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Your first real paycheck. Here's exactly what to do with it. How much should go in your 401k? The money playbook, one step at a time.

401k, savings, HSA, investing - in the right order, one step at a time. And your HSA, and savings, and Fidelity. Stepwise tells you the next move. The order smart people follow, turned into a plan for every paycheck.

The r/personalfinance flowchart, made personal.

Sound familiar?

The questions nobody answers in your benefits packet

How much in my 401k?

Start with enough to get the full match - that's money you'd otherwise leave on the table. Stepwise works out the number from your paycheck, then tells you when it's time to go higher.

One number, per paycheck

Savings or Fidelity?

Depends what's already in the bank. Stepwise checks your safety net first, then points the rest at investing - in that order.

Safety net first

What's an HSA?

A health savings account that skips taxes going in, while it grows, and coming out for medical stuff. Stepwise asks one question to see if your plan qualifies.

One question to check

Should I do a Roth?

Maybe! It depends on your income and what else comes first. Stepwise tells you when it's your turn and which kind fits.

When it's your turn

How it'll work

One step at a time. Always the next one.

The r/personalfinance flowchart is great advice, and a lot to take in. Stepwise turns it into your next move, using your numbers.

  1. Tell us your paycheck

    Take-home pay, what's in the bank, whether you get a 401k match. About a minute. No bank login.

  2. Get your next step

    One thing to do, with a real number and a one-line why. Not a dashboard to figure out.

  3. Follow the plan, check it off

    A per-paycheck plan, a quick check-in on payday, then the next step unlocks.

Design of the Stepwise home screen: step 2 of 11, set aside one month of expenses, about $3,020, with a 'Show me how' button.
Design of a plan screen: how much each paycheck, with $250, $400 and $500 options and a finish date of May 28.

Early designs. Not in the App Store yet.

Why not just ask ChatGPT?

You can! It answers whatever you ask. Stepwise tells you what to ask first - then checks in every payday.

Your money stays yours

Built to be boring about trust

Never moves your money

Stepwise gives you the steps. You make the transfer, in your own bank.

Read-only, always

If you ever link an account, it's to look, never to touch. Linking is optional.

No account needed to start

Type a few numbers and get your first step. Sign up later if it's useful.

Want in early?

We're building it now. Get on the list and we'll tell you when there's something to try.

Built by a PM who keeps getting these questions from his brother.