Start here · 9 lessons
I started my first full-time job.
A real paycheck and a pile of forms. Take these in order. One a day is plenty. Ticking “Done” is saved only on this device.
- Filling out a W-4
A W-4 tells your employer how much federal income tax to hold back from each paycheck.
- Reading your pay stub
Gross pay is what you earned.
- Choosing your benefits
When you start a job, you usually get a short window to pick health insurance and join the retirement plan.
- Premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums
The premium is what you pay every month just to have insurance.
- Your first budget in 20 minutes
Write down your monthly take-home pay, list your bills and spending, and subtract.
- Automating your savings
Set up a recurring transfer from checking to savings that runs on payday, so you save before you have a chance to spend it.
- 401(k), 403(b) and IRAs
A 401(k) or 403(b) is a retirement account through work, paid straight from your paycheck.
- Your rights at work
Under federal law, most hourly workers must get at least $7.25 an hour and time and a half for hours over 40 in a workweek.
- Filing your taxes for free
Many people can file a federal return for free.