Maya Ellison
Personal-finance writer & recovering over-spender
Denver, CO
Maya writes about money the way she wishes someone had explained it to her at 22 — plainly, with real numbers and none of the jargon. She isn't a financial advisor; she's someone who spent her twenties digging out of credit-card debt, got a little obsessive about budgeting, and now turns intimidating financial math into decisions anyone can make. Everything she writes is meant to inform, not to be personal financial advice.
Articles by Maya Ellison
How to Calculate Your Post-Tax Investment Account vs. Pre-Tax Retirement Account Split: Optimizing for Tax Flexibility
Learn the math behind balancing taxable brokerage accounts with 401(k) and IRA contributions to maximize tax flexibility in retirement. Includes calculators for different income scenarios and withdrawal strategies.
May 7, 2026How to Calculate Your Error Recovery Time: The Hidden Productivity Cost of Mistakes and Rework
Learn to measure and minimize the time lost to correcting mistakes. This comprehensive guide shows you how to track error rates, calculate rework costs, and implement systems to reduce costly do-overs that drain your productivity.
May 7, 2026How to Calculate Your Business vs. W-2 Tax Advantage: 1099 Contractor, LLC, or S-Corp Income Optimization
Compare the true tax implications of different employment structures. Calculate self-employment taxes, business deductions, and retirement account limits to determine your optimal income strategy.
May 6, 2026How to Calculate Your Decision-Making Speed: Measuring Choice Velocity and Analysis Paralysis Costs
Learn to measure how long you spend making different types of decisions, identify bottlenecks in your choice process, and calculate the opportunity cost of delayed decisions to streamline your daily workflow.
May 6, 2026How to Calculate Your Target Savings Rate by Income Level: High Earner vs. Median Income Strategies
Discover how your income level affects optimal savings rates, from the 20% rule for median earners to 50%+ strategies for high-income professionals, including tax implications and lifestyle considerations.
May 5, 2026How to Calculate Your Personal Peak Performance Rhythm: Using Ultradian Cycles to Optimize Your Daily Schedule
Learn how to track and calculate your natural 90-120 minute ultradian cycles to schedule high-focus work during your biological peak performance windows and maximize cognitive output throughout the day.
May 5, 2026How to Calculate Your Financial Freedom Date: The Timeline Method That Accounts for Income Growth and Lifestyle Inflation
Move beyond simple retirement calculators to discover your exact financial freedom date using dynamic income projections, lifestyle inflation factors, and multiple withdrawal rate scenarios. This comprehensive timeline method helps you set realistic milestones and adjust your strategy as life changes.
May 5, 2026How to Calculate Your Workspace Temperature Impact on Productivity: Finding Your Optimal Climate for Peak Performance
Discover how room temperature affects your cognitive performance and productivity. Learn to measure temperature variations, calculate their impact on your work output, and find your optimal climate settings for maximum focus and efficiency.
May 4, 2026How to Calculate Your Real Student Loan Payoff Strategy: Income-Driven Plans vs. Aggressive Payments vs. Refinancing
Compare the total cost and timeline of different student loan repayment strategies using actual calculations. Learn when income-driven repayment plans save money versus aggressive payments, and how to factor in loan forgiveness programs, tax implications, and opportunity costs.
May 4, 2026How to Calculate Your Cognitive Load Score: Measuring Mental Bandwidth for Better Decision Making
Learn to quantify your mental capacity throughout the day and optimize your schedule by calculating cognitive load scores. This guide shows you how to measure mental fatigue, allocate demanding tasks to peak hours, and create a sustainable workflow that matches your brain's natural energy cycles.
May 3, 2026How to Calculate Your Optimal 401(k) Contribution Strategy: Employer Match, Tax Benefits, and IRA Backdoor Conversion Timing
Learn to maximize your 401(k) benefits by calculating the optimal contribution amount that balances employer matching, tax advantages, and investment flexibility. Includes strategies for high earners facing contribution limits and backdoor Roth conversions.
May 3, 2026How to Calculate Your Habit Formation Timeline: Data-Driven Approach to Building Lasting Productivity Routines
Learn how to scientifically measure and predict how long it takes to form new productivity habits, track progress milestones, and calculate the optimal reinforcement schedule for lasting behavioral change.
May 3, 2026