Comparison Is the Thief of Budgets: Social Media and Money
How feeds move your ‘enough’ line without permission, the money distortions comparison creates, and the feed-hygiene + self-benchmarking fix.
Lifestyle Creep: The Silent Freedom Killer (And the Guardrail)
The 50% capture rule for every raise, the three mechanisms that dissolve new income, worked compounding math, and when spending more is actually the point.
Money Scripts: The Inherited Beliefs That Run Your Wallet
The four money scripts — avoidance, worship, status, vigilance — plus a fifth from the hustle internet, and a 15-minute exercise to find and rewrite yours.
The Psychology of Selling in a Crash (And Why Pre-Commitment Wins)
Why losses hurt twice as much and best days cluster near worst days — plus the pre-commitment devices (automation, an IPS, delay rules) that beat courage.
Robo-Advisors vs DIY Index Investing: What the Automation Is Worth
The full fee stack compared, a 20-year $100k cost illustration you can verify, what robos really sell, and when DIY’s zero fee is the wrong answer.
Money Market Funds vs HYSA: The Yield Gap Explained
What a money market fund is, FDIC vs SIPC without the confusion, the sweep-account default that costs thousands, and a ten-minute cash audit to fix it.
Living in Russia as an American Expat
In today’s globalized world, the decision to move from one country to another is often driven by a myriad of reasons. For some, it’s the allure of new opportunities, for others, it’s the pursuit of a better quality of life. In this post, we delve into my personal journey of living in Russia, we’ll cover …
Series I Bonds: The Odd Savings Bond Worth Knowing
I bond mechanics without hype: how the composite rate is built, the 1-year lock and 3-month penalty, the $10k cap, and the one tier where they genuinely belong.
Inflation Explained Like You’re Busy: What It Does to Savings, Debt and Raises
Inflation in three checkable numbers: $100 after ten years at 2%, 3% and 5%. How it shrinks cash, quietly erases fixed debt, and turns raises into pay cuts.
The Sinking Fund for Home Repairs: What Old Houses Actually Cost
The 1% rule gets you started; the component lifespan table makes it honest. How to build and fund a home repair sinking fund before the house sends its invoice.
