# Allocate AI > Allocate AI is a budgeting and financial-planning app for people whose pay comes in pieces — base salary on one schedule, bonuses on another, RSUs vesting on their own calendar. It links your bank accounts (through Plaid), builds one plan from what you actually take home, and answers "can I afford this?" in plain words. Its assistant, Allo-Bot, reads the same numbers you do and stages every change for your approval; nothing moves until you say yes. Allocate holds no money and moves no money. Live in the United States. Web app and iOS. One plan: $25 a month, or $20 a month paid yearly, everything included; 100 Allo-Bot messages a month with packs from $5. ## Pages - [Home](https://allocateai.io/): what Allocate does — one plan that moves around your life. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/index.md) - [Pricing](https://allocateai.io/pricing): one price, what it includes, the FAQ. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/pricing.md) - [Demo](https://allocateai.io/demo): a click-through tour of the app on a demo account. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/demo.md) - [Allo-Bot](https://allocateai.io/allo-bot): the assistant — what it reads, how it proposes, what it will not do. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/allo-bot.md) - [About](https://allocateai.io/about): who built it and why. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/about.md) - [Security & your data](https://allocateai.io/security): what Allocate sees, keeps and never touches — bank login never seen, no money movement, no ads or tracking, deletion in-app. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/security.md) - [What's new](https://allocateai.io/changelog): the changelog — every change worth knowing about, dated, newest first; Atom feed at https://allocateai.io/changelog.xml. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/changelog.md) ## Facts worth getting right - Category: personal finance / budgeting / financial planning app. - Built for: variable and multi-part compensation (salary + bonus + RSU/ESPP), high-income professionals in tech and similar fields. - Bank connections: Plaid; every US bank Plaid reaches. - Money movement: none. Allocate never holds, moves or transfers funds. - AI: Allo-Bot proposes changes to your plan; every change needs the user's explicit approval. - Company: Allocate AI, Atlanta, Georgia, US. Founder: Edward Oberlton. - Support: support@allocateai.io Every page below is also served as Markdown at the same URL with `.md` appended, and all of them together at https://allocateai.io/llms-full.txt. Every page below is also served as Markdown at the same URL with `.md` appended, and all of them together at https://allocateai.io/llms-full.txt. Every page below is also served as Markdown at the same URL with `.md` appended, and all of them together at https://allocateai.io/llms-full.txt. Every page below is also served as Markdown at the same URL with `.md` appended, and all of them together at https://allocateai.io/llms-full.txt. Every page below is also served as Markdown at the same URL with `.md` appended, and all of them together at https://allocateai.io/llms-full.txt. Every page below is also served as Markdown at the same URL with `.md` appended, and all of them together at https://allocateai.io/llms-full.txt. Every page below is also served as Markdown at the same URL with `.md` appended, and all of them together at https://allocateai.io/llms-full.txt. Every page below is also served as Markdown at the same URL with `.md` appended, and all of them together at https://allocateai.io/llms-full.txt. Every page below is also served as Markdown at the same URL with `.md` appended, and all of them together at https://allocateai.io/llms-full.txt. Every page below is also served as Markdown at the same URL with `.md` appended, and all of them together at https://allocateai.io/llms-full.txt. Every page below is also served as Markdown at the same URL with `.md` appended, and all of them together at https://allocateai.io/llms-full.txt. Every page below is also served as Markdown at the same URL with `.md` appended, and all of them together at https://allocateai.io/llms-full.txt. Every page below is also served as Markdown at the same URL with `.md` appended, and all of them together at https://allocateai.io/llms-full.txt. Every page below is also served as Markdown at the same URL with `.md` appended, and all of them together at https://allocateai.io/llms-full.txt. Every page below is also served as Markdown at the same URL with `.md` appended, and all of them together at https://allocateai.io/llms-full.txt. Every page below is also served as Markdown at the same URL with `.md` appended, and all of them together at https://allocateai.io/llms-full.txt. Every page below is also served as Markdown at the same URL with `.md` appended, and all of them together at https://allocateai.io/llms-full.txt. Every page below is also served as Markdown at the same URL with `.md` appended, and all of them together at https://allocateai.io/llms-full.txt. Every page below is also served as Markdown at the same URL with `.md` appended, and all of them together at https://allocateai.io/llms-full.txt. Every page below is also served as Markdown at the same URL with `.md` appended, and all of them together at https://allocateai.io/llms-full.txt. Every page below is also served as Markdown at the same URL with `.md` appended, and all of them together at https://allocateai.io/llms-full.txt. Every page below is also served as Markdown at the same URL with `.md` appended, and all of them together at https://allocateai.io/llms-full.txt. ## Guides - [All guides](https://allocateai.io/guides) — Markdown: https://allocateai.io/guides.md - [How to budget a bonus before it lands](https://allocateai.io/guides/how-to-budget-a-bonus): A bonus is pay with a date, not a windfall. Five steps to decide what it does — taxes, the gap it fills, the goal it funds — before the deposit shows up. