the path
start to finish.
we walk you through each of these pieces in order.
- 01 before day one
- 02 what your offer letter is actually saying
- 03 the W-4, on day one
- 04 the 401(k) match — free money
- 05 benefits enrollment (health, dental, FSA, HSA)
- 06 reading your first real paystub
- 07 first-year money moves
ready to read
pieces live now.
04 04 14 min read 01 5 min read
First day at a new job
The things to get right in your first week. Most of it isn't the work — it's the paperwork.
Starting your first real job
The onboarding packet nobody explains: W-4s, 401(k) elections, health insurance, and the paystub that will have more deductions than you expected.
What a 401(k) match actually is (and why it's usually the best deal in your life)
Your employer's 401(k) match is free money — but only if you know how to unlock it. Here's how the math works, in plain English.