How to Invest
Passive Income Diary – May 2026: My First Cash‑Flow Rental Walk‑Through
I finally cracked the buy‑to‑rent formula and learned why the 1% rule isn’t the whole story.
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How to Invest News
Beginner-friendly personal finance guides — ETFs, index funds, retirement accounts, and passive income
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The How to Invest section breaks down personal finance and investing for beginners. From ETFs and index funds to Roth IRAs and dividend stocks, every article is written in plain English by Thomas — no jargon, no noise, just clear steps you can act on. Start here if you're new to investing or want to build a stronger financial foundation.
How to Invest
JEPQ: The ETF That Pays 10% a Year in Monthly Dividends — Is It Worth It?
Someone sent me an ISIN number and asked what I thought. JEPQ pays monthly, yields around 10%, and uses a strategy I had to sit with for a while before I understood it.
How to Invest
401(k) Explained: How to Actually Use Your Employer Retirement Plan
I was leaving free money on the table and didn't know it. Here's the 401(k) math that changed how I use my benefits — and why most people get this wrong.
How to Invest
The 3-Fund Portfolio: A Complete Beginner Investment Strategy
I went down the rabbit hole of complex strategies. Then I found something with three funds that beats most of them. Here's exactly how to build it.
How to Invest
What Is Compound Interest — and Why Starting at 25 Beats Starting at 35
The math convinced me. Same monthly amount. Three times the total contributions. The person who stopped at 35 still has more money at retirement.
How to Invest
Roth IRA vs Traditional IRA: Which Is Right for You?
I hit this debate within minutes of researching retirement accounts. Most of the discussion misses the point. Here's the honest version.
How to Invest
Dividend Investing Explained for Beginners
Getting paid just for owning stocks sounds too good. It's real — and I got some things wrong at first. Here's how dividends actually work.
How to Invest
What Is an ETF and How Do I Buy One?
I nodded along every time someone said 'ETF' without actually knowing what it meant. Here's what I found out — and why it changes everything.
How to Invest
How to Invest $1,000 as a Beginner: A Step-by-Step Guide
Day 1 of my investing journey. I had $1,000 and no idea what to do with it. Here's exactly what I did — and why it worked.