Choncé Maddox Rhea

Chicago, Nashville

Writer and Virtual Assistant at Freelance

#PersonalFinance blogger and freelance writer covering money, travel, and frugal living. Writing for Business Insider, Fox News, Forbes Advisor, and more.

Articles

Taste the Nation: Five James Beard Award–Winning Restaurants Worth Traveling For

4 days ago | kiplinger.com | Choncé Maddox Rhea

Food-focused trips are definitely a thing, and James Beard Awards often flag the best spots that are worth the journey. By pairing a standout dining experience with local exploration, you get more than just a great meal — you get a deeper sense of place, culture, and community. These five U.S. destinations are anchored by Beard-recognized restaurants. We’ve included quick tips on when to go, where to stay, and how to balance splurge-worthy dinners with delicious local finds. 1.
Taste the Nation: Five James Beard Award–Winning Restaurants Worth Traveling For

4 days ago | inkl.com | Choncé Maddox Rhea

Two woman laughing while drinking wine outdoors. Food-focused trips are definitely a thing, and James Beard Awards often flag the best spots that are worth the journey. By pairing a standout dining experience with local exploration, you get more than just a great meal — you get a deeper sense of place, culture, and community. These five U.S. destinations are anchored by Beard-recognized restaurants.
Carnival Rewards Guide: Maximize Points and Stars on Your Next Cruise

1 week ago | kiplinger.com | Choncé Maddox Rhea

Carnival is shaking up its loyalty perks with Carnival Reward, launching in June 2026. Instead of just counting cruise nights, you’ll now earn points and stars based on how much you spend on fares, onboard treats and everyday purchases with the Carnival Rewards Mastercard. This shift follows broader travel loyalty trends where flexibility and experience-driven rewards are prioritized.
A Cruiser’s Guide to Carnival’s Revamped Rewards Program

1 week ago | inkl.com | Choncé Maddox Rhea

Carnival cruise ship docked in turquoise water Caribbean sea under clear blue sky with lifeboats along white hull near pier. . Carnival is shaking up its loyalty perks with Carnival Reward, launching in June 2026. Instead of just counting cruise nights, you’ll now earn points and stars based on how much you spend on fares, onboard treats and everyday purchases with the Carnival Rewards Mastercard.
6 Surprising Purchases That Waste Shocking Amounts of Money

1 week ago | gobankingrates.com | Choncé Maddox Rhea |Cory Dudak

Commitment to Our ReadersGOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
6 Surprising Purchases That Waste Shocking Amounts of Money

1 week ago | flipboard.com | Choncé Maddox Rhea

1 hour agoSupreme Court rejects toy makers' request to fast track tariff challengeThe firms argue that Trump doesn't have the authority to slap import duties on products from China. The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a request from two toy companies to expedite their challenge to President Donald Trump’s tariffs. The ruling from the nation’s high court means that the Trump …NowTrump says America has ‘too many’ national holidays and they’re hurting the economy. Is he right?
Here's the Minimum Net Worth To Be Considered the Top 1% in Your 50s

1 week ago | gobankingrates.com | Choncé Maddox Rhea |Rebekah Evans

June 20, 2025 4 min Read Commitment to Our ReadersGOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
How Amazon Will Deliver Your Prime Day 2025 Orders — From Vans to Drones

1 week ago | kiplinger.com | Choncé Maddox Rhea

Amazon Prime Day is one of the biggest shopping events of the year for Prime members, bringing a flood of orders and now, a wide range of shipping methods to ensure timely delivery. Amazon’s 2025 Prime Day event will start July 8 at 12:01 a.m. PDT and run through July 11, offering four days of savings. Here’s a look at what Prime Day includes, how your packages may arrive, and how AI and automation are shaping the delivery experience.
Student Loan Delinquencies Are Hurting Credit Scores - Even for Parents and Grandparents

2 weeks ago | kiplinger.com | Choncé Maddox Rhea

Millions of Americans who thought student loan relief would last long-term are now facing a hard reality. When loan collections resumed in May, missed payments began to hit credit reports again. While much of the focus has been on recent graduates, parents and grandparents who cosigned private loans or hold Parent PLUS loans are also at serious risk of credit-score damage.
Student Loan Delinquencies Are Hurting Credit Scores — Even for Parents and Grandparents

2 weeks ago | inkl.com | Choncé Maddox Rhea

Grandfather and grandson are discussing education. Millions of Americans who thought student loan relief would last long-term are now facing a hard reality. When loan collections resumed in May, missed payments began to hit credit reports again. While much of the focus has been on recent graduates, parents and grandparents who cosigned private loans or hold Parent PLUS loans are also at serious risk of credit-score damage.