US money guides
Paychecks, explained
Straight answers to the questions that actually show up on payday.
The no-income-tax statesWhat moving is really worth — and what quietly claws it back.Why your bonus felt so smallThe 22% withholding rule, RSUs, and why it isn’t the tax you actually owe.Why your paycheck is smaller than your salaryFederal tax, FICA, state tax and pre-tax deductions — where every dollar goes.W-2 vs 1099What contract work really pays once self-employment tax and benefits are counted.Traditional vs Roth 401(k)Which one suits you, and the state-tax angle nobody mentions.Quarterly taxes for freelancersSelf-employment tax, what to set aside, the four dates and the safe harbor rule.What is FICA?The 7.65% nobody explains — caps, why your check grows in autumn, and the HSA trick.What a raise is really worthMarginal rates, and what to negotiate when salary is capped.