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 Target Retirement Number: The 4% Rule vs. Modern Alternatives
Learn how to determine exactly how much money you need to retire comfortably using the traditional 4% rule, FIRE movement strategies, and newer withdrawal methods. Includes step-by-step calculations and real-world scenarios.
Apr 12, 2026How to Calculate Your Optimal Work Schedule: Finding Your Peak Productivity Hours
Discover how to track and analyze your energy levels throughout the day to create a personalized work schedule that maximizes your productivity. Learn the formulas and methods to identify your biological prime time.
Apr 12, 2026How to Calculate Your Real Hourly Wage: The Hidden Costs of Working
Discover your true earning power by factoring in commute time, work expenses, taxes, and benefits. Learn why your actual hourly rate might be 30-40% lower than you think and how to make better career decisions.
Apr 11, 2026How to Calculate the True Cost of Your Time: A Comprehensive Guide to Time Value Analysis
Learn how to determine your hourly worth, calculate opportunity costs, and make better decisions about how to spend your time using proven time valuation methods and calculators.
Apr 11, 2026How to Calculate Your True Net Worth: Assets, Liabilities, and Hidden Value
Learn to accurately calculate your net worth by identifying all assets and liabilities, including often-overlooked items like retirement accounts, home equity, and personal property. Includes step-by-step worksheets and tips for tracking progress over time.
Apr 10, 2026How to Calculate Break-Even Time for New Productivity Tools and Software
Learn how to determine if that new productivity app or time-tracking tool will actually save you money in the long run. This guide covers calculating ROI timelines, hidden costs, and when to stick with free alternatives.
Apr 10, 2026Calculate Your Optimal Work Schedule: Finding the Perfect Balance Between Productivity and Rest
Discover how to calculate your most productive hours, determine ideal break intervals, and plan work schedules that maximize efficiency. Includes methods for tracking energy levels and optimizing daily routines.
Apr 9, 2026Unit Conversion Mastery: Essential Measurements Every Homeowner Should Know
Complete guide to converting between metric and imperial units for home improvement projects. Covers area, volume, weight, and temperature conversions with practical examples and common pitfalls to avoid.
Apr 9, 2026How to Calculate Exact Project Deadlines: A Step-by-Step Guide for Time Management
Learn to accurately calculate project deadlines by accounting for working days, holidays, buffer time, and task dependencies. Includes templates and calculation methods for different project types.
Apr 9, 2026Debt Snowball vs. Debt Avalanche: Which Strategy Saves You More Money?
Calculate which debt payoff method works better for your situation with real examples, psychological benefits, and step-by-step implementation guides for both approaches.
Apr 9, 2026Emergency Fund vs. High-Yield Savings vs. CDs: Where to Park Your Money in 2024
Compare the pros and cons of different savings vehicles for your emergency fund, including current rates, accessibility, and how much you should save in each option.
Apr 9, 2026How to Create a 50/30/20 Budget That Actually Works: A Step-by-Step Guide
Learn how to implement the popular 50/30/20 budgeting rule with real examples, common pitfalls to avoid, and practical tips for making it work with any income level.
Apr 9, 2026