Skip to content
Up From Zero

Up From Zero

  • Start Here
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact
  • Budgeting
    • 50/30/20 Budget Rule
    • Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck
    • How to Budget Biweekly
    • Emergency Fund Guide
    • Budget Living Paycheck to Paycheck
  • Debt Payoff
    • Debt Avalanche vs. Snowball
    • Pay Off Debt or Save Money?
    • Does Velocity Banking Work?
    • Debt Payoff Calculator
  • Investing
    • How to Open a Roth IRA
    • Roth IRA vs 401(k)
    • VTI vs VOO vs SCHD
    • Best Brokerage for Beginners
    • How to Invest With $100
  • Home Buying
    • First-Time Home Buyer Guide
    • How Much House Can I Afford?
    • Buy a House With Bad Credit
    • How to Refinance a Mortgage
    • Mortgage Calculator
  • Credit
    • Build Credit From Scratch
    • Improve Credit Score Fast
    • Dispute Credit Report Errors
  • Calculators
    • Budget Calculator
    • Debt Payoff Calculator
    • Mortgage Calculator
    • Compound Interest Calculator
    • Emergency Fund Calculator

Nolan Briggs

Nolan Briggs is the editorial pen name of Nathan Dyer, founder and operator of Up From Zero HQ (BuiltFromNothing LLC). Nathan spent years working in the trades while carrying more debt than he knew how to handle — no finance degree, no safety net, just a determination to dig out the hard way. After paying off tens of thousands in high-interest debt and rebuilding from scratch, he started Up From Zero HQ to give other working people the plain-English money education he wished he had. Everything on this site is built for beginners — no jargon, no get-rich promises, no shame. Not a licensed financial advisor. Everything here is plain-English education based on primary sources including the IRS, CFPB, and HUD.

Debt Snowball vs. Debt Avalanche: Which Method Should You Use?

August 28, 2026 by Nolan Briggs

Both methods work — the question is which one you’ll actually finish. Here’s how the debt snowball and debt avalanche compare, with real examples and a simple guide for picking the right one for your situation.

Categories Debt Payoff

What Is an ETF? A Beginner’s Guide to Exchange-Traded Funds

August 28, 2026August 28, 2026 by Nolan Briggs

An ETF (exchange-traded fund) is a basket of investments you can buy and sell like a stock. Learn how ETFs work, how they compare to index funds, and how to buy your first one — in plain English.

Categories Beginner Investing Tags beginner investing, ETF, exchange-traded fund, index investing, stock market basics

What Is an Index Fund? A Plain-English Guide for Beginners

August 28, 2026August 28, 2026 by Nolan Briggs

Index funds are the go-to starting point for new investors — but what exactly are they? This plain-English guide explains how they work and how to start buying one today.

Categories Beginner Investing Tags beginner investing, index fund, index investing, passive investing, stock market basics

What Is an HSA? A Plain-English Guide to Health Savings Accounts

August 28, 2026August 15, 2026 by Nolan Briggs
What is an HSA health savings account illustration

An HSA (health savings account) gives you three tax breaks in one — contributions, growth, and withdrawals for medical costs are all tax-free. Here’s how it works, who qualifies, and how to use it in 2026.

Categories Savings Tags health savings account, healthcare costs, HSA, saving money, tax-advantaged accounts

How to Open a Roth IRA: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

August 10, 2026August 1, 2026 by Nolan Briggs
Step-by-step guide to opening a Roth IRA

Learn exactly how to open a Roth IRA step by step — choosing a brokerage, funding the account, picking investments, and avoiding common beginner mistakes.

Categories Beginner Investing Tags beginners guide, investing, personal finance, retirement savings, roth ira

How to Save Money Fast on a Low Income: 12 Strategies That Actually Work

August 10, 2026July 31, 2026 by Nolan Briggs

Struggling to save on a tight budget? These 12 practical strategies help you build savings fast — even on a low income. No fluff, just real steps that work when money is tight.

Categories Budgeting & Cash Flow, Savings Tags low income, paycheck to paycheck, personal finance, savings, starting from zero

How to Invest $500: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

August 10, 2026July 26, 2026 by Nolan Briggs

You have $500 and want to put it to work. Here’s exactly where to put it, what account to open, and how to start growing your money — even if you’ve never invested before.

Categories Beginner Investing Tags beginners guide, index funds, investing, personal finance, savings

How to Create a Budget for the First Time: A Step-by-Step Guide

August 10, 2026July 24, 2026 by Nolan Briggs
How to create a budget for the first time step by step guide

Never made a budget before? This plain-English, step-by-step guide walks you through creating your first budget from scratch — no financial background required.

Categories Budgeting & Cash Flow Tags beginners guide, budgeting, personal finance, savings, starting from zero

How to Build an Emergency Fund: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

August 10, 2026July 23, 2026 by Nolan Briggs

An emergency fund is the financial cushion that keeps one bad day from turning into a debt spiral. Here’s exactly how to build one — step by step — even when money is tight.

Categories Savings Tags beginners guide, emergency fund, personal finance, savings, starting from zero

Roth IRA vs. Traditional IRA: Which One Should You Open?

August 10, 2026July 22, 2026 by Nolan Briggs

Roth IRA or Traditional IRA — which is right for you? This plain-English guide breaks down the key differences, 2026 contribution limits, income limits, and a simple decision framework for beginners.

Categories Beginner Investing Tags beginners guide, investing, personal finance, retirement savings, roth ira
Older posts
Page1 Page2 … Page13 Next →
© 2026 Up From Zero HQ • Privacy Policy • Affiliate Disclosure • Disclaimer • Contact