While our ‘regular’ posts will continue to be published every Friday, we are introducing a new series, with posts recurring in the middle of each week.
Every Wednesday, I’ll break down one financial metric that actually matters.
Not because you need more information—you can Google “what is net worth” and get 47 identical definitions. You’re here because you need translation. You need someone to tell you what these numbers actually mean for your life, not just what the textbook says.
Here’s what I see constantly: smart, competent people who are still Googling “how do I start investing” in their thirties. People who got approved for mortgages that terrify them. People who know they should understand their debt-to-income ratio but have never actually calculated it. People who are making financial decisions in the dark because the language of money was designed to keep you confused.
This series exists because financial literacy shouldn’t require a decoder ring.
Every week, I’ll explain one number:
The simple formula (because you need to know what it is)
What it actually means in human terms (the translation)
The thing nobody tells you (the blind spot, the scam, the insight that changes how you see it or use it)
A real story of how it plays out (because examples matter)
One concrete action you can take this week (because information without application is just trivia)
These posts are designed to be useful twice: once when you read them, and again when someone you care about asks a question you can finally answer. Bookmark them. Forward them. Send them to your friend who just got pre-approved for a house, your sister who’s trying to figure out if she’s on track for retirement, your cousin who thinks he’s broke because he doesn’t understand the difference between income and wealth.
The Number series is financial jargon translated into English. Every Wednesday. One number at a time.
We’ll start with the number that determines whether banks see you as a safe bet or a risk: your debt-to-income ratio (DTI).
See you Wednesday.
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Elizabeth,
Wealth GPS
Disclaimer: The content in this publication is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It reflects the personal opinions of the author and should not be considered financial advice, recommendations, or a solicitation to buy or sell any financial products. Posts are written for a general audience and do not consider your specific financial situation. The author is a former financial planner and does not offer financial planning or advisory services through this publication.
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