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SpendingPlan101

The library

9 plain-English reads on budgeting, saving, investing, debt, credit and taxes. Newest first unless you say otherwise.

Editor's pick
Cover illustration for the Retirement article, reading “The 4% Rule, Examined”.
RetirementGuide

The 4% Rule, Examined

The 4% rule originated in a 1994 historical study of 30-year retirements. Here is what it actually proved, what critics get right, and how dynamic guardrails work.

8 min read
Cover illustration for the Retirement article, reading “Catch-Up Contributions After 50”.
Retirement

Catch-Up Contributions After 50

Catch-up rules allow extra retirement contributions from the year you turn 50, with a higher tier for ages 60 to 63. Here are the 2026 limits and contribution order.

6 min read
Editor's pick
Cover illustration for the Investing article, reading “Index Funds Explained Without the Jargon”.
InvestingGuide

Index Funds Explained Without the Jargon

An index fund is a rule, not a manager. What the rule costs, what it buys, and why 0.85% instead of 0.04% takes $70,624 off a thirty-year balance.

11 min read

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