Interactive Playbooks (100% Free)
Tools & Step-by-Step Guides
The exact calculators, spreadsheets, and decision models that got us to Fat FI/RE. Built to help high earners automate investing, eliminate tax drag, and evaluate assets without sales pitches.
🧭 Where Are You Starting From?
💻 Tech & High Earner
Max out up to $71,000/yr in tax-free Roth space. Master after-tax 401(k) payroll limits, employer match offsets, and in-plan conversions.
Mega Backdoor Roth Playbook →
🏖️ Retiring Early
Simulate your multi-bucket portfolio runway, sequence 5-year Roth conversion ladders, and test market crashes.
Explore FI/RE Blueprints →
⚙️ Hands-Off Autopilot
Automate recurring investments from your paycheck, eliminate stock-picking stress, and cut portfolio fee drag.
Automate Your Wealth →
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Play Free Now →
Featured Interactive Challenge
Can You Retire Early? (FIRE Strategy Game)
Play today's 5-move global challenge or an 8-turn career speedrun across real tax, equity, and real estate dilemmas.
⭐ Popular Interactive Tools
🔥 #1 Most Used Tool
Screener
ETF Overlap & Concentration
Expose hidden single-stock weight, tech concentration, and redundant fee drag across up to 6 ETFs.
Compare Funds →
📈 SBLOC & Margin
Simulator
Borrow Against Stocks Calculator
Calculate effective borrowing rates, safe portfolio loan-to-value (LTV), and market drop cushion before a margin call.
Stress-Test LTV →
🏠 Property Analysis
Calculator
Real Estate Evaluation Tool
Analyze rental property cash flow, capitalization rate (Cap Rate), cash-on-cash ROI, and 1% rule benchmarks.
Underwrite Property →
🛠️ Viral Strategy Game Interactive Game
Can You Retire Early? (FIRE Strategy Game)
Play the daily 5-move wealth challenge or 8-turn career speedrun. Make real-world investing, tax optimization, and real estate decisions to reach Financial Independence faster.
Daily 5-Move Challenge 8-Turn Career Speedrun Friend Challenge Seeds
Interactive Game
Play Game →
🛠️ Year-End Audit Engine 📊 Interactive Tool
Year-End Investment & Tax Optimization Checklist
Comprehensive year-end audit for high earners, business owners, and early retirees. Filter by persona, track payroll cutoffs, prepay expenses, and lock in annual contributions.
Payroll Lead-Time Traps Cross-Year Wash Sales Business Expense Pull-Forward
Interactive Toolkit
Launch Checklist →
🛠️ Treasury Ladder Builder TreasuryDirect & Brokerages
Treasury Bill Ladder Builder & Cash Flow Planner
Model 4-week, 8-week, 13-week, and 26-week rolling Treasury Bill ladders. Compare state-tax savings against bank savings accounts and plan cash payouts.
State Tax Exemption Rolling Payout Timeline HYSA vs T-Bill Delta
Interactive Calculator
Launch Calculator →
🛠️ Retirement Simulator Multi-Account Simulator
When Can I Retire? Runway & Readiness Simulator
40-year multi-bucket retirement runway simulator tracking Taxable, Pre-Tax, Roth, and Cash accounts with smart withdrawal ordering and crash stress testing.
Smart Withdrawal Order 25% Crash Stress Test Pre-59.5 Bridge Tracker
Interactive Simulator
Launch Simulator →
🛠️ Executive Equity Tool Netflix
Netflix SOP Calculator & Levered Option Opportunity Cost Simulator
Model the Netflix Stock Option Program (SOP) 40% cost factor (2.5x leverage). Calculate your +40% salary breakeven price, +66.7% direct stock parity threshold, and compare net after-tax NSO exercise proceeds against an S&P 500 index fund.
2.5x Option Leverage +40% / +66.7% Hurdles After-Tax S&P 500 Delta
Interactive Simulator
Launch Calculator →
🛠️ Vesting Simulator Amazon
Amazon 5/15/40/40 Vesting Calculator & Year 3 Bonus Cliff Simulator
Simulate Amazon’s back-loaded 5% / 15% / 40% / 40% RSU vesting schedule and decaying Year 1-2 cash sign-on bonuses. Detect Year 3 compensation cliffs and solve for the break-even stock growth rate needed to keep your pay flat.
5/15/40/40 RSU Schedule Year 3 Cliff Detector Break-Even Stock CAGR
Interactive Simulator
Launch Simulator →
🛠️ Mortgage Optimizer 📊 Interactive Tool
Mortgage Recast vs. Refinance vs. Extra Principal Calculator
Calculate whether to recast, refinance, or invest your lump sum. Compare lower monthly payments, bank fees, refinance break-even horizons, and long-term index fund growth.
Monthly Bill Relief Refi Break-Even Servicer Script
Interactive Calculator
Launch Calculator →
🛠️ Trust Funding Toolkit 📊 Interactive Tool
The Living Trust Funding Checklist: How to Transfer Brokerage & Bank Accounts
Step-by-step checklist to transfer your investment and bank accounts into your living trust. Avoid probate court, generate exact brokerage registration strings, and ensure your assets are protected.
