Personal finance

Budgeting, taxes, retirement accounts, and the money decisions that compound long before you open a brokerage account.

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Retirement
23 guides
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401(k) Guide Roth IRA Guide Traditional IRA Guide Roth vs. Traditional IRA 401(k) vs. IRA How Much to Save for Retirement Social Security Guide Retirement Withdrawal Strategies SEP IRA Guide SIMPLE IRA Guide Solo 401(k) Guide 403(b) Guide 457 Plan Guide Pension Plans Explained Annuity Guide Required Minimum Distributions Roth Conversion Guide Backdoor Roth IRA Mega Backdoor Roth Early Retirement Guide FIRE Movement Guide Retirement Income Planning Social Security Optimization
Taxes
19 guides
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Capital Gains Tax Guide Tax-Loss Harvesting Guide Tax-Advantaged Accounts Tax Brackets Explained Dividend Tax Guide Tax Filing Basics Estimated Tax Payments Wash Sale Rule AMT Explained Estate Tax Guide Gift Tax Guide Qualified Dividends Explained 1099 Forms Explained W-2 vs. 1099 Tax Credits Guide Self-Employment Tax Cryptocurrency Taxes State Taxes Overview Tax-Efficient Investing
Budgeting & Saving
10 guides
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50/30/20 Rule Emergency Fund Guide Net Worth Calculation Saving Strategies High-Yield Savings Zero-Based Budgeting Envelope Budgeting Sinking Funds Explained Automating Finances Financial Independence Plan
Credit & Debt
16 guides
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Credit Score Explained How to Improve Credit Debt Payoff Strategies Mortgage Guide Refinancing Guide Student Loans Guide Debt Avalanche vs. Snowball Debt Consolidation Guide Balance Transfer Guide Personal Loan Guide Auto Loan Guide Home Equity Loan Guide HELOC Guide Credit Utilization Explained Credit Report Guide Credit Freeze Guide
Insurance
10 guides
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Life Insurance Guide Term vs. Whole Life Health Insurance Guide Disability Insurance Guide Homeowners Insurance Guide Renters Insurance Guide Auto Insurance Guide Umbrella Insurance Guide Long-Term Care Insurance Guide How Much Insurance Do You Need?
Real Estate
10 guides
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First-Time Homebuyer Guide How Much House Can I Afford? Mortgage Types Explained Fixed vs. Adjustable Rate Down Payment Guide Closing Costs Explained Home Equity Explained Rent vs. Buy Analysis Investment Property Guide 1031 Exchange Guide
Estate Planning
6 guides
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Wills Explained Trusts Explained Power of Attorney Beneficiary Designations Estate Tax Planning Inheritance Guide

Getting Started? Read These First

Five guides that cover the essentials. Read them in order.

1
The 50/30/20 Rule
The simplest budgeting framework that actually works — needs, wants, savings.
2
Emergency Fund Guide
How much to save, where to keep it, and why this comes before investing.
3
401(k) Guide
Employer match, contribution limits, investment options — your first and best retirement tool.
4
Roth IRA Guide
Tax-free growth, flexible withdrawals, and why most people under 40 should have one.
5
Credit Score Explained
What it is, how it’s calculated, and why it affects everything from mortgage rates to insurance premiums.

Related Sections

Personal finance connects to everything. These sections go deeper.

Investing Guides
Stocks, bonds, ETFs, and portfolio strategy — where your savings go to work.
Retirement Accounts Cheat Sheet
Contribution limits, income thresholds, and rules for every account type on one page.
Tax Brackets Cheat Sheet
Current federal tax brackets, standard deduction, and capital gains rates at a glance.
Comparisons
Roth vs. Traditional, 401(k) vs. IRA, renting vs. buying — side-by-side answers.
Calculators & Tools
Retirement calculator, mortgage calculator, compound interest — run the numbers yourself.
Financial Glossary
400+ terms defined — every concept referenced in these guides.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common personal finance questions answered practically.

Should I pay off debt or invest first?

Compare interest rates. Always get your employer’s 401(k) match first — that’s free money. After that, pay off any debt charging more than 6–7% interest before investing extra. Credit card debt at 20%+ should always be eliminated first. Low-rate debt like a mortgage at 3–4% can coexist with investing since markets historically return 8–10% annually. Our debt payoff strategies guide walks through the decision framework.

How much should I have in my emergency fund?

Three to six months of essential expenses — not income, expenses. If you have a stable job with dual household income, three months may be enough. If you’re self-employed or single-income, aim for six. Keep it in a high-yield savings account where you earn interest but can access it within a day. Our emergency fund guide covers the specifics.

Roth IRA or Traditional IRA — which is better?

It comes down to your current tax rate versus your expected tax rate in retirement. If you think you’ll be in a higher bracket later, Roth is better — pay taxes now, withdraw tax-free later. If you’re in a high bracket now and expect lower income in retirement, Traditional saves you more. Most people early in their career benefit from Roth. Our Roth vs. Traditional IRA comparison breaks it down with examples.

Do I need life insurance?

If anyone depends on your income — spouse, kids, aging parents — yes. Term life insurance is straightforward and affordable: you pay a fixed premium for 20–30 years of coverage. Most people don’t need whole life insurance, which is more expensive and complex. A common rule of thumb is 10–15x your annual income in coverage. Our life insurance guide explains how to calculate the right amount.

Should I rent or buy a home?

There’s no universal answer — it depends on how long you’ll stay, local market conditions, and your financial situation. The breakeven point is typically 5–7 years: if you’ll move sooner, renting usually wins after factoring in closing costs, maintenance, and opportunity cost. If you’ll stay longer, ownership builds equity. Our rent vs. buy analysis walks through the math.

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