OverEngineeredFi
Personal finance for people who over-engineer everything else.
The boring passive portfolio is mostly right. Here's the framework behind that — and an honest account of where I've deliberately broken it, what it cost, and whether it was worth it.
Recent Posts
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The Budget That Doesn't Feel Like a Budget
Stop tracking every coffee. Reverse budgeting automates your savings first, then lets you spend the rest guilt-free — here's exactly how to set it up.
8 min read -
Savings Rate: The Only Lever That Matters
Your savings rate determines your retirement timeline faster than investment returns ever will. Here's the math, the table, and how to calculate yours honestly.
8 min read -
Fidelity vs Vanguard vs Schwab: Pick One
Fidelity, Vanguard, or Schwab? The honest answer for a 3-fund portfolio: pick any of them. Here's what actually differs and what to stop worrying about.
9 min read -
Lean FIRE vs Fat FIRE: Pick Your Number
Lean FIRE, Fat FIRE, Barista FIRE, ChubbyFIRE — the full spectrum mapped with real dollar targets so you can stop theorizing and pick your actual number.
9 min read -
Reading Your RSU Grant Without a Lawyer
RSU grant agreements look like legal gibberish. Most of it doesn't matter. Here's what to actually read — and the questions to ask HR before you sign.
9 min read -
Total Market vs S&P 500: Does It Matter?
VTI vs VOO, FSKAX vs FXAIX — the total market vs S&P 500 debate explained with actual numbers and 30-year projections. Spoiler: you're overthinking this.
8 min read -
ESPP: Don't Leave Free Money on the Table
Your ESPP is a 15-32% guaranteed return hiding in your benefits portal. Here's the math, the tax rules, and why you should nearly always sell immediately.
8 min read -
Coast FIRE: The Lazy Path to FI
Coast FIRE means your investments are already on autopilot to retirement — no more contributions required. Here's the math and why it changes everything.
8 min read -
Asset Allocation by Age: A Practical Guide
The 110-minus-age rule is a solid starting point — most people ignore it. What it means, why young investors should skip bonds, and allocation by decade.
8 min read -
Tax-Loss Harvesting: Free Money (Sort Of)
Tax-loss harvesting offsets capital gains and cuts your tax bill — if you follow the wash-sale rules. Here's the VTI→ITOT swap and the honest math on deferral.
8 min read -
401k Math: What You're Actually Saving
Maxing your 401k doesn't cost $23,500. At a 35% tax rate it costs $15,275. Here's the math, the 2026 limits, and how to stop leaving money on the table.
8 min read -
The 4% Rule: Does It Still Hold?
The 4% rule is the foundation of FIRE planning — but it has real caveats most people ignore. Here's what the original research actually says and when to adjust.
9 min read
