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Learn how to save, invest, and grow your money
We break down money topics into simple, easy-to-read guides anyone can follow—no jargon, just practical advice.
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Gold vs. Silver: Which Precious Metal is Right for Your Portfolio?
Both gold and silver have been valued for thousands of years and are popular investments today. But if you’re a beginner, you might...
jamie Budd
2 days ago9 min read
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Investing Basics: Stocks, Bonds, and Index Funds Made Simple
Introduction Investing is a way of using your money to make more money ov er time. Instead of just keeping cash in a piggy bank or basic...
jamie Budd
3 days ago10 min read
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First-Things-First: Emergency Fund Guide
What is an Emergency Fund? An emergency fund is a cash reserve set aside for life’s unexpected curveballs—things like car repairs,...
jamie Budd
4 days ago4 min read
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DIY Portfolio Builder + ETF Deep-Dive
Investing can feel daunting, but exchange-traded funds (ETFs) offer a beginner-friendly way to build a diversified portfolio. This guide...
jamie Budd
4 days ago3 min read
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The 3-Fund Index Portfolio: A Simple, Hands-Off Investing Strategy
Want to invest smarter but don’t want to spend hours picking stocks or tracking the market? You’re not alone. The good news: you don’t...
jamie Budd
4 days ago4 min read
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Quick-Start 401(k) Checklist
Starting a 401(k) doesn’t have to be complicated. Think of it as a simple game plan for your financial future. This quick-start guide...
jamie Budd
4 days ago7 min read
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First-Things-First: Emergency Fund Guide
What is an Emergency Fund? An emergency fund is a cash reserve set aside for life’s unexpected curveballs. In simple terms, it’s money...
jamie Budd
4 days ago4 min read
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401(k) Plans Made Simple: How They Work and How to Get Your Employer Match
Are you starting a new job or hearing about retirement plans for the first time? The term 401(k) might sound like secret code. Don't...
jamie Budd
May 126 min read
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Gold & Silver Investing 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Precious Metals.
Gold and Silver Are Timeless Treasures: Gold and silver are shiny metals that people have treasured for a very long time. In fact, they...
jamie Budd
May 89 min read
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Budgeting Mistakes to Avoid When You're in Debt (and How to Fix Them)
Being in debt can feel overwhelming and stressful. However, a good budget is your best tool to regain control over your finances. Many...
jamie Budd
May 56 min read
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Debt Snowball vs. Debt Avalanche: Which Debt Payoff Method Is Best for You?
Tackling multiple loans and credit cards at once can make debt repayment feel like scaling a daunting mountain. Before choosing a payoff...
jamie Budd
May 111 min read
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The 50/30/20 Rule and Other Budgeting Methods: Which One Is Right for You?
What Is Budgeting? Budgeting is a plan for how you spend your money—if you’re new to setting up a budget, start with our Budgeting 101:...
jamie Budd
Apr 289 min read
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Retirement Planning 101: Why You Should Start Saving Now
What Is Retirement? Planning for retirement might feel like a distant goal, but starting today can make all the difference. Before you...
jamie Budd
Apr 57 min read
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Investing 101: Terms and Concepts for Beginners
What is Investing? Investing is simply putting your money to work so it can help you reach big goals like retirement planning and making...
jamie Budd
Apr 57 min read
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Credit Scores 101: What They Are and Why They Matter
Introduction Have you ever heard adults talk about "credit scores"? These scores are very important when you grow up. In this blog post,...
jamie Budd
Apr 53 min read
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Good Debt vs. Bad Debt: Understanding the Difference
Debt is a part of life for many people, but not all debt is created equal. In fact, some debt can help you become richer over time,...
jamie Budd
Apr 23 min read
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Why Budgeting Is the Foundation of Financial Success
Budgeting is like a map for your money—it shows exactly where each dollar should go so you never get lost or wonder where it went. Though...
jamie Budd
Apr 25 min read
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Budgeting 101: How to Create Your First Budget
Budgeting is like making a plan for your money so you never run out. A budget is a simple chart or list that shows how much money you...
jamie Budd
Apr 26 min read
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