SCHD
SCHD vs. VYM vs. DVY: The Dividend ETF Comparison That Actually Matters
SCHD yields 3.5% with dividend growth. VYM yields 2.9% with market-cap weighting. DVY yields 3.8% but has sector concentration issues.
Investing, personal finance, wealth building
An educational resource for people who want to invest wisely—without unnecessary complexity or “secret strategies.” The site breaks down the mechanics of investing: index funds, dividend-paying stocks, tax optimization, retirement accounts, and real estate as an investment vehicle.
dividend investing
How to Build a Dividend Portfolio That Pays You Every Month
Twelve stocks paying quarterly on staggered cycles produce monthly income. Or one ETF. Here's what the real yield looks like at a $100,000 portfolio.
401k rollover
Rolling Over an Old 401(k): Four Options, One Obvious Winner
Cash out. Leave it. Roll to new 401(k). Roll to IRA. Three of these are wrong for almost every person. The one that works almost always is usually the default nobody chooses.
401k loan
401(k) Loans: When They Make Sense (Rarely) and When They're a Disaster
You're borrowing your own money at 8.5% interest that you pay back to yourself. Sounds fine. Then you lose your job and the whole thing becomes due in 60 days.
Solo 401k
Solo 401(k) vs. SEP-IRA: The Self-Employed Retirement Decision
Both let you stash $70,000+ per year. The solo 401(k) wins for most, but the SEP-IRA wins for two specific situations that sneak up on side-hustlers.
target date funds
Target-Date Funds in Your 401(k): Convenience at a Cost
The 2055 fund is probably your default. It's also holding 15% bonds you don't need at 35, and charging 0.65% for the privilege. The math says rebuild it.
401k
The 401(k) Match: The Only Guaranteed Return in Investing
A 50% match on the first 6% is a 50% instant return. Nothing else comes close. Here's how to maximize it without screwing up your paycheck cash flow.
inherited IRA
Inherited IRAs After SECURE 2.0: The 10-Year Rule Trap
Non-spouse heirs must drain inherited IRAs in 10 years. Do it wrong and half goes to taxes in one year. The distribution strategy matters more than the investment choice.
Roth conversion
Roth Conversions in Your 50s: The Window Most Earners Miss
From age 55 through 70, most earners hit a rare tax window where converting traditional IRA money to Roth costs less than it ever will again.
mega backdoor
The Mega Backdoor Roth: $46,000 in After-Tax 401(k) Contributions
If your 401(k) plan allows after-tax contributions and in-plan Roth conversions, you can sock away $46,000 per year on top of the regular $23,500.
backdoor roth
The Backdoor Roth: A Step-by-Step Guide for Earners Above the Limit
The Roth phases out at $161,000 single. The backdoor is perfectly legal — and also very easy to mess up. Here's how to do it right.
Roth IRA
Roth IRA vs. Traditional IRA in 2026: Which One Wins at Your Income Level
The 2026 contribution limit is $7,000. Whether that goes Roth or Traditional depends on your marginal bracket today vs. retirement — with specific numbers.