – Pay less interest

This calculator was a key motivator for me as I knew how much I needed to pay and exactly when I would pay everything off (as mentioned in About Me). In the calculator, there is a custom view where you can compare and contrast different options. Check out the demo video in the link for a detailed overview of how to use the spreadsheet. Feel free to contact me with any questions.

•  Vanguard

   

My favorite place to invest my money. I have an IRA, Roth IRA, and taxable investment account at Vanguard and invest in low-cost index funds. 

Productivity

• Meditate with Muse  

I found out about this product while watching a Youtube video of Pat Flynn showing his office. I’ve been reading about how so many successful people meditate, and I’ve never been able to do it until now consistently. I enjoy my Muse headband because it gives me feedback when my mind is drifting. I am pretty competitive and like to keep track of my results and try to beat my best scores. I’ve been building up from 3 minutes to 7-minute sessions

The headband connects to the Muse App via Bluetooth. The app has themes (Beach, desert, rain forest, etc.) that go louder if your Brain is active or quieter (birds chirping) when to a calmer state. I enjoy seeing my session ratings and identifying when my brain is more active. This information and analysis help me improve each session.

• Goal setting using White Board

No link for this one. I bought a whiteboard at Walmart a year ago. It provides me great value as I use it for my Monthly and Yearly goals. It is located right next to my desk at home. Having the Whiteboard right next to me keeps me on track to meet my goals.

I have a section with my student loan balance information, A section for monthly goals (including the “One Most Important thing” to accomplish for the month) and a section for my yearly goals.

Goal setting is important to prevent drifting and wasting time on insignificant things. Get a Whiteboard and start setting Goals!

Earn Extra Money

Teaching English with Pal fish* -Apply as a Teacher

PalFish is a community of educators, and students seeking to improve their English.

Create a teacher account and create a 1 minute sound recording introducing yourself and upload a profile picture. Once approved, students will be able to reach out to you when you are online. I had no experience teaching English, and you don’t need any experience either. Set your hourly rate, and get paid per minute on a call with the student (paid in Chinese Yuan. $1 USD = .15 Yuan). Palfish will pay via Paypal twice a month (50 Yuan minimum).

I had calls with 5 Students so far and set my rate at about $10 per hour. I can understand the students and we have regular conversations. Examples: A student I spoke with just graduated college and was seeking advice on how to interview for jobs. Another is a Chinese exchange student living Europe and wanted to know my favorite places in the US. Another we chatted about the NBA finals for 30mins.

• Grindabuck * 

Earn money completing surveys and other activities. Similar to Swagbucks but I have found it pays out better. Payments in Bitcoins, Paypal, Giftcards, and more! I enjoy the website as it is interactive with chat, leaderboards, personal stats, and promos.

• Sell your Stuff

Facebook Marketplace /Craigslist/OfferUp are great ways sell your stuff locally. Smaller items I can ship cheaply, I will list on Ebay.

My Favorite Books

• “I Will Teach You to Be Rich” By Ramit Sethi
• “The Wealthy Barber” By David Chilton
• “The Millionaire Next Door” Thomas J Stanley
• “Living Forward” Michael Hyatt

My Favorite Podcasts

• Afford Anything Podcast – Paula Pant
• Choose FI – Jonathan Mendonza and Brad Barett
• Millennial Money Minutes – Millennial Money & Distilled Dollar
• FIRE Drill Podcast – Millennial Boss & FieryMillennials
• The Tim Ferriss Show – Tim Ferriss
• Financial Independence Podcast – MadFinestist
• The Side Hustle Show – Nick Loper
• Radical Personal Finance – Joshua Sheets
• His and Her Money Show
• SmartPasive Income – Pat Flynn

Please note: * indicates affiliate links. I appreciate your support! Please see disclaimer page for more information.