Spend extravagantly on the things you love, and cut costs mercilessly on the things you don't. - Ramit Sethi

Schwab rolled out a phenomenal high-interest checking account years ago that offered unrivaled benefits for free. They've honored it and improved it over time. I trust them and have a checking account with them. Vanguard has consistently demonstrated a long-term focus on low costs and putting their clients first. They actually lower fees proactively. I trust them and invest with them.

the average American is nearly $7,000 in debt.

Conscious spending isn't about cutting your spending on everything. That approach wouldn't last two days. It is, quite simply, about choosing the things you love enough to spend extravagantly on — and then cutting costs mercilessly on the things you don't love.