Why 401(k) Dollars Aren't Apples-to-Apples

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In this listener Q&A episode of At Any Rate, Evan Raidt answers two practical questions from Keaton: how to estimate the after-tax value of 401(k) contributions, and how to save for unpredictable big expenses like car repairs and home maintenance.

First, Evan explains why 401(k) dollars can’t be compared directly to normal spending or savings—because they’re pre-tax. Then he shifts to emergency funds: where to keep them, what they should cover, how much to aim for.

Topics Covered:

Why 401(k) contributions aren’t apples-to-apples with normal spending

A simple method to estimate your effective tax rate and convert 401(k) contributions to an after-tax equivalent

Emergency funds

What emergency funds should cover

Timestamps:

00:59 Welcome back

02:14 Keaton’s questions: after-tax 401(k)

03:41 Why 401(k) money can’t be compared directly to other dollars

05:34 What this “after-tax equivalent” is for

06:21 Step 1: find taxable income on your last federal tax return

07:32 Step 2: estimate effective tax rate

09:10 Step 3: reduce 401(k) contributions by that rate (apples-to-apples

12:23 Emergency fund basics

14:29 Why a credit card is NOT an emergency fund

21:33 How much to save

Resources Mentioned

The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/

Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/

Podcast survey: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/podsurvey/

Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com

Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast!

Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time.

Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening.

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