Investing & Retirement Basics Articles

Long-Term Financial Goals: A Simple Roadmap for the Next 5–10+ Years

What counts as a long-term financial goal? A long-term goal is any major money milestone that typically takes 5+ years and influences big life decisions (where you live, what you drive, when you retire, how you support family). Examples often include: Paying down...
Read More

Retirement Plans: A Practical Overview of Your Options, Limits, and Key Rules

Tax-advantaged retirement plans and IRAs are designed to help you save for retirement while receiving specific tax benefits along the way. This guide summarizes the main plan types, annual limits, required withdrawals, and common “life event” situations like rollovers...
Read More

Portfolio Basics: How to Build an Investment Portfolio That Fits Your Life

An investment portfolio is the collection of investments you own—typically a mix of stocks, bonds, and cash/cash equivalents. The goal isn’t to “pick the perfect winner.” The goal is to build a mix that matches your timeline, your risk tolerance, and what the money is...
Read More

Asset Allocation: The Beginner’s Guide to Building a Balanced Portfolio

Asset allocation is the practice of dividing your money across different types of investments—most commonly stocks, bonds, and cash/cash equivalents. It matters because different asset types don’t usually move in perfect sync. By mixing them, you can reduce the impact...
Read More