Brian Smith
Finance writer and DIY enthusiast. Brian covers personal finance, investing, and weekend projects that save real money.
Articles by Brian Smith (10)
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.