Blog
Practical money math for people in their 20s, written by Marcus. Every article links to the calculator behind the numbers.
Compound Interest: Why Starting at 25 Beats 35
The same $1,000,000 goal costs more than twice as much per month if you wait ten years to start. Here's the exact math.
October 20, 2026 · by Marcus Vale
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How Much House Can You Afford on Your Income
The 28%/36% rule lenders actually use, worked through with real numbers to find a maximum home price.
October 20, 2026 · by Marcus Vale
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Snowball vs. Avalanche: Which Pays Off Debt Faster
Two real debts, two payoff strategies, one month-by-month comparison of which actually saves more time and money.
October 20, 2026 · by Marcus Vale
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Emergency Fund: 3 Months or 6 Months?
The 3-vs-6-month emergency fund question, turned into real dollar targets and a real timeline to reach them.
October 20, 2026 · by Marcus Vale
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How to Compare Two Job Offers Beyond the Salary
The bigger salary number isn't always the better offer once 401(k) match and health premiums are counted. Here's the math.
October 20, 2026 · by Marcus Vale
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The 1% 401(k) Bump: What One Extra Percent Becomes
Bumping your 401(k) contribution by just 1% of salary costs less per paycheck than you think, and grows into real money.
October 20, 2026 · by Marcus Vale
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How Much of a $50K Salary You Actually Take Home (Florida, 2026)
A $50,000 salary in Florida looks like one number on an offer letter. Here's what actually lands in the bank each month in 2026.
October 20, 2026 · by Marcus Vale
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Minimum Payments on a Credit Card: How Long It Really Takes
The real math on what happens if you only ever pay the minimum on a credit card, and what a fixed payment does instead.
October 20, 2026 · by Marcus Vale
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