Learning Paths
Curated sequences of guides for specific goals. Follow them in order, or jump around as needed.
Budgeting That Actually Works
Practical approaches to managing your money—including why most budgets fail and what to do instead.
Understanding Your Paycheck
Before budgeting, understand what you're actually working with.
Where Your Paycheck Actually Goes
A simple allocation framework that doesn't require tracking every dollar.
Fixed vs Variable Expenses
Why this distinction matters more than most budget categories.
How to Track Your Spending
Methods that work—from apps to pen and paper.
Why Budgets Fail (And What Actually Works)
The design flaws in traditional budgeting and what actually works.
Automating Your Finances
How to make good financial behavior automatic.
Financial Foundations
Start here if you're new to managing money. These 5 guides cover the essential concepts everyone should understand first.
Understanding Your Paycheck
What actually happens to your money before it hits your bank account.
Where Your Paycheck Actually Goes
A simple framework for allocating your take-home pay.
Emergency Funds: How They Work and What Determines the Right Size
Why this is the first financial goal—and how to actually start one.
Compound Interest: The Math Behind Long-Term Growth
The concept that makes time your greatest financial asset.
How Credit Scores Actually Work
How the number that follows you everywhere is actually calculated.
Investing Fundamentals
How to start investing, what to invest in, and which accounts to use—without the jargon.
When to Start Investing
Spoiler: probably sooner than you think, even with small amounts.
Index Funds: What They Are and How They Work
The simple investment that outperforms most professionals.
Dollar Cost Averaging Explained
The strategy that removes timing from the equation.
Retirement Accounts: How 401(k)s and IRAs Actually Work
401(k)s, IRAs, and Roth accounts—what each does and why it matters.
Roth vs Traditional: Which Account Type Wins?
The tax timing question that could be worth thousands.
HSA: The Most Tax-Advantaged Account You're Probably Ignoring
The triple-tax-advantaged account most people overlook.
Saving Strategies
How to build savings, where to keep it, and how to measure your progress toward financial security.
How Much to Save Each Month
Finding a realistic savings rate for your actual situation.
Emergency Funds: How They Work and What Determines the Right Size
The foundation of financial security—how much and where to keep it.
High-Yield Savings Accounts Explained
Why your savings account matters and how to find a better one.
Sinking Funds Explained
The trick that turns irregular expenses into predictable ones.
Saving vs Investing: What's the Difference?
When to do each—and how to balance both.
How to Track Your Net Worth
The single number that shows whether you're actually building wealth.
Taxes Demystified
How taxes actually work—the concepts that never change, explained clearly.
How Tax Brackets Actually Work
The biggest misconception about taxes, cleared up forever.
Tax Deductions vs. Tax Credits: How Each Reduces Your Bill
Two ways to lower your tax bill—and why one is usually better.
Filing Taxes for the First Time: How the Process Actually Works
Everything you need to know to file with confidence.
Understanding Credit & Debt
How credit scores, credit cards, and debt actually work—explained without judgment.
How Credit Scores Actually Work
How scores are calculated and what actually moves the needle.
How to Read Your Credit Report
The document behind the score—and how to spot errors.
Building Credit from Scratch
Starting from nothing? These are the legitimate paths.
How Credit Card Interest Actually Works
How credit card interest really works when you carry a balance.
APR vs APY: What's the Difference?
Two similar numbers that mean very different things for your money.
How Debt Payoff Strategies Actually Work
Strategies compared—avalanche, snowball, and when each makes sense.