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Optimized Portfolio

Investing and Personal Finance

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  • Beginners Start Here
  • Investing 101
    • Beginners Start Here – 9 Steps to Start Building Wealth
    • What Is the Stock Market? How It Works & How to Invest in It
    • How To Invest in an Index Fund – The Best Index Funds of 2020
    • Portfolio Asset Allocation by Age
    • How to Invest in the S&P 500 Index – 3 of the Best ETFs
    • Why and How To Buy Bonds Online: A Guide for Beginners
    • How To Invest Your Emergency Fund
    • 8 Reasons Why I’m Not a Dividend Income Investor
    • How to Invest Your HSA (Health Savings Account)
  • Lazy Portfolios
    • 60/40 Portfolio
    • All Weather Portfolio
    • Bogleheads 3 Fund Portfolio
    • Couch Potato Portfolio
    • Golden Butterfly Portfolio
    • HEDGEFUNDIE’s Excellent Adventure
    • Permanent Portfolio
    • Warren Buffett Portfolio
    • more…
  • Brokerage Reviews
    • The 5 Best Stock Brokers
    • The 4 Best Investing Apps
    • M1 Finance Review
    • M1 Finance vs. Fidelity
    • M1 Finance vs. Vanguard
    • Stash vs. Robinhood
    • Investing Brokers with the Lowest Margin Rates
    • M1 Borrow Review (How M1’s Margin Loan Works)
  • ETFs
    • VIG vs. VYM – Comparing Vanguard’s 2 Popular Dividend ETF’s
    • The 11 Best Dividend ETFs
    • The 7 Best Small Cap Value ETFs
    • The 5 Best REIT ETFs
    • The 5 Best Tech ETFs
    • The 6 Best ETFs for Taxable Accounts
    • The Best Vanguard Bond Funds – 11 Popular ETFs
    • The Best Vanguard Dividend Funds – 4 Popular ETFs
    • The Best Vanguard Growth Funds – 5 Popular ETFs
    • The 7 Best International ETFs
  • Leverage
    • What Is a Leveraged ETF and How Do They Work?
    • How To Beat the Market Using Leverage and Index Investing
    • The 9 Best Leveraged ETFs
    • Hedgefundie’s Excellent Adventure
    • Leveraged All Weather Portfolio
    • Leveraged Permanent Portfolio
    • Leveraged Golden Butterfly Portfolio
  • Dividends
    • The Best M1 Finance Dividend Pie
    • The 11 Best Dividend ETFs
    • The Best Vanguard Dividend Funds – 4 Popular ETFs
    • VIG vs. VYM – Comparing Vanguard’s 2 Popular Dividend ETF’s
    • 8 Reasons Why I’m Not a Dividend Income Investor
  • Bonds
    • How To Buy Bonds Online: The Ultimate Guide
    • Treasury Bonds vs. Corporate Bonds
    • The Best Vanguard Bond Funds – 11 Popular ETFs
    • The Best Bond Funds Out There – 13 ETFs
    • The 11 Best Treasury Bond ETFs
    • The 5 Best High Yield Bond Funds for Income
    • The 3 Best Corporate Bond ETFs
    • The 3 Best Municipal Bond ETFs
    • The 3 Best TIPS ETFs

Investing 101

Why Automated Investing Is More Powerful Than You Think

Last Updated: January 8, 2021 No Comments – 4 min. read

With the new year usually comes new or renewed interest in investing and personal finance. Let's explore why you should be looking into automating your investing. The Benefits of Automated Investing Any successful investor knows to invest early and often. That means regular deposits into an investment account. Thankfully, this usually happens automatically with a … [Read more...] about Why Automated Investing Is More Powerful Than You Think

401k Max Contribution Calculator for Front Loading Each Year

Last Updated: December 27, 2020 No Comments – 2 min. read

I've always tried to "front load" my 401k contributions to reach the annual limit. By that I mean contributing comparatively more early in each year for about 3 months to get more money in the market sooner, and then dropping the contribution election down for the rest of the year. The problem is trying to calculate exactly what the contributions should be for each month … [Read more...] about 401k Max Contribution Calculator for Front Loading Each Year

Why and How To Invest in Gold for Beginners

Last Updated: November 21, 2020 No Comments – 3 min. read

gold

Gold can be used as a store of value and a significant alternative asset in a diversified investment portfolio. Here we'll explore how to invest in gold quickly and easily online. Why Invest in Gold? Gold has long been a common currency of the world. The shiny metal is now traded on exchanges via futures and ETFs. Gold is considered a commodity. Commodities as a … [Read more...] about Why and How To Invest in Gold for Beginners

Beginners Start Here – 9 Steps to Start Building Wealth

Last Updated: December 14, 2020 No Comments – 5 min. read

start

I would have loved some sort of a roadmap laid out for me when I started over a decade ago. The goal of this page is to do just that, so that you can start building wealth today. View this page as a reference sheet; a pathway along which you'll progress; a general framework, from which the details branch off. I would suggest taking a brief look at all the steps first, and … [Read more...] about Beginners Start Here – 9 Steps to Start Building Wealth

What Is a Leveraged ETF and How Do They Work?

