Freelancer? Gig worker? Self-employed superhero? Retirement isn’t just for 9-to-5ers! As your own boss, you’re also your own retirement planner. Luckily, there are awesome retirement accounts specifically designed for the self-employed, offering tax advantages and future financial security. Imagine building your own retirement nest egg, tax-advantaged and tailored to your entrepreneurial life. SEP IRA (Simplified … Read more
Beyond stocks and bonds, there’s a whole world of stuff to invest in – commodities! Think oil, gold, wheat, coffee, even pork bellies (yes, really). Commodities are raw materials or primary agricultural products, and investing in them can diversify your portfolio and potentially hedge against inflation. Imagine investing in things you can (mostly) touch, from … Read more
Want to own a piece of Tesla but your budget resembles a student loan statement? Fractional shares are your financial fairy godmother! These magical investment slices let you buy portions of expensive stocks – think owning a sliver of Apple for the price of an apple pie. Imagine building a diversified portfolio of blue-chip giants, … Read more
Want to be a shark on Shark Tank, minus the TV cameras and Mr. Wonderful’s zingers? Startup investing platforms let you invest in early-stage companies – the next Apples, Googles, or… well, maybe just really cool dog-walking apps. Imagine being in on the ground floor of the next big thing, funding innovation and potentially reaping … Read more
Stocks too wild? Crypto giving you palpitations? Bonds are your financial chill pill. These less-glamorous but oh-so-reliable investments are like the sensible shoes of your portfolio – not flashy, but they get the job done, providing steady income and ballast in turbulent times. Think of bonds as investment yoga – flexible, dependable, and calming for … Read more
Savings accounts are dead, right? Wrong! High-yield savings accounts (HYSAs) are like the Lazarus of low-risk investing – they’ve risen from the interest rate graveyard! Imagine your savings actually earning something worthwhile, instead of just gathering digital dust. Think of HYSAs as the responsible adult in your investment portfolio, offering safety and a surprisingly decent … Read more
Spare change investing apps: The lazy (or busy!) person’s path to investing. These apps automatically round up your purchases to the nearest dollar and invest the spare change – micro-investing made effortless. Imagine turning pocket lint into portfolio gains, one rounded-up purchase at a time. Apps like Acorns, Stash, and Robinhood (some features) offer spare … Read more
Mutual funds: Think of them as professionally managed investment baskets, similar to ETFs but often actively managed (fund manager picks stocks/bonds). Mutual funds pool money from many investors to buy a diversified portfolio of assets – instant diversification and professional management in one fund. Mutual funds are bought and sold directly through fund companies or … Read more
REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts): Real estate investing, but stock market style! REITs are companies that own and operate income-producing real estate – think apartments, malls, warehouses, data centers. Investing in REITs is like owning a slice of a real estate empire without being a landlord or fixing leaky faucets. REITs trade like stocks – … Read more
“Best stocks for beginners” is a loaded question – no crystal ball here! But beginner-friendly stocks are generally established, well-known companies with solid track records – think household names you use every day. Imagine owning a tiny piece of companies you already know and trust, like your favorite coffee chain or online retailer. Think “blue-chip” … Read more