the stuff your parents didn't know how to teach you. and schools never did.
we write about the parts of adulting in america that aren't in any textbook — the paperwork, the fine print, the appointment with the bank where you nod and pretend you know what escrow means. we read the boring stuff so you don't have to, then explain it like a friend who's been there.
one · life moments
where are you right now?
pick the thing that's actually happening. we hand you the pieces that matter, in the order you'll want them.
01 first lease. utilities. the ikea trip. we walk you through it.
touches: home · money · logistics
02 day one is 80% paperwork. we show you every form and what to pick.
touches: work · money · health
03 pre-approval to keys. no jargon, no “just trust the process.”
touches: home · money · rights
04 hospital bills, parental leave, adding a tiny human to your insurance.
touches: people · health · money · rights
05 medicare, power of attorney, and the conversations you've been avoiding.
touches: people · health · rights · money
06 second opinions, appeals, FMLA. the stuff you shouldn't have to learn in a waiting room.
touches: health · rights · money · work
two · topics
eight things nobody taught us.
every piece on the site belongs to exactly one of these. browse whichever one's pressing on you today.
your first paycheck · credit scores, demystified · taxes for normal people
your first lease · security deposits, actually · buying without losing it
picking a health plan · what a deductible is · finding a therapist
first real job · negotiating pay · benefits you forgot you had
hard conversations · partners and money · aging parents
buying a used car · plane-ticket math · password managers
wills, even young · voting and jury duty · tenant rights
meeting neighbors · finding your people · volunteering that fits
three · on the table
what's new.
the pieces we've shipped most recently.
When you buy a home, the HVAC, water heater, and appliances usually come with warranties that transfer with the property. Most new owners never claim them. Here's how.
The things to triple-check before you commit for thirty years. Read this the day before closing.
From 'we might be ready' to getting the keys — a start-to-finish guide to buying your first house in America, without the jargon.
The things to get right in your first week. Most of it isn't the work — it's the paperwork.
the house rule
every claim, cited.
if we say "the 401(k) limit is $X," we tell you where we got it and when. we prefer .gov sources because they aren't selling you a product. if we can't back something up, we cut it.
- IRS tax limits, filing rules irs.gov
- CFPB mortgage and credit protections consumerfinance.gov
- HHS medicare, medicaid, the aca hhs.gov
- DOL FMLA, wages, ERISA dol.gov
- SSA social security, disability ssa.gov
- FTC consumer protection, warranties ftc.gov