Guides

The big money decisions, worked through

Each guide follows one person through a real decision, like two job offers, a first mortgage or an SUV for two ski trips a year. You get the numbers, what changes them, and a link to the free calculator so you can run your own. There’s no sign-up.

Housing

Is Refinancing Worth It? Monthly Savings vs Lifetime Cost A lower rate does not automatically mean less interest. See how a refinance can cut your monthly payment and still cost you more over the life of the Rent vs Buy: Comparing Net Worth After 7 Years A worked rent vs buy comparison that counts upfront costs, selling costs and investing the difference, and shows which path leaves more net worth afte Buy in a Good School District, or Pay for Private School? Pay more for a home in a strong school district, or buy cheaper and pay private tuition? In this worked example the pricier house ends up about $568,0 What a $400,000 Mortgage Really Costs Over 30 Years A $400,000 loan at 6.5% costs about $910,000 to repay over 30 years. See where the interest goes, and what a lower rate or a 15-year term saves.

Cars

How Much Car Can You Afford on Your Take-Home Pay? A worked example of the car a $5,000 monthly take-home can support once insurance, fuel and registration are counted, using the 20/4/10 rule. Lease vs Buy a Car: 3-Year and 10-Year Cost Compared Leasing costs less over a single lease, but over 10 years a series of leases costs about $109,000 against roughly $74,000 to buy and keep the same car

Retirement

401(k) Match vs. Max: What Each Step Is Worth The full employer match is $2,700 a year of free money on a $90,000 salary. Going from the match to the IRS limit is worth $1.8 million more by 65. Wh Coast FIRE: The Number That Lets You Stop Saving for Retirement Coast FIRE is the amount invested today that grows into your full nest egg with zero further contributions. For a 32-year-old it can be about $355,000 Roth vs Traditional: When the Traditional IRA Comes Out Ahead The Roth vs Traditional choice comes down to your tax rate now versus in retirement. A worked case where the Traditional IRA ends up about $19,000 ahe Will Your Money Last? $1M and the 4% Rule in 1,000 Simulations The 4% rule on a $1 million portfolio, run through 1,000 simulated markets. It lasts about 91% of the time, and the bad cases show what an average ret

Investing

Compound Interest: How $500 a Month Becomes $691,000 Invest $10,000 plus $500 a month at 7% for 30 years and you end with $691,150, of which you put in $190,000. How compounding works, year by year, and

Debt

Debt Snowball vs Avalanche: How Much the Order Matters The debt snowball and avalanche compared on the same three debts. The avalanche saves $402 here, and the snowball clears a whole debt months sooner.

Work & Life

Cost Per Use: When Owning Beats Renting Price divided by uses leaves out most of the cost. A $9,000 SUV upgrade for two ski trips a year really costs $1,299 a trip. Renting costs $350. Your Real Hourly Wage After Commute and Unpaid Hours Salary divided by 2,080 overstates your hourly pay. A worked example of an $80,000 salary once commute, unpaid lunch and after-hours work are counted.