About Us
First Real Salary is an independent personal finance publication for young professionals in the United States. We help people in their 20s and 30s make confident decisions about budgeting, saving, credit, debt, investing, retirement and taxes — with real numbers, plain English and one clear next step in every guide.
Why we started First Real Salary
Most people get their first real paycheck without ever being taught what to do with it. Suddenly there are 401(k) enrollment forms, credit card offers, student loan bills and a tax return to file — and the advice online tends to fall into two camps. Some of it is so vague it doesn’t help (“spend less than you earn”). The rest assumes you already speak the language of finance.
First Real Salary sits in the middle. We explain how things actually work, show the math with current figures, and are honest about trade-offs. We don’t promise shortcuts to wealth, because there aren’t any. What we do offer is a clear path: build a budget that fits your life, create a safety net, use credit wisely, get out of high-interest debt, and invest steadily for the long term.
What you’ll find here
- Step-by-step guides for beginners, from making your first budget to opening a Roth IRA.
- Worked examples using realistic salaries, so you can see how a strategy plays out on an income like yours.
- Current figures — contribution limits, tax brackets and rules — checked against official sources such as the IRS, CFPB and FDIC.
- Balanced comparisons that explain who an option suits and who it doesn’t.
Who we are
Jorge Trigo, Founder & Editor
Jorge Trigo founded First Real Salary in 2026 to give young professionals the clear, number-backed money guidance most people never receive when they start their careers. He oversees every guide on the site, checks figures against primary sources such as the IRS, the CFPB and the FDIC, and updates articles when rules change.
You can reach him at firstsalary@gmail.com.
Articles are published under the byline “First Real Salary Editorial Team” and show the name of the person who reviewed them.
Our standards
Accuracy matters more than speed. Every article follows our Editorial Policy: we rely on primary sources, show our sources, update figures when the law changes and correct errors openly. We never accept payment in exchange for positive coverage.
How we make money
First Real Salary is free to read. We support the site through display advertising, which may include ads served by Google. Advertisers have no influence over what we write, what we recommend or how we rank options. Read our Advertising Disclosure for details.
An important note
Our content is educational. We are not your financial advisor, and we don’t know your full situation. For decisions with significant consequences — major investments, complex tax situations, legal questions — consider speaking with a qualified professional such as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, CPA or attorney. See our Disclaimer.
Get in touch
Questions, corrections or suggestions for a topic? We read every message. Visit our Contact page.