Independent resource directory
These are services, reference sites, planning tools, and books that have been useful in my own financial or business work. Inclusion is editorial and does not mean the company, author, or publisher endorses Rich Direction.
No paid placements or affiliate links: Rich Direction is not currently compensated for any listing on this page. References to resources I use do not disclose where any particular personal or business assets are held. Services, pricing, eligibility, terms, and availability can change; verify current details on the provider's official website.
Tax resources
Use official tax forms and instructions as the controlling authority. These resources can make filing or researching a question more approachable, but they do not replace professional advice for a complex situation.
Personal tax filing
I use Cash App Taxes for personal federal and state filing because the service offers filing without separate federal or state preparation fees. Confirm that it supports your complete filing situation before relying on it.
Visit Cash App TaxesTax bracket reference
I use Forbes Advisor's federal income-tax bracket explanations as a quick, readable reference. Verify the applicable tax year and compare material figures with IRS sources.
Review the tax-bracket guideBusiness tax filing
TaxAct offers filing products for business returns, including entity types that are outside Cash App Taxes' personal-return focus. Select the product that matches the entity and required federal or state return.
Explore TaxAct BusinessPlanning and comparison
Comparison sites may earn revenue from providers they feature. Treat rankings and offers as starting points, then verify the underlying terms directly.
Personal finance
I use NerdWallet for accessible personal-finance education and calculators across budgeting, debt, banking, loans, mortgages, investing, retirement, and taxes.
Explore NerdWallet calculatorsMortgage rates
I use Bankrate as one reference for current mortgage-rate comparisons and broader lending information. An advertised rate is not a personalized loan offer.
Compare mortgage-rate informationInvesting and retirement
Fidelity provides investment education, market research, and retirement-planning tools that I find useful. This listing does not identify where any specific personal or business accounts or assets are held.
Explore Fidelity planning toolsInfluences and books
A recommendation means I found useful ideas in the resource. It does not mean I agree with every claim, strategy, product, or opinion associated with its creator.
Debt payoff
Dave Ramsey was a major influence on my own debt payoff and debt freedom. I agree with the basic sequence of establishing starter emergency savings, eliminating non-mortgage consumer debt, and then building a larger emergency reserve, while recognizing that individual circumstances can justify adjustments.
Review the Baby StepsFinancial mindset
A widely known introduction to thinking about assets, liabilities, financial education, and income beyond employment. Read it as one perspective rather than a complete financial plan.
Visit the official book pageInvesting
A foundational discussion of value investing, disciplined analysis, risk, and the difference between investing and speculation. It is educational reading, not a recommendation to purchase a particular security.
View the publisher's book pageHabits
A practical system for making useful behaviors easier to repeat and reducing the friction behind unwanted habits. The framework applies well to saving, budgeting, debt repayment, and consistent business routines.
Visit the official book pagePersonal effectiveness
A principle-based framework for taking responsibility, setting priorities, working well with others, and continuing to improve over time.
Visit the official book pageCommunication
A long-standing guide to listening, communication, cooperation, leadership, and building stronger personal and professional relationships.
View the publisher's book pageCreative productivity
A different way to plan creative work by matching tasks to available mental energy instead of treating every hour as interchangeable.
Visit the author's book pageEntrepreneurship and business
These books have helped shape how I think about consulting, product development, customer problems, negotiation, leadership, licensing, and building a business. They are starting points for thought and application, not promises of a particular result.
Consulting business
A practical reference for building and growing an independent or boutique consulting practice, including positioning, value, fees, marketing, and client relationships.
View the official book pageConsulting fundamentals
A broader consulting reference covering expertise, client value, proposals, implementation, ethics, and the operation of a professional practice.
View the official book pageProduct business
A framework for selecting a product, defining an audience, launching sales, and developing a product-based business. Results are not guaranteed and the model should be tested against the realities of the specific market.
View the publisher's book pageCustomer problems
A founder's guide to understanding a meaningful customer problem, testing product-market fit, and remaining willing to change the solution as the evidence changes.
View the publisher's book pageNegotiation
A negotiation framework centered on careful listening, useful questions, emotional awareness, and understanding the other side before pressing for an agreement.
View the publisher's book pageLeadership and operations
A research-based look at leadership, disciplined people, disciplined thought, disciplined action, and the systems associated with companies that made sustained improvements.
Visit the author's book pageProduct licensing
An introduction to developing and presenting product ideas for licensing, including market research, sell sheets, outreach, and licensing negotiations.
Visit the author's book pageExternal resources have their own terms, privacy practices, commercial relationships, and limitations. Rich Direction does not control their content and does not guarantee that a resource is appropriate for every person or business.
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