Jim Wang

Jim Wang is a thirty-something father of two who writes about money at Wallet Hacks, where he shares the strategies and tactics to get ahead financially and in life. You can connect with him on Twittter @wallethacks.

Joined: October 19, 2017
Articles: 12

Budget, Personal Loans

Final Hour Before the Fed: What Markets Are Telling Us About Tomorrow’s Decision

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Markets head into Wednesday’s Federal Reserve decision with a near-100% probability priced for a hold at 3.50%–3.75% (CME FedWatch shows 100% at the time of writing) and a 65% probability that rates stay where they are through the end of…

Jim Wang
April 27, 2026

Budget, Personal Loans

FOMC Dissent Watch: What Miran’s Five Consecutive Dissents Tell Us About April 29

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Federal Reserve Governor Stephen Miran has now dissented at five consecutive FOMC meetings — September 2025, October 2025, December 2025, January 2026, and March 2026 — making him the most consistent rate-cut advocate on the Committee since being confirmed in…

Jim Wang
April 26, 2026

Budget, Personal Loans

Will Kevin Warsh Replace Powell on May 15? Inside the Fed Chair Confirmation Standoff

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Update — April 27, 2026 The DOJ closed its investigation into the Federal Reserve’s Eccles Building renovations last week, removing the procedural obstacle Sen. Tillis had cited. Warsh’s confirmation is now expected to advance in early May, with a Senate…

Jim Wang
April 22, 2026

Budget, Personal Loans

Quantitative Tightening Explained: What QT Did, Why It Ended, and What Comes Next for Borrowing Costs

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Quantitative tightening (QT) is the process by which the Federal Reserve shrinks its balance sheet — letting Treasury securities and mortgage-backed securities mature without reinvestment, which removes reserves from the banking system. The Fed ran a QT program from June…

Jim Wang
April 19, 2026

Budget, Personal Loans

Real Returns Explained: Why Inflation Quietly Shrinks Your Savings Even at 4% APY

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Your savings account earns a stated rate — a “nominal” return. What you actually take home in purchasing power is the “real” return, which subtracts inflation. With headline CPI at 3.3% year-over-year in March 2026 and top high-yield savings accounts…

Jim Wang
April 19, 2026

Budget, Personal Loans

What Is SOFR? The Rate That Replaced LIBOR and Why It Matters for Your Loans

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SOFR — the Secured Overnight Financing Rate — is the benchmark interest rate used to price more than $200 trillion of U.S. financial contracts, from adjustable-rate mortgages to private student loans to corporate credit facilities. It measures the cost of…

Jim Wang
April 17, 2026

Budget, Personal Loans

How to Read the Fed Dot Plot: A Borrower’s Guide to FOMC Rate Projections

The Fed dot plot is a chart released four times a year — at the March, June, September, and December Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meetings — showing where each of the 19 FOMC participants thinks the federal funds rate…

Jim Wang
April 17, 2026

Credit Cards

Should you get a no annual fee credit card?

Wondering if you should get a no annual fee credit card or one that charges? It largely depends on your spending habits. Use these tips to decide which type of card to pick up.

Jim Wang
December 29, 2017

Credit Cards

The most exclusive credit cards: Should you get one?

Have you been looking at the most exclusive credit cards and wondering if they’re worth it? Or which to consider? Take a look at what they have to offer.

Jim Wang
December 22, 2017

Rewards Cards

Amex EveryDay vs. Amex EveryDay Preferred: How to choose

Trying to decide between the Amex EveryDay vs Amex EveryDay Preferred? It depends on your situation. Take a look at what these two cards have to offer.

Jim Wang
December 1, 2017