Last Updated: December 21, 2020 No Comments – 4 min. read

leverage

Leveraged ETFs allow investors to increase exposure without additional capital outlays. Below we'll explore what leveraged ETFs are, how they work, and why you might want to use them. Prefer video? Watch it here. What Is a Leveraged ETF? A leveraged ETF, as the name suggests, is an ETF (exchange-traded fund) that allows investors to utilize leverage in their … [Read more...] about What Is a Leveraged ETF and How Do They Work?

Why, How, & Where To Invest Your Emergency Fund To Beat Inflation

Last Updated: January 7, 2021 6 Comments – 7 min. read

money

The oft-cited advice is to put your emergency fund in a safe, high-liquidity savings account or money market fund, but there may be a better way if you're willing to take on some additional risk. Here we explore how you can invest your emergency fund to beat a high-yield savings account. Introduction - Why Invest Your Emergency Fund? An emergency fund is exactly … [Read more...] about Why, How, & Where To Invest Your Emergency Fund To Beat Inflation

Why and How To Buy Bonds Online: A Guide for Beginners

Last Updated: November 17, 2020 No Comments – 5 min. read

bonds banks

Bonds are a critical part of a diversified investment portfolio alongside stocks, lowering volatility and risk. Here we'll explore what a bond is, why you'd want to invest in bonds, types of bonds, and how to buy bonds online. In a hurry? Here are the highlights: A bond is an instrument by which lenders/investors are paid periodic interest payments for providing a … [Read more...] about Why and How To Buy Bonds Online: A Guide for Beginners

What Is the Stock Market? How It Works & How to Invest in It

Last Updated: December 14, 2020 No Comments – 8 min. read

stock market

For beginners who lack investing experience, "the stock market" can seem like a big, complex, intimidating entity, especially after seeing scary headlines about market crashes. But it doesn't have to be this way. Here we'll explain what the stock market is, how it works, and how to invest in it. In a hurry? Here are the highlights: A stock is an instrument by which … [Read more...] about What Is the Stock Market? How It Works & How to Invest in It

The 4 Best Investing Apps for Beginners (2021 Review)

Last Updated: January 7, 2021 2 Comments – 9 min. read

mobile app

Recent technological advances in the investing world have resulted in new mobile apps that make it easier than ever before to get in the market and start saving for retirement. In this post we'll look at the best investing apps for beginners for . In a hurry? Here's the list: M1 FinanceSchwabAcornsWebull Introduction - Features of the Best Investing … [Read more...] about The 4 Best Investing Apps for Beginners (2021 Review)

How To Invest in an Index Fund – The Best Index Funds of 2021

Last Updated: January 2, 2021 No Comments – 9 min. read

Index investing is a simple yet powerful approach to consistent investment portfolio growth. Here we'll explore what index funds are, their benefits, how they work, how to invest in them, and some of the best index funds to choose. What Is an Index Fund? An index fund, as the name implies, is simply an investment product designed to track a particular index in the … [Read more...] about How To Invest in an Index Fund – The Best Index Funds of 2021

The 5 Best Stock Brokers Online for Investing (2021 Review)

Last Updated: January 2, 2021 No Comments – 7 min. read

investing

The recent race to zero for fees and trade commissions from online stock brokers has made investing cheaper and more accessible than ever before. This has caused the brokerage landscape to change drastically over the last few years. Here we'll look at the 5 best stock brokers online for investing. In a hurry? Here's the list: M1 FinanceSchwabFidelityInteractive … [Read more...] about The 5 Best Stock Brokers Online for Investing (2021 Review)

Portfolio Asset Allocation by Age – Beginners to Retirees

Last Updated: January 12, 2021 No Comments – 8 min. read

asset allocation by age chart graph

Asset allocation refers to the ratio among different asset types in one's investment portfolio. Here we'll look at how to set one's portfolio asset allocation by age and risk tolerance, from young beginners to retirees, including calculations and examples. Prefer video? Watch it here. In a hurry? Here are the highlights: Asset allocation refers to how different … [Read more...] about Portfolio Asset Allocation by Age – Beginners to Retirees

