You don't earn the most in your 20s. But every dollar you save now has 40+ years to compound — that's why this decade is worth more than the next three combined. Get the few big things right.
I had credit cards I shouldn't have used. I made car payments for years. And nobody told me what compounding can do for someone starting in their 20s. I wish someone had handed me this site when I was 22. So I built it for you.
What the federal formula thinks your family can pay. Pick a school, see the gap.
AvoidThe funding ladder: FAFSA, state grants, school aid, work-study, scholarships. Stack these BEFORE you borrow.
Win moneyWhere to actually find scholarships. Why $10K won = ~$56K of avoided lifetime loan cost.
Earned Income Tax Credit — up to $7,830/yr. ~20% of eligible workers don't claim it. 60-second check.
Tax creditUp to $1K free from the IRS for saving for retirement. Less than 12% of eligible filers claim it.
$0 filingIRS Free File / VITA / Cash App Taxes / MyFreeTaxes — picks the right $0 option for your situation.
Stop feesBig banks charge low-balance customers $34B/year. Where to switch — and what fees cost you.
BuildYou need a credit score to rent, get jobs, get insurance. You don't need to be in debt to build one.
EligibilitySNAP, WIC, Medicaid, ACA, LIHEAP, school meals — what you might qualify for + how to apply.
A realistic monthly budget for $45K–$120K starter salaries. Live math, opinionated defaults.
GoalAt your salary and savings rate, when do you cross $1M? See what bumping the rate up costs in years.
CompoundWhat 7 extra years of compounding is worth. Start at 22 vs 29 — the gap is brutal.
Free MoneyYour employer offers a match. Not taking it is leaving an instant 100% return on the table.
DebtMinimum vs. avalanche vs. refinance — see total interest paid under each plan.
DebtIf you carry a balance, here's the fastest exit. Avalanche method, plain numbers.