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Investing

Best online brokers and trading platforms

Best online brokers and trading platforms for August 2024

Investing in stocks is one of the best ways to grow your investment portfolio and stay ahead of inflation. To do that, you’ll need one of the best online brokers and trading platforms.

Best places to retire in the US in 2024

How to invest $50,000

How to invest $50,000

How to invest in gold

How to invest in gold

401(k) loans: Should you borrow before you retire?

How to cash a savings bond

​​U.S. savings bonds are easy to buy, but redeeming the bonds is anything but simple. Here’s how to cash a savings bond.
What is wealth management?

Wealth management: What it is and why you might want it

Wealth management can help investors achieve their long-term financial goals. Read on for the pros, cons and whether it makes sense for you.

Combining 401(k) accounts: What you need to know

Combining 401(k) accounts in a new 401(k) or IRA has multiple advantages. We’ll walk you through the process so you avoid tax consequences.
What are a bonds and how do they work?

What are a bonds and how do they work?

What are bonds, and how do they work? Knowing what a bond is and how it works will help get a better idea of why you should include them in your investment portfolio.
retired couple

What is the average retirement age?

Are you wondering what the average retirement age is? It varies based on money, health, and lifestyle. We share stats, tips and advice to help you reach your goals.

It's time to revisit your retirement planning checklist

A successful retirement doesn’t happen by chance — it takes planning and saving over the course of your working life.
investing review

Yieldstreet review 2024: Alternative investments online

Yieldstreet is an online investment platform providing investments in alternative assets. That includes art, short-term notes, private credit, crypto and more.
When to rebalance your portfolio

When to rebalance your portfolio

Portfolio rebalancing is critical in maintaining your portfolio’s target asset allocation. Studies have deemed asset allocation to be the single most important factor in portfolio returns, so maintaining your target asset allocation via rebalancing is key.
Stocks vs bonds

Bonds vs. stocks: What you need to know

Bonds versus stocks implies a competition between these two types of investments. This may be true sometimes, but the strengths of one can offset the weaknesses of the other, which is why it’s important to include both in your investment portfolio.
Young girl counts money made from lemonade

Best investments for beginners: Effective ways to grow your money

The best ways to invest money if you’re a beginner include high-yield savings accounts, CDs and workplace retirement plans.

What are the best dividend stocks?

Dividend stocks offer a combination of steady income and capital appreciation. They can be an excellent choice in a retirement portfolio, and dividends make the stocks less volatile. Here’s how to invest in dividend stocks.

How to invest money: The basics to get started

Investing money takes planning and an understanding of your own goals and risk tolerance. You will also want to understand the various investment vehicles available to you to decide what works best for you.

The best short term investments while interest rates remain high

Short-term investments can help you earn a little more yield on money that you want to access in a relatively short period of time.

Asset classes explained: Stocks, bonds, real estate and crypto:

Asset classes are categories of similar types of investments, such as equities, fixed-income, cash equivalent, or alternative investments. Each is regulated differently and carries a different level of risk.
passive income ideas

Passive income ideas: From annuities to real estate and everything in between

Passive income streams can take the form of an investment account or an added income stream attached to your primary job or a side hustle. These income streams can be a valuable addition to your regular income.
How to trade stock options

How to trade stock options

Stock options offer exposure to a stock's upside potential for a fraction of the cost of buying the shares outright. Here’s how to trade them.

401(k) rollover to an IRA

Converting money in a 401(k) to an IRA when leaving your job is an excellent way to preserve the tax-advantaged status of this money.
When will interest rates drop?

When will interest rates drop?

The Fed is expected to lower interest rates in 2024, but no one knows when or by how much. In the meantime, investors should look to CDs, savings accounts and bonds to provide a return.

IRA vs. 401(k): What’s the difference?

