Skip to main content
Personal Finance & Money Tips

Financial insights
you'll actually use

Financial planning guides, investing basics, and actionable advice from the team behind Planned.

FeaturedOct 16, 2026·7 min read

Should I Adjust My W-4 for a Smaller Refund? (The Math)

Yes, if you get over $1,000 back each year. How to adjust your W-4 for a smaller refund, what that cash is really worth, and the penalty line to stay above.

Read article
Most popular

What readers are spending time on

Browse by category

Jump straight to the topic you care about.

Taxes
Matt SchubergMatt Schuberg, CFP®

Should I Adjust My W-4 for a Smaller Refund? (The Math)

Yes, if you get over $1,000 back each year. How to adjust your W-4 for a smaller refund, what that cash is really worth, and the penalty line to stay above.

·7 min read
Career & Income
Matt SchubergMatt Schuberg, CFP®

Should I Ask for a Raise or Switch Jobs? (Run the Math)

Should you ask for a raise or switch jobs? Compare your best realistic raise to the offer minus what leaving costs, like unvested match. Real numbers inside.

·8 min read
Debt
Matt SchubergMatt Schuberg, CFP®

Should I Use Savings to Pay Off Credit Card Debt?

Should you use savings to pay off credit card debt? Usually yes: keep one month of essentials in cash and send the rest to the card. See the 22% APR math.

·7 min read
Credit
Matt SchubergMatt Schuberg, CFP®

Should I Pay My Credit Card Twice a Month? (When It Helps)

Paying your credit card twice a month lowers the balance reported to the bureaus. Here's when it helps your score or saves interest, and when once is enough.

·7 min read
Saving
Matt SchubergMatt Schuberg, CFP®

Should I Save for a House or Invest? (A Timeline Rule)

Should you save for a house or invest? If you buy within three years, keep it in cash. Five or more years out, invest. See the real math and the in-between.

·6 min read
Budgeting
Matt SchubergMatt Schuberg, CFP®

Zero-Based Budget vs 50/30/20: Which Should You Use?

Zero-based budget vs 50/30/20: use 50/30/20 if needs fit in half your take-home pay, zero-based if they don't. See both run on a real $90,000 paycheck.

·6 min read
Newsletter

Your finances just got more complicated. We can help.

Practical breakdowns for the moments when money decisions actually matter. Free, weekly.