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