•Credit card tips
Credit Card Rewards for Expats: My 4-Stage Plan (2026)
From your first secured card to premium travel cards, here's the 4-stage system I'd use to earn rewards without getting sloppy.
US Personal finance
32 posts in this category
•Expats in the US
T-Bills vs HYSA for Expats in High-Tax States (2026)
Trying to choose between T-bills and a HYSA? Here's how I think about yield, state taxes, liquidity, and simplicity as an expat in California.
•Expats in the US
How I Built a 720+ US Credit Score as an Expat (2026)
From no file to 720+ in about a year, here's the roadmap I followed to build, protect, and use a US credit score as an expat.
•Expats in the US
HSA, FSA & HDHP: Healthcare Guide for Expats (2026)
The definitive 2026 guide to HSA, FSA, and HDHP for expats in the US—with updated IRS contribution limits, comparison tables, and practical tips from four years of navigating the system myself.
•Expats in the US
Navigating Open Enrollment: Essential Reads for Expats in the US
Navigate US open enrollment with confidence—I've curated essential guides on HSAs, HDHPs, and FSAs to help expats decode America's complex benefits system.
•Geopolitics
The Great Wealth Transfer: Unpacking Ray Dalio's Insights on the Economy
Ray Dalio reveals how the Fed's unusual economic maneuver transferred wealth from government to households, creating today's resilient economy—but warns of a looming debt spiral ahead.
•Expats in the US
Expat Home Buyers: Navigating the Impact of Rising Interest Rates on U.S. Mortgages
Most homebuyers only compare monthly payments to rent, but at 7% interest, you'll pay over 80% of your loan amount in interest alone—here's how to avoid that trap.
•Credit card tips
Credit Card Rewards: A Financial Boon or a Debt Trap?
Credit card rewards can save you hundreds on travel and purchases—but only if you're truly disciplined enough to avoid the spending traps that fund these programs.
•Credit card tips
Secured Credit Cards: Unlocking Financial Opportunities for those with limited or poor credit history
Secured credit cards require a refundable deposit but report to credit bureaus just like regular cards—making them a powerful tool to build credit when you pay on time.
•US Personal finance
Why You Shouldn't Believe the Hype About the TreasuryDirect Website Being Outdated
While critics mock TreasuryDirect's design, 90% of users rate it excellent or good—and 4 million funded accounts prove functionality beats aesthetics.
•US Personal finance
Treasury bill: you can earn more than 4.5% APY without state/local tax today
Treasury bills offer 4.5%+ APY exempt from state and local taxes—a significant advantage if you're in a high-tax state like California over standard high-yield savings.
•Expats in the US
FSA 101: A Practical Guide for Expats in the US
FSAs let expats in the US save thousands on healthcare and childcare through pre-tax dollars—but enrollment timing and use-it-or-lose-it rules require strategy.