nickelgains

Investing basics, without the jargon

Small amounts, a long time, and the patience to let them grow.

Calm, plain-English education about saving for retirement: employer matches, IRAs, index funds, fees and risk. No stock tips, no predictions, nothing to sell you.

See how saving can grow Compare account types

$300 a month, an assumed 6% a year

What you put in Assumed growth

An illustration, not a prediction. Real returns go up and down, and investments can lose money.

Start with the basics

CalculatorCompound growthRegular saving over time, in future and today's dollars. ComparedAccount types401(k), IRAs, HSAs and taxable accounts. ChecklistInvesting BasicsSixteen steps to start on solid ground.

15 plain-English investing guides

Before you invest

Retirement accounts

How investing works

Protect yourself

Free download, no email needed

The Retirement Starter Workbook

List your accounts, check your employer match, set a contribution rate, find the fees you're paying and plan a once-a-year check-up.

Get the free PDFSee the Investing Basics checklist

Coming soon

See your whole retirement picture in one place

Retirement Roadmap: an interactive planner that maps your accounts, contributions and employer match, and shows a year-by-year path you can adjust as life changes.

$25 once. Not a subscription. 30-day refund.

How it works