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Plain-English money guides
Articles about rent, debt payoff, emergency funds, and home affordability, each paired with a free calculator. No fluff, no jargon.
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How Much of Your Income Should Go to Rent? (30/40/50)
The classic answer is 30%. The honest answer depends on your debts, city, and cushion. Here's the plain-English 30/40/50 rule with salary examples.
Read article - 7 min reademergency-fundsavings
How Big Should Your Emergency Fund Be? (3, 6 or 12 Months)
Three months is the starting line, not the finish line. Here's how to pick your real target based on income stability, dependants, and debt, with a free calculator.
Read article - 7 min readdebtbudgeting
How to Pay Off Debt Faster: Payments & Timeline
Your payoff date is set by one number: the monthly payment. Here's how payment size, APR, and extra payments change the timeline, with worked examples.
Read article - 7 min readcarbudgeting
How Much Car Can I Afford on My Salary? (20/4/10 Rule)
The sticker price isn't the number that matters. Here's how much car payment you can afford on your salary, using the 20/4/10 rule and real ownership costs.
Read article - 8 min readhomemortgage
How Much House Can I Afford by Salary? ($60k to $200k)
Lenders will approve you for more house than you should buy. Here's the realistic price range at each salary, with the monthly payment that comes with it.
Read article - 7 min readsavingsemergency-fund
How Much Should I Have in Savings at 25, 30, 35 and 40?
Age benchmarks are a rough map, not a verdict. Here's how much to have in savings at 25, 30, 35 and 40, and what to do if you're behind.
Read article - 7 min readbudgetingguidelines
What's a Realistic Monthly Budget? The 50/30/20 Rule
Half needs, thirty percent wants, twenty percent future. Here's what 50/30/20 actually looks like at three income levels, and what to do when it doesn't fit.
Read article - 7 min readcost-of-livingbudgeting
Cost of Living: How Much Income Do You Need in Your City?
Cost of living comparisons collapse into one question: what salary do you need to live comfortably here? Here's the formula and the categories that move it.
Read article - 8 min readhomerent
Rent vs Buy: Which Can You Actually Afford Right Now?
Rent is a ceiling on housing costs. A mortgage is a floor. Here's how to compare the two honestly and find your break-even point.
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