Tools & Resources

Wisdom is not like money to be tied up and hidden.” – Akan Proverb

Many people might be interested to know the tools I use, books I read, and other things that interest me. Rather than answering the same questions ad nauseum. It’s helpful to have a list here to benefit everyone.

Please know there are affiliate links on this page. None of them will cost you extra to use, a few may get you a bonus of some sort, but using them ultimately helps me keep a little more income flowing in.

I only share links to items that I have personal experience with and believe in. I’ll keep it updated as things change.

Web Development & Business in General

African American web developer in front of apple macbook pro

Accounting Software: After using Freshbooks for years, I discovered Finaloop through a perk in my Mercury account. Both are far more user-friendly than Quickbooks for my situation, but Finaloop is the standout for eCommerce accounting. I’ve been impressed since day one.

Current Laptop: 2020 MacBook Pro 13″. Sadly, my 2015 MacBook tapped out a few months before the M1 versions debuted, so I’m forced to stick with Intel for now. I’m pleased to see the return of Magsafe & the SD card slot on the newest models, so I guess it was missing out in the short-term.

Current Phone: Apple iPhone 11 Pro w/256GB. I have no desire nor need to upgrade anytime soon.

Code Editor: Visual Studio Code

Music (for focusing): Tidal for the audiophile in me, plus they pay the artists a better share than other platforms. You can check out a few of my public playlists.

Password Manager: Keeper Security makes this part of my world a whole lot easier.

Virtual US Phone Number: Over the years, I’ve used: Vonage, Skype, Google Voice, OpenPhone, Superphone, and probably others I’ve forgotten about. By using an eSIM with a low-cost plan from Tello I’ve finally found a solid solution to this issue where virtual numbers aren’t accepted for certain accounts.

Web Hosting Partner: Kinsta is the best WordPress host I’ve used, hands down. If you’re serious about the security and speed of your own website, or you host client websites, this is the way to go. It’s more expensive than you may be used to, but the hosting platform, admin features and support are truly top-tier.

Photography Gear

African American web developer in front of apple macbook pro
African American web developer in front of apple macbook pro

Accounting Software: Freshbooks is far more user-friendly than Quickbooks for my situation. Plenty of integrations and they roll out new features on a semi-frequent basis.

Current Headphones: Apple Airpods Pro. They just work flawlessly in my experience. That is all.

Current Laptop: 2020 MacBook Pro 13″. Sadly, my 2015 MacBook tapped out a few months before the M1 versions debuted, so I was forced to stick with Intel for now. I’m pleased to see the return of Magsafe & the SD card slot on the newest models, so I guess it was missing out in the short-term.

Current Phone: Apple iPhone 11 Pro w/256GB. I have no desire nor need to upgrade anytime soon.

Code Editor: Visual Studio Code

Domains: Mainly Google Domains (sale to Squarespace is pending), but it depends on the situation. Anything but GoDaddy; PITA

Music (for focusing): Tidal for the audiophile in me, plus they pay the artists a better share than other platforms. The also have discounts for military veterans, students & first responders. You can check out a few of my public playlists.

Music for Programming is a source I’ve grown fond of when I really need to block distractions. The tracks are also available on Apple Podcasts.

Password Manager: Dashlane makes this part of my world a whole lot easier.

Virtual US Phone Number: Over the years, I’ve used: Vonage, Skype, Google Voice, OpenPhone, Superphone, and probably others I’ve forgotten about. By using an eSIM with a low-cost plan from Tello I’ve finally found a solid solution to this issue where virtual numbers aren’t accepted for certain accounts.

Web Browsers: Mainly Firefox Developer Edition, followed by Brave & Safari.

Web Hosting Partner: Kinsta is the best WordPress host I’ve used, hands down. If you’re serious about the security and speed of your own website, or you host client websites, this is the way to go. It’s more expensive than you may be used to, but the hosting platform, admin features and support are truly top-tier.

