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    Learn More About Our Team & Values

    Our Editorial team has a diverse background in personal finance, grounded in practical experience. Building wealth isn’t always easy, but it IS possible.

    Our Vision

    Our Vision is to be a trusted resource of up to date financial information, tips, trends, services and products.

    Our Mission

    Our Mission is to give you current financial tips and trends to provide you with financial gain and security. We value our readers and strive to maintain the highest standards in the accuracy of our content. We aim to inform you of our top service and product recommendations to take the guesswork out of making wise financial decisions.

    Our Values

    • People first. We think about our readers first and foremost when choosing the content that appears on this site. We know that you are busy. We also know that you want to succeed financially. We want you to be able to quickly discern if a financial product or service is right for you.
    • Honesty. We have done our research and aim to provide accurate financial information to support your current needs. If we do not recommend a particular financial product or service, we let you know. Better yet, we provide you with alternatives so you can make choices that work for your specific financial situation.
    • Excellence. We strive to provide you with engaging content that is easy to understand. Our job is to take complex financial subjects and make them accessible. You shouldn’t have to have a financial degree to become an investor or build wealth.

    money save plan

    Why Bilt Wealth?

    We created this website with you in mind. Need a review of financial software? Not sure whether or not you should apply for a new credit card? Clueless about investing? Bilt Wealth helps you make sense of your money and how to improve your financial situation.

    Accessible investing. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity for financial gain. Unfortunately, there is a lot of online information that is not accurate, outdated or simply too complicated to understand. Investing should not be difficult or only for the mass affluent. If you are serious about saving, we can show you ways to make the most of your hard-earned cash.

    Up to date information. Whether you are new to investing or ready to retire, money markets and financial tools are always changing. Follow Bilt Wealth to ensure you are up to date with all the financial tips and tricks. We provide you with software reviews, credit card reviews, how to make extra money, and more.

    Get your questions answered. You do not have to be a financial advisor to have an interest in investing. We provide the tools you can use to grow financially. Have a question? Leave us a comment. We strive to do our best to give you the tools you need for financial success.

    Our Top 10 Money Tips

    1. Get Paid What You Deserve

    Whether you are new to the field or been at the same employer for the last several years, chances are you need to evaluate your pay. Do a simple search in the marketplace. Does your pay line up with others in the industry? Consider asking your current boss for a raise or looking elsewhere for higher-paying opportunities. Even an extra few thousand dollars a year can buy you a better car, a much-needed vacation, or an emergency savings fund.

    2. Get Rid of Your Credit Card Debt

    Being a slave to credit card debt can seem like a never-ending cycle that looms over your head. Sure, credit cards are much easier to use than cash, but do you know how much you are spending? It is so easy to overspend with that little rectangle of plastic. Overspending on credit cards can have huge consequences on our future goals. Save your credit score, cut the cards, and pay off that debt.

    3. Invest

    Any extra money that you have at the end of the month should be going towards your future whether it is in a high-yield savings account or investments. Investing can provide money for your children’s college and retirement. It can also help you out when you lose a job or are faced with a medical issue that keeps you from working.

    4. Budget

    Budget does not have to be a negative word. Following a budget can help you accelerate your financial goals. Want to buy a house? Start a family? Keeping true to a budget now can reduce your stress later when unexpected expenses drop by.

    5. Share the Wealth

    Have you learned financial advice that could help your friends and family? Sharing your highs and lows can help others become financially independent.

    6. Spend Less Than You Earn

    This may sound easy but it is one of the hardest financial goals to maintain. The second we make more money, we tend to spend it to. Consistently working on your budget will help you not overspend. Spending less than you earn helps you save for your financial goals and avoid unnecessary debt.

    7. Know Your Net Worth

    Your net worth is the difference between what you own and your debt (what you owe). Periodically checking your net worth can help you measure the progress towards large financial goals. Seeing a sudden dip in your net worth? This is a tell-tale sign you are spending too much and need to dial it back.

    8. Get in Shape Mentally, Physically, and Spiritually

    Taking care of yourself and feeling good about yourself will help you spend less on impulse purchases like clothes or food you do not need. Use that extra cash to pay down debt or save for a special getaway.

    9. Accountability

    Friends who save together, stay together. Find a money buddy who is interested in positive money habits. Share your triumphs and struggles so you can quickly get back on track.

    10. Rebalance Your Portfolio Annually

    Are all of your investments generating a profit? If not, it might be time to get rid of the low-performing ones and reinvest in funds that are showing a financial gain. Taking a look at your portfolio once a year yourself, with a robo-advisor, or a human financial advisor is worth the couple hours of your time. It could mean the difference of thousands of dollars when retiring.

    Who is Bilt Wealth For?

