Topic · 5 guides
Budgeting & saving
Every plan starts here: a budget that fits your real rent, a cash cushion for surprises, money set aside for the bills you know are coming, and a home for savings that keeps up with prices.
Read in this order
- 01
The 50/30/20 budget, worked throughA simple split for needs, wants and savings, and how to bend it when rent takes more than half.6 min read · Budget - 02
How big should your emergency fund be?Three to six months of needs, where to keep it, and what actually counts as an emergency.7 min read · Safety net - 03
Sinking funds: how to save for the expenses that are not monthlySinking funds turn irregular costs like car insurance, repairs and holidays into small monthly savings, with a worked example and catch-up math.5 min read · Budgeting - 04
Where to keep your cash: savings accounts, CDs, money market funds and T-billsCompare high-yield savings, CDs, money market funds and T-bills on safety, access and taxes, with a worked $10,000 example over 12 months.6 min read · Banking - 05
Inflation and interest rates: what they do to your savingsToday's US numbers from FRED, what real return means, and why cash slowly loses value.6 min read · Economy
One money note a week. Five minutes on Sunday.
What changed in rates and prices, what it means for your plan, and one thing to do this week.