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/guides/how-to-budget-a-bonus.md) - [How to budget a job change](https://allocateai.io/guides/how-to-budget-a-job-change): Six steps for the money side of switching jobs: the gap between last and first check, the sign-on and its clawback, what resets, and the stock you leave behind. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/guides/how-to-budget-a-job-change.md) - [How to budget after a raise (so you actually keep it)](https://allocateai.io/guides/how-to-budget-after-a-raise): A raise disappears in six months unless it's assigned the day it starts. Four steps to find the real after-tax number, give it a job, and enjoy a slice on purpose. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/guides/how-to-budget-after-a-raise.md) - [How to budget for a baby](https://allocateai.io/guides/how-to-budget-for-a-baby): Five steps for the nine months before and the year after: the one-time costs, the new monthly line, the leave gap in income, and how the plan settles. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/guides/how-to-budget-for-a-baby.md) - [How to budget for a move or a rent increase](https://allocateai.io/guides/how-to-budget-for-a-move): Rent up $700, a new city, or both: five steps to absorb a permanent change in the biggest fixed cost and re-date the goals built around the old number. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/guides/how-to-budget-for-a-move.md) - [How to budget on commission income](https://allocateai.io/guides/how-to-budget-on-commission): Commission pay is not unpredictable, it is lumpy. Six steps to build a monthly plan on a floor you can trust, and let the good months fund the goals. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/guides/how-to-budget-on-commission.md) - [How to budget when your pay changes every month](https://allocateai.io/guides/how-to-budget-when-pay-changes-every-month): Hourly, tips, overtime, freelance, two jobs: six steps to budget on income that never lands the same twice, without a spreadsheet you have to rebuild each month. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/guides/how-to-budget-when-pay-changes-every-month.md) - [How to build an emergency fund fast](https://allocateai.io/guides/how-to-build-an-emergency-fund): Five steps to a real emergency fund: the right target (essentials, not income), where to keep it, how to fund it in months rather than years, and when it's done. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/guides/how-to-build-an-emergency-fund.md) - [How to pay off debt with a plan you'll actually keep](https://allocateai.io/guides/how-to-pay-off-debt-with-a-plan): Avalanche or snowball is the easy part. Five steps to a payoff plan with a date, room for the lumps, and a rule for what happens the month something goes wrong. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/guides/how-to-pay-off-debt-with-a-plan.md) - [How to plan around RSU vests](https://allocateai.io/guides/how-to-plan-around-rsu-vests): Vested stock is pay on a calendar you already have. Six steps to turn a vesting schedule into income you can plan with: taxes, sell-or-hold, the goal each vest funds. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/guides/how-to-plan-around-rsu-vests.md) - [How to save for a house down payment](https://allocateai.io/guides/how-to-save-for-a-house-down-payment): Six steps from a target price to a dated goal: the real cash you need (not just the down payment), where to hold it, what funds it, and when you're ready. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/guides/how-to-save-for-a-house-down-payment.md) - [How to save for a wedding without wrecking the rest of the plan](https://allocateai.io/guides/how-to-save-for-a-wedding): A wedding is a dated goal with a known cost. Five steps to size it, fund it from the right money — including a bonus or a vest — and keep the other goals moving. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/guides/how-to-save-for-a-wedding.md) ## Calculators - [All calculators](https://allocateai.io/calculators) — Markdown: https://allocateai.io/calculators.md - [After-Tax Income Calculator (2026) — Take-home pay after federal, state & FICA](https://allocateai.io/calculators/after-tax-income): Free after-tax income calculator. See your real take-home pay after federal, state, and FICA taxes using 2026 brackets, including bonuses and pre-tax deductions. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/calculators/after-tax-income.md) - [50/30/20 Budget Calculator (2026) — Needs, wants & savings from your take-home](https://allocateai.io/calculators/budget-50-30-20): Free 50/30/20 budget calculator. Split your take-home pay into needs, wants, and savings with custom percentages and monthly breakdowns. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/calculators/budget-50-30-20.md) - [Comp Comparison (2026) — Job offers side by side, over 4 years](https://allocateai.io/calculators/comp-comparison): Free job offer comparison calculator. Compare base salary, bonus, and RSU vesting across up to 4 tech offers to see real total compensation over time. