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Broker Articles

Articles about choosing the right brokerage for your situation.
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Recent Articles

A young adult tracks and trades stocks on a computer.
Oct. 1, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

The Best Online Brokerages of October 2026: No Account Minimums and $0 Trades

Opening an online brokerage account takes minutes. Compare top brokers on apps, tools, support, and fees to find the right fit for how you invest.
Professionally dressed man smiles as he looks at his cell phone.
Aug. 31, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

The Best Roth IRA Brokers for People Who Are Starting Late

I break down three brokers I'd trust with a late-start retirement account, plus how the catch-up window helps you close the gap faster.
Man uses laptop with what appears to be a chart on the screen while toddler stands nearby.
Aug. 27, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

I Opened an IRA at 32. Here's How Much It's Worth Now at 41

More than half of my retirement account balance is growth I never contributed. Here's what nine years of maxing an index fund did.
A pink piggy bank labeled Traditional IRA nose to nose with a blue piggy bank labeled Roth IRA with a roll of cash in between the two.
Aug. 22, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Is a Roth IRA or Traditional IRA Better for You in 2026? Here's How to Decide

The choice really hinges on whether your tax rate will be higher now or in retirement, plus your age, income, and how each account is taxed.
Man with glasses looking at laptop.
Aug. 20, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

The Biggest Reason I Chose a Roth IRA Has Nothing to Do With Taxes

The ability to pull your original contributions out penalty-free is an underrated perk that makes this retirement account easier to commit to.
Red and black labels reading Roth IRA on top of a dollar bill.
Aug. 19, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Here's How Much a Roth IRA Could Be Worth if You Start Maxing It at 30

Maxing out a Roth IRA in your 30s can build a seven-figure, tax-free retirement fund, thanks to decades of compound growth.
An upward trending graph with a small hourglass below it.
Aug. 18, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

30-Year T Bonds Jumped to 5.3%. Here's How to Buy Them Now

Long-term government bonds are paying more than they have in 19 years. Here's how to lock in a fixed rate -- the easy way and the direct way.
An envelope with Roth IRA written on it and $100 bills falling out.
Aug. 18, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Here's Why My Roth IRA Doubles as a Backup Emergency Fund

Contributions to a Roth retirement account can usually be withdrawn penalty-free, making it a surprisingly flexible savings tool.
Paperwork titled "IRA" next to pen, calculator, cash.
July 29, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Should You Roll Over Your 401(k) to an IRA?

Rolling a 401(k) into an IRA can mean lower fees and more investment choices, but a 401(k) offers protections worth weighing first.
Friends sitting outdoors eating sub sandwiches.
July 23, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Where to Buy Jersey Mike's IPO: 3 Best Brokers for JMKE Access

Jersey Mike's goes public July 30 on the NYSE under ticker JMKE. Here are three brokers where retail investors can register interest first.
A gold bull and bear figurines on stock market papers.
July 21, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

3 Best Brokers for Investing in the S&P 500

Fidelity, Charles Schwab, and SoFi® lead the pack for S&P 500 investors, with low fees, no commissions, and easy index fund access.
Man holding infant while using laptop and having a bowl of cereal and glass of milk.
July 15, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Is a Trump Account Worth It if Your Child Won't Get the Free $1,000?

Weighing a Trump Account's tax-advantaged head start against the flexibility of other custodial accounts for kids who miss the seed deposit.
Woman working on taxes while holding infant in her lap.
July 7, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Trump Accounts Just Launched. Can You Get a Free $1,000 for Your Child?

Trump Accounts are live as of July 4, 2026. Here's what they are, who gets the $1,000, and what to do if your kid doesn't qualify.
Couple excited, high-fiving.
July 1, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

My Wife and I Have $140,000 Each in Our Roth IRAs. Here's How

Maxing out a Roth IRA in 2026 takes around $625 a month. Here's how consistent contributions and index funds grew our balances into six figures.
Red and black labels reading Roth IRA on top of a dollar bill.
June 29, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Why I Chose a Roth IRA Over a Traditional One

I'd rather pay taxes on my retirement savings now than guess at a higher rate later. That's the core reason I picked Roth over traditional IRA.
A young man sits at his desk and looks over his investment accounts.
June 27, 2026 | By Ryan Wilcox

How to Invest in SpaceX Stock: A Step-by-Step Guide to Buying SPCX

Want to buy SpaceX stock? Here's a step-by-step guide to purchasing your first shares, plus how to find the right brokerage for you.
Person views laptop showing graph while relaxing by a pool.
June 14, 2026 | By Ryan Wilcox

5 Ways to Invest $1,000 Right Now

Have $1,000 to invest? Here are five smart ways to put it to work, from index funds to high-yield savings, that can earn you real money.
A rocket drawn in chalk with Ben Franklin's face from the hundred dollar bill on the front.
June 12, 2026 | By Ryan Wilcox

Best Brokers for SPCX Stock in June 2026

Want to take part in the largest IPO in stock market history? Here are three great places to grab a piece of SpaceX today.
Colorful letters spell out the word 401k next to a piggy bank
June 12, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Millennials Have an Average 401(k) Balance of $82,600. How Does Your Generation Stack Up?

Maxing out a 401(k) feels responsible, but a huge pretax balance can limit you later. See how a smarter mix of accounts adds flexibility.
Cracked egg in a nest labeled 401k.
June 11, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Here's the Average 401(k) Balance by Age vs. What You Actually Need

See how generational retirement savings stack up against expert benchmarks, plus simple moves to help you catch up at any age.
An adult analyzes a graph on their laptop in their home office.
June 8, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

I Didn't Open a Roth IRA Until 31. Here's What That Delay Really Cost

Opening a Roth IRA eight years earlier would have left me $280,000 richer today. Here are the current contribution limits and how to start now.
Two people sitting in a window at home and looking at the phone in one of their hands.
June 7, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

You Can Open a Brokerage Account in 10 Minutes. Here's How I Do It for Friends

Opening your first investment account takes less time than most people expect, with no minimum deposit and no monthly fees at most brokers.
Child standing on a rural road with a toy rocket ship strapped to his back
June 6, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Where to Buy the SpaceX IPO: 4 Best Brokers for SPCX Access

SpaceX goes public June 12 under the ticker SPCX. Here are four brokers where retail investors can register interest -- and what to know before you do.
Two young kids in suits and glasses hold handfuls of cash while looking excited.
May 29, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

The Trump Accounts App Just Launched. Here's How to Register Before the July 4 Rollout

The Trump Accounts app launched today. Here's how to download it, sign up your child, and who qualifies for the $1,000 Treasury contribution.
Man uses laptop while another person sits behind him on the couch.
May 28, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

I Have a 4.25% Mortgage and Enough Cash to Pay It Off. Here's Why I'm Keeping the Debt

Not all debt is bad debt. Here's how I think about a low fixed-rate mortgage versus keeping that money invested for the next 20 years.