Fictional money stories from every income bracket.
Monthly cash flow, net worth, and investing reports for made-up people with real-world jobs. Education and entertainment only. Not financial advice.
-
A Loan Estimate Is Not a Closing Disclosure
A Loan Estimate is an early shopping sheet; a Closing Disclosure is the near-final closing form. Classroom language for two different machines — fiction and education, not a buy-or-rent verdict.
-
A Zestimate Is Not an Appraisal
A Zestimate is an automated guess; an appraisal is a lender-facing opinion of value. Classroom language for two different machines — fiction and education, not a buy-or-rent verdict.
-
A Rate Lock Is Not a Loan Approval
A rate lock is a timed price quote; a loan approval is a credit decision. Classroom language for two different machines — fiction and education, not a buy-or-rent verdict.
-
A Home Warranty Is Not a Repair Budget
A home warranty is a service contract; a repair budget is cash. Classroom language for two different machines — fiction and education, not a buy-or-rent verdict.
-
Title Insurance Is Not Homeowners Insurance
Title insurance is about ownership risks; homeowners insurance covers the place. Classroom language for two different machines — fiction and education, not a buy-or-rent verdict.
-
An Appraisal Is Not the Sale Price
An appraisal is a lender-facing opinion of value, not the sale price and not cash. Classroom language for two different machines — fiction and education, not a buy-or-rent verdict.
-
Home Equity Is Not Cash
Home equity is a paper gap, not cash in checking. Classroom language for equity vs spendable money — fiction and education, not a buy-or-rent verdict.
-
Assessed Value Is Not Market Value
Assessed value lives on the tax notice; market value lives in the sale conversation. Classroom language for two different machines — fiction and education, not a buy-or-rent verdict.
-
PMI Is Not Homeowners Insurance
PMI protects the lender on some loans; homeowners insurance covers the place. Classroom language for two different machines — fiction and education, not a buy-or-rent verdict.
Meet the cast, then start tracking your own numbers.