Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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FTX Explained: What Is It And Why Did It Collapse?
Before his cryptocurrency exchange was even a thought in Sam Bankman-Fried’s calculations, he was trading what is known as the Kimchi swap. In 2017, he became aware of the fact that different exchanges posted their own spread rates on Bitcoin and other crypto assets. These unique rates were sometimes as far off as around 60%…
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The Big Reason Some Married Couples Might Want To File Taxes Separately
Perhaps one of the biggest reasons for married couples to file taxes separately is if one person in the relationship has outstanding debts and/or previous tax issues. If you or your partner have back taxes, owed child support, medical bills, or defaulted federal loans (e.g., student loans) then filing jointly can mean that your joint…
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This Is The Worst Time To Ask For A Credit Limit Increase
If you’ve recently opened up new lines of credit or already requested higher credit limits from other lenders, that’s not going to send a vote of confidence to your issuer. Lenders could conclude that you’re entering a financial emergency and need additional credit just to pay your bills. Whenever a new account is opened, the…
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Debt Myths You Really Need To Stop Believing
It’s easy to lump all debts together into one composite thing and proclaim them to be ‘bad’ for personal finance. While owing a debt is certainly less appealing than living life totally debt-free, almost no one can truly claim to be completely unencumbered by a financial repayment obligation of some kind. Moreover, not all debts…
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What Really Happens To Your Debt After You Die
According to the Federal Reserve’s Consumer Credit report, approximately 43.5 million Americans were facing $1.7 trillion in student loan debt to begin 2023. That number constituted 13% of the U.S. population, and the average amount owed per student was $37,787. Further, per Federal Student Aid, 92% of that $1.7 trillion was in the form of…
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The Hidden Downsides Of Using Buy Now, Pay Later Services
Besides not getting rewarded figuratively by the credit bureaus for your good buy now, pay later payment history, you also won’t get any literal rewards. As in airline miles, flexible points, or plain ol’ cash back that you might snag if paying with an appropriate credit card. Considering that the average BNPL purchase amount is…
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Are The Benefits Of Being A Sephora Rouge Member Worth It?
If you have to drop $1,000 in a calendar year just to join a rewards tier, then the benefits better be worth it. And for some, Sephora’s Rouge will be. Rouge works similarly to other rewards programs: With every dollar you spend at Sephora, you earn one point. However, you get a lot more perks.…
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5 Ways A Government Shutdown Takes Money Out Of Your Pocket
If you’re traveling by air during a government shutdown, expect delays. That’s because more than 50,000 TSA agents and 13,000 air traffic controllers will be asked to continue working without pay until the government is eventually funded. The TSA agents are of particular concern because they’re among the lowest-paid government workers, and they may have…
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Venmo Vs. Cash App: Which Money App Is Safer And Better To Use?
Venmo requires a U.S. phone number, and for users to reside in the U.S. in order to use the app. This can have serious implications for anyone who frequently travels, lives in a border city, or has international friends and family. Not to mention, the physical residence requirement can be difficult for federal employees and/or…
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Are Planet Fitness’ Black Card Perks Worth The Price?
To begin, the Black Card allows Planet Fitness members to use any club in America or internationally, whereas regular members only have access to their home club. Needless to say, this can be a valuable benefit if you frequently travel for work or pleasure. Advertisement In recent years, with the increased popularity of full-time living…
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