Books & Podcasts

African American web developer in front of apple macbook pro
African American web developer in front of apple macbook pro

Accounting Software: Freshbooks is far more user-friendly than Quickbooks for my situation. Plenty of integrations and they roll out new features on a semi-frequent basis.

Current Headphones: Apple Airpods Pro. They just work flawlessly in my experience. That is all.

Current Laptop: 2020 MacBook Pro 13″. Sadly, my 2015 MacBook tapped out a few months before the M1 versions debuted, so I was forced to stick with Intel for now. I’m pleased to see the return of Magsafe & the SD card slot on the newest models, so I guess it was missing out in the short-term.

Current Phone: Apple iPhone 11 Pro w/256GB. I have no desire nor need to upgrade anytime soon.

Code Editor: Visual Studio Code

Domains: Mainly Google Domains (sale to Squarespace is pending), but it depends on the situation. Anything but GoDaddy; PITA

Music (for focusing): Tidal for the audiophile in me, plus they pay the artists a better share than other platforms. The also have discounts for military veterans, students & first responders. You can check out a few of my public playlists.

Music for Programming is a source I’ve grown fond of when I really need to block distractions. The tracks are also available on Apple Podcasts.

Password Manager: Dashlane makes this part of my world a whole lot easier.

Virtual US Phone Number: Over the years, I’ve used: Vonage, Skype, Google Voice, OpenPhone, Superphone, and probably others I’ve forgotten about. By using an eSIM with a low-cost plan from Tello I’ve finally found a solid solution to this issue where virtual numbers aren’t accepted for certain accounts.

Web Browsers: Mainly Firefox Developer Edition, followed by Brave & Safari.

Web Hosting Partner: Kinsta is the best WordPress host I’ve used, hands down. If you’re serious about the security and speed of your own website, or you host client websites, this is the way to go. It’s more expensive than you may be used to, but the hosting platform, admin features and support are truly top-tier.

Cryptocurrency & Banking

African American web developer in front of apple macbook pro
African American web developer in front of apple macbook pro

Accounting Software: Freshbooks is far more user-friendly than Quickbooks for my situation. Plenty of integrations and they roll out new features on a semi-frequent basis.

Current Headphones: Apple Airpods Pro. They just work flawlessly in my experience. That is all.

Current Laptop: 2020 MacBook Pro 13″. Sadly, my 2015 MacBook tapped out a few months before the M1 versions debuted, so I was forced to stick with Intel for now. I’m pleased to see the return of Magsafe & the SD card slot on the newest models, so I guess it was missing out in the short-term.

Current Phone: Apple iPhone 11 Pro w/256GB. I have no desire nor need to upgrade anytime soon.

Code Editor: Visual Studio Code

Domains: Mainly Google Domains (sale to Squarespace is pending), but it depends on the situation. Anything but GoDaddy; PITA

Music (for focusing): Tidal for the audiophile in me, plus they pay the artists a better share than other platforms. The also have discounts for military veterans, students & first responders. You can check out a few of my public playlists.

Music for Programming is a source I’ve grown fond of when I really need to block distractions. The tracks are also available on Apple Podcasts.

Password Manager: Dashlane makes this part of my world a whole lot easier.

Virtual US Phone Number: Over the years, I’ve used: Vonage, Skype, Google Voice, OpenPhone, Superphone, and probably others I’ve forgotten about. By using an eSIM with a low-cost plan from Tello I’ve finally found a solid solution to this issue where virtual numbers aren’t accepted for certain accounts.

Web Browsers: Mainly Firefox Developer Edition, followed by Brave & Safari.

Web Hosting Partner: Kinsta is the best WordPress host I’ve used, hands down. If you’re serious about the security and speed of your own website, or you host client websites, this is the way to go. It’s more expensive than you may be used to, but the hosting platform, admin features and support are truly top-tier.

A Few Organizations I Support

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