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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.
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.
The library
Latest guides
Our newest, most up-to-date research.
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.
Emergency fund: how much to save and where to keep it in 2026
How to size your emergency fund correctly, where to keep it to earn real yield, and when it's okay to invest instead — a practical 2026 guide.
How to open a Roth IRA in 2026: a step-by-step walkthrough
A practical step-by-step guide to opening a Roth IRA in 2026 — who qualifies, which broker to use, how much to contribute, and what to invest in first.
Tax-loss harvesting: when it actually saves money (and when it doesn't)
A clear-eyed look at tax-loss harvesting in 2026 — how the wash-sale rule works, why most retail investors over-rate the savings, and the specific situations where harvesting is genuinely worth the effort.
Asset allocation by age: a 2026 framework that ages with you
How to set your stocks-to-bonds allocation by age and risk tolerance — and the simple rebalancing rules that keep your portfolio aligned through every life stage.