Beginning Investor Articles
July 2026
Key Characteristics of the Most Common Investment Scams
AAII Journal Article by Charles Rotblut, Cynthia McLaughlin, Christine N. Kieffer
Knowing how to identify a financial scam helps you keep your money and your personal information safe.
May 2026
What Financial Success Means to Gen Z
AAII Journal Article by Jenna Brashear
When sharing what you’ve learned with a new graduate, it’s important to find out what financial success means to them.
November 2025
Steadily Building Wealth Through Dollar-Cost Averaging and Value Averaging
AAII Journal Article by Cynthia McLaughlin
The discipline of investing regularly over extended periods regardless of market conditions can offer significant long-term benefits.
November 2025
The Easiest Way to Start Investing in an Uncertain Market
AAII Journal Article by Jenna Brashear
Now may be a good time to talk to younger family members about dollar-cost averaging.
September 2025
A Beginner’s Guide to Investing in Bonds
AAII Journal Article by Omar Beirat
Bonds can offer a reliable way to earn portfolio income, reduce the risk of losing money and build long-term financial stability.
June 2025
Time on Your Side: How Compounding Grows Small Amounts Into Big Wealth
AAII Journal Article by Cynthia McLaughlin
By understanding how compounding works, starting early, reinvesting earnings and staying consistent, you set yourself up for success.
May 2025
The Best Financial Advice You Can Give a New Grad
AAII Journal Article by Jenna Brashear
If you’ve gained valuable investing insights over the years, now is the perfect time to pass down your knowledge.
May 2025
Moving Your Retirement Savings: The Basics of Rollovers
AAII Journal Article by Tudor Pop
Understanding the rules of retirement account rollovers can help you steer clear of unnecessary taxes and penalties.
March 2025
Mind Over Money: Financial Awareness Drives Smarter Decisions
AAII Journal Article by Omar Beirat
Higher financial awareness levels lead to increased savings, lower credit card delinquency and improved retirement planning.
March 2025
Forget Luck, Invest Like a Pro
AAII Journal Article by Jenna Brashear
Instead of waiting for a four-leaf clover, it’s better to base your decisions on solid research and a long-term outlook.
November 2024
A Beginner’s Guide to Goal-Based Investing
AAII Journal Article by Omar Beirat
Setting clear investing goals is the foundation of any successful financial plan.
September 2024
How to Start Saving for Retirement
AAII Journal Article by Anine Sus
Retirement will likely be your longest-term financial goal—the earlier you begin thinking about retirement, the better off you will be.
July 2024
How to Address Debt Before Investing
AAII Journal Article by Anine Sus
How to build up your savings, pay down debt and eventually allocate money to investments.
July 2024
Beyond the Basics: Evaluating Stocks for Beginners
AAII Journal Article by Jenna Brashear
Discuss your opinions about financial metrics and strategies in the Beginner Investor or Stock Screening communities. What did you find useful and what was not as valuable as you initially thought?
May 2024
How to Outsmart Your Investing Decisions
AAII Journal Article by Anine Sus
The brain can have a hard time processing anything negative, but if you follow your rules-based investing strategy instead of your intuition, you will be rewarded over the long term.
April 2024
A One-Page Wealth-Building Plan for First-Time Homebuyers and Other Short-Term Goals
AAII Journal Article by Charles Rotblut
Saving for goals you want to reach within the next five years entails different risk considerations and allocation choices than long-term goals.
April 2024
Passing the Financial Torch: Start the Generational Dialogue
AAII Journal Article by Jenna Brashear
For National Financial Capability Month this April, AAII is all about bringing different generations together, from baby boomers to Generation Z.
March 2024
What to Consider Before Investing
AAII Journal Article by Anine Sus
The choices you make regarding how often you want to invest and what you want to invest in should all lead you to the same conclusion.
February 2024
From Novice to Knowledgeable Investor: Mastering the Basics
AAII Journal Article by Jenna Brashear
In response to the challenges faced by beginners, we launched a new online community called Beginner Investor dedicated to the basics.
January 2024
Asset Allocation Basics: How to Invest
AAII Journal Article by Anine Sus
Get started building your portfolio with tips on asset allocation and how to decide whether to invest in stocks, funds or bonds.
October 2023
How to Open a Brokerage Account
AAII Journal Article by Anine Sus
Fees, more than anything, will affect your long-term returns, so pay close attention to them when choosing your broker.
August 2023
Starting on the Road to Investing
AAII Journal Article by Anine Sus
Before you even consider investing, you need to make sure your financials are set up for investing success.
October 2020
Getting a Start With Dollar-Cost Averaging
AAII Journal Article by Charles Rotblut
Dollar-cost averaging and value averaging allow investors to ease into the market over time, which reduces timing risk.
November 2015
Defining Your Investment Philosophy
AAII Journal Article by Ben Carlson
An investment philosophy can help you make better decisions. Ten questions for defining your own personal philosophy.
October 2014
The Many Ways to Place a Buy or Sell Order
AAII Journal Article by Jaclyn N. McClellan
Whether you instruct your broker to go long or short, use a market or limit order, or employ a stop all impacts how your orders are filled.
July 2014
The Tax Consequences of Investing
AAII Journal Article by Charles Rotblut
Some investment actions cost you money; others reduce out-of-pocket expenditures.
January 2014
Determining How Much to Allocate to Each Investment
AAII Journal Article by Charles Rotblut
Allocate by the percentage of portfolio dollars, not by the number of shares.
September 2013
Debunking Stock Investing Myths
AAII Journal Article by Charles Rotblut
Avoiding these seven myths can make a substantial difference in your wealth.
December 2012
Choosing Between Bonds and Bond Funds
AAII Journal Article by Charles Rotblut
Deciding whether to invest directly in individual bonds or to use bond funds involves considering many factors, including the desire for simplicity or a predictable return.
October 2012
Setting Up and Managing Your 401(k)
AAII Journal Article by Charles Rotblut
Basic guidelines and strategies for setting up and effectively managing your 401(k) retirement plan.
January 2012
Managing Your Portfolio in Difficult Markets
AAII Journal Article by Charles Rotblut
Strategies to keep you focused on the long term in the face of tough market conditions.
October 2011
What to Watch in Your Portfolio
AAII Journal Article by Charles Rotblut
Developments that impact the long-term attractiveness of an investment are more important to monitor than merely performance alone.
June 2011
How Much Money Do You Need to Start Investing?
AAII Journal Article by Charles Rotblut
How much money you need in order to invest in stocks and other types of securities for an initial investment to fund your future goals.
April 2011
Brokerage Accounts: Where to Open One?
AAII Journal Article by Charles Rotblut
Determine what services you will need before choosing a brokerage firm.
December 2010
Active Versus Passive: Which Do You Choose?
AAII Journal Article by Charles Rotblut
Active management provides more control, but passive management reduces expenses.
September 2010
Investment Vehicle Attributes
AAII Journal Article by Charles Rotblut
Learn the characteristics of the most commonly used investment vehicles.
July 2010
Asset Classes Defined
AAII Journal Article by Charles Rotblut
The unique characteristics of each asset class lower risk when combined in a portfolio.
June 2010
The Benefits of Modern Portfolio Theory
AAII Journal Article by Charles Rotblut
It is possible to both lower risk and generate higher returns at the same time.
May 2010
The Basics of Portfolio Allocation
AAII Journal Article by Charles Rotblut
Learn what an asset class is and get some simple allocation strategies.
April 2010
Beginning Investor: How to Start
AAII Journal Article by Charles Rotblut
If you are brand new to investing, the question you are probably asking yourself is: “What should I do first?”