The Next Dollar
What should you do with your next dollar?
Simple tools and clear frameworks for figuring out where your savings go next. No get-rich-quick claims, no stock picking, and no sales funnels. Free, open, and educational.
Investment Growth Calculator
Tools & Frameworks
Built in priority order. If a tool is still being built, its methodology is being refined first.
Investment Growth Calculator
Model how small monthly additions compound over 10 to 30 years with realistic, conservative returns. See the exact split between your deposits and compound growth.
Monthly Investment Needed Calculator
Work backwards from your target portfolio number to see the exact monthly contribution needed given your current age, timeline, and expected rate of return.
401(k) Maxed — What Next?
An interactive decision tree for what to do after capturing your employer match or filling your elective deferral (HSA, Backdoor Roth IRA, Mega Backdoor, taxable brokerage).
Cash Buffer & Emergency Fund Calculator
Determine exactly how much cash to keep in liquid reserves vs. what is dragging down your long-term purchasing power.
From YouTube · The Next Dollar
All finance videosConcise breakdowns supporting the math behind these calculators.
- 0:23

Rental Property Isn't as Passive as It Looks
Finance(opens on YouTube) - 0:23

Why Boring Investing Works
FinanceTry the Investment Growth Calculator(opens on YouTube) - 0:22

Too Much Cash Can Cost You
FinanceCalculate compound growth on your cash(opens on YouTube) - 0:23

Why You Might Not Want to Spend Your HSA
FinanceThe Next Dollar tools & decision frameworks(opens on YouTube)
Principles & Next Steps
Capture Match → High-Interest Debt
Always prioritize guaranteed returns: capturing 100% employer 401(k) matches and clearing high-interest debt (>8%) before optimizing taxable buckets.
HSA & Roth Strategies
Triple-tax-advantaged HSAs and backdoor Roth strategies shield compound returns from capital gains taxes over decades.
The Next Dollar Decision Matrix
A downloadable step-by-step checklist matching your income bracket and employer benefits to the optimal next dollar allocation.