Guides

Short explainers when you want context, not just numbers.

How to write a sick day email
Short templates + when to send them.
How to calculate your true hourly rate
A better hourly rate calculation including time off.
How to estimate take-home pay
Quick take-home estimate and what affects it.
How to plan a debt payoff strategy
Order debts and choose a payoff approach.
How to spot a sketchy email
Simple checklist for phishing red flags.
How to use the calculators on this site
What the tools assume and how to read results.

What these guides include

Guides are short explainers that add context: what the numbers mean, common mistakes, and how to make a rough estimate more realistic. They’re written to be skimmable, not academic.

How to use them

  • Use the guide first if you’re new to a topic.
  • Use the calculator first if you already know what you need — then skim the guide for assumptions and edge cases.

Have a topic you want covered? Send it through the contact page.

How long are the guides?

Most guides are designed to be read in a few minutes. They focus on practical decision‑making: what matters most, what people usually miss, and how to avoid obvious mistakes.

Suggest a guide

If there’s a guide you’d find useful (for example, “how to read a pay stub” or “how to compare APR offers”), send a note via the contact page.

Suggested reading order

  • Start with the guide that matches your tool.
  • Run a few scenarios in the calculator.
  • Use the FAQ section to understand common edge cases.

FAQ

  • Are guides updated? Yes — when rules or common practices change, we revise and add examples.
  • Can I suggest a correction? Absolutely. Use the contact page and include the page URL.

Why guides matter for approval

Guides exist to add context and original explanations — the goal is that each topic has both a tool and a human‑readable explanation with examples and caveats.