Kevin Mercadante

Since 2009, Kevin Mercadante has been sharing his journey from a washed-up mortgage loan officer emerging from the Financial Meltdown as a contract/self-employed “slash worker” – accountant/blogger/freelance blog writer – on OutofYourRut.com. He offers career strategies, from dealing with under-employment to transitioning into self-employment, and provides “Alt-retirement strategies” for the vast majority who won’t retire to the beach as millionaires.

He also frequently discusses the big-picture trends that are putting the squeeze on the bottom 90%, offering workarounds and expense cutting tips to help readers carve out more money to save in their budgets – a.k.a., breaking the “savings barrier” and transitioning from debtor to saver.

Kevin has a B.S. in Accounting and Finance from Montclair State University.

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank or financial institution. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

Recent Articles by Kevin

9 Apps Like MoneyLion 

MoneyLion is a personal finance app offering cash advances, credit cards, and personal loans. You can also invest in fully managed portfolios as well as crypto. But MoneyLion isn't the only fintech offering these types of services. Here are 9 apps like MoneyLion. Learn more.

How to File Back Taxes for Free 

People fail to file tax returns for different reasons. But if you owe back taxes, it's critical that you file as soon as possible. After all, you can't hide from the IRS forever. Besides, you could be missing out on valuable tax credits or even a big refund. Here's how to file back taxes for free.

Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Requirements for LLCs 

Many business owners are facing a new federal reporting requirement for 2024. The Beneficial Ownership Information Report applies to certain businesses formed before or after January 1, 2024, and many impacted businesses will be LLCs, S Corps, and C Corps. Here's what you need to know.

Cred.ai Review: Helpful Tools for Building Credit

Cred.ai offers a credit card with features to help you build credit and manage spending. And if you open a cred.ai Deposit Account and set up Automatic Payment Services, you can avoid paying any fees or interest. Find out how it stacks up in this cred.ai review.

Betterment Review 2024 – Is Betterment Worth It?

Betterment is one of the original robo-advisor platforms, but in recent years, it's expanded its product lineup to include a High-Yield Cash Reserve account, a no-fee checking account, and access to financial planning advice. How does it compare to other top robo-advisors? Find out in this Betterment review.

Chase Business Complete Banking Review

With a wide range of small business products and services, Chase is one of the top business banks in the U.S. But can Chase Business Complete Banking compete with lower-cost accounts offered by fintechs and online banks? Learn more.

How to Make Money with AI

Many people worry that AI is going to take their job. After all, the technology is already capable of performing thousands of different tasks more quickly and efficiently than any human. But can AI actually help you make money? Learn more.

10 Best Business Savings Accounts For 2024

If you're a small business owner looking for a place to store your excess cash, you may want to consider a business savings account. The best business savings accounts offer attractive APYs, low fees, and flexible withdrawal options. Learn more.

ESOP vs. ESPP: What You Need to Know

Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) and Employee Stock Purchase Plans (ESPPs) are valuable employee benefits that not all companies offer. Here's what you need to know about their similarities, differences, tax treatments, and whether or not you should sign up. Learn more.

PocketSmith Review: The Best Freemium Budgeting App?

Pocketsmith is a powerful budgeting app. In addition to the usual budgeting features, it allows you to link accounts from major banks in 49 countries around the world and has multi-currency capability. Is it right for you? Find out in this full Pocketsmith review.

What Is an ESPP and Should I Participate in One?

An employee stock purchase plan, or ESPP, allows employees to purchase company stock at a discount. Unfortunately, not all companies offer ESPPs. Find out how ESPPs work and whether you should join an ESPP if given the opportunity. Learn more.

States That Don’t Tax Retirement Income

Thinking of moving to a lower-cost state after you retire? All things being equal, you're better off, financially speaking, moving to a state that doesn't tax retirement income. But which states are those and what other factors should you consider? Here is a list of nine states that don't charge income tax. Learn more.

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