Guides
Plain-English explainers on paychecks, tax brackets, deductions, and take-home pay in the US and Canada.
- Research · · 8 min read
The Real Cost of $100K: What Six Figures Buys in 60 US Cities
Data-backed ranking of where $100,000 actually stretches furthest — and where it barely feels like a six-figure income. Full 60-city dataset.
- State taxes · · 7 min read
Moving Between States: What Actually Changes on Your Paycheck
Federal tax stays the same, but state tax, local tax, and residency rules can swing your take-home by thousands. What to check before you move.
- Career · · 6 min read
Is $75K / $100K / $150K a Good Salary? A Framework
Stop comparing gross salary numbers. Here's the three-step framework to evaluate any salary offer — and why the median income alone is a misleading benchmark.
- Canada · · 6 min read
Quebec vs Ontario: Why Your Paycheck Looks So Different
Quebec charges more provincial tax but gives you a 16.5% federal abatement plus QPIP. Ontario has simpler math with surtaxes and a health premium. Side-by-side.
- Taxes · · 6 min read
2026 Federal Income Tax Brackets Explained
Every 2026 IRS bracket, the standard deduction, FICA wage caps, and how they actually apply to your paycheck.
- State taxes · · 5 min read
The 9 States With No Income Tax (2026)
Which states skip state income tax, what you trade for it (property and sales tax trade-offs), and what it actually saves on a $75K salary.
- Basics · · 7 min read
How to Read a Paystub — Every Line Explained
Gross pay, net pay, pre-tax deductions, post-tax deductions, YTD totals — what each line on your paystub actually means.
- Basics · · 4 min read
Salary to Hourly Conversion — Math and Common Mistakes
How to convert an annual salary to an hourly rate (and back), the PTO gotcha that trips everyone up, and a calculator you can actually use.
- Comparison · · 8 min read
US vs Canada Taxes — Side-by-Side on a $75,000 Salary
Federal tax, state/provincial tax, FICA vs CPP+EI, healthcare costs, and what take-home pay looks like in both countries at the same gross salary.