Investing

Investing is putting money into assets that can grow over years so later-you has more options. It comes after the order of operations has your bills, cash buffer, match, and high interest debt in a workable place.

This section starts with principles, then what markets are, then the accounts, then a portfolio you can leave alone. The last group is the honest list of things you can skip.

What is in this section

• Investing Principles. The ideas that decide almost all of your investing results.
• Understanding the Market. What stocks, bonds, and funds are, and why prices move.
• Brokerage Accounts. Opening a taxable account and actually buying something.
• 401(k)s. Your employer plan, the match, and what to do when you leave.
• IRAs. Traditional, Roth, and the rules that decide which one you can use.
• Self-Employed Retirement. Retirement accounts when you are your own employer.
• HSA. A tax-advantaged medical account that can also work as long-term savings.
• FSA. Use-it-or-lose-it accounts, and how much to put in.
• Building Your Portfolio. Picking an allocation, holding it, and leaving it alone.
• Things You Probably Don’t Need. Popular things that mostly cost you money, time, or both.