Monarch Blog
We're on a mission to make better financial outcomes available to everyone. Read our latest thoughts and insights.
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The CFP® With 60 Clients and a Once-a-Month Money Check-In
Turns out, knowing everything about money is exactly why he keeps it simple.
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June 30, 2026
The Minimalist Lifestyle, Explained: Less Stuff, More Savings
A minimalist lifestyle means spending your money, time, and space on what matters instead of on clutter. Done right, it can cut a household budget by around 23% — over $17,000 a year to redirect toward debt, savings, or what you truly value.
June 30, 2026
ETF vs. Mutual Fund vs. Index Fund: Which is Right for You?
An ETF and a mutual fund can hold the same investments — they differ mainly in how they're traded and taxed, while an "index fund" is a strategy that comes as either one. Choose an ETF in a taxable account for tax efficiency, and the cheapest option inside an IRA or 401(k).
June 30, 2026
Emergency Fund vs. Investing: You Don't Have to Choose
Emergency fund vs. investing is a false choice — the answer is both, in the right order. Capture your 401(k) match, save a starter cushion, clear high-interest debt, then build savings and invest side by side. Waiting to invest can cost you tens of thousands in compounding.
June 30, 2026
What Is Net Worth? How to Calculate Yours and Why It Matters
Net worth is everything you own minus everything you owe (assets − liabilities) — a clearer measure of financial health than income, because it shows what you've kept. Calculate yours in three steps: total your assets, total your debts, and subtract. The U.S. median is $192,900.
June 30, 2026
Got a Windfall? The Smart Order to Use Every Dollar in 2026
A financial windfall is a sudden, unexpected sum — a bonus, inheritance, or payout — big enough to change your finances if handled well. Park it in a high-yield savings account first, then work down a fixed order: emergency fund, high-interest debt, tax-advantaged accounts, then investing.
May 29, 2026
Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Early? A 2026 Decision Guide
Most homeowners agonize over this question for years but there's a clear threshold that cuts through the noise. This guide gives you the 7% rule, the invest-vs-payoff math at today's rates, how 2026 tax law changes shifted the calculus, and a framework built for real households not just spreadsheets.
May 29, 2026
The FIRE Movement: What It Really Takes to Retire Early
Retiring decades early isn't a fantasy for tech millionaires — the math works on ordinary salaries too. Here's exactly how, and where most people go wrong.
May 29, 2026
What Is a Mortgage? A Complete Guide to Home Loans in 2026
A mortgage isn't just a loan — it's how most Americans turn rent checks into real wealth. This guide covers everything you need in 2026: PITI, loan types, current rates, down payment strategies, and Monarch's free calculator to run the numbers before you apply.
May 29, 2026
The Best Side Hustles to Make Extra Money in 2026: A Realistic Guide
61% of side hustlers can't afford their lifestyle without one — so picking the wrong hustle isn't just frustrating, it's expensive. Here's how to choose right.
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May 29, 2026
First Credit Card 101: Get Approved and Build Credit Fast
1 in 10 Americans has no credit score — not because they're bad with money, but because nobody showed them where to start. Here's the exact guide they needed.
May 29, 2026
Budgeting Tools Compared: Find the Method That Finally Sticks
Most budgets fail before the second month and the tool is usually the reason. Here's a side-by-side breakdown of every major method so you can pick the one that sticks.
May 29, 2026
Prequalified vs. Preapproved: Which One Do You Actually Need?
In a market where mortgage rejections just hit a 10-year high, the difference between these two letters isn't technical — it's the difference between getting the house and losing it.