Brian Smith
Finance writer and DIY enthusiast. Brian covers personal finance, investing, and weekend projects that save real money.
Articles by Brian Smith (25)
How to Max Out Your 401(k) and Roth IRA in the Same Year: A Step-by-Step Contribution Strategy
Maxing out both your 401(k) and Roth IRA in the same year is one of the most powerful retirement moves available to everyday investors. Here's a practical, step-by-step strategy to make it happen — no matter where you're starting from.
How to Audit Your Subscriptions and Stop Paying for Things You Don't Use
The average American spends over $200 a month on subscriptions without realizing it — here's a step-by-step system to find every recurring charge, cut what you don't use, and negotiate better rates on the rest.
How to Install a Smart Thermostat Yourself (And Save $150 in Labor Costs)
Installing a smart thermostat is one of the easiest and highest-return DIY projects you can tackle — here's a step-by-step guide to doing it safely, correctly, and in under an hour.
How to Use a Side Hustle to Supercharge Your Savings Rate (And What to Do With the Extra Money)
A side hustle can do more than cover a few extra bills — when you deploy the income strategically, it becomes a powerful engine for building real wealth. Learn how to calculate your true take-home, split your earnings across the right buckets, and let compound interest do the heavy lifting.
How to Build a Referral Program for Your Small Business (Without Spending a Fortune)
A step-by-step guide to creating a referral program that turns your happiest customers into your best salespeople — without a big budget or complicated software.
How to Eat Out Without Blowing Your Budget: A Practical Guide to Dining Out Smarter
Eating out doesn't have to drain your wallet. Learn how to time your visits, use deals strategically, avoid the drinks trap, and dine abroad without currency confusion — so you can enjoy restaurants regularly without the financial guilt.
How to Install Crown Molding: The DIY Guide That Saves You $500 or More
Crown molding transforms any room instantly — and installing it yourself saves $400–$900 in labor costs. This step-by-step guide covers measuring, cutting compound angles, and finishing like a pro.
How to Pay Yourself First: The Savings Strategy That Works on Any Income
Discover the pay-yourself-first strategy — the simple, automatic savings method that builds wealth on any income by prioritizing savings before spending.
How to Create a Winning Sales Funnel for Your Small Business (Without a Big Marketing Budget)
A practical guide to building a high-converting sales funnel for your small business using low-cost strategies, smart pricing, and the right tools to turn strangers into loyal customers.
How to Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half Without Eating Less (or Worse)
Discover proven strategies to dramatically reduce your monthly grocery spending through smart meal planning, strategic shopping, and a few simple habits — without sacrificing nutrition or flavor.
How to Replace a Light Fixture with a Ceiling Fan (Without Calling an Electrician)
Replacing a light fixture with a ceiling fan is a rewarding DIY upgrade that improves comfort and cuts cooling costs — and with the right guidance, you can do it safely in a single afternoon without hiring an electrician.
How to Calculate Your Net Worth (And Use It as Your Financial GPS)
Your net worth is the single most powerful number in personal finance — here's how to calculate it accurately, what it actually means, and the concrete steps to grow it every year.
How to Set Up a Simple Bookkeeping System for Your Small Business (Without Hiring an Accountant)
A practical, step-by-step guide to setting up a bookkeeping system that keeps your small business finances organized, tax-ready, and stress-free — no accounting degree required.
How to Plan a Weekend Getaway on a Budget: The Complete Cost-Saving Playbook
Weekend trips don't have to drain your wallet — with the right planning strategies, you can enjoy a memorable getaway for a fraction of what most people spend. Here's how to plan smarter, spend less, and still have an amazing time.
How to Tile a Floor Like a Pro: Calculating Materials, Waste, and Costs Before You Buy
Learn exactly how to calculate tile quantities, account for waste, and estimate total costs before starting your floor tiling project — so you never run short or overbuy.
Personal Loan Calculator: Plan Payments & Save
Use a personal loan calculator to estimate monthly payments, compare interest rates, and build a smart repayment plan before you borrow.
How to Offer Discounts Without Killing Your Profit Margins
Discounts can win customers and boost sales — but only if you know exactly how much margin you can afford to give away. Here's how to discount strategically and protect your bottom line.
How to Actually Save Money on Sales (Instead of Spending More)
Most "sales" are designed to make you spend more, not less. Learn how to calculate real discounts, spot fake deals, and build a shopping strategy that genuinely saves you money.
How Much House Can You Actually Afford? A Step-by-Step Guide to Buying Within Your Means
Before you fall in love with a home, run the real numbers. This guide walks you through the exact calculations lenders use—and the smarter ones you should use—to find your true home-buying budget.
The DIY Measurement Guide: How to Convert Units, Estimate Materials, and Never Waste Money on a Home Project Again
Measurement mistakes are the silent budget-killers of every DIY project. Learn how to convert units, calculate material quantities, and buy exactly what you need for any home improvement job.
How to Price Your Services as a Freelancer or Small Business Owner (Without Underselling Yourself)
Setting the right price for your services is one of the hardest challenges for freelancers and small business owners. Here's a practical, math-backed framework to price confidently and profitably.
Rent vs. Buy: The Real Math Most People Get Wrong
Buying is not always smarter than renting. Here is the full break-even framework — including the costs hidden in mortgage payments — so you can run the math for your own city and timeline.
Understanding Your Paycheck: Where Did 30% of Your Salary Just Go?
Federal taxes, FICA, state taxes, 401(k), health insurance — your paycheck is a stack of deductions most people never decode. Here is a line-by-line breakdown of where your money goes and how to optimize each piece.
How to Pay Off Credit Card Debt Fast: Snowball vs. Avalanche (With Real Numbers)
Two proven strategies to crush credit card debt — the snowball method for motivation, the avalanche method for math. See exactly how much each saves with worked examples.
How to Calculate Your 401(k) Employer Match (So You Don't Leave Free Money on the Table)
Your 401(k) employer match is the closest thing to free money most people will ever see. Here is how to calculate your match, avoid the most common mistake, and project how much it is worth over 30 years.