SpendGuard

SpendGuard is a mobile + web app that detects “lifestyle creep” early and shows exactly how it delays your early-retirement date. Connect your bank and brokerage accounts, set a target FIRE date, and the app continuously monitors spending categories, recurring subscriptions, and one-off splurges. Instead of generic budgeting, it translates every new recurring expense into “extra months of work” and flags when your spending trend breaks your plan assumptions. An AI layer generates plain-English explanations (e.g., ‘Dining out is up 28% for 6 weeks; if this continues, you’ll need ~$210k more invested’) and suggests realistic cuts based on your own history, not internet advice. It also runs stress tests (job loss, market drawdowns, healthcare costs) so users see whether their plan is fragile or resilient. This is not a magic FIRE calculator—it’s an accountability system tied to real transactions.