Investing, explained with real numbers
Portfolio analysis, market history, and investing strategy — all backed by actual price data, not made-up assumptions. No ads. No paywalls.
What Would $10k in AAPL + MSFT Be Worth Today? (And in 20 Years?)
We ran the numbers on a 50/50 Apple + Microsoft portfolio started in 2005 with $500/month contributions. The result: $2.69 million — 4.9× more than the S&P 500 over the same period. Here's the full breakdown, the catch, and what the next 20 years might look like.
How to Start Investing With $100 (A Complete Beginner's Guide)
You don't need thousands to start. Step-by-step guide covering account types, ETFs vs stocks, dollar-cost averaging, and how $100/month can grow to $226k.
VOO vs VTI: Which S&P 500 / Total Market ETF Should You Pick?
Both are from Vanguard, both cost 0.03%. We compare holdings, 10-year returns, and when each makes more sense for your portfolio.
What Is Compound Interest? (And Why Starting Early Matters So Much)
$10,000 becomes $174,494 in 30 years without adding a dollar. How compound interest works, the Rule of 72, and why starting 10 years earlier gives you 3x more.
How to Build Your First Investment Portfolio (A Step-by-Step Guide)
Asset allocation by age, the three-fund Boglehead portfolio, account priority order, and how $200/mo becomes $452k in 30 years.
S&P 500 Historical Returns: Every Year Since 1926
~10.2% average annual return over nearly 100 years. Returns by decade, best and worst years, rolling return data, and what $10k grew to.
What Is Dollar-Cost Averaging? (And Does It Actually Work?)
DCA explained with real data. How $500/month grows to $1.1M, DCA vs lump sum comparison, and why it beats trying to time the market.
How Much Should I Invest Per Month? (A Realistic Guide by Income)
From the 50/30/20 rule to savings milestones by age. What $50–$2,000/month grows to over 30 years, with a priority checklist before you invest.
What Is an ETF? (And Why It's the Easiest Way to Start Investing)
ETFs explained simply. ETF vs stocks, ETF vs mutual funds, the best ETFs for beginners, and how to buy your first one in 15 minutes.
Portfolio Diversification: How to Reduce Risk Without Sacrificing Returns
100% stocks lost 56.8% in 2008. A 60/40 mix lost 34.9% and recovered 2.4 years faster. Three layers of diversification with simple 2–3 ETF strategies.
How to Survive a Market Crash as an Investor (With Real Numbers)
The 2008 crash wiped 56.8% off the S&P 500. We ran the numbers on investors who kept buying vs those who stopped — and simulated three major crashes on a modern portfolio.
What Happens If the Stock Market Crashes 50% Tomorrow?
Every major crash, its recovery timeline, and the 9.5× difference between investors who panic-sold vs kept buying through the bottom.
How Much Can You Lose Investing in the S&P 500? (Worst-Case Scenarios)
Worst years (-43.8%), worst decades, max drawdowns. Plus the one stat that matters: zero negative 20-year periods in history.
Inflation vs Your Portfolio: How 3% Per Year Quietly Destroys Your Returns
$1M becomes $412k in purchasing power over 30 years. Why cash is the riskiest “safe” asset and what actually protects your money.
How to Use the Portfolio Analytics Suite (Complete Walkthrough)
All 9 tabs explained: Monte Carlo, Sharpe ratio, Beta, max drawdown, correlation matrix, dividends, rebalancing, and the recommended review workflow.
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