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/calculators/comp-comparison.md) - [Compound Interest Calculator (2026) — Growth with contributions, lump sums & scenarios](https://allocateai.io/calculators/compound-interest): Free compound interest calculator. See how your money grows over time with compounding, regular contributions, and different rates of return. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/calculators/compound-interest.md) - [Debt Payoff Calculator (2026) — Avalanche vs. snowball & your debt-free date](https://allocateai.io/calculators/debt-payoff): Free debt payoff calculator. Compare the avalanche and snowball methods, see your debt-free date, and find out how much interest each approach saves. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/calculators/debt-payoff.md) - [FatFIRE Withdrawal Calculator (2026) — Safe withdrawal rate & portfolio survival](https://allocateai.io/calculators/fire-withdrawal): Free FatFIRE calculator. Find your FatFIRE number using the 4% rule and lower safe withdrawal rates, and model tax-aware withdrawals for an early, comfortable retirement. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/calculators/fire-withdrawal.md) - [Mega Backdoor Roth vs. Traditional 401(k) Calculator (2026) — After-tax value over time](https://allocateai.io/calculators/mega-backdoor-growth): Compare the after-tax retirement value of a mega backdoor Roth versus a traditional 401(k). See which builds more wealth for your tax-rate assumptions. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/calculators/mega-backdoor-growth.md) - [Mega Backdoor Roth Calculator (2026) — Your after-tax 401(k) room](https://allocateai.io/calculators/mega-backdoor-roth): Free mega backdoor Roth calculator. See how much after-tax 401(k) space you have in 2026 (up to $47,500) and how much extra you can move into tax-free Roth savings. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/calculators/mega-backdoor-roth.md) - [Rent vs. Buy Calculator (2026) — Should you rent or buy?](https://allocateai.io/calculators/rent-vs-buy): Free rent vs. buy calculator. Compare the true cost of buying a home versus renting and investing the difference, and find your break-even point. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/calculators/rent-vs-buy.md) - [RSU Tax Calculator (2026) — Federal, state & FICA on every vest](https://allocateai.io/calculators/rsu-tax): Free RSU tax calculator. Estimate federal, state, and FICA taxes on your RSU vests for 2026 and see the withholding gap between the flat 22% and what you actually owe. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/calculators/rsu-tax.md) - [Sales Comp Calculator (2026) — OTE, accelerators & monthly cash flow](https://allocateai.io/calculators/sales-comp): Free sales commission calculator. Model your OTE, quota attainment, accelerators, payout timing and spiffs to see real monthly take-home at any performance level. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/calculators/sales-comp.md) - [Time Value of Money Calculator (2026) — PV, FV & the cost of waiting](https://allocateai.io/calculators/time-value): Free time value of money calculator. See how inflation erodes purchasing power, how invested dollars compound, and what waiting ten years to start really costs. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/calculators/time-value.md) ## Compare - [All compare](https://allocateai.io/compare) — Markdown: https://allocateai.io/compare.md - [Allocate vs. Copilot Money (2026) — the prettiest tracker vs. a plan that answers](https://allocateai.io/compare/copilot): Copilot Money vs. Allocate: price, platforms (Copilot has no Android), AI assistants that can act, how each handles bonuses and RSUs, and who each suits. Sources linked. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/compare/copilot.md) - [Allocate vs. Mint (2026) — what to use now that Mint is gone](https://allocateai.io/compare/mint-alternative): Mint shut down in March 2024 and pushed users to Credit Karma, which doesn’t budget. Here’s what Mint did, what Credit Karma does now, and when Allocate is the right replacement. Sources linked. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/compare/mint-alternative.md) - [Allocate vs. Monarch (2026) — the Mint successor vs. a plan for lumpy pay](https://allocateai.io/compare/monarch): Monarch vs. Allocate: price (including the new Plus tier), bank sync, equity tracking vs. planning around vests, AI assistants, and who each suits. Sources linked. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/compare/monarch.md) - [Allocate vs. Rocket Money (2026) — subscription cutting vs. planning](https://allocateai.io/compare/rocket-money): Rocket Money vs. Allocate: the free tier, bill-negotiation fees, the Rowan AI agent, and why the two apps solve different problems. Sources linked. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/compare/rocket-money.md) - [Allocate vs. Quicken Simplifi (2026) — the cheapest spending plan vs. a plan for lumpy pay](https://allocateai.io/compare/simplifi): Quicken Simplifi vs. Allocate: price (Simplifi is the cheapest here), the Spending Plan and projected cash flow, Quicken Assist, custom income for bonuses, and who each suits. Sources linked. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/compare/simplifi.md) - [Allocate vs. YNAB (2026) — envelopes vs. a plan that fits your income](https://allocateai.io/compare/ynab): YNAB vs. Allocate, compared honestly: price, bank sync, how each handles bonuses and RSUs, AI, and who each one is really for. Sources linked. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/compare/ynab.md) ## Glossary - [All glossary](https://allocateai.io/glossary) — Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary.md - [401(k) — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/401k): An employer-sponsored retirement account you fund from your paycheck, with tax advantages and a yearly contribution limit of $24,500 (2026). (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/401k.md) - [415(c) limit (total 401(k) contribution limit) — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/415c-limit): The cap on everything that can go into your 401(k) in a year from all sources, $72,000 in 2026, including your contributions and your employer's. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/415c-limit.md) - [50/30/20 rule — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/50-30-20-rule): A simple budget split of after-tax income: about 50% to needs, 30% to wants, and 20% to savings and debt payoff. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/50-30-20-rule.md) - [83(b) election — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/83b-election): A form filed within 30 days of receiving restricted stock that lets you pay tax on its value now, while it is low, instead of later as it vests. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/83b-election.md) - [Accelerator (commission) — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/accelerator): A higher commission rate that kicks in once you pass quota, so every dollar sold above target pays more than the dollars below it. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/accelerator.md) - [Additional Medicare tax — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/additional-medicare-tax): An extra 0.9% Medicare tax on wages above $200,000 for single filers or $250,000 for married couples, on top of the regular 1.45%. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/additional-medicare-tax.md) - [Allo-Bot — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/allo-bot): Allocate's assistant: it answers questions from your own numbers, stages changes to your plan for you to approve, and never moves money itself. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/allo-bot.md) - [Amortization — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/amortization): The schedule that splits each fixed loan payment between interest and principal; early payments are mostly interest, later ones mostly principal. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/amortization.md) - [AMT (alternative minimum tax) — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/amt): A parallel tax calculation with fewer deductions and its own rates; you pay whichever is higher, and exercising incentive stock options often triggers it. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/amt.md) - [Annual bonus — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/annual-bonus): A once-a-year cash payment based on company and individual performance, usually expressed as a target percentage of base salary. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/annual-bonus.md) - [APY vs APR — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/apy-vs-apr): Two ways of quoting a yearly rate: APR ignores compounding and is used for loans, while APY includes it and is used for savings. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/apy-vs-apr.md) - [Asset allocation — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/asset-allocation): How your investments are split between stocks, bonds, and cash; the mix drives most of your long-term return and how bumpy the ride is. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/asset-allocation.md) - [Backdoor Roth IRA — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/backdoor-roth): A way for people above the Roth IRA income limit to still fund one: contribute to a traditional IRA without a deduction, then convert it to Roth. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/backdoor-roth.md) - [Base salary — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/base-salary): The fixed, guaranteed part of your pay, spread evenly across the year's paychecks before any bonus, commission, or stock is added. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/base-salary.md) - [Capital gains (short-term vs long-term) — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/capital-gains): Profit from selling an investment for more than you paid; gains on assets held over a year get lower tax rates than gains on assets sold sooner. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/capital-gains.md) - [Cash flow — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/cash-flow): The timing of money in and money out over a period; positive cash flow means more came in than went out, regardless of what you own. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/cash-flow.md) - [Catch-up contribution — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/catch-up-contribution): Extra retirement contributions allowed once you turn 50: $8,000 more in a 401(k) ($11,250 at ages 60 to 63) and $1,100 more in an IRA (2026). (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/catch-up-contribution.md) - [Clawback — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/clawback): A contract term that requires you to repay money you already received, most often a sign-on bonus or relocation payment, if you leave too soon. