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The beginner's money roadmap
Four steps, in order. Don't skip ahead — each step makes the next one easier and cheaper.
- 1
Build a simple budget
Match every dollar to a job. No spreadsheets required.
- 2
Start an emergency fund
Park 3–6 months of expenses in a high-yield savings account.
- 3
Kill high-interest debt
Avalanche or snowball — pick one and stick to it.
- 4
Start investing — boringly
Open a brokerage, buy one index fund, automate it.
All articles
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