MFFT

Take control of your money.Buy back your life.

Practical personal finance — and one founder's honest journey, built in public.

Dennis Vymer

I'm building MFFT solo and sharing the real numbers along the way.

My story →
My path to Financial Freedom [FIRE]YNAB vs Monarch vs Rocket Money vs Mint 2026 (Tested)ChatGPT Personal Finance Review: 4 Red Flags Before Linking

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I Bonds vs TIPS in 2026: The Inflation Hedge I Almost Bought Twice

In 2022 I almost broke my boring autoinvest to chase a 9.62% I Bond. In 2026 the sirens are singing again, so I ran the real numbers on I Bonds vs TIPS. The math surprised me, and my answer wasn't 'buy either.'

Aug 8, 202613 min readDennis Vymer

Start Here

13 articles

New to personal finance? Foundations, first steps, and quick wins.

Safe Withdrawal Rate 2026: Is the 4% Rule Still Right?

Morningstar says the safe withdrawal rate in 2026 is 3.9%; the 4% rule's inventor now says 4.7-5.5%. Here's why both are right, and how to find your number.

Jun 18, 202625 min readDennis Vymer
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Master Your Money

52 articles

Budgeting, saving, and everyday money habits that stick.

The Real Return-to-Office Cost: I Put My Commute in a Spreadsheet

Our VP announced 'exciting news about how we work together,' which is corporate for a three-day return-to-office push. So I did the tool-builder thing and put my commute in a spreadsheet. The yearly number stung. The 30-year compounded one made me close the laptop. Here's the honest math.

Aug 6, 202613 min readDennis Vymer
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Learn To Invest

10 articles

Investing explained from zero — terms, accounts, and strategies.

Robo-Advisor vs DIY Investing in 2026: I Almost Paid 0.25% for Something I Already Do Myself

I almost paid a robo-advisor 0.25% of everything I own, forever. Here's the honest robo advisor vs DIY investing math for 2026, and when a robo is actually worth it.

Aug 1, 202611 min readDennis Vymer
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Invest Smart

12 articles

Deeper dives for investors: portfolios, risk, and market insights.

I Bonds vs TIPS in 2026: The Inflation Hedge I Almost Bought Twice

In 2022 I almost broke my boring autoinvest to chase a 9.62% I Bond. In 2026 the sirens are singing again, so I ran the real numbers on I Bonds vs TIPS. The math surprised me, and my answer wasn't 'buy either.'

Aug 8, 202613 min readDennis Vymer
Show all 12 articles

The personal side

My Journey

3 articles

Personal stories and lessons from the road to financial freedom.

Why the First $100k Is the Hardest: The Net-Worth Milestone Nobody Warns You About

For two years my net worth line barely moved and I blamed the market. I was wrong. The first 100k is the hardest because at small balances you ARE the compounding, almost all of it money you shovel in yourself. Here's the math, the honest caveats, and how I stopped quitting.

Jul 12, 202614 min readDennis Vymer

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