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§ Guides
34 guides, organized by where you are in life.
Clear, jargon-free explanations of the financial topics that matter most. Written like a smart friend who happens to know money.
Investing & Retirement
4 investing & retirement guides
Plain-English walkthroughs for the investing & retirement decisions on your plate.
Investing & Retirement · 2 min
401(k) Employer Match: How It Works and Why It's the Best Return You'll Ever Get
How employer matching formulas work, what ' 50% of the first 6%' really means, vesting rules, 2026 limits, and how to make sure you never leave free money behind.
Investing & Retirement · 5 min
FIRE Basics: How to Retire Early Step by Step
A step-by-step guide to Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) -- calculate your FIRE number, understand the variants, and build a plan to reach freedom.
Investing & Retirement · 5 min
The 4% Rule Explained: How Much Do You Need to Retire?
A deep dive into the 4% rule -- its origins in the Trinity Study, how the math works, historical success rates, criticisms, and modern adjustments for early retirees.
Investing & Retirement · 6 min
Should I Start Saving for Retirement Now? (Yes, Here's Why)
Why starting early matters more than the amount, how retirement accounts work, and a practical plan to start today.