Posts
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Total Market vs S&P 500: Does It Matter?
VTI vs VOO, FSKAX vs FXAIX, the total market vs S&P 500 debate explained with actual numbers and 30-year projections. Spoiler: you're overthinking this.
8 min read -
ESPP: Don't Leave Free Money on the Table
Your ESPP is a 15-32% guaranteed return hiding in your benefits portal. Here's the math, the tax rules, and why you should nearly always sell immediately.
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Coast FIRE: The Lazy Path to FI
Coast FIRE means your investments are already on autopilot to retirement, no more contributions required. Here's the math and why it changes everything.
8 min read -
Asset Allocation by Age: A Practical Guide
The 110-minus-age rule is a solid starting point, most people ignore it. What it means, why young investors should skip bonds, and allocation by decade.
8 min read -
Tax-Loss Harvesting: Free Money (Sort Of)
Tax-loss harvesting offsets capital gains and cuts your tax bill, if you follow the wash-sale rules. Here's the VTI→ITOT swap and the honest math on deferral.
8 min read -
401k Math: What You're Actually Saving
Maxing your 401k doesn't cost $23,500. At a 35% tax rate it costs $15,275. Here's the math, the 2026 limits, and how to stop leaving money on the table.
8 min read -
The 4% Rule: Does It Still Hold?
The 4% rule is the foundation of FIRE planning, but it has real caveats most people ignore. Here's what the original research actually says and when to adjust.
9 min read -
Side Income Taxes for Software Engineers
Side income hits harder than W-2: you pay SE tax plus income tax. Here's the Schedule C breakdown, the SE tax math, SEP-IRA limits, and quarterly estimates.
10 min read -
Why Index Funds Beat Active Management
Most active funds underperform their benchmark over 15 years. The math on expense ratio drag alone should end the debate. Here's why index funds win every time.
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Stock Options vs RSUs: Which Is Better?
ISOs, NSOs, RSUs, your offer letter has all three and explains none of them. Here's what each type means, how it's taxed, and which you actually want.
10 min read -
Your FIRE Number: How to Calculate It
Your FIRE number is annual expenses × 25. Here's where that formula comes from, what most people undercount, and how to actually make the target work.
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The Home Office Deduction, Demystified
W-2 remote workers can't claim the home office deduction post-2017 TCJA. Here's who can, how the simplified vs regular method math works, and when each wins.
8 min read