How to Invest in the S&P 500 Index – 3 of the Best ETFs

Last Updated: November 22, 2020 2 Comments – 3 min. read

Warren Buffett has advised DIY retail investors to simply buy a low-cost S&P 500 index fund and sit back and relax. Here we'll look at how to invest in the S&P 500 index with the best S&P 500 index funds. Introduction - What is the S&P 500 Index? The S&P 500 index, the modern shorthand name of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index, is simply a … [Read more...] about How to Invest in the S&P 500 Index – 3 of the Best ETFs

The 9 Best Index Funds for Young Investors (4 From Vanguard)

Last Updated: November 22, 2020 No Comments – 4 min. read

Get your portfolio off the ground on the right foot at a young age with passive, buy-and-hold index investing. Here we'll look at 9 of the best index funds for young investors. In a hurry? Here's the list: VOO - Vanguard S&P 500 ETFITOT - iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETFVT - Vanguard Total World Stock ETFIXUS - iShares Core MSCI Total … [Read more...] about The 9 Best Index Funds for Young Investors (4 From Vanguard)

The 6 Best Index Funds for Beginners for Long-Term Growth

Last Updated: September 16, 2020 No Comments – 4 min. read

Investing in the stock market can appear daunting, but it doesn't have to be. Technology and modern online brokers have made it easier, cheaper, and faster now more than ever for DIY investors to create a simple and effective portfolio. Index funds allow you to make an initial investment and then sit back, relax, and watch your portfolio grow. Here we'll look at the best index … [Read more...] about The 6 Best Index Funds for Beginners for Long-Term Growth

Treasury Bonds vs. Corporate Bonds – The Showdown

Last Updated: December 12, 2020 No Comments – 4 min. read

treasury bonds vs corporate bonds

Bonds are usually held in a portfolio with equities to reduce volatility and to offer downside protection against black swan events. Let's dive right into comparing treasury bonds vs. corporate bonds. Prefer video? Watch it here. In a hurry? Here are the highlights: Corporate bonds are more volatile than treasury bonds.Interest from treasury bonds is exempt from … [Read more...] about Treasury Bonds vs. Corporate Bonds – The Showdown

Lazy Portfolios and Their ETF Pies for M1 Finance

Last Updated: December 5, 2020 8 Comments – 2 min. read

lazy portfolios

The term "lazy portfolio" refers to a portfolio designed to perform well in most market conditions, that can be held for an extended period without changing the asset allocation leading up to retirement. Popular examples are the traditional 60/40 Portfolio and the Bogleheads 3 Fund Portfolio. Lazy portfolios are usually simple, diversified collections of low-cost index … [Read more...] about Lazy Portfolios and Their ETF Pies for M1 Finance

How to Invest Your HSA (Health Savings Account)

Last Updated: December 14, 2020 No Comments – 6 min. read

coins

A Health Savings Account (HSA) is an extremely powerful vehicle for both investing and paying for medical expenses, but a common question is how exactly to invest inside it. Here we'll explore the the properties, benefits, and investment options of an HSA. In a hurry? Here are the highlights: An HSA is a tax-advantaged account used to pay medical expenses and/or to … [Read more...] about How to Invest Your HSA (Health Savings Account)

8 Reasons Why I’m Not a Dividend Income Investor

Last Updated: December 8, 2020 15 Comments – 15 min. read

stock chart

This post largely originated after seeing all the misinformation surrounding dividends floating around Reddit and YouTube recently. Most users on the M1 Finance subreddit, for example, seem to be very pro-dividend, almost unwaveringly so and nearly cult-like, so I’m a little afraid to even open this can of worms for fear of being pitchforked. It’s scary how much cavalierness, … [Read more...] about 8 Reasons Why I’m Not a Dividend Income Investor

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Most Popular

Ray Dalio All Weather Portfolio Review, ETF’s, & Leverage

Riding the HEDGEFUNDIE Adventure (UPRO/TMF) on M1 Finance

Golden Butterfly Portfolio Review and M1 Finance ETF Pie

Harry Browne Permanent Portfolio Review, ETFs, & Leverage

Treasury Bonds vs. Corporate Bonds – The Showdown

VIG vs. VYM – Comparing Vanguard’s 2 Popular Dividend ETFs

The 60/40 Portfolio Review and ETF Pie for M1 Finance

Bogleheads 3 Fund Portfolio Review and Vanguard ETFs To Use

The Best M1 Finance Dividend Pie for FIRE & Income Investors

Portfolio Asset Allocation by Age – Beginners to Retirees

The 5 Best Stock Brokers Online for Investing (2021 Review)

The 4 Best Investing Apps for Beginners (2021 Review)

The 7 Best Small Cap Value ETFs (3 From Vanguard)

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