IRAs and 401(k)s are both retirement accounts that offer tax benefits. IRAs are available to almost anyone while 401(k)s come from employers.
Capital gains tax rates

Capital gains tax rates: The basics you need to know

Capital gains are the result of selling investments and other assets for more than you paid for them. The tax you owe depends on how long you’ve held the asset.
401k max contribution

What is the maximum contribution to your 401k in 2024?

The 401(k) contribution limit for 2024 is $23,000. Here's what you need to know about that maximum, employer matches and how much you should contribute.
margin account

What is a margin account?

A margin account is a type of brokerage account that allows investors to buy desired securities on credit.

Top financial advisory firms for August 2024

If you don’t have the time or expertise to manage your finances, you can find an advisor through one of the top financial advisory firms.

What is an index fund and how does it work?

Index funds hold securities according to an index that tracks the securities, like the S&P 500 or the Nasdaq. Index funds are a way for investors to participate in broad or specific markets at very low cost, and are lower risk than individual stocks.
exchange-traded funds

What are exchange-traded funds (ETFs)?

Exchange-traded funds, also known as ETFs, are baskets of securities you can buy and sell through your broker's trading platform or mobile app.
how to invest $100K

Best ways to invest $100K in August 2024

You can invest $100K in a variety of ways, but it’s important to consider your financial needs to make the best use of the money.

How to invest in dividend stocks

Dividends are payouts to shareholders that can give any portfolio a boost. Read our guide on how dividends are taxed, how to choose dividend stocks and more.
man investing in the stock market

How to invest in stocks

Investing in stocks is a great way to build wealth. Before getting started it’s important to do your homework upfront.
the best place to open a Roth IRA account

What is the best place to open a Roth IRA account in August 2024?

Here is the best place to open a Roth IRA account in 2024, plus no fewer than eight runners-up in case you don’t agree with our choice. You can choose the best match for your investment style and preferences.
M1 Finance review

M1 Finance review: A top-notch self-directed investing platform for all investors

If you like choosing your own investment securities, but don’t want to manage them, M1 Finance can help.
Backdoor Roth IRAs: A complete guide

Backdoor Roth IRAs: A complete guide

If your income is too high to contribute to a Roth IRA, you can use a backdoor Roth IRA to convert a traditional IRA into a Roth. Here's how it works.
Best roboadvisors

Best roboadvisors for August 2024

Choosing investments and managing your portfolio can feel like a heavy lift when you’re doing it on your own. That’s where roboadvisors can help.
Masterworks investing review

Masterworks investing review: A novel way to invest in art

If you’ve been looking for a true alternative asset to invest in – one that isn’t correlated with the financial markets – art has great potential. Masterworks specializes in fine art investments. Learn how to invest in the platform here.
What are dividends?

What are dividends?

Dividend stocks provide shareholders with payouts for retaining their shares. Here’s how dividends work.
J.P. Morgan Chase sign

J.P. Morgan Investing review 2024: Self-directed investing with the world's largest bank

If you are a Chase Bank customer, you may be interested to know you can invest where you bank through J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing.
Public review

Public review: An AI-powered investing app with community features

Public offers community participation with other investors on the platform, AI-driven security analysis and investing in alternative assets, like crypto and royalties.
what is 401k

What is a 401(k) and how does it work?

A 401(k) is an employer-sponsored defined contribution retirement plan that allows employees to save and invest for their retirement.

What to do when the stock market crashes

Long-term strategies can help mitigate the impact of a crash, and short-term strategies can make lemonade out of lemons.

What determines a stock's price?

Stock prices are constantly changing, and there are many factors that contribute to the ups and downs, from inflation to company decisions. Here’s what you need to know about share prices.
what is an IRA

What is an IRA?

IRA stands for individual retirement account. IRAs are tax-advantaged accounts that allow investors to save and invest for their retirement.

What is a REIT?

For investors who want to know what a REIT is, we explain what they are, the different types of REITs, how they work, how they're taxed, the pros and cons, and how to buy them.

What happens when the Fed raises interest rates?

When the Fed increased interest rates it had a ripple effect throughout the economy. Consumers are still dealing with this shift, and savers can still benefit.
What are mutual funds?

