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 Software Learning Curve Investment: Measuring Training Time vs. Long-Term Efficiency Gains
Discover how to quantify the time investment required to master new productivity software and calculate when the efficiency gains will pay off. Learn to measure learning hours, proficiency milestones, and long-term time savings to make informed decisions about adopting new tools.
Jun 12, 2026How to Calculate Your Peak Earning Years Strategy: Maximizing Income During Your Highest-Revenue Decade
Most professionals have a 10-15 year window of peak earning potential. Learn how to identify your peak years, calculate the income acceleration timeline, and optimize career moves, skill investments, and negotiation strategies to maximize lifetime earnings during this critical period.
Jun 12, 2026How to Calculate Your Data Entry Speed and Accuracy Rate: Optimizing Information Processing for Maximum Efficiency
Learn how to measure your data entry performance, calculate words-per-minute rates, track error percentages, and optimize your input methods for different types of information processing tasks.
Jun 12, 2026How to Calculate Your Optimal Expense Tracking Method: Manual vs. Apps vs. Automated Systems ROI Analysis
Compare the time investment, accuracy rates, and financial benefits of different expense tracking methods to find the system that actually saves you money and improves your budget adherence.
Jun 11, 2026How to Calculate Your Keyboard Shortcuts ROI: Measuring Time Savings and Muscle Memory Investment
Learn to quantify the time investment needed to master keyboard shortcuts versus long-term productivity gains. Calculate learning curves, measure daily time savings, and determine which shortcuts deliver the highest ROI for your specific workflow.
Jun 11, 2026How to Calculate Your State Tax Migration Strategy: Income Tax, Property Tax, and Cost of Living Break-Even Analysis
Discover how to quantify the financial impact of relocating to different states by comparing income taxes, property taxes, sales taxes, and cost of living adjustments to determine your optimal geographic tax strategy.
Jun 10, 2026How to Calculate Your Optimal Workspace Layout: Measuring Square Footage, Traffic Flow, and Equipment Placement for Maximum Efficiency
Learn to measure and optimize your workspace dimensions, equipment positioning, and movement patterns. Use data-driven analysis to calculate the most efficient office layout that minimizes time waste and maximizes productivity through strategic space utilization.
Jun 10, 2026How to Calculate Your Optimal Bond Ladder Strategy: Interest Rate Risk vs. Steady Income Analysis
Learn to build a bond ladder that maximizes income while minimizing interest rate risk. Calculate optimal maturity spacing, reinvestment strategies, and how to adjust your ladder based on changing economic conditions and personal cash flow needs.
Jun 9, 2026How to Calculate Your Workspace Air Quality Impact on Cognitive Performance: Measuring CO2, Humidity, and Pollutants for Peak Mental Clarity
Learn to measure and optimize your indoor air quality metrics including CO2 levels, humidity, and air pollutants to maximize focus, decision-making speed, and overall cognitive performance in your workspace.
Jun 9, 2026How to Calculate Your Gift Tax and Inheritance Planning Strategy: Annual Exclusions, Lifetime Exemptions, and Multi-Generational Wealth Transfer
Master the complex calculations behind gift and estate tax planning. Learn how to maximize annual exclusions, utilize lifetime exemptions, and structure multi-generational wealth transfers to minimize tax liability while preserving family wealth.
Jun 8, 2026How to Calculate Your Bookmarking and Digital Reference System Efficiency: Measuring Information Retrieval Speed vs. Storage Organization
Learn how to measure the time you spend saving, organizing, and retrieving bookmarks, notes, and digital references. Calculate your information retrieval ROI and optimize your digital filing system for faster access to important resources.
Jun 8, 2026How to Calculate Your Rent vs. Buy Break-Even Point: The Complete Timeline Analysis
Discover the exact number of years it takes for homeownership to become more cost-effective than renting in your market. This comprehensive analysis factors in down payment opportunity cost, maintenance expenses, property taxes, PMI, and market appreciation to determine your personal break-even timeline.
Jun 7, 2026