Investing
You don't need a fortune or a finance degree — you need the right order of moves and the patience to let compounding work. Plain-English guides, no hot tips, no jargon walls.
All investing guides
How to Invest Your First $1,000 (A Beginner's Step-by-Step)
$1,000 is enough to make real investing choices. Here's exactly where to put it — the right account, what to buy, and the math on what it can become.
What to Invest In After Your 401(k) Match
You captured the full match — now what? Here's the 2026 order for your next investing dollar: high-interest debt, HSA, Roth IRA, then maxing the 401(k).
401(k) vs. IRA: Which Should You Fund First?
It's not either/or — there's an order. Fund your 401(k) to the match, then an IRA, then back. Here's why, with 2026 limits and a worked example.
How Much Will $100 a Month Grow in 30 Years?
Invest $100 a month for 30 years and at a 7% return you'd have about $122,000 — only $36,000 of it your own money. Here's the exact math, by rate.
How to Start a Roth IRA in Your 20s (in 6 Steps)
Starting a Roth IRA in your 20s gives compounding its longest runway. Here are the 6 steps to open and fund one, plus the 2026 limits and real growth math.
Roth vs. Traditional IRA: Which Should a Beginner Pick?
The only real difference is when you pay taxes — now or later. Here's how to choose between a Roth and traditional IRA, with 2026 limits and a worked example.
How to Start Investing With $100 (A Beginner's Honest Guide)
You don't need thousands to start investing. Here's how to begin with $100 — what to buy, what to avoid, and the order of moves that beats picking stocks.
Index Funds vs. ETFs: Which Should a Beginner Choose?
Index fund vs. ETF? They're often the same thing in a different wrapper. Here's how index mutual funds and ETFs really differ — and which to pick.
What Is a Roth IRA and How Does It Work?
A Roth IRA in plain English: after-tax money that grows tax-free, what you can contribute in 2026, Roth vs. traditional, and how to open one in four steps.