Simple guides for calmer money.
Short, practical reads on budgeting, paying off debt and saving, each with a free calculator to try your own numbers.
How to budget when you're paid every two weeks
Most budgets are monthly, but most paychecks aren't. Here's how to line the two up so you stop running short before payday.
Read the guide →Debt snowball vs. avalanche: which should you use?
Both methods get you out of debt. One usually saves more money, the other usually feels better. Here's how to pick.
Read the guide →The 50/30/20 budget rule, explained with real numbers
A simple starting point for splitting your paycheck, and what to do when real life doesn't fit neatly into it.
Read the guide →How much should be in your emergency fund?
A clear way to pick your number, and a realistic way to get there without feeling overwhelmed.
Read the guide →How to start budgeting (a simple beginner guide)
You don't need a perfect spreadsheet. You need five steps and about an hour.
Read the guide →Sinking funds: the easy way to pay for big expenses
Most budget-busting bills aren't emergencies. They're predictable expenses that show up once or twice a year.
Read the guide →How a zero-based budget works (and how to start one)
Give every dollar a job before the month starts. It sounds strict, but it's one of the simplest ways to stop wondering where your money went.
Read the guide →The cash envelope system: how cash stuffing works
When the envelope is empty, you stop spending. That simple rule is why cash stuffing works for so many people who overspend on cards.
Read the guide →The 52-week savings challenge: how to save $1,378 in a year
Save $1 in week one, $2 in week two, and so on. It starts easy, builds a habit, and ends with $1,378 saved.
Read the guide →How to do a no-spend challenge (and actually save money)
Pause everything except the essentials for a set time. It's a quick reset that shows you exactly where your money usually leaks.
Read the guide →How to pay off credit card debt faster
Credit card interest is expensive, so every extra dollar you pay has a big effect. Here's a simple plan that works on any income.
Read the guide →Compound interest explained simply
Compound interest means you earn interest on your interest. Given enough time, that small detail becomes the biggest part of your savings.
Read the guide →How to budget when your income changes every month
Freelancers, gig workers, servers and salespeople can't count on the same paycheck. This method gives you a steady budget anyway.
Read the guide →How to stop living paycheck to paycheck
Running out before payday is stressful and common. These seven steps build breathing room one paycheck at a time.
Read the guide →Put these guides into practice in one place.
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One calm money move a week
A 3-minute Tuesday email with one simple step for budgeting, saving and paying off debt. Free, and you get a printable $1,000 emergency fund tracker when you join.