Kevin Payne

Banking Writer

About

Kevin has been writing and creating personal finance and travel content for over six years. He is the founder of the award-winning blog, Family Money Adventure, and host of the Family Money Adventure Show podcast. He has been quoted by publications like Readers Digest and The Wall Street Journal. Kevin's work has been featured in Bankrate, Credible, CreditCards.com, Fox Money, LendingTree, MarketWatch, Newsweek, New York Post, Time, ValuePenguin and USA Today.

Kevin’s journey into the world of personal finance and writing began after he welcomed two daughters into his life through adoption, creating a family of six. The sudden increase in family size, and the costs associated with the change, led him toward a deep dive into personal finance topics such as saving money, budgeting, paying off debt and investing.

After years of hard work improving his family’s finances, Kevin launched the website Family Money Adventure to help families learn how to manage their money better. At the same time, he began freelancing as a personal finance and travel writer on the side. Eventually, Kevin left his career behind to become a full-time writer and content creator. Since then, his work has been featured in publications like Bankrate, Credible, CreditCards.com, Fox Money, LendingTree, MarketWatch, Newsweek, New York Post, Time, ValuePenguin and USA Today.

In 2023, Kevin won a Plutus Award for Best Frugal Travel/Travel Hacking Content for his work on Family Money Adventure. He also launched the Family Money Adventure Show podcast in 2023. Kevin is currently pursuing an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) certification.

Expertise

Banking
Credit cards
Travel rewards
Personal finance
Family finance
Budget travel

Achievements

Six years experience as a personal finance and travel writer
Covers banking, credit cards, personal finance, family finance, student loans and travel
Work published by Bankrate, Credible, CreditCards.com, Fox Money, LendingTree, MarketWatch, Newsweek, New York Post, Time, ValuePenguin and USA Today

Other Publications

Honors & Awards

2023 Plutus Award Winner: Best Frugal Travel/Travel Hacking Content
2023 Plutus Award Finalist: Best Couples or Family Content
2022 Plutus Award Finalist: Best Freelancer or Contributor in the Personal Finance Media
2020 Plutus Award Finalist: Best Family or Couples Finance Content

3 months ago

Best Credit Cards For Car Repairs Of 2025

One of the unfortunate parts of owning a car is that they eventually break down. Even new or well-maintained vehicles sometimes run into costly repairs. Credit cards are one way to pay for expensive car repair bills, parts and supplies....
3 months ago

Best Credit Cards For Gym Membership Of 2025

Working out is a great way to stay in shape and keep your body healthy. Using the right credit card to pay for exercise equipment or gym membership fees can make exercise financially rewarding, too. The best credit cards for...
7 months ago

Best No Credit Check Credit Cards Of 2025

Finding no credit check credit cards can be a lifeline if you have bad credit or no credit history. While traditional credit cards for no credit typically require hard inquiries, credit cards with no credit checks let you bypass this...
11 months ago

BECU Low Rate Credit Card Review 2025

The features several benefits for those interested in transferring balances from other credit cards or financing new purchases. While its intro APR offer is shorter than other balance transfer cards, you won't pay balance transfer fees—and you may qualify for...
11 months ago

Laurel Road Review 2025

Laurel Road is a banking platform—not a bank—that offers competitive high-yield savings and rewards checking accounts with unique perks like loan discounts. It’s ideal for saving, thanks to high APYs on all balances, and it’s a good choice for anyone...
12 months ago

Best Free Savings Accounts Of 2025

The best no-fee savings accounts have no monthly maintenance fee and offer beneficial features that help customers manage and maximize savings. These accounts generally offer highly rated mobile apps and top-notch customer service. When banks promote having no fees, typically,...
1 year ago

Best Business CD Rates Of 2025

Business certificates of deposit (CDs) offer business owners a unique opportunity to maximize their savings through high-yield interest. Business CDs work the same as personal CDs—you earn fixed interest on your balance for a predetermined period, called a CD term,...
1 year ago

Capital One Vs. Discover: How These Credit Card Issuers Compare

Capital One and Discover are both major credit card issuers. Each has a full suite of card offerings with various benefits, many of which are similar. Their cards run the gamut, from cash-back rewards to credit-building cards for students and...
1 year ago

10 Easy Bank Accounts To Open In 2025

Opening a bank account can be a pain, especially with banks that make you jump through hoops or submit additional documentation to verify your identity. Negative marks on your banking history can make opening a bank account even harder. Luckily,...
1 year ago

Best Banks In California For 2025

The best banks in California offer a broad selection of products to meet various needs; competitive interest on savings accounts; manageable bank fees; and modern conveniences. The state’s top banks are known for their highly rated customer service, and they...
1 year ago

What Are Tiered-Rate Accounts?

