Stacks

Why Start Here?

Before you can save or invest, you need to know where your money is going. Most people are shocked when they see how much they spend on takeout, subscriptions, and impulse purchases. Small changes here create the foundation for everything else.

What You'll Do:

• Enter your monthly spending in key categories (takeout, subscriptions, etc.)
• Set realistic reduction goals for each category
• See how redirecting that spending to savings can grow your wealth over 10 years

Why This Matters

A budget isn't about restriction—it's about awareness and control. When you know exactly where every dollar goes, you can make intentional decisions instead of wondering where your paycheck went. This is where you discover your savings rate and see if you're living below, at, or above your means.

What You'll Do:

• Enter all income sources (salary, side hustles, investments)
• Track fixed expenses (rent, insurance, debt payments)
• Log variable expenses (groceries, entertainment, shopping)
• See your net worth, savings rate, and emergency fund coverage
• Set savings goals and track your progress to completing them

Why This Matters

Not all savings accounts are equal. Cash sitting in checking earns nothing. High-yield savings accounts earn 3-4%. Stock market investments historically return 8-10% long-term. Strategic allocation across these accounts maximizes your wealth growth while maintaining appropriate liquidity for emergencies.

What You'll Do:

• Decide how to split contributions between checking, HYSA, and investments
• See individual growth projections for each account type
• View your total projected wealth across all accounts over 10 years

Why This Matters

High-interest debt destroys wealth. Every dollar in interest is money you can't invest. A $10,000 credit card debt at 24% APR with minimum payments will cost you $14,000+ in interest over 30 some years. Extra payments dramatically accelerate payoff and save thousands. This tool shows you exactly how much.

What You'll Do:

• Enter each debt (credit cards, student loans, car loans, etc.)
• Add extra payments beyond the minimum (even $50-100 helps massively)
• Compare minimum payments versus an accelerated payoff strategy
• See exactly how much time and interest you'll save

Why This Matters

Tools and calculators are powerful, but true financial independence comes from understanding the principles behind them. Our education section breaks down complex topics into bite-sized lessons—from compound interest to tax-advantaged accounts to retirement planning. Knowledge is the foundation that turns good intentions into lasting wealth.

What You'll Learn:

• Core concepts like compound interest, inflation, net worth, savings rate, and more
• Account types like 401(k), Roth IRA, HSA, and taxable brokerage accounts, plus when to use each
• Investment basics: stocks, bonds, ETFs, index funds, diversification
• Strategic planning: the order of operations for building wealth

This Is Where Wealth Is Built

You've audited your spending, built a budget, modeled projections, and learned the concepts. Now comes the most important step: actually doing it. Opening a high-yield savings account takes 10 minutes. Starting a brokerage account takes 15 minutes. These simple actions are the difference between dreaming about wealth and building it. Start now and let compound interest generate wealth for you over the long term.

The Impact Is Real:

• High-Yield Savings: Move $10k from 0% checking to 4.5% HYSA = $450/year in free money (vs. $0)
• Index Fund Investing: $500/month for 30 years at 8% = $745,000 (vs. $180k in checking)
• Employer 401(k) Match: Free 50-100% return on contributions = instant wealth
• Cutting Subscriptions: Cancel $100/month of unused services = $12,000 over 10 years invested