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 Actual Investment Time Horizon: Life Goals vs. Market Cycles Analysis
Learn to calculate your true investment timeline beyond age-based rules. Factor in major life events, market volatility, and liquidity needs to optimize your portfolio allocation and withdrawal strategy for each financial goal.
Jun 1, 2026How to Calculate Your Phone Storage Impact on App Performance: Measuring Available Space vs. Processing Speed
Learn how to measure the relationship between device storage capacity and application performance. This guide shows you how to calculate optimal storage thresholds, measure app loading times, and determine when storage cleanup will boost your productivity tools' efficiency.
May 31, 2026How to Calculate Your Tax Withholding Sweet Spot: Maximizing Cash Flow vs. Minimizing Year-End Surprises
Learn how to calculate the optimal federal and state tax withholding from your paycheck to maximize monthly cash flow while avoiding underpayment penalties and large tax bills. Includes strategies for W-4 adjustments, quarterly estimates, and seasonal income variations.
May 31, 2026How to Calculate Your Workspace Humidity Impact on Productivity: The Science of Moisture Levels and Cognitive Performance
Discover how to measure and optimize your workspace humidity levels for peak cognitive performance. Learn the ideal moisture range for focus, creativity, and health, plus calculate the ROI of humidity control systems.
May 31, 2026How to Calculate Your Optimal Student Loan Forgiveness Strategy: PSLF vs. Income-Driven vs. Standard Repayment Analysis
Navigate complex student loan forgiveness programs by calculating which path saves the most money over time. Compare Public Service Loan Forgiveness, income-driven repayment plans, and aggressive payoff strategies with real scenarios and tax implications.
May 30, 2026How to Calculate Your WiFi Dead Zone Impact on Productivity: Mapping Signal Strength and Work Efficiency
Learn how to measure WiFi signal strength throughout your workspace, calculate the hidden productivity costs of poor connectivity, and determine the ROI of network upgrades. Includes tools for measuring signal quality and quantifying lost work time.
May 30, 2026How to Calculate Your Financial Runway During Career Transitions: Severance, Savings, and Bridge Income Strategy
Master the art of calculating exactly how long your money will last during job changes, career pivots, or entrepreneurial ventures. Learn to factor in severance packages, reduced expenses, bridge income opportunities, and timing strategies for maximum financial security during transitions.
May 29, 2026How to Calculate Your Playlist Optimization for Work Focus: Measuring Music's Impact on Concentration and Task Performance
Discover the scientific method to measure how different music genres, BPMs, and volume levels affect your productivity. Learn to calculate your optimal audio environment for deep work, creative tasks, and routine activities using data-driven metrics.
May 29, 2026How to Calculate Your FIRE Coast Number: When You Can Stop Saving and Still Retire on Time
Discover the exact amount you need to save by a specific age to let compound interest carry you to financial independence, even if you stop contributing entirely. Learn the Coast FIRE calculation formula and timeline strategies.
May 28, 2026How to Calculate Your Memory Palace Efficiency: Measuring Spatial Memory Techniques for Information Retention
Learn to quantify how effective your memory palace technique is by measuring recall accuracy, construction time, and long-term retention rates. Includes formulas for calculating memory improvement ROI and optimal palace size.
May 28, 2026How to Calculate Your Home Insurance Replacement Cost: Market Value vs. Rebuild Value Analysis
Learn to accurately calculate the true replacement cost of your home for insurance purposes, factoring in construction costs, materials inflation, and regional building variations to avoid being underinsured or overpaying for coverage.
May 27, 2026How to Calculate Your Data Processing Speed: Measuring Your Computer's Performance Impact on Daily Productivity
Learn how to measure your computer's processing speed, identify bottlenecks, and calculate the productivity cost of slow hardware. Includes benchmarking tools, upgrade ROI calculations, and optimization strategies for maximum efficiency.
May 27, 2026