Tiered-rate accounts can offer an opportunity to grow your savings quicker with higher annual percentage yields (APYs). Often, banks and credit unions offer tiered-rate accounts to attract new clients and encourage existing customers to increase their bank balances. But many...
1 year ago

Best Premium Checking Accounts Of 2025

The best premium checking accounts go beyond the basic benefits of an everyday spending account. Premium banking perks may include discounts, waived fees, relationship benefits, personalized support and financial planning solutions. Often, these top-tier checking accounts are available to customers...
1 year ago

Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status: The Ultimate Guide 2025

For fans of Marriott hotels and resorts, the hotel brand's loyalty program, Marriott Bonvoy, allows you to earn valuable rewards toward free stays and access other hotel perks, like room upgrades, late checkout and free Wi-Fi. The free loyalty program...
1 year ago

Average Monthly Expenses Study

U.S. consumers spent an average of $6,081 per month in 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' most recent Consumer Expenditure Survey. The 2022 monthly average was a 9% increase from the previous year. Also, American consumers were hit...
1 year ago

Petal 1 Rise Visa Credit Card Review 2025

If you're rebuilding your credit, the could help, especially if you want to avoid paying a security deposit for access to a card. The card is designed for those with low or fair credit, which makes it more accessible than...
1 year ago

DCU Visa Platinum Secured Credit Card Review 2025

The has a relatively low APR among secured cards, at . Unfortunately, the card's $500 minimum security deposit could be a barrier for some consumers looking to build their credit. The card also requires membership with the credit union. DCU...
2 years ago

American Airlines Baggage Fees

Like many airlines, American Airlines charges fees for checked bags. These fees can add up quickly, especially if you have more than one bag or multiple travelers. American Airlines offers a straightforward baggage fee structure based on where you're flying,...
2 years ago

Regions Bank CD Rates 2025

Regions Bank offers a wide range of CD terms from seven days to 72 months. The bank's regular CDs feature low standard and relationship rates, but it also offers a few promotional CD terms that earn high yields. Minimum deposit...
2 years ago

Vanguard CD Rates: 2025

Vanguard offers several brokered certificates of deposit (CDs) with terms ranging from one month to 10 years. The brokerage firm offers competitive rates in line with many top online banks. Vanguard requires a minimum deposit to purchase a brokered CD....
2 years ago

Chase Vs. Citibank: Which Is Better For Your Money?

Chase and Citi® are two of the most recognizable names in banking. Both banks have a large footprint, with thousands of branches and ATMs nationwide and abroad. They both offer full-service banking with an array of checking and savings accounts...
2 years ago

11 Types Of CDs: Which One To Choose?

You might be familiar with traditional CDs, but there are many types of CDs available, each with its own benefits and restrictions. Understanding the different types of CDs and how they work can help you find the best option for...
2 years ago

GM Business Card Review 2025

If your business operates a large fleet of company vehicles, the from Marcus by Goldman Sachs could be a useful card to carry. Unfortunately, the card is only a good fit for a niche segment of business owners—those who exclusively...
2 years ago

Amtrak Guest Rewards Mastercard Review 2025

If rails are your preferred mode of transportation, the can help you earn points toward Amtrak tickets. The card is the no-fee version of two co-branded Amtrak credit cards issued by First National Bank of Omaha (FNBO). In addition to...
2 years ago

Regions Bank Promotions And Bonuses Of 2025

Regions Bank is among the nation's largest full-service banking providers, with over 1,200 branches across the Midwest and the South, including 100 branches in Texas. Like many banks, Regions regularly offers cash bonuses to entice new customers to open an...
2 years ago

Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred Mastercard Review 2025

If you love traveling by train, the can grant you access to valuable Amtrak-related rewards and benefits. The card earns bonus rewards on Amtrak purchases, dining, travel and transit and rideshare purchases. It also features several Amtrak-specific benefits including a...
2 years ago

Live Oak Bank Review 2025

Live Oak Bank is ideal for savers and small business owners. It offers two personal banking products—savings accounts and certificates of deposit—and three business banking products including savings, CD, and checking accounts. This cloud-based digital bank is best known for...
2 years ago

EverBank (Formerly TIAA Bank) Review 2025

In late 2023, TIAA Bank assumed new ownership and is now doing business as EverBank. The banking products TIAA Bank was known for are still offered by EverBank and remain largely unchanged. EverBank is an online bank with a few...
2 years ago

Lili Review: Business Checking 2025

Lili is a fintech business banking platform with tiered checking accounts for small businesses. The online platform offers a basic free business banking plan and three paid premium plans. Account features vary depending on your plan, but many of its...
2 years ago

Live Oak Bank CD Rates: 2025

Live Oak Bank offers personal and business certificates of deposit (CDs) with terms ranging from three months to five years. Both CD types carry relatively high APYs and require a minimum deposit of for all terms. The online bank typically...
2 years ago

How To Find The Best Premium Checking Accounts

Many financial institutions offer premium checking accounts for consumers who want more robust benefits and services. These unique checking accounts function like regular checking accounts but come with additional perks and personalized customer service solutions. Premium checking accounts can be...