David McMillin

About the Author

David McMillin writes about credit cards, mortgages, banking, taxes and travel. From budgeting tips for individuals to funding strategies for aspiring business owners, his goal is simple: help readers figure out how to save more and stress less. In addition to writing, he is a musician, which means he has spent a lot of time worrying about money. He applies the lessons he’s learned from that financial balancing act to offer practical advice for personal spending decisions.

Experience

More than 10 years of covering personal finance with bylines for Bankrate, Business Insider, CNET, Washington Post and Chicago Magazine.

Education

DePaul University, Bachelor of Arts, English Writing

The Archive

5 reasons why people avoid online banks (and why they shouldn’t)

Online banks often offer higher interest rates, better security, and more convenience than traditional banks, making them a smart choice for savers.

Milli Bank Review: Mobile-first banking with sky-high savings rates

Milli Bank is a mobile-only bank that offers a competitive savings rate, no monthly fees, and helpful savings tools, but lacks some traditional banking features and has limited customer support...

8 savings habits that will make you rich

Getting rich involves consistent saving, spending smartly, minimizing debt, and automating finances.

What do rich people do after they make their millions? Here are 9 key habits

While becoming rich can lead to financial freedom, many rich people keep the same habits to help them maintain their wealth. Here’s how you can do the same.

11 profitable ways you can make money online

The internet provides endless money-making potential through platforms that allow you to sell products and services, monetize content creation, take online surveys, and more.

10 ways to save more in 2024

The first way to save money is by creating a budget and tracking your expenses closely to identify areas where you can cut back.

How to become a millionaire

To hit that $1 million mark, focus on saving and investing your money wisely while seeking more opportunities for growth.

Budgeting made easy: Simplify your life with the 50/30/20 rule

Budgeting can be time-consuming and stressful. If you don’t know where to begin, consider the 50/30/20 rule. It’s a simple approach to budgeting that divides your income into just three...

How to save up to become a homeowner in 2024

Now’s the time to start saving for a down payment if you want to buy a home in 2024.

Half of Americans say they’re financially worse off since the last Presidential election

Republicans are feeling much more pessimistic about their finances and the general state of the economy than Democrats.

Upgrade your bank account: 5 features every savings account should have

The best savings accounts offer features like competitive interest rates, low or no fees, easy access to funds and more.

Breaking the cycle: 6 tips to stop living paycheck to paycheck

To stop living paycheck to paycheck, create a budget, track your expenses, cut unnecessary costs, consider other sources of income, and build an emergency fund to create a financial cushion.

Struggling to save? Try one of these 5 viral saving challenges

Savings challenges can help you save money by providing structure, motivation, and a sense of accomplishment.

The 4 best places to keep your emergency fund

The four best places to keep your emergency fund are high-yield savings accounts, money market accounts, no-penalty CDs, and cash management accounts.

What are high-yield savings accounts? 6 things to know

High-yield savings accounts offer higher interest rates than traditional savings accounts and can help you earn more on your savings.

How much does the average person have in savings? The answer may surprise you

The median account balance was over $5,000, but savings vary based on age, income level, education, expenses, and more.

How much could $1,000 earn in a savings account?

Discover the potential interest you could make on $1,000, and learn how to maximize your earnings and make the most of your money.

Set up for success: 7 ways to save big in your 20s

1. Create a budget. 2. Save for retirement. 3. Pay down debt. 4. Build an emergency fund. 5. Automate savings. 6. Cut down on rent. 7. Increase income.

Most Americans think you need to earn almost $500K to feel rich 

Americans believe they would need to earn $233,000 annually to feel financially secure and $483,000 to feel rich. But being rich is more than just your paycheck — it’s about...