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Optimized Portfolio

Investing and Personal Finance

  • Start Here
  • Investing 101
    • Beginners Start Here – 10 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
    • Portfolio Asset Allocation by Age
    • How To Invest Your Emergency Fund
    • Portfolio Diversification – How To Diversify Your Portfolio
    • Dollar Cost Averaging vs. Lump Sum Investing (DCA vs. LSI)
    • How To Invest Your HSA (Health Savings Account)
    • Factor Investing and Factor ETFs – The Ultimate Guide
    • more…
  • Lazy Portfolios
    • All Weather Portfolio
    • Bogleheads 3 Fund Portfolio
    • HEDGEFUNDIE’s Excellent Adventure
    • Warren Buffett Portfolio
    • Golden Butterfly Portfolio
    • Paul Merriman Ultimate Buy and Hold Portfolio
    • Ben Felix Model Portfolio
    • Permanent Portfolio
    • David Swensen Portfolio
    • 60/40 Portfolio
    • more…
  • Funds
    • VOO vs. VTI – Vanguard S&P 500 or Total Stock Market ETF?
    • The 7 Best International ETFs
    • The 8 Best Small Cap ETFs (4 From Vanguard)
    • The 5 Best REIT ETFs
    • The 5 Best EV ETFs – Electric Vehicles ETFs
    • VIG vs. VYM – Comparing Vanguard’s 2 Popular Dividend ETF’s
    • The Best Vanguard Dividend Funds – 4 Popular ETFs
    • The 5 Best Tech ETFs
    • The 7 Best Small Cap Value ETFs
    • The 6 Best ETFs for Taxable Accounts
    • The 5 Best Emerging Markets ETFs (1 From Vanguard) for 2023
    • more…
  • 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
    • NTSX – Review and Summary
    • TQQQ – Is It A Good Investment?
    • PSLDX – A Review
    • SWAN – A Review
    • RPAR Risk Parity ETF Review
    • more…
  • 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
    • QYLD – A Harsh Review
    • more…
  • Brokers
    • The 5 Best Stock Brokers
    • The 4 Best Investing Apps
    • M1 Finance Review
    • Brokers with the Lowest Margin Rates
    • M1 Finance vs. Fidelity
    • M1 Finance vs. Vanguard
    • Webull vs. Robinhood
    • Stash vs. Robinhood
    • M1 Borrow Review (How M1’s Margin Loan Works)
    • more…
  • Retirement
    • The 10 Best ETFs for Retirement Portfolios in 2023
    • The 4% Rule for Retirement Withdrawal Rate – A Revisitation
    • Sequence of Return Risk in Retirement Explained
    • Traditional IRA Explained
    • Roth IRA Explained
    • 401k vs. Roth IRA
    • Roth IRA vs. Traditional IRA
    • Backdoor Roth IRA Explained
    • more…
  • My Toolbox
    • Calculators

Investing 101

VEA vs. VWO vs. VXUS – Which Vanguard International ETF?

Last Updated: April 13, 2026 12 Comments – 7 min. read

international stocks performance

Three of the most popular Vanguard international ETFs are VWO, VEA, and VXUS. Is there one that reigns supreme to hold alongside U.S. stocks? Video Prefer video? Watch it here: Intro - Diversifying with International Stocks Before we get into the specifics of VEA, VWO, and VXUS, let's briefly discuss the general idea of international diversification for … [Read more...] about VEA vs. VWO vs. VXUS – Which Vanguard International ETF?

The 3 Best Commodities ETFs To Invest in Commodities in 2026

Last Updated: May 16, 2022 2 Comments – 4 min. read

oil

Commodities offer a diversification benefit in a long-term investment portfolio. Here we look at how to invest in commodities broadly with the best commodities ETFs. Video Prefer video? Watch it here: Introduction - Why Commodities ETFs? Commodities - metals, energy, livestock, and agriculture - offer what's called an uncorrelation to the stock market, … [Read more...] about The 3 Best Commodities ETFs To Invest in Commodities in 2026

Should You Avoid State-Owned Enterprises in Your Portfolio?

Last Updated: March 22, 2022 5 Comments – 5 min. read

soe vs non-soe returns

State-owned enterprises typically have inherently lower operating efficiency due to compromised business interests. It may be prudent to avoid them in your international portfolio. Here we'll see what the data has to say. What Are State-Owned Enterprises? State-owned enterprises, or SOEs, refer to companies with at least partial government ownership. The … [Read more...] about Should You Avoid State-Owned Enterprises in Your Portfolio?

