The Stoia blog
Practical, no-hype personal finance — budgeting, net worth, debt, and sharing money without drama. Written by the team building Stoia.
Latest · Financial freedom
What Is Financial Independence? Your FIRE Number and the 4% Rule
Financial independence means your investments cover your life. Here's how to calculate your FIRE number with the 25x rule, what the 4% rule really says, and how long it takes to get there.
July 12, 2026 · 8 min read
Financial freedom
What's a Good Savings Rate? Why It Beats Your Salary
Your savings rate — the share of take-home pay you keep — sets your timeline to financial freedom more than your salary does. What counts as good, and how to raise yours.
July 11, 2026 · 7 min read
Financial freedom
7 Steps to Financial Freedom: A Beginner's Roadmap
Financial freedom isn't luck — it's a sequence. Seven steps, in the order that actually works, from a starter emergency fund to the day work becomes optional.
July 11, 2026 · 8 min read
Net worth
How to Track Your Entire Net Worth in One Place (Banks, Brokerage, Crypto, Real Estate)
Your money lives in nine places; your picture of it shouldn't. How to track bank accounts, investments, crypto, real estate, and vehicles together — the spreadsheet method, finance apps, and how to keep it current.
July 10, 2026 · 7 min read
Financial freedom
Coast FIRE Explained: Stop Saving Early, Still Retire
Coast FIRE is the moment your invested money will grow into a full retirement on its own — no new contributions needed. How to find your Coast FIRE number, with an example.
July 10, 2026 · 6 min read
Shared money
How to Budget as a Couple: Yours, Mine, and Ours
Merge everything, keep it separate, or run the hybrid 'yours/mine/ours' system? A practical guide to couple budgeting: choosing a structure, splitting fairly, and the monthly money date.
July 8, 2026 · 7 min read
Shared money
How to Split Rent With Roommates (Without Ruining the Friendship)
Even split, by income, or by room size? Here's how to pick a fair rent split, handle utilities and shared costs, and set up a system that survives past month two.
July 1, 2026 · 6 min read
Debt
Debt Snowball vs. Avalanche: Which Actually Gets You Debt-Free?
Snowball pays smallest balances first for momentum; avalanche pays highest APR first and always costs less. Here's the real math, the psychology, and how to choose.
June 29, 2026 · 7 min read
Saving
How Much Emergency Fund Do You Really Need?
The right emergency fund is 3–12 months of essential expenses — not income. Here's how to pick your number, where to keep it, and how to build it without hating the process.
June 22, 2026 · 6 min read
Budgeting
The 50/30/20 Rule, Explained (With Real Numbers)
The 50/30/20 rule splits after-tax income into needs, wants, and savings. Here's how it works, worked examples at three income levels, when to bend it, and when to graduate past it.
June 15, 2026 · 6 min read
Net worth
How to Calculate Your Net Worth (and What It Should Be by Age)
Net worth = assets − liabilities. Here's exactly what to count, what to skip, worked examples, and the median U.S. net worth by age so you know where you stand.
June 8, 2026 · 7 min read
See your whole financial picture — calmly
Stoia brings everything you own and owe into one clear view, launching in 2026 on iOS, Android, and the web.