Start with the 5 basics
The exact order I'd tackle a first real paycheck in: bank accounts, emergency fund, debt vs. investing, index funds, 401(k).
See the guide →Run your own calculator
Compound interest, your true car cost, rent vs. buy, and more. Plug in your own numbers and see your own answer.
All calculators →Find where you are
In debt, starting from zero, already have money, or something else. 8 situations. Pick yours.
Jump to situations ↓Compound Interest
See what your savings grow to over time, or model paying off debt.
Try it →Emergency Fund
Compare 3, 6, and 12 months of coverage and see how long each takes to build.
Try it →Debt Payoff vs. Invest
Compare your interest rate against an assumed return to see how the two stack up.
Try it →Rent vs. Buy
Weigh the real cost of renting against buying over the years you'd actually stay.
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Michael Azzolina, CPA, MBA. Corporate Finance Executive with 15 years in corporate finance, across public companies, private family businesses, and startups. I built this site because most personal finance content makes simple decisions sound complicated.
Read my full background →