Brokerage Retitling 100% Probate Bypass Registration Generator
Interactive Toolkit
Launch Checklist →
🛠️ Child Wealth Tool 📊 Interactive Tool
Trump Accounts (Universal Child Accounts) vs. Custodial Roth vs. 529 vs. UTMA Comparator
Compare Trump Accounts (IRC Section 530A), Custodial Roth IRAs, 529 Plans, and UTMAs side-by-side. Model projected wealth at Age 18 & Age 30, Kiddie Tax harvesting, college aid (FAFSA) impact, and Age-18 transitions.
Age 18 & 30 Wealth FAFSA Aid Meter Kiddie Tax Rules
Interactive Comparator
Compare Accounts →
🛠️ SECURE 2.0 Tool 📊 Interactive Tool
SECURE 2.0 529-to-Roth Rollover Rules & Tax Guide
Master SECURE 2.0 529-to-Roth rollovers. Audit your 15-year statutory clock, carve out unseasoned 5-year contributions, and generate a multi-year trustee-to-trustee schedule up to the $35,000 lifetime cap.
$35,000 Lifetime Cap 15-Yr & 5-Yr Rules State Tax Recapture
Interactive Calculator
Launch Calculator →
🛠️ Opportunity Cost Modeler 📊 Interactive Tool
Debt Avalanche vs. Investing Calculator (After-Tax Payoff Modeler)
Calculate whether to pay off debt or invest surplus cash. Compare strict Debt Avalanche, Debt Snowball, and tax-adjusted brokerage arbitrage across 3, 5, and 10-year horizons.
After-Tax Spread Avalanche vs. Snowball 3-10 Yr Horizon
Interactive Calculator
Launch Calculator →
🛠️ Portfolio Screener 📊 Interactive Tool
ETF Overlap & True Concentration Risk Screener
Look through underlying ETF holdings to expose accidental single-stock concentration, sector tilts, and redundant fee drag across up to 6 ETFs.
Up to 6 ETFs 40+ Pre-Built Battles Blended Fee Drag
Interactive Tool
Launch Screener →
🛠️ Margin Safety Simulator 📊 Interactive Tool
Borrow Against Stocks Calculator (SBLOC & Margin Safety Simulator)
Model your safe borrowing capacity against taxable index funds and stocks. Simulate market crash buffers to eliminate margin calls, and compare rates across IBKR Pro, Robinhood Gold, negotiated SBLOCs, and European SPX Box Spreads.
Crash Buffer Sim IBKR vs. Box Spreads Zero Capital Gains
Interactive Calculator
Launch Simulator →
🛠️ Early Retirement Tool 📊 Interactive Tool
Roth Conversion Ladder & Tax Bracket Optimizer
Model your 5-year Roth conversion pipeline for early retirement without the 10% penalty. Project multi-year tax liabilities, standard deductions, and optimize ACA subsidy limits.
5-Yr seasoning Pipeline ACA Subsidy Guard 0% / 12% Bracket Fill
Interactive Modeler
Launch Optimizer →
🛠️ Tax Strategy Tool 📊 Interactive Tool
Mega Backdoor Roth Contribution Calculator
Instantly calculate your remaining after-tax 401(k) contribution space for Mega Backdoor Roth conversions based on elective deferrals, employer match, and IRS compensation limits.
2026 Limit: $71,000 Catch-Up Aware IRS 415(c) Math
Interactive Calculator
Calculate Limit →
🛠️ Free Deal Analyzer 📊 Interactive Tool
Real Estate Evaluation Tool (Calculator)
Save hours analyzing deals and simplify your due diligence to identify high-cash-flow rental properties with this comprehensive, free real estate evaluation calculator.
Cash-on-Cash ROI Cap Rate & 1% Rule Free Excel/Sheets
Interactive Spreadsheet
Launch Analyzer →
Video Walkthrough 
Fidelity
Fidelity How to Set Up Automatic Investing with Fidelity
Use automatic investing to dollar-cost average your purchases, eliminate the stress of stock-picking, and consistently sock money into index funds hassle-free.
Recurring ETFs & Funds Fractional Shares Screenshots + Video
6 min read • 5 min video
Open Guide →
Video Walkthrough 
E*TRADE
E*TRADE How to Set Up Automatic Investing with E*TRADE
A step-by-step visual tutorial to configure automatic recurring index fund contributions in E*TRADE to build long-term wealth completely hands-off.
Auto-Draft Setup $0 Commission ETFs Screenshots + Video
5 min read • 5 min video
Open Guide →
⚡ Advanced Tax Strategy Fidelity
Fidelity How to Set Up a Mega Backdoor Roth with Fidelity
Want to contribute beyond standard IRA limits? Use this guide to set up a Mega Backdoor Roth with Fidelity to max out your 401(k) with up to $71,000 annually in tax-free dollars.