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/clawback.md) - [Closing costs — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/closing-costs): The fees paid to finish a home purchase or refinance, typically 2% to 5% of the loan amount, covering the lender, title, appraisal, and prepaid items. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/closing-costs.md) - [Coast FIRE — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/coast-fire): Having enough invested that, with no more contributions, it will grow into a full retirement fund by normal retirement age; you only cover today's bills. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/coast-fire.md) - [Commission — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/commission): Pay earned as a percentage of what you sell, so the amount changes with each deal and each month rather than arriving as a fixed salary. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/commission.md) - [Compound interest — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/compound-interest): Growth on top of growth: earnings are added to the balance, and then those earnings earn too, so money grows faster the longer it is left alone. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/compound-interest.md) - [Cost basis — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/cost-basis): What you paid for an investment, including fees, or the value you were taxed on when you received it; the starting point for measuring gain or loss. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/cost-basis.md) - [Credit score — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/credit-score): A three-digit number, usually 300 to 850, that summarizes how reliably you have handled borrowed money; lenders use it to set rates and approvals. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/credit-score.md) - [Credit utilization — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/credit-utilization): The share of your available credit you are using, measured on your statement date; keeping it under 30% and ideally under 10% helps your credit score. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/credit-utilization.md) - [Debt avalanche vs debt snowball — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/debt-avalanche-vs-snowball): Two ways to order debt payoff: avalanche pays the highest interest rate first to save the most money; snowball pays the smallest balance first for quick wins. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/debt-avalanche-vs-snowball.md) - [Diversification — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/diversification): Spreading money across many investments so that no single company, industry, or country can sink your whole plan. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/diversification.md) - [Dollar-cost averaging — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/dollar-cost-averaging): Investing a fixed amount on a regular schedule regardless of price, which spreads out timing risk and removes the need to guess when to buy. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/dollar-cost-averaging.md) - [Double-trigger vesting — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/double-trigger-vesting): A rule at many private companies where RSUs need two events to vest: your time-based schedule and a liquidity event like an IPO or acquisition. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/double-trigger-vesting.md) - [Draw (against commission) — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/draw): An advance on future commission paid to a salesperson, often during a ramp period, that is later deducted from commissions actually earned. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/draw.md) - [DTI (debt-to-income ratio) — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/dti): Your total monthly debt payments divided by your gross monthly income; lenders use it to decide how much mortgage or loan you can carry. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/dti.md) - [Emergency fund — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/emergency-fund): Cash set aside in a safe, easy-to-reach account to cover three to six months of essential expenses if income stops or a large surprise bill arrives. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/emergency-fund.md) - [Employer match (401(k) match) — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/employer-match): Money your employer adds to your 401(k) based on what you contribute, such as 50 cents per dollar up to 6% of pay; it is part of your compensation. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/employer-match.md) - [Envelope budgeting — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/envelope-budgeting): Putting a set amount into a separate envelope, real or digital, for each spending category, and stopping when the envelope is empty. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/envelope-budgeting.md) - [Escrow (mortgage escrow account) — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/escrow): An account your lender runs to collect property tax and homeowners insurance as part of your monthly payment, then pays those bills for you. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/escrow.md) - [ESPP (employee stock purchase plan) — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/espp): A benefit that lets you buy your company's stock through payroll deductions at a discount, often 15% below the market price. