I'm Tyler, and I earn $3,500+/year in rewards without changing how I spend.

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Verification in Progress

The dollar amounts in this article are from Tyler's actual spending, but screenshots/statements are being added as proof. Numbers are accurate but not yet visually verified. Check back soon for full documentation.

ProofLabs started because I got tired of reading credit card reviews written by people who clearly don't use the cards themselves.

So I built the site I wished existed: one person's honest breakdown of what actually works, backed by real numbers from real spending.

🦔

How this started

I started optimizing credit cards and cashback portals a few years ago — not as a side hustle, not to churn sign-up bonuses, but because I wanted to know: am I leaving money on the table by using the wrong card?

So I started doing the math. Which card actually gives me the most back on groceries? Can I stack Rakuten on top of that? What about my rent — can I earn points on $2,500/month that I'm paying anyway?

Turns out, the answer to all of those is yes — and the numbers add up fast.

What I actually earn

Here's my real annual breakdown:

Rent → BILT

$2,500/month in rent earns 30,000 BILT points per year through my BILT 2.0 and BILT Cash cards. Worth $300-600 depending on redemption (I usually book flights or transfer to partners). That's rent money I'm paying anyway turning into vacation flights.

Groceries + Gas → Costco Executive

I do all my grocery and gas shopping at Costco. The Executive membership (2% back) plus the Costco Anywhere Visa (4% on gas, 2% at Costco) compounds to serious annual cashback. Conservatively, $800-1,000/year between the two.

Everyday Spend → BILT Palladium

Everything else goes on the Palladium. No annual fee, earns BILT points on general spending. Not the highest rate, but it consolidates everything not hitting a better bonus category. Adds another $600-800/year in value.

Rakuten → On Top of Everything

Before I buy anything online, I check Rakuten. It takes 5 seconds and regularly adds 5-15% cashback on purchases I was making anyway. Annual value: $1,000-1,200.

Total: $3,500+/year — from money I was already spending.

My approach

I don't do complicated point hacking. I don't churn sign-up bonuses. I don't fly business class for free by gaming airline loyalty programs.

I do simple math. Which card gives me the most cents back per dollar, per category, with the least effort? That's it.

What ProofLabs is

Every review on this site is based on real experience and straightforward math:

I personally use the cards and platforms I recommend
Rankings are based on actual value, not affiliate commissions
If a card with no affiliate link is the best option, I'll still tell you to get it
I show my work — every recommendation includes the math

My full financial stack

Beyond credit cards, I use and review:

High-yield savings: Robinhood, SoFi, and Wealthfront — I keep money in all three and compare rates every quarter.

Investing: Robinhood, Webull, and Schwab — different platforms for different purposes.

Crypto: Robinhood, Coinbase, and SoFi — I'll review each honestly, including the downsides.

I'm also on the waitlist for the Robinhood credit card — I'll review it the day I get it.