How do investment fees affect your returns over time?
Fees come out of your balance every year, whether the investment rises or falls. Here is how the SEC's own example turns a 0.75-point fee gap into almost $30,000.
Read the noteThe notes, page 5
Notes No. 041–048, in reading order.
Market order vs limit order: which one controls what you pay?
A market order trades now at whatever price is available. A limit order trades only at your price or better — if at all. Here is how to choose.
Read the noteHow do you read a fund prospectus without getting lost?
Fund prospectuses follow the same order every time. Read the first few pages in sequence — objective, fees, cost example, strategy, risks, performance — and you have most of what matters.
Read the noteBond funds vs individual bonds: which way of owning bonds fits you?
A single bond has a maturity date and a known payback; a bond fund promises neither, but spreads risk across many issuers. Here is how the two compare on cost, risk and control.
Read the noteWhat are volatility and drawdowns, and why do they matter to investors?
Volatility is how much an investment's returns bounce around. A drawdown is how far it falls from its last high. Here is how each is measured, and why a big fall needs an even bigger gain to recover.
Read the noteHow do you read financial news without letting it steer your money?
Headlines are written to grab attention, not to fit your plan. A few habits — converting points to percent, finding the original source and spotting promotion — keep the news in proportion.
Read the noteWhat is earnings season, and how should a beginner read it?
Four times a year, most U.S. public companies report their results within a few weeks of each other. Here is what they publish, the SEC deadlines behind it, and how to read the numbers calmly.
Read the noteWhat is a spot bitcoin ETF, and how is it different from owning bitcoin?
Spot bitcoin ETFs let you get bitcoin price exposure through a brokerage account. They remove some wallet risks, add a yearly fee and keep all of bitcoin's volatility.
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