The Tally Blog

Money, planned forward

Plain-English guides on retirement, taxes, budgeting, and financial independence — the questions people actually ask, answered without jargon or hand-waving.

RMDs and the tax cliff at 73

Your First RMD Is a Deadline, Not a Plan: What Turning 73 Actually Does to Your Tax Bill

Turning 73 forces money out of your IRA whether you need it or not. Here's how the first RMD is calculated, what it does to your taxes, and how to plan ahe

August 24, 2026· 6 min read

Budgeting & Cash Flow

How to Budget for Irregular Expenses (So They Stop Breaking Your Budget)

Car insurance, property taxes, holidays — irregular expenses break most monthly budgets. Here's a five-step system to plan for them all year.

August 17, 2026· 6 min read

Retirement Readiness

Social Security at 62 vs. 67 vs. 70: How to Decide (2026 Guide)

Claim at 62 and your check shrinks 30%. Wait until 70 and it grows 77% larger. The math, the breakeven ages, and how to decide for your situation.

August 16, 2026· 6 min read

FIRE

The ACA Subsidy Cliff Is Back: A 2026 Playbook for Early Retirees

The 400% FPL cliff returned in 2026. Where the $84,600 line sits, which income counts, and how it collides with your Roth conversion plan.

August 15, 2026· 6 min read

Product Comparison

Budgeting App vs. Retirement Planner: Do You Really Need Both in 2026?

Budgeting apps track today. Retirement planners model your future. What each does well, what they cost in 2026, and when one app is enough.

August 3, 2026· 7 min read

Tax Modeling

The Roth Conversion Sweet Spot: How Much to Convert Before RMDs Begin

How to size Roth conversions in your low-income years using 2026 brackets — with the IRMAA, ACA, and capital-gains traps to check first.

August 3, 2026· 7 min read

Tax strategy

How to Pay 0% Tax on Capital Gains: The Tax Gain Harvesting Strategy Most People Have Never Heard Of

In 2026, couples can realize up to $98,900 of long-term gains at a 0% federal rate. How tax gain harvesting works - and the three traps to avoid.

July 6, 2026· 6 min read

Retirement readiness

Health Insurance Before Medicare: The Early Retirement Cost Most People Underestimate

Retiring before 65? How to plan health insurance before Medicare - ACA subsidies, the 2026 subsidy cliff, COBRA, and the income trap early retirees hit.

June 29, 2026· 7 min read

Budgeting

Budget vs. Actuals Tracking: How to See Where Your Money Really Went

Budget vs. actuals tracking shows where your money really went versus what you planned. How to set it up, read variances, and make your budget stick.

June 22, 2026· 8 min read

FIRE

What Is Coast FIRE? How to Calculate the Number That Lets You Stop Saving for Retirement

Coast FIRE means saving enough early that compound growth alone carries you to retirement. Here's the formula, worked examples, and the traps to avoid.

June 15, 2026· 8 min read

Tax strategy

Tax-Efficient Withdrawal Strategy in Retirement: Which Accounts to Tap First

Which accounts should you tap first in retirement? A plain-English guide to withdrawal sequencing, Roth conversions, and the tax bracket math behind it.

June 8, 2026· 7 min read

Tax strategy

Which States Don't Tax Retirement Income? A 2026 Guide for Pre-Retirees

Nine states have no income tax, and many more exempt Social Security or pensions. How state taxes really affect retirees - and how to find your number.

June 1, 2026· 7 min read

FIRE

The Roth Conversion Ladder: How Early Retirees Access Their 401(k) Before 59½ (Without the 10% Penalty)

A Roth conversion ladder lets early retirees tap 401(k) and IRA money before 59 1/2, penalty-free. How it works, with real numbers and common mistakes.

May 30, 2026· 8 min read

Retirement readiness

Should I Take Social Security at 62 or Wait Until 70? A Plain-English Decision Guide

Claiming Social Security at 62 vs. 67 vs. 70 can change lifetime income by six figures. Breakeven math, taxes, and spousal coordination in plain English.

May 16, 2026· 8 min read

FIRE

The 4% Rule Is Wrong for Early Retirees — Here's What to Use Instead

The 4% rule was built for 30-year retirements, not 50. Why it fails early retirees - and the withdrawal strategies that actually work instead.

April 20, 2026· 8 min read

Budgeting

Why Every Budgeting App You've Tried Has Failed You (And What Actually Works)

Most budgeting apps track what you already spent. Here's why forward-looking financial forecasting - not tracking - is the missing piece.

April 7, 2026· 6 min read

Tax strategy

The Roth Conversion Ladder: How to Pay Less Tax in Retirement Than You Do Now

A Roth conversion ladder can save six figures in retirement taxes. Learn how it works, when to start, and how to model it with real tax brackets.

March 30, 2026· 6 min read

FIRE

How to Calculate Your FIRE Number (And Why Most Calculators Get It Wrong)

The 25x rule is only a starting point. Learn how taxes, Social Security, RMDs, and state taxes change your real FIRE number - and how to model it.

March 23, 2026· 7 min read

Retirement readiness

Will My Money Last Through Retirement? Here's How to Actually Find Out

Worried about outliving your savings? Learn how to model retirement income, Social Security, RMDs, and taxes to see how long your money will really last.

March 23, 2026· 8 min read