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BLOGS

  • Bite Sized Tips | How to Build a Financial Legacy | Defining Your Why?

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    Define Your Why? Before you pick a stock or app, define WHY you want to invest. Are you saving for retirement, a house, or financial independence? Research shows that people who set clear, written goals are significantly more likely to succeed. Use the SMART framework: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.
    Reference: Dominican University of California. (n.d.). Goals Research Summary. https://www.dominican.edu

  • Bite Sized Tips | How to Build A Financial Legacy | What is Investing?

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    What is Investing?: Investing is the act of putting your money to work to grow wealth over time, rather than letting it sit idle. Benjamin Graham, the father of value investing, defined an investment as “an operation which, upon thorough analysis, promises safety of principal and an adequate return.” Understanding this difference from mere saving is key: saving protects your cash, investing grows it.
    Reference: Graham, B. (1949). The Intelligent Investor. Harper & Brothers. [Public domain concept]

  • Beginner Investor? | Where To Start? | High-Yield Savings Accounts

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    High-Yield Savings Accounts

    Examples to Start With:

    • Marcus by Goldman Sachs, Ally Bank, Discover Bank.

    Where to Open:

    • Online banks; check NerdWallet or Bankrate for best rates.

    Key Considerations:

    • Interest rate vs. inflation (currently 4–5% is good).
    • FDIC insured.

    Starting Amount:

    • Any amount; start with $50–$500 as your emergency fund.

    Goals:

    • Build a cash safety net.
    • Don’t use for long-term growth — this is for savings, not investing.

  • Beginner Investor | Where To Start | Investing in Mutual Funds

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    Examples to Start With:

    • Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund (VTSAX)
    • Fidelity ZERO Index Funds (no fees)

    Where to Buy:

    • Vanguard, Fidelity, Charles Schwab.

    Key Considerations:

    • Minimums: many funds require $1,000–$3,000 to start.
    • Expense ratios: lower is better.

    Starting Amount:

    • $1,000–$3,000 for traditional funds.
    • Some brokerages now allow fractional mutual fund shares.

    Goals:

    • Passive, hands-off investing.
    • Good for retirement accounts.

  • Beginning Investor | Where to Start | Investing in ETF’s (Exchange-Traded Funds)

    red and blue light streaks

    2) ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds)

    Examples to Start With:

    • SPY or VOO (S&P 500 Index)
    • QQQ (tracks Nasdaq 100)
    • VTI (Total Stock Market)

    Where to Buy:

    • Betterment or Acorns (automated).
    • Fidelity, Schwab, Robinhood for DIY.

    Key Considerations:

    • Low expense ratio = good (under 0.2% is great).
    • No load or transaction fees is best for small accounts.

    Starting Amount:

    • $100–$500 with fractional shares.
    • Some robo-advisors have $0 or low minimums.

    Goals:

    • Diversify instantly with one purchase.
    • Learn about sectors and index investing.

  • Beginning Investor | Where to Start | Investing in Stocks

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    Examples to Start With:

    • Large, stable companies (“blue chips”) like Apple (AAPL), Microsoft (MSFT), Coca-Cola (KO), or Johnson & Johnson (JNJ).
    • Beginner-friendly ETFs like S&P 500 ETFs (VOO, SPY) if you want instant diversification.

    Where to Buy:

    • Robinhood, Webull, M1 Finance — all offer free stock trades.
    • Fidelity or Charles Schwab for beginner-friendly tools and research.

    Key Considerations:

    • Commission fees (most are $0 now).
    • Minimum purchase is the share price, unless you buy fractional shares.
    • Taxes on capital gains when you sell for profit.

    Starting Amount:

    • $50–$500 is fine to get started with fractional shares.
    • Focus on learning how buying/selling works.

    Goals:

    • Build familiarity with how the stock market works.
    • Start small; focus on learning, not big returns yet.
    • Hold long-term; avoid day-trading early on.