War Investing: Should You Change Your Portfolio Right Now?

War investing panic costs more than the war itself. Here's what history says to do with your money when markets drop from conflict.

War investing decisions made in the next 48 hours will either cost you significantly or cost you nothing, depending on what you do. Markets opened Monday down. Your portfolio is red. Your phone has been buzzing