Sequence of Return Risk in Retirement Explained

Last Updated: July 19, 2024 9 Comments – 7 min. read

sequence of returns graph

Sequence of return risk may very well ruin your financial retirement plans, and all from sheer bad luck. Here we’ll look at the nature and implications of sequence of return risk in retirement, and some proposed solutions to at least mitigate its potential negative impact. What Is Sequence of Return Risk? Sequence of return refers to the variability of … [Read more...] about Sequence of Return Risk in Retirement Explained

Factor Investing and Factor ETFs – The Ultimate Guide

Last Updated: January 29, 2023 22 Comments – 22 min. read

fama french factors historical performance

Factor investing refers to specifically targeting independent risk factors in securities markets that explain the differences in returns between diversified portfolios. Here we'll look at what factor investing is, various factor models from the research, and how to do it using factor ETFs. What Is Factor Investing? Factor investing means targeting specific drivers … [Read more...] about Factor Investing and Factor ETFs – The Ultimate Guide

ESG Investing – Going Socially Responsible in Your Portfolio

Last Updated: March 22, 2022 No Comments – 5 min. read

esg

Interest in ESG investment products has skyrocketed in recent years, particularly among young investors. Let's explore what ESG investing is, why you might be interested in it, and how to implement it in your portfolio. What Is ESG Investing? ESG investing - also referred to as socially responsible investing, sustainable investing, and impact investing - means … [Read more...] about ESG Investing – Going Socially Responsible in Your Portfolio

Day Trading vs. Investing in Stocks – Which Is Better?

Last Updated: March 22, 2022 3 Comments – 7 min. read

stock market trading

Day trading and investing involve very different audiences, time horizons, trade frequencies, risk profiles, mindsets, tactics, and methodologies. Here we'll explore the differences and similarities between day trading and investing. What Is Day Trading? Day trading, as the name suggests, refers to attempting to capitalize on intraday changes in the share price of … [Read more...] about Day Trading vs. Investing in Stocks – Which Is Better?

Why Automated Investing Is More Powerful Than You Think

Last Updated: January 16, 2023 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

Why and How To Invest in Gold for Beginners

Last Updated: March 22, 2022 2 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 – 10 Steps To Start Building Wealth

Last Updated: August 18, 2023 21 Comments – 6 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 – 10 Steps To Start Building Wealth

What Is a Leveraged ETF and How Do They Work?

Last Updated: March 22, 2022 16 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: March 11, 2026 88 Comments – 9 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 and inflation. Introduction - Why Invest Your Emergency Fund? An emergency … [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: March 22, 2022 2 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: January 16, 2023 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: What Is a Stock? A stock … [Read more...] about What Is the Stock Market? How It Works & How to Invest in It

The 4 Best Investing Apps for Beginners (2026 Review)

Last Updated: October 19, 2023 6 Comments – 10 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: Introduction - Features of the Best Investing Apps Not long ago, investors had to … [Read more...] about The 4 Best Investing Apps for Beginners (2026 Review)

The Best Index Funds for 2026 for the Passive Investor

Last Updated: January 21, 2023 3 Comments – 12 min. read

sector diversification

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 for . 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 The Best Index Funds for 2026 for the Passive Investor

The 5 Best Stock Brokers Online for Investing (2026 Review)

Last Updated: April 4, 2023 6 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 (2026 Review)

Portfolio Asset Allocation by Age – Beginners To Retirees

Last Updated: November 29, 2025 24 Comments – 19 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. In a hurry? Here are the highlights: Asset Allocation Video Prefer video? Watch it here: What … [Read more...] about Portfolio Asset Allocation by Age – Beginners To Retirees

VOO vs. SPY vs. IVV – The 3 Best S&P 500 ETFs (2026)

Last Updated: June 14, 2022 11 Comments – 3 min. read

s&p 500 returns

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 3 best S&P 500 ETFs - VOO, IVV, and SPY - and why you might want one over the others for . Video Prefer video? Watch it here: Introduction - What Is the S&P 500 … [Read more...] about VOO vs. SPY vs. IVV – The 3 Best S&P 500 ETFs (2026)

13 Best Index Funds for Young Investors (6 From Vanguard)

Last Updated: March 22, 2022 3 Comments – 6 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 the best index funds for young investors for . 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 13 Best Index Funds for Young Investors (6 From Vanguard)

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John Williamson, APMA®

Analytical data nerd, investing enthusiast, fintech consultant, Boglehead, and Oxford comma advocate. I'm not a big fan of social media, but you can find me on Reddit. Read More…

Most Popular

Ray Dalio All Weather Portfolio Review, ETFs, & Leverage (2026)

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Golden Butterfly Portfolio Review, Performance, & ETFs (2026)

David Swensen Portfolio (Yale Model) Review and ETFs To Use

55 Lazy Portfolios and Their ETF Pies for M1 Finance (2026)

VIG vs. VYM – Vanguard’s 2 Popular Dividend ETFs (Review)

Warren Buffett ETF Portfolio (90/10 Rule) Review & ETFs

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The Best M1 Finance Dividend Pie for FIRE & Income Investors

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The 7 Best Small Cap ETFs (3 From Vanguard) for 2026

9 Best International ETFs To Buy (6 From Vanguard) in 2026

The 3 Best Inverse ETFs to Short the S&P 500 Index in 2026

Ben Felix Model Portfolio (Rational Reminder, PWL) ETFs & Review

NTSX ETF Review – WisdomTree U.S. Efficient Core ETF (90/60)

The Ginger Ale Portfolio (My Own Portfolio) and M1 ETF Pie

TQQQ – Is It A Good Investment for a Long Term Hold Strategy?

QYLD Review – Is This ETF a Good Long Term Investment?

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