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/espp.md) - [Estimated taxes (quarterly payments) — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/estimated-taxes): Tax payments you send directly to the IRS four times a year when withholding will not cover what you owe, common with big equity gains or side income. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/estimated-taxes.md) - [Expected income event — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/expected-income-event): In Allocate, a bonus, commission, or stock vest you tell the app about in advance, so the plan counts it as income on the date it is due to arrive. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/expected-income-event.md) - [Expense ratio — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/expense-ratio): The yearly fee a fund charges, expressed as a percentage of your balance and taken out invisibly; 0.05% is cheap, 1% is expensive. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/expense-ratio.md) - [FatFIRE — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/fatfire): Financial independence with a large budget, typically $100,000 or more of yearly spending, which means a portfolio of several million dollars. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/fatfire.md) - [FICA (Social Security and Medicare tax) — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/fica): Payroll taxes taken from every paycheck: 6.2% for Social Security up to a yearly wage cap and 1.45% for Medicare with no cap, matched by your employer. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/fica.md) - [FIRE (financial independence, retire early) — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/fire): A plan to save a large share of income so that investments can cover living costs long before traditional retirement age. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/fire.md) - [FSA (flexible spending account) — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/fsa): A pre-tax account through your employer for medical or dependent-care costs that must be used within the plan year or mostly forfeited. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/fsa.md) - [Goal fit — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/goal-fit): In Allocate, a month-by-month check that each goal can be funded from take-home pay after bills and the goals ahead of it, with a one-tap fix if not. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/goal-fit.md) - [HELOC (home equity line of credit) — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/heloc): A revolving credit line secured by your home equity, with a variable rate; you borrow only what you need during a draw period and repay it afterward. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/heloc.md) - [HSA (health savings account) — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/hsa): A tax-free account for medical costs, available with a high-deductible health plan, with limits of $4,400 for individuals and $8,750 for families (2026). (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/hsa.md) - [Index fund — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/index-fund): A mutual fund or ETF that holds every stock in a market index like the S&P 500, so you own a slice of the whole market at very low cost. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/index-fund.md) - [Inflation — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/inflation): The general rise in prices over time, which means each dollar buys a little less every year and savings must grow just to keep their value. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/inflation.md) - [IRA (individual retirement account) — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/ira): A retirement account you open yourself at a brokerage, separate from any employer, with a $7,500 yearly limit (2026) and traditional or Roth tax treatment. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/ira.md) - [ISO (incentive stock option) — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/iso): A type of employee stock option with special tax treatment: no regular income tax when you exercise, and possible long-term capital gains if you hold. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/iso.md) - [Liquid net worth — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/liquid-net-worth): The part of your net worth you could turn into cash within days without penalty: bank accounts, taxable investments, and vested stock you can sell. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/liquid-net-worth.md) - [Lump sum matched to a goal — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/lump-sum-matched-to-goal): In Allocate, an expected one-off payment, like a bonus or vest, assigned to fund a specific goal, so the goal counts it and stops warning. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/lump-sum-matched-to-goal.md) - [Marginal vs effective tax rate — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/marginal-vs-effective-tax-rate): Your marginal rate is the tax on your next dollar of income; your effective rate is total tax divided by total income, and it is always lower. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/marginal-vs-effective-tax-rate.md) - [Mega backdoor Roth — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/mega-backdoor-roth): A strategy for putting far more than the normal limit into Roth savings by making after-tax 401(k) contributions and converting them to Roth. