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A retirement savings account offered by your employer. Money goes in from your paycheck before taxes, grows over time, and your employer may add a matching contribution.

A retirement account you open yourself. You pay taxes now, and qualified withdrawals later are tax-free.

The yearly cost of borrowing money, expressed as a percentage. Higher APR = more expensive debt.

How much of your available credit you’re using. Lower is better for your score — generally under 30%, ideally under 10%.

A fund that buys a little of everything in a market index (like the S&P 500) instead of trying to pick winners. Low cost, broadly diversified.

An Exchange-Traded Fund — like a mutual fund, but it trades on a stock exchange throughout the day.

Cash set aside for surprises — job loss, medical bills, car repairs. Usually 3–6 months of essential expenses.

High-Yield Savings Account. A savings account that pays meaningfully more interest than a typical big-bank account.

Restricted Stock Units — company shares your employer promises you, which you actually receive after a vesting schedule.

The schedule on which you actually earn equity or retirement contributions you’ve been promised.

A spreadsheet showing who owns what in a company — founders, investors, and employees with equity.

The company that collects your monthly student loan payments and manages your account on behalf of the lender (often the federal government).

When a school refuses to release your transcript because of an unpaid balance — even a small one — blocking jobs, transfers, or licensing.