What I actually build with.
The real stack behind the blog, the calculators, and the apps — and why each piece earned its spot. The services I pay for and recommend are at the very bottom.
The parts that earned their place.
I've tried the alternatives to most of these. This is what's open on my machine on a normal day — grouped by what it actually does.
React + Next.js
The web platforms — Apex, RealInvestorX, Longevity, TheLoop — all run on it. Server-rendered for speed, React for the interactive parts.
WebExpo + React Native
One codebase, both app stores. ParentPod ships to iOS and Android from the same React Native project instead of two.
MobileTypeScript
Typed end to end. It catches the dumb mistakes before they ship and makes a big refactor something I'll actually attempt.
LanguageTailwind CSS
Styling without leaving the markup. The same design language across every product, minus a 4,000-line stylesheet nobody wants to touch.
StylingSupabase
The primary backend for most of the apps. Postgres, auth, and real-time subscriptions without standing up my own servers.
DatabaseFirebase
Where I want Google's live sync and push out of the box — ParentPod leans on it to keep caregivers in sync in real time.
RealtimeStripe
Payments and subscriptions across the paid platforms. Boring in the best way — it just works, and the docs are unmatched.
PaymentsChart.js
The charts inside the finance tools. Responsive, readable, and light enough not to wreck the page load.
Data VizClaude Code
My pair programmer in the terminal — full repo context and the automation behind a lot of what ships here. The heavy lifter.
AI DevGitHub
Source of truth for every repo. Push to main and GitHub Actions deploys it — this blog included.
Source + CIEAS + Codemagic
Cloud builds for the mobile apps, so an iOS or Android binary never depends on whatever happens to be installed on my laptop.
BuildVS Code + Cursor
The editor I live in. Cursor when I want AI inline, VS Code for everything else — same keybindings either way.
EditorFigma
Where interfaces start before any code. Prototype it, get it right, then build it — cheaper to move pixels than rewrite components.
DesignCanva
Quick graphics and social images when I need something decent in five minutes, not an afternoon in a design tool.
GraphicsObsidian
The actual second brain. Every project, decision, and draft lives in a local Markdown vault — these posts get written here first.
KnowledgeVercel
Hosts the whole app ecosystem. Edge network, automatic HTTPS, and a preview deploy on every push so I can see a change before it's live.
PlatformsWordPress
The hub you're reading now. Neve parent theme with a custom child theme, so I control every pixel without forking core.
CMSHostinger
WordPress hosting with LiteSpeed caching out front. Fast, cheap, and stable enough that I get to forget it exists.
HostingCloudflare
DNS, CDN, and the security layer in front of every domain. Global edge caching and DDoS protection I never have to think about.
CDNHow I pick tools
I default to boring. A tool earns its place by being reliable, well-documented, and still useful after the first month — not by trending. I'll switch when something is genuinely better, but I won't rebuild a working thing just to chase a logo. Everything on this page is something I'd set up again tomorrow.
Trusted Tools & Services
I genuinely use these every day. If you sign up through these links, we both get a win.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase or sign up, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and believe in.
Travel & Lifestyle
Empower
Instead of Uber or Lyft, book your next ride through Empower and get $10+ in free rides when you sign up using promo code: 3ZFXT6.
Uber
Get 50% off your first 2 rides (up to $10 each). Perfect for your next trip or night out.
Lyft
Get 50% off your first 2 rides. A great alternative for reliable transportation.
ClassPass
Get 20 bonus credits for free (on top of the standard free trial) to try out local fitness studios and wellness spas.
Investing & Trading
M1 Finance
Get a $75 bonus when you sign up and fund a new investment account with at least $100.
Robinhood
Get a free stock (worth up to $200) just for signing up and linking your bank account.
Fidelity
Open a Fidelity account and get $100 when you deposit $50. Commission-free investing in stocks, ETFs, and retirement accounts from a trusted brokerage.
Webull
Get up to 20 free stocks when you fund your account with any amount (even just $0.01).
Coinbase & Coinbase One
Get $10 in Bitcoin after you trade $100, plus a $10 discount on your first month of Coinbase One.
Kalshi
Get a $25 bonus to start trading on real-world events like weather, interest rates, or elections.
Banking & Cards
Chase Sapphire Reserve® & Preferred®
Earn a massive sign-up bonus (75k-125k points) which can be redeemed for over $1,000 in travel through Chase Travel℠.
Chase Business Cards
Earn up to 200,000 bonus points or $1,000 cash back to jumpstart your business expenses.
Wealthfront
Join me at Wealthfront and we both earn a +0.75% APY boost, 0.50% investing deposit match — or both. Limited time offer!
Monarch Money
Get an extended 30-day free trial (instead of the usual 7) to organize and track all your financial accounts in one place.
MaxRewards
Supercharge your credit card rewards and perks. New users get a free month of MaxRewards Gold to automate offer activations and maximize points. Use code: lp528
Venmo
Get $5 for free after you sign up and make a qualifying payment of at least $5.