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/mega-backdoor-roth.md) - [Morning brief — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/morning-brief): In Allocate, a short written note each morning covering what moved in your money overnight and anything that needs a decision from you. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/morning-brief.md) - [My plan — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/my-plan): In Allocate, a written plan listing your goals in order, the monthly amount each one gets, and the date each one lands. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/my-plan.md) - [Net worth — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/net-worth): Everything you own minus everything you owe, one number that shows whether your finances are moving forward over time. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/net-worth.md) - [NSO (non-qualified stock option) — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/nso): A stock option where the gain between your strike price and the share value is taxed as ordinary income the moment you exercise. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/nso.md) - [OTE (on-target earnings) — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/ote): The total a sales role pays if you hit exactly 100% of quota: base salary plus the commission you would earn at target. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/ote.md) - [Pay period (biweekly vs semimonthly) — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/pay-period): How often you get paid; biweekly means 26 checks a year every other week, semimonthly means 24 checks on fixed dates like the 15th and 30th. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/pay-period.md) - [PMI (private mortgage insurance) — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/pmi): A monthly fee added to a mortgage when your down payment is under 20%, protecting the lender if you default; it can be removed once you reach 20% equity. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/pmi.md) - [Real vs nominal return — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/real-vs-nominal-return): A nominal return is the headline growth figure; a real return subtracts inflation to show how much your buying power actually grew. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/real-vs-nominal-return.md) - [Rebalancing — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/rebalancing): Periodically buying and selling to bring your portfolio back to its intended mix after market moves have pushed it off target. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/rebalancing.md) - [Refinance — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/refinance): Replacing an existing mortgage with a new one, usually to get a lower rate, change the term, or pull out cash from home equity. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/refinance.md) - [Refresh grant — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/refresh-grant): An additional stock grant given to a current employee, usually each year, so that equity pay keeps flowing after the original grant finishes vesting. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/refresh-grant.md) - [Rent vs buy break-even — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/rent-vs-buy-break-even): The number of years you would need to stay in a home for buying to come out ahead of renting, once closing costs, upkeep, and investment returns are counted. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/rent-vs-buy-break-even.md) - [RMD (required minimum distribution) — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/rmd): The minimum amount you must withdraw from traditional retirement accounts each year once you reach age 73, whether you need the money or not. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/rmd.md) - [Roth 401(k) — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/roth-401k): A version of the 401(k) where contributions are taxed now and every dollar, including growth, comes out tax-free in retirement. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/roth-401k.md) - [RSU (restricted stock unit) — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/rsu): A promise from your employer to give you shares of company stock on a future date, as long as you are still there when that date arrives. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/rsu.md) - [Safe to spend — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/safe-to-spend): In Allocate, the money that is genuinely free between now and your next payday, after bills and goal contributions are already covered. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/safe-to-spend.md) - [Safe withdrawal rate (the 4% rule) — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/safe-withdrawal-rate): The percentage of a portfolio you can spend each year, adjusted for inflation, with a good chance it lasts 30 years; the classic estimate is 4%. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/safe-withdrawal-rate.md) - [Sign-on bonus — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/sign-on-bonus): A one-time cash payment for joining a company, usually paid in your first paycheck or two and often repayable if you leave within a year. