Guides & Explainers for
Smarter Decisions
Deep but accessible guides on money, cities, statistics, and everyday decisions. Each article links to EverydayBudd tools so you can run the numbers yourself.
Try: salary negotiation, cost of living, normal distribution, city crime, retirement savings
Featured Guides
15 Salary Negotiation Tips That Actually Work in 2025
Master salary negotiation with proven strategies. Learn how to research market rates, calculate your worth, and confidently ask for the salary you deserve.
How to Use a Mortgage Calculator: Complete 2025 Homebuyer Guide
Master mortgage calculations with our comprehensive guide. Learn about principal, interest, PMI, property taxes, insurance, and how to compare 15-year vs 30-year loans.
First-Time Homebuyer Guide 2025: From Pre-Approval to Closing
Complete guide for first-time homebuyers. Learn about down payments, credit requirements, mortgage types, closing costs, and hidden expenses of homeownership.
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How to Calculate Your Take-Home Salary in 2025: Complete Guide
Learn how to calculate your actual take-home pay after federal, state, and local taxes. Includes FICA, Medicare, 401(k) deductions, and state-by-state tax rates for all 50 states.
15 Salary Negotiation Tips That Actually Work in 2025
Master salary negotiation with proven strategies. Learn how to research market rates, calculate your worth, and confidently ask for the salary you deserve.
Highest Paying States in 2025: Where Your Salary Goes Furthest
Compare take-home salaries across all 50 states. Discover which states offer the best combination of high salaries and low taxes for maximum earnings.
How to Use a Mortgage Calculator: Complete 2025 Homebuyer Guide
Master mortgage calculations with our comprehensive guide. Learn about principal, interest, PMI, property taxes, insurance, and how to compare 15-year vs 30-year loans.
First-Time Homebuyer Guide 2025: From Pre-Approval to Closing
Complete guide for first-time homebuyers. Learn about down payments, credit requirements, mortgage types, closing costs, and hidden expenses of homeownership.
15-Year vs 30-Year Mortgage: Which Saves You More Money?
Detailed comparison of 15-year and 30-year mortgages. Calculate total interest savings, monthly payment differences, and find the best option for your financial situation.
Cost of Living Comparison: Top 50 US Cities in 2025
Comprehensive cost of living analysis for major US cities. Compare housing, taxes, utilities, groceries, and transportation costs to make informed relocation decisions.
Moving to Texas in 2025: Complete Cost of Living & Tax Guide
Everything you need to know about moving to Texas. Compare property taxes, sales tax, housing costs, and calculate salary adjustments from high-tax states.
Best Cities for Remote Workers in 2025: Low Cost, High Quality of Life
Discover the best cities for remote workers balancing affordable cost of living, high-speed internet, co-working spaces, and quality of life.
The Power of Compound Interest: Complete Guide to Wealth Building
Understand how compound interest works and why Einstein called it the 8th wonder of the world. Learn strategies to maximize investment growth over time.
401(k) Contribution Limits 2025: How to Maximize Retirement Savings
Complete guide to 401(k) contributions in 2025. Learn about contribution limits, employer matching, catch-up contributions, and tax advantages.
Retirement Planning by Age: How Much You Need at 30, 40, 50, 60
Age-specific retirement planning guide. Discover retirement savings benchmarks, catch-up strategies, and how to ensure you're on track for retirement.
2025 Federal Tax Brackets: Complete Guide to Income Tax Rates
Comprehensive guide to 2025 federal tax brackets. Learn how progressive taxation works, calculate your effective tax rate, and discover tax-saving strategies.
Self-Employed Tax Deductions 2025: 25 Write-Offs You Can't Miss
Maximize tax savings as a freelancer or business owner. Complete list of self-employed deductions, home office rules, and tax planning strategies.
Capital Gains Tax Strategies 2025: Minimize Investment Taxes
Smart strategies to reduce capital gains tax on stocks, crypto, and real estate. Learn about long-term vs short-term rates, tax-loss harvesting, and more.
7 Budgeting Methods Compared: 50/30/20, Zero-Based, Envelope & More
Compare popular budgeting methods to find the best fit for your lifestyle. Learn 50/30/20 rule, zero-based budgeting, envelope system, and more.
Essential Financial Calculators Every Adult Should Use in 2025
Master personal finance with essential calculators. Learn how to use salary, mortgage, investment, and loan calculators for better financial decisions.
From the Tools Team
Updates on new tools, AI features, methodology explainers, and behind-the-scenes content from the EverydayBudd platform.
How We Calculate Take-Home Pay
Inside the math: federal brackets, FICA, state taxes, and deductions
AI Explanations: What's Behind Them
How we generate personalized insights for every calculation
New: City Crime & Safety Data
190+ cities now include crime stats and safety rankings
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