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 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, 2026How to Calculate Your Optimal Monitor Setup for Maximum Productivity: Screen Size, Resolution, and Multiple Display Analysis
Discover how to measure the productivity impact of different monitor configurations. Learn to calculate screen real estate efficiency, eye strain reduction, and task completion speed across single vs. multi-monitor setups to find your perfect display arrangement.
Jun 7, 2026How to Calculate Your Financial Stress Score: Income Volatility, Debt Load, and Emergency Fund Adequacy Analysis
Learn to quantify your financial anxiety with a comprehensive stress score that weighs income stability, debt obligations, and emergency preparedness to identify your biggest financial vulnerabilities and create an action plan.
Jun 7, 2026How to Calculate Your Password Strength Score: A Complete Guide to Measuring Security vs. Memorability
Learn how to mathematically measure password security using entropy calculations, character variety scoring, and brute-force resistance formulas. Includes practical tools for balancing strong security with user-friendly memorability across all your accounts.
Jun 6, 2026