Personal FinanceJuly 28, 2026 · 4 min read
How to evaluate an ETF before buying
Not all ETFs tracking the "same" index are the same. Here's what to look at beyond the name, expense ratio, tracking error, liquidity, and structure.
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Thinking out loud about financial tools, privacy, and building in public.
Personal FinanceJuly 27, 2026 · 4 min read
How to read your brokerage statement
Most people scan their balance and move on. There's more in there than you think.
Personal FinanceJuly 24, 2026 · 4 min read
Rebalancing vs. market timing, why one works and one doesn't
Both involve changing your portfolio based on what the market has done. One is disciplined and well-supported by evidence. The other has a poor track record.
Personal FinanceJuly 23, 2026 · 4 min read
How to set your target asset allocation
Target allocation is the most important decision in investing, but most people either never set one or copy one without understanding why. Here's a framework.
Personal FinanceJuly 22, 2026 · 4 min read
What portfolio diversification actually means
Owning 50 stocks isn't the same as being diversified. Real diversification is about correlation, and most portfolios have less than you think.
Personal FinanceJuly 21, 2026 · 4 min read
Asset allocation explained without the jargon
What percentage of your portfolio should be in stocks vs bonds vs cash? The honest answer, and how to figure it out for yourself.
Personal FinanceJuly 20, 2026 · 3 min read
The 4% rule for retirement withdrawals, and when it breaks down
The 4% rule suggests you can withdraw 4% of your portfolio annually without running out of money. But it's not foolproof.
Personal FinanceJuly 17, 2026 · 4 min read
Why the FIRE movement runs on spreadsheets
FIRE communities lean on spreadsheets more than almost any other personal finance approach. The reason isn't nostalgia, it's precision.
Personal FinanceJuly 16, 2026 · 3 min read
How to track net worth in a spreadsheet
Net worth is the most important number in personal finance. Here's how to track it properly, and what most people get wrong.
Personal FinanceJuly 15, 2026 · 4 min read
Debt payoff, avalanche vs. snowball
Two methods, both work, one costs less. Here's the math on avalanche vs snowball debt payoff and how to decide which to use.
Personal FinanceJuly 14, 2026 · 4 min read
How to size your emergency fund
Three to six months of expenses is the standard advice. Here's how to calculate the right number for your specific situation, and where to keep it.
Personal FinanceJuly 13, 2026 · 4 min read
How to set a savings rate you'll actually hit
Savings rate is the most powerful lever in personal finance. How to calculate it correctly, set a target that fits, and build it over time.