Your plan
A clear sequence for your money
Four steps. Most people in their 20s and 30s need the same ones, in the same order. Start wherever you are — you can always come back.
The framework
Know your actual take-home
Your salary and what lands in your bank account are different. Understanding the gap (taxes, benefits, deductions) is the baseline everything else builds on.
Build one month of breathing room
Before investing or aggressively paying debt, have enough cash that a $500 car repair doesn't derail everything. One month of expenses in a savings account.
Clear high-rate debt
Credit card interest at 20%+ costs more than any investment reliably earns. Clearing it first isn't a sacrifice — it's the highest guaranteed return available to you right now.
Capture the free money
If your employer matches 401(k) contributions, take all of it. It's an instant 50–100% return. This comes before any other investing.
Want a personalized starting point?
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