Guides

Plain-English explainers for the number on the screen: what the calculator includes, what it skips, and which document to trust instead (stub, Loan Estimate, card statement).

Take-home pay

Federal brackets, FICA, state wage tax, and why a 401(k) cuts income tax more than Social Security.

PITI and PMI

Why escrow is higher than the lender’s teaser payment, and when PMI can end.

Rent or buy

Down-payment opportunity cost, selling fees, and how long you must stay.

Auto loans

Trade-in, sales tax, and why a 72-month term hides the amount financed.

401(k) & Roth

Capture the match first. Compound growth is slow, then less slow.

FIRE math

FI number, savings rate, and the 4% rule without the slogans.

Card minimums

Why a 2% minimum never ends, and how a fixed payment changes months.

Snowball vs avalanche

Smallest balance versus highest APR, and when motivation is the cheaper path.