Personal finance for people who want to be great with money — written by the friend who already is.
The Smart Money Dictionary
A living glossary of the terms, tricks, and rules of thumb that quietly shape your money — translated the way a friend would actually explain them.
49 entries and growing.
The card the internet argues about most. If Hyatt is in your rotation, this card pays for itself before your second stay.
Usually starts making sense when net income crosses ~$60–80K. The 'reasonable salary' number is where the IRS lives.
The single biggest reason to open a card. Everything else — earn rates, perks, transfer partners — is background noise compared to a well-timed SUB.
The reason you don't reach for the credit card in December. Boring. Effective. Nobody talks about it.
Usually around age 80. If you expect to live past 80 and have other assets to draw from, delaying to 70 is the highest-return, lowest-risk decision in personal finance.
The right answer for most side-hustlers earning $20K+ of self-employment income. Roth solo 401(k)s exist and almost nobody uses them.
The number that shows up on your credit report is your balance on this date — not your $0 balance the day after you paid. If you want a lower reported utilization, pay before the statement, not after.
The single most important reason not to gift highly appreciated assets during your lifetime. Let heirs inherit them, and the tax evaporates.
The weekly dispatch
The kind of financial advice you'd get from a friend who's already figured it out. No hot takes, no leaderboards, no affiliate hustle.