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/sign-on-bonus.md) - [Sinking fund — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/sinking-fund): Money saved a little each month toward a known future expense, like car insurance, holidays, or a vacation, so the bill is covered when it arrives. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/sinking-fund.md) - [Social Security wage base — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/social-security-wage-base): The maximum amount of yearly wages subject to Social Security tax, $184,500 in 2026; income above it is not taxed for Social Security. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/social-security-wage-base.md) - [Standard deduction — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/standard-deduction): A fixed amount every taxpayer can subtract from income before tax is calculated, $16,100 for single filers and $32,200 for married couples (2026). (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/standard-deduction.md) - [Strike price (exercise price) — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/strike-price): The fixed price at which a stock option lets you buy a share, set when the option is granted, no matter what the stock is worth later. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/strike-price.md) - [Supplemental wages (and supplemental withholding) — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/supplemental-wages): Pay that is not regular salary, like bonuses, commissions, and vested stock, which the IRS lets employers withhold on at a flat 22% rate (2026). (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/supplemental-wages.md) - [Take-home pay (gross vs net) — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/take-home-pay): The amount that actually reaches your bank account after taxes, insurance, and retirement contributions come out of your gross pay. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/take-home-pay.md) - [Tax bracket — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/tax-bracket): One of the income ranges the federal government taxes at a set rate; only the income inside each range is taxed at that range's rate. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/tax-bracket.md) - [Tax-loss harvesting — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/tax-loss-harvesting): Selling investments that have dropped in value to lock in a loss that offsets taxable gains or income, then buying something similar to stay invested. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/tax-loss-harvesting.md) - [Time value of money — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/time-value-of-money): The idea that a dollar today is worth more than a dollar later, because today's dollar can be invested and grow in the meantime. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/time-value-of-money.md) - [Total compensation — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/total-compensation): Everything a job pays in a year added together: base salary, bonus, stock, and sometimes benefits, as opposed to the salary figure alone. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/total-compensation.md) - [Traditional vs Roth — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/traditional-vs-roth): The choice between paying tax on retirement savings later (traditional) or now (Roth); it usually comes down to your tax rate today versus in retirement. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/traditional-vs-roth.md) - [Vesting cliff — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/vesting-cliff): A waiting period, usually one year, during which none of your stock grant vests; at the end of it a large chunk vests all at once. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/vesting-cliff.md) - [Vesting (and vesting schedules) — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/vesting): The process by which promised stock or retirement money becomes truly yours over time, usually on a fixed calendar called a vesting schedule. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/vesting.md) - [W-4 (withholding form) — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/w-4): The form you give your employer that tells them how much federal income tax to take out of each paycheck, based on your filing status and other income. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/w-4.md) - [Wash sale — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/wash-sale): Selling an investment at a loss and buying the same or a nearly identical one within 30 days before or after, which disallows the loss for tax purposes. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/wash-sale.md) - [Withholding gap — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/withholding-gap): The difference between the tax your employer took out during the year and the tax you actually owe, which becomes a bill or a refund in April. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/withholding-gap.md) - [Workspace — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/workspace): In Allocate, a board where you arrange cards, notes, and live sheets built from your own numbers to explore a question your way. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/workspace.md) - [Zero-based budget — what it means and why it matters](https://allocateai.io/glossary/zero-based-budget): A budgeting method where every dollar of income is assigned a job, spending, saving, or debt, so income minus assignments equals zero. (Markdown: https://allocateai.io/glossary/zero-based-budget.md)