The Alistair Blog
Stories about the broken world of traditional financial advice, deep dives into our microtools, and updates on what we're building to fix it.
The Accuracy Problem in AI Financial Advice
Most AI tools answer financial questions by hoping the model's training data is recent enough. That's a recipe for disaster. Here's what we built instead.
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Meet the FI Number Calculator: The Simplest, Most Important Number in Personal FinanceMicrotools
Your FI number is what you need to stop working forever. 25x your annual expenses — but what about Lean FI and Fat FI? Alistair's calculator shows all three targets so you know what's enough.
100% Equities: The Case For (and Against) Going All-InInvesting
If stocks always win over long periods, why own anything else? The math is seductive — but it ignores what actually happens to real investors during 50% drawdowns.
Meet the Bridge Account Calculator: The Early Retirement Gap Nobody Talks AboutMicrotools
Retire at 55? You've got 4.5 years before you can touch your 401(k) penalty-free. Alistair's bridge account calculator shows how much taxable money you need to cover the gap so you don't burn your retirement accounts.
Lifestyle Creep: You Got a Raise and You're Still BrokeMoney Basics
The single biggest reason high-income earners don't build wealth isn't taxes or investing mistakes. It's the silent upgrade to everything they buy.
Meet the Estate Tax & Gifting Planner: The $15M Question Nobody Talks AboutMicrotools
Estate tax planning isn't just for billionaires. With a $15 million federal exemption — and 17 states taxing far smaller estates — more families than you'd think face estate taxes. Alistair's microtool shows your exposure and what gifting can do about it.
Meet the Tax Bracket Visualizer: Because Your Marginal Rate Isn't What You Think It IsMicrotools
Most people can name their tax bracket and have no idea what their effective rate actually is. Alistair's visualizer shows where each dollar of your income is taxed and why your '24% bracket' might really be 16%.
Meet the Home Affordability Calculator: What the Bank Says You Can Borrow vs. What You ShouldMicrotools
Banks will approve you for far more house than you should buy. Alistair's affordability calculator uses the 28/36 rule to show what's actually comfortable — so your mortgage doesn't own you.
The Backdoor Roth IRA Could Disappear — Here's What to Do NowTax Strategy
Congress has tried to close the backdoor Roth IRA loophole multiple times. With each new administration, the window narrows. Here's how it works, why it's at risk, and what to do before it's gone.
Meet the Life Insurance Needs Calculator: The DIME Method That Cuts Through the Sales PitchMicrotools
Insurance agents want to sell you a bigger policy. Your employer's 1x salary coverage isn't enough either. Alistair's DIME method calculator shows your actual coverage need — no commission attached.
Meet the Roth Conversion Ladder: Turning a Tax Time Bomb into Tax-Free WealthMicrotools
A large Traditional IRA is a deferred tax liability. Roth conversions can defuse it — but the timing and amounts matter enormously. Alistair's microtool models year-by-year conversions to find your optimal ladder.
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