| University of Chicago professor Harold Pollack said that the best personal finance advice can fit on a 3-by-5 index card. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Index_Card - Max your 401(k) or equivalent employee contribution. - Buy inexpensive, well-diversified mutual funds such as Vanguard Target 20xx funds. - Never buy or sell an individual security. The person on the other side of the table knows more than you do about this stuff. - Save 20% of your money. - Pay your credit card balance in full every month. - Maximize tax-advantaged savings vehicles like Roth, SEP and 529 accounts. - Pay attention to fees. Avoid actively managed funds. - Make financial advisors commit to the fiduciary standard. - Promote social insurance programs to help people when things go wrong. |