NetBenefits Setup Auto In-Plan Conversion Up to $71,000/yr
7 min read
Open Guide →
⚡ Retirement Strategy Fidelity
Fidelity How to Set Up a Backdoor Roth IRA with Fidelity
High-income earner exceeding Roth IRA income restrictions? Follow this simple 2-step process to legally fund your Roth IRA with Fidelity every single year.
No Income Limit Pro-Rata Rule Check Form 8606 Guide
7 min read
Open Guide →
🛠️ Core Portfolio Directory Fidelity
Fidelity Low-Cost Index Funds & ETFs Reference Guide
Curated educational directory of ultra-low-fee index funds and ETFs across US equities, international markets, and bonds, featuring Bogleheads 3-Fund and growth model portfolios.
0.00% FZROX Rules Vanguard vs. Fidelity 3 Model Portfolios
Cheat Sheet & Directory
View Funds & ETFs →
🎓 Free Course · 9 Lessons Interactive Track
Automate Your Wealth (Free 9-Lesson Masterclass)
Build a repeatable, automated investment system using 401(k), Roth IRA, HSA, and taxable brokerage accounts in under an hour a month. Stop stressing over when to invest or how to rebalance.
Account Waterfall Auto-Invest Cadence Tax-Efficient Location
3 Chapters · ~30 min
Start Free Course →
🎓 Free Course · 10 Chapters Comprehensive Curriculum
The Core Principles of Financial Independence (FI/RE)
A comprehensive, 10-chapter masterclass taking you from the psychology of buying your freedom back to complete financial autonomy. Learn income leverage, 25x math, and wealth defense.
25x & 4% Rule Math Sequence Risk Defense Early Retirement Access
10 Chapters · ~26 min
Explore Course Track →
⚡ High-Net-Worth Guide Fidelity
Fidelity How to Borrow Against Stocks at Lower Rates Than a Mortgage (Part 1: SBLOC vs. Margin)
Discover how high earners borrow against taxable stock portfolios at rates lower than mortgages without selling shares, avoiding capital gains taxes, and calculating safe LTV to eliminate margin calls.
Buy, Borrow, Die Safe LTV Math Tax Deductibility
18 min read
Read Part 1 →
🛠️ Rate Comparison & Strategy Robinhood
Best Firms to Borrow Against Stocks: Lowest Rates, IBKR Pro & Box Spreads (Part 2)
Compare real borrowing rates across Interactive Brokers (IBKR Pro), Robinhood Gold, and traditional SBLOCs, plus how to execute synthetic European SPX box spreads for fixed sub-5% borrowing.
Broker Rate Matrix SPX Box Spreads Section 1256 Tax
24 min read
Read Part 2 →
⚡ Tax Architecture Blueprint Tax Strategy
How Early Retirees Live on Up to $128,900+ Tax-Free (Tax Waterfall Blueprint)
Step-by-step balance sheet architecture and interactive withdrawal simulator: how early retirees sequence cost basis recovery, standard deduction Roth conversions, and 0% long-term capital gains to fund six-figure lifestyles with $0 in federal income tax.
Interactive Simulator Downloadable Worksheet 0% Capital Gains
19 min read · Interactive Tool
Read Blueprint & Simulate →
⚡ Real Estate & Tax Guide IRS Section 121 & ROE
Why Turning a Primary Residence Into a Rental Is a Bad Idea (Rent vs. Sell & Section 121 Math)
Before converting your house into a rental property, see the exact IRS Section 121 ($250K/$500K tax-free) 3-year deadline, 3% mortgage lock-in Return on Equity math, and 25% depreciation recapture traps.
Section 121 Tax Clock 3% Mortgage ROE Math 25% Recapture Trap
12 min read
Read Analysis →
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📬 Reader Request Line
Request a Scenario → Need a calculation or playbook we have not built yet?
Stuck on a weird corporate compensation rule, 401(k) match nuance, or tax optimization question? Drop us a note. We build new decision models based directly on real scenarios readers send in.
❓ Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Tools & Guides
Plain-English answers about our calculators, IRS tax updates, and downloadable spreadsheet templates.
Are all the calculators, checklists, and spreadsheets on Buck by Buck free?
Yes, 100% free with no paywall, registration barrier, or mandatory software installation. Every calculator runs client-side in your web browser, and all spreadsheet templates allow instant copies to your private Google Drive or Excel workbook.
How frequently are tax limits, formulas, and legal rules updated?
All tax-aware tools dynamically reflect official IRS cost-of-living adjustments for 2026, including IRS Section 415(c) limits ($71,000), Section 401(a)(17) salary caps ($NaN), elective deferral caps, standard deductions, and SECURE 2.0 statutory rules.
Can I download and customize the spreadsheets in Google Sheets and Excel?
Yes. Each spreadsheet tool includes direct one-click links to duplicate clean, unformatted Google Sheets templates or download open .xlsx files with fully unlocked formulas.
Where should I start if I am new to automated investing?
Start with our free self-paced course, Automate Your Wealth, followed by the visual walkthrough for your specific brokerage (Fidelity or E*TRADE) to configure automated ACH transfers and recurring index fund purchases.