    If you want to improve your credit score, invest for retirement, or learn how to make extra money, we can help you do that. Our core topics include banking, investing, side hustles, credit cards, and money management.

    What Is A Bank

    Banking

    Tired of your bank charging you fees? Why should you have to pay your bank fees when they are already making money on your account? We share our tips and tricks for finding the best return on your accounts, so you can make more money instead of giving it away.

    Investing

    Investing can be a complex subject, especially if you are just getting into a job that provides a 401K or you have a little extra money to dabble in the stock market. We provide you with the best software, financial advisor, and account options so you can take charge of your financial future.

    Side Hustles

    Is your 9-5 not cutting it? If you work full-time (or part-time) and want to pay down debt or have a little extra spending money, you are going to need a reliable side hustle. Unfortunately, a lot of websites will provide you with side hustles that just do not pan out. On Bilt Wealth, you will be able to use our resources to take the stress out of paying your bills and maybe even enjoy a little retail therapy.

    Credit Cards

    Good credit or bad credit? The majority of people do not even know whether their credit is sufficient or needs improvement. We break down rewards, cash back, and 0% APR credit cards so you can see which credit cards you qualify for and which ones you should avoid. We will even show you how to manage your credit score and improve it so that you can get approved for better offers.

    Money Management

    Do you have extra money at the end of the month but always spend it on frivolous things? Or maybe you are interested in saving money on monthly bills like cable, your cell phone, or insurance? Our money management section will whip your monthly budget into shape and even provide you with savings goals so you can live better and have more financial freedom.

    Our Editors

    We rely on our editorial staff to fact-check all of our content so we can maintain the highest level of accuracy. We want you to trust our non-biased recommendations, engage in our articles, and learn a few things in the process.

    The Bilt Wealth Team of Writers and Money Experts

    Julie Thompson_

    julie thompson


    financial tools

    Julie is a personal finance blogger with 15 years of experience in investing and maintaining profitable side hustles. She is passionate about helping others learn and utilize financial tools so they can live their best lives.

    Why are you giving advice on Bilt Wealth?

    I give advice on Bilt Wealth because I’ve been making money online since high school. I also manage multiple investment portfolios and run my own freelance writing business.

    What was your earliest experience with money?

    I started selling digital artwork online in high school (1999) and I was involved in the management of my first mutual fund when I started college shortly after.

    Are you more conservative or aggressive with your wealth-building?

    I just entered my 40s so I am still aggressive with my investments. However, I try to steward my money in a way that I can save, spend, and help others.

    If you could give people one piece of advice about money, what would it be?

    Consistently work on your credit score. There have been multiple times in my adult life when I was low on funds and because of my excellent credit score I was able to dig myself out of the financial rut and get back to living the lifestyle that I desired.

    Crystal Schwanke

    Crystal Schwanke


    side-hustles

    Crystal Schwanke turned her side hustle into a full-time career and has enjoyed self-employment since 2004. Forever looking for new adventures and sets of skills to attain, she’s researched and experimented with several side hustles over the years.

    Why are you giving advice on Bilt Wealth?

    I’m giving advice on Bilt Wealth because I don’t think we talk about money enough and saving, investing, credit, and even building a side hustle can be so confusing to most people. I know it all felt like a fog to me for so long. I wanted to learn more but I felt completely overwhelmed. Learning more about the possibilities–even if you’re not in a place to take advantage of them quite yet–is such a level-up for a person’s mindset.

    What was your earliest experience with money?

    My first experience with money when I was out on my own (I won’t count the money I made in high school because I spent it all as quickly as I made it just because I could, Lol) was in college. I had worked a couple of jobs that barely paid my bills because that was all I knew to do at the time as a student, then that place closed and I found myself in a commission-only job. Scary, right? Best lesson ever, though. It taught me that I had so much more control over what I could make than what society told me I did–and I made enough to feel pretty secure for that stage in my life. I knew I could effortlessly pay rent and cover all my bills, plus have enough to save and spend on frivolous things when I wanted to. I knew I never wanted to be locked into a regular 9-5 job with set pay (unless they paid really well!) again. Even when I got an office job after that, it didn’t take long for me to start a side hustle for fun. Less than a year later, I left the office job and made the side hustle my full-time job.

    Are you more conservative or aggressive with your wealth-building?

    I would say I’m more conservative than aggressive.

    If you could give people one piece of advice about money, what would it be?

    One piece of advice: If you’re interested in starting a side hustle, do it now. Don’t wait. Even if you don’t have a ton of time to devote to it, some is better than none, and being consistent can be working on it once a week. You don’t necessarily have to spend an hour or more every day to succeed. You can use that money to pay off debt, build a savings cushion, pay for more education that’ll help you reach a big goal, or you could just make that your investment money.

