Articles tagged “index funds”

Market crashes feel catastrophic in the moment — but understanding what actually happens to your portfolio, and what investors who came out ahead did differently, changes everything.

FIRE — Financial Independence, Retire Early — has gone from fringe concept to mainstream goal. Here's what it actually takes, whether the math holds up, and who it realistically works for.

Dollar cost averaging is one of the most recommended investing strategies — but the research on whether it beats lump-sum investing is more nuanced than most people realize. Here's the full picture.

Yes, teenagers can invest in stocks — but not exactly the same way adults do. Here's how it works, what accounts to use, and what to actually buy.

Avoiding the stock market because it feels risky actually guarantees a worse financial outcome. Here's what the fear is really about, what the data says, and how to start investing when it terrifies you.

You don't need 15 funds, a financial advisor, or a complicated strategy. Here's exactly what a first investment portfolio should look like in your 20s — and why simple wins.

Rebalancing keeps your portfolio aligned with your target allocation — but doing it wrong, or too often, costs you money. Here's the right approach, how often to do it, and the tax-smart way to execute it.

A $30,000 salary feels tight for investing — but the math says otherwise. Here's a realistic, step-by-step blueprint for building wealth on a modest income in your 20s.

Waiting feels harmless. It isn't. Here's exactly what five years of delay costs you in real dollars — and why the math is far more brutal than most people realize.

Compound interest is the closest thing to a financial superpower. Here's how it works, why it favors teenagers specifically, and the numbers that prove it.

ETFs and mutual funds both let you own hundreds of stocks at once — but they differ in ways that matter for taxes, costs, and how you invest. Here's the clear breakdown.

Opening a brokerage account is easier than most people expect. Here's a complete walkthrough — what to choose, what you'll need, and exactly what to do once it's open.

Both accounts will make you wealthy if you use them. But the order and split matters — especially when you're young, in a low tax bracket, and time is your biggest asset.

Three funds. Total global diversification. Near-zero fees. The three-fund portfolio has been quietly outperforming complex strategies for decades. Here's exactly how to build one.

Index funds are the most widely recommended investment for beginners and experts alike. Here's exactly what they are, how they work, and why the evidence behind them is so compelling.

Think you need to be an adult to start investing? You don't. Here's exactly how a 16-year-old can legally begin building wealth right now.