Plain-English guides to pair with the calculator. See also: About & Contact.
FIRE Basics
Where the 25x and 4% numbers come from, and the main FIRE variations — Lean, Fat, Coast, Barista.
Planning
A three-step way to go from your expected spending to a target nest egg, then check it against your savings trajectory.
Accounts & Tax Strategy
Employer matches, contribution limits, and a simple order of operations for your next dollar.
Accounts & Tax Strategy
The core difference is when you pay taxes — here's how to think through which one fits you.
Investing Basics
Why a 10-year head start can beat 30 years of larger contributions started later.
In Retirement
A commonly used sequence — taxable, then tax-deferred, then Roth — and why it matters.
Retirement Income
How benefits are calculated, why claiming age changes your check, and how it fits your plan.
Planning
From unclaimed employer matches to underestimating how long retirement lasts.