CriticalMoneyTheory

Critical Money Theory is a decision-making framework for individuals. It teaches you to see the incentives behind every financial pitch, question conventional money narratives, and make earning, investing, and wealth-building decisions from evidence instead of noise. It was developed by Dr. Anthony L. Williams, a financial advisor and Doctor of Business Administration in Finance.

A common rule of thumb is the 25x rule: you need roughly 25 times your annual spending saved. At a 4% withdrawal rate, $1 million supports about $40,000 per year. If you spend $60,000 a year, you'd need closer to $1.5 million, so the real question is what your lifestyle costs, not the round number.

The 4% rule says you can withdraw 4% of your retirement savings in your first year of retirement ($40,000 on a $1 million portfolio), then adjust that amount for inflation each year after. It comes from 1994 research by William Bengen and assumes a roughly 30-year retirement. Many planners now test 3.5–5% depending on time horizon and market conditions.

You can claim as early as 62 at a reduced benefit, wait until full retirement age (67 for anyone born in 1960 or later) for your full benefit, or delay until 70 for the maximum. Each year you wait past full retirement age adds about 8% to your monthly check, but the right choice depends on your health, income needs, and other savings.

Most money advice tells you what to buy. Critical Money Theory teaches you how to think. Instead of stock picks or product recommendations, it gives you three decision filters (follow the incentive, question the narrative, decide from evidence) so you can evaluate any financial advice, including this site's, on your own terms.

Individuals and families making real financial decisions: earners, investors, pre-retirees, and anyone who's ever felt the financial industry was speaking a different language. If you've ever wondered who profits from the advice you're given, this framework is for you.