    John Hughes


    Financial Literacy Advocate

    John Hughes has an interest in financial literacy, not only for himself but for others that want to do better with money.

    Why are you giving advice on Bilt Wealth?

    Financial literacy has been close to my heart from the period I read a couple of books and realized that I’ve been getting it wrong all through.

    Since then I’ve taken it upon me to learn more about the elements of building wealth and share it with interested people. This is why I like sharing knowledge on Bilt Wealth to try and empower more people to take control of their finances and make the right decisions.

    What was your earliest experience with money?

    I started working while in University during my sophomore year for some content mills. I earned money but blew it all on alcohol, parties, and useless stuff.

    After three years, I looked back and realized I wasted a lot of money. So the problem was not getting money, but rather the behaviors required to spend it well or the lack of it.

    This prompted me to invest in financial literacy skills, and I can confirm that it has taken me closer to my goals than I anticipated

    Are you more conservative or aggressive with your wealth-building?

    I am a mix in a way since I do a bit of both, though with a bias towards conservative wealth building. I rely on having a solid base, which grows slowly but with low risk, say 70%.

    The other 30% is for aggressive investment where I am exposed to higher risks, but potentially higher returns.

    From the scores, I can say am a conservative wealth builder and look for long-term gains.

    If you could give people one piece of advice about money, what would it be?

    It is not easy to control how much money you make, but it’s all within your quarters to determine your behavior with money. The latter are what determine your attitude towards investments, wealth building, and your path to financial success.

    Work on these and you’ll be home and dry. Plus, financial literacy is not obvious, and be open to unlearning and learning new stuff.

    Alexandra Gavrilescu_-2

    Alexandra Gavrilescu


    money management

    Why are you giving advice on Bilt Wealth?

    I’m more of a dreamer and less of a pragmatic so, until a few years ago, I struggled with saving money. I grew up in an old-school type of family where investing and taking risks were a no-no. It was all about having a cozy and secure job, going to work, buying things but don’t splurge, and saving as much as you can from your monthly salary.
     
    Hmmm… No wonder, I had a bad relationship with money till a couple of years ago when I participated in several financial-related workshops and read a lot of industry books.
     
    Since then, I realize that yes, saving is an important part, but it’s not all there is. 
     
    I’ve made some good and bad investments, learning as I went through my experiences. I took initiative to earn more money without really working crazy hours. Working smart not very hard became my motto. Between my husband and I, we managed to save a decent sum of money and we’re now looking for opportunities to invest in real estate. We still have a long way to go till we reach real wealth but for now, we’re good. There’s always room for improvement. 
     

    What is your earliest experience with money?

     
    As a child, I remember cherishing my monthly allowance. Some months, I would save that sum, while other times I went ahead and spend it on something I liked like a Barbie doll.
     
    It wasn’t much of an experience. Much later, as a student, I had my first real banking experience when I went to open a bank account and receive my very first credit card, one made especially for students that came with 0 commissions and many other perks.
     
    I remember talking to the bank representative and feeling like an alien, not knowing all those financial terms she was using. As I said, I still have a lot to learn but I also feel that I’ve made a lot of progress since that day. 
     

    Are you more conservative or aggressive with your wealth-building?

    Hmm. I guess I’m somewhere in between conservative and aggressive. Some days, I act more like a conservative, and other times I’m more aggressive. But that depends a lot on one’s personality and preferences.
     
    Are you willing to take risks? And if yes, how big the risk should be? I feel a bit of discomfort when I take risks, I confess that but after, when I see results, I feel motivated to take more risks. I am a bit of a conservative since I have a bank saving fund and a retirement fund. But, we’re researching the market to see when and where we should invest in real estate. That’s because I want a source of passive income. 
     

    If you could give people one piece of advice about money, what would it be?

     
    Working and earning a decent salary is fine but if you want to become wealthy, you should place your eggs in more than one basket.
     
    The best kind of income is the passive one, from secure assets such as houses, apartments, and buildings. But, to start that kind of initiative you must have enough savings or initial investment capital.
     
    Also, newbies should first educate and inform themselves, read niche books, go to courses, etc. Then, start small and develop from there. Try both short and long-term investments. And, don’t get discouraged if you experience failure. It’s just another lesson. 
    Erin Jamieson_Sleep

    ERIN JAMIESON


    personal finances

    With experience writing for everything from start up businesses to family owned stores, Erin Jamieson brings research and practical advice to every article she writes. From making smart decisions about personal banking to learning how to improve your credit score, she wants you to make the most out of the money you earn and invest in.

    joe elvin


    money guides

    Joe Elvin is an online writer who has specialized in personal finance since 2011, who has previously written useful advice guides for the likes of Finder and Which? Money. He’s currently enjoying the digital nomad lifestyle, so you’re most likely to find sipping coffee at some cafe in South East Asia.