Posts
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The Roth Conversion Ladder
Access your 401k before 59.5 without the 10% penalty. The Roth conversion ladder is how early retirees bridge the gap, here's the full mechanics.
10 min read -
Emergency Fund: How Much Is Enough?
3-6 months is the generic advice. Here's how to calibrate your emergency fund by job stability, income type, and what else you can access in a crisis.
11 min read -
Financial Order of Operations
Where your next dollar should go, in exact priority order. A deterministic flowchart for engineers who want the math to make the decision, not vibes.
11 min read -
Roth vs Traditional: Which One?
Roth vs Traditional isn't a personality quiz. It's a math problem. Here's the break-even logic, the tax-diversification argument, and when each one wins.
9 min read -
Monarch Money: The Best Mint Replacement?
Mint shut down in 2024. Monarch Money is the best replacement for passive trackers, great net worth dashboard, multi-user support, and solid mobile app.
8 min read -
YNAB Review: Is $109/Year Worth It?
YNAB costs $109/year and has a real 2-3 month learning curve. Here's who it transforms, and who should skip it and use Monarch Money instead.
8 min read -
Rolling Over Your Old 401k: A Checklist
Left a job with an old 401k sitting there? Here's exactly what to do, all four options, the direct vs indirect rollover trap, and a step-by-step checklist.
9 min read -
Backdoor Roth IRA: A Step-by-Step Guide
Earn too much for a Roth IRA? The backdoor conversion still gets you in. Step-by-step 2026 guide with pro-rata rule explained and full Fidelity walkthrough.
10 min read -
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