Guide to mutual funds: What are they and how do they work?

Mutual funds pool investor’s money together and invest in stocks, bonds or cash based on the fund’s objective. Mutual funds offer professional management for investors.
SEP IRA vs Solo 401(k)

SEP IRA vs Solo 401(k): How to choose the one for you

Both SEP-IRAs and solo 401(k)s are solid choices as retirement plans for the self-employed and for entrepreneurs. There are differences between the two types of plans to be aware of.
Roth 403(b) plan guide

Roth 403(b) plan guide

A Roth 403(b) is an option in many 403(b) plans. Roth 403(b)s are similar to a Roth 401(k) in many respects, but there are differences to be aware of.
investing in real estate

How to invest in real estate

There are many ways for investors to learn how to invest in real estate depending on how much they have to invest and how involved they want to be.

How to invest in a rising interest rate environment

Periods of rising interest rates can impact different types of investments in various ways. Investors need to understand the impact of rising rates on their portfolio.
 What is tax-loss harvesting?

What is tax-loss harvesting?

Tax-loss harvesting refers to using tax losses on investments held in a taxable investment account to offset gains or other income. It’s particular useful when you are rebalancing your portfolio.
Short selling a stock

Short selling a stock: The basics for new investors

Short sellers make money by making a calculated bet that the price of a stock or another security will fall. Short selling is a potentially costly, high-risk investment gamble.

What is a Roth IRA and how does it work?

A Roth IRA is a type of IRA where contributions are made after-tax and money can be withdrawn tax-free if certain conditions are met.

Spot bitcoin ETFs: How do they work?

Spot bitcoin ETFs let investors gain exposure to the price of bitcoin without owning the asset directly.
What is a put option?

What is a put option?

A put option is a contract giving an investor the right to sell a security for a profit in the event the security drops in price during a specified window of time. Learn more about put options and how they work here.
TradeStation investing review

TradeStation investing review 2024

If you’re an advanced trader, participating in either active trading or options trading, TradeStation should be on your short list of brokers.

What is the rule of 72?

The rule of 72 is a way to estimate how long it will take an investment to double in value based on an interest rate or rate of return. There are several variations of this rule and it can be a handy way of quickly estimating returns.
Empower review

Empower review 2024: Full service financial advice

Empower has robust free budgeting and planning tools, but its robo-adviser and advisor services have high minimums, and some of the management fees can be high.

Traditional IRA vs. Roth IRA

Traditional and Roth IRAs offer different methods of saving for retirement, most notably how withdrawals are taxed.
Acorns Investing review

Acorns investing review 2024: Start small and grow mighty

Acorns is an investment and banking app that makes managing your money easy for a small monthly fee. Learn more about Acorns here.
What is a stop-loss order?

What is a stop-loss order?

A stop-loss order is an investment tool used to limit downside risk in stock positions. Here’s how you can use it to better manage risk in your portfolio.
What is a call option?

What is a call option?

A call option is a financial contract that gives the holder of the contract the right to buy an asset at a specified price within a specific timeframe.
young male checking the stock market

How does the stock market work?

Stock market investing is a proven path to increasing your wealth. However, many investors are unsure of how the stock market works or how to get started.
What is an accredited investor?

What is an accredited investor?

What is an accredited investor? Learn what it means, what you have to do to qualify as one, what companies look to hire them, and the pros and cons of being an accredited investor.
What is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP)?

What is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP)?

Looking for a trustworthy and ethical financial planner without a conflict of interest? Here’s a look at what a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) is and what they do.
What is a limit order?

What is a limit order?

Rather than watch trade prices fluctuate, a limit order can help you buy or sell at specific prices. Here’s a look at what is a limit order and how to use them.
maximum Social security retirement benefit

What is the maximum social security retirement benefit?

Social Security benefits are a key retirement income source for most workers. Be sure that you understand how your benefit is calculated in order to take steps to maximize it.