The field-guide library
Fifty guides. Eight parts of your money life.
Search by the decision in front of you. Every AI-generated guide includes detailed context, explicit assumptions, a practical sequence, a worked illustration, failure modes, and official links for checking the current rules.
Index funds for beginners: what the label does and does not tell you
Understand the tracked index, holdings, fees, trading structure, and risk before choosing a fund.
Diversification without collecting random funds
Diversify by underlying exposures and the risks they carry, not by the number of account lines on a statement.
Asset allocation starts with the date you need the money
Match cash, bonds, and stocks to the goal’s timeline, required flexibility, and tolerance for loss.
Roth vs. traditional IRA: compare tax timing and eligibility
The decision turns on current and future tax treatment, contribution eligibility, withdrawal rules, and the purpose of the account.
Your first 401(k) contribution: five choices to inspect
Check eligibility, employer contributions, vesting, fees, investment options, and default settings.
An HSA can have three jobs—decide which one it has today
Use a health savings account for current care, near-term reserves, or long-term investing only after confirming eligibility and plan details.
A 529 plan decision starts with the beneficiary and timeline
Compare state tax treatment, investment options, fees, qualified expenses, and the risk of overfunding.
A $500 monthly investing plan: sequence before selection
Protect near-term cash, capture eligible workplace benefits, choose the account, then choose a diversified investment.
A decision tree for investing $10,000
The best use depends on timing, debt cost, emergency reserves, account space, and risk capacity.
Write the market-drop playbook before the market drops
Connect each account to a goal, review allocation, and define when rebalancing—not panic—will occur.
Dividend investing: start with total return
A dividend is one part of return, not free money or a substitute for diversification.
REIT basics: real estate exposure is still an investment
Understand the property focus, leverage, fees, liquidity, tax treatment, and place in the portfolio.