Independent · Reader-supported
Plain-English investing for serious beginners.
Investing fundamentals, broker comparisons, and long-term strategy for serious beginners. No hype, no day-trading nonsense — just the basics done right.
I bonds in 2026: current rate, limits, and whether they're worth buying
Series I savings bonds are backed by the US government and adjust for inflation. Here's the current rate, how to buy them, and when they make sense in a 2026 portfolio.
The library
Latest guides
Our newest, most up-to-date research.
How to rebalance your portfolio: when to do it and how
Portfolio rebalancing keeps your asset allocation on target — but doing it too often costs money in taxes and fees. Here's the right approach for 2026.
Backdoor Roth IRA: how to contribute when you earn too much
The backdoor Roth IRA lets high earners bypass income limits with a two-step process. Here's exactly how it works, the tax steps involved, and the one mistake to avoid.
HSA as an investment account: the triple tax advantage most people ignore
Your HSA is the most tax-efficient account available — but only if you invest it instead of spending it. Here's the strategy, the mechanics, and which brokers offer the best HSA investment options.
Dividend investing for beginners: what it is and whether it makes sense for you
A beginner's guide to dividend investing — how dividends work, whether dividend stocks actually outperform, and when a dividend strategy makes sense vs. total return.
How to invest in index funds: a step-by-step beginner guide
How to buy your first index fund in 2026 — which account to use, which funds to pick, how much to invest, and exactly what to do step by step.
Bond allocation in 2026: how much, what kind, and why
An honest look at bonds in 2026 — why they still belong in most portfolios despite the rough 2022–2023 stretch, how to size your allocation, and which bond fund types fit which investor.