Vol. 4 — Playbooks
The money moves, in order.
Each playbook is a self-contained, step-by-step guide for a single decision — written like a senior friend would explain it. Every step links to a calculator or track when you need to go deeper.
FoundationsBeginner · 8 min
Your First $1,000 Buffer
The fastest, most boring path out of paycheck-to-paycheck.
For: You live close to your income and a flat tire would go on a credit card.
DebtBeginner · 10 min
Kill Credit Card Debt in 18 Months
Two methods that actually work, picked by personality not math.
For: You carry a balance on one or more cards at 18%+ APR.
InvestingBeginner · 12 min
Build Your First Index Portfolio in 60 Minutes
Three funds, one account, one auto-buy. Done.
For: You have a $1k+ buffer, no high-APR debt, and money sitting in checking.
EarningIntermediate · 14 min
Engineer a 30–100% Pay Raise in 12 Months
Faster than cutting expenses. Compounds forever.
For: You're a salaried W-2 employee who hasn't job-hopped in 2+ years.
Real EstateIntermediate · 12 min
The Buy vs Rent Decision, Honestly
The math, the lifestyle, and the four traps no one warns you about.
For: You're considering buying a primary residence in the next 12–24 months.
RetirementIntermediate · 11 min
Find Your FIRE Number and the 3 Paths to Get There
Lean, regular, or Coast — the math and the trade-offs.
For: You're saving consistently and want to know when work becomes optional.
TaxIntermediate · 9 min
Tax Optimization for a W-2 Employee
The 7 levers most people leave on the table every year.
For: You're a salaried employee in the US who takes the standard deduction.
CreatorIntermediate · 13 min
Creator Path: From 0 to $1,000/month
The boring sequence behind almost every solo income story.
For: You're a freelancer, creator, or builder trying to get to your first $1k/month outside a job.