Recommended Financial Tools & Services

Curated recommendations for getting started with budgeting, investing, banking, and more. These are the tools we use and recommend.

How to Choose

Credit Cards

Start here if: You want to build credit, earn rewards on spending you already do

Red flags: Carrying a balance, paying interest, getting cards you can’t afford

Strategy:

1. Start with no-annual-fee cash back card
2. Pay off in full every month (never pay interest)
3. Add travel card once spending is optimized
4. Maximize category bonuses (5% groceries, 3% gas, etc.)

Investment Accounts

Start here if: You have emergency fund, want to grow wealth long-term

Priority order:

1. 401(k) up to match - Free money from employer
2. Roth IRA - $6,500/year tax-free growth
3. Max 401(k) - $22,500/year tax-deferred
4. Taxable brokerage - No limits, flexibility

Recommended allocation for beginners:

• 90% VTI (Total Stock Market Index)
• 10% BND (Total Bond Market)
• Rebalance yearly

High-Yield Savings

Start here if: You need a place for emergency fund, short-term savings

What to look for:

• 4%+ APY (changes with Fed rates)
• FDIC insured (up to $250k)
• No fees, no minimums
• Easy transfers to/from checking

How much to keep:

• Emergency fund: 3-6 months expenses
• Short-term goals: Down payment, car, etc. (< 3 years)
• Don’t keep too much - invest the rest

Credit Card Comparison

Card	Annual Fee	Cash Back	Sign-Up Bonus	Best For
Citi Double Cash	$0	2% everything	None	Simple cash back
Chase Freedom Unlimited	$0	1.5% + 5% rotating	$200	Beginners
Chase Sapphire Preferred	$95	2x travel/dining	60k points	Travel rewards
Amex Gold	$250	4x dining/groceries	60k points	Foodies
Amex Platinum	$695	5x flights/hotels	80k points	Premium travel

Pro tip: Use multiple cards to maximize category bonuses (4x groceries on Amex Gold, 5x rotating categories on Freedom, 2x travel on Sapphire)

Brokerage Comparison

Platform	Trading Fees	Account Minimum	Best Feature	Best For
Fidelity	$0	$0	Research, customer service	Most people
Vanguard	$0	$0	Index funds	Buy & hold investors
Interactive Brokers	$0*	$0	Margin rates (1.5%)	Active traders
M1 Finance	$0	$100	Auto-rebalancing	Set it & forget it
Robinhood	$0	$0	Simple app	Beginners (but watch out for temptation to trade)

*Interactive Brokers has tiered pricing; $0 for most retail traders

High-Yield Savings Comparison

Bank	APY	Minimum	Monthly Fee	Best Feature
Marcus	4.50%	$0	$0	Highest rate, great app
Ally	4.35%	$0	$0	Full-service online bank
Capital One 360	4.25%	$0	$0	Physical branches available
CIT Bank	4.60%	$5,000	$0	Highest rate for larger balances

Note: APY changes frequently with Fed rates. Check current rates before opening.

Getting Started Checklist

Foundation (Month 1-3)

• Open checking account (Capital One 360 or Ally)
• Open high-yield savings for emergency fund (Marcus or Ally)
• Get first credit card (Citi Double Cash or Chase Freedom Unlimited)
• Set up budget tracking (YNAB or Mint)

Building (Month 4-12)

• Build $1,000 starter emergency fund
• Max out 401(k) employer match
• Open Roth IRA (Fidelity or Vanguard)
• Get travel rewards card if applicable (Chase Sapphire Preferred)

Growing (Year 2+)

• Build full 3-6 month emergency fund
• Max out Roth IRA ($6,500/year)
• Increase 401(k) contributions toward max ($22,500/year)
• Open taxable brokerage account (Fidelity)
• Optimize credit card strategy for maximum rewards

Red Flags to Avoid

Credit Cards

❌ Store cards with 25%+ APR - Only worth it if you shop there constantly
❌ Paying annual fees without using benefits - Calculate value first
❌ Carrying a balance - Interest destroys any rewards value
❌ Applying for too many at once - Hurts credit score

Investment Accounts

❌ High expense ratios - Actively managed funds charging 1%+
❌ Frequent trading - Taxes and fees destroy returns
❌ Timing the market - Just invest consistently
❌ Crypto-only portfolio - Diversify appropriately

Banking

❌ Traditional banks with fees - 0.01% savings rate + $12/month fee
❌ Keeping too much in checking - Move to high-yield savings
❌ Not FDIC insured - Only use insured institutions

Next Steps

• Choose one thing from each category to start
• Don’t overthink - “Good enough” beats “perfect later”
• Automate everything - Set up auto-transfers, auto-invest
• Review quarterly - Adjust as rates and offers change

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Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate links. We only recommend products we actually use and believe in. This page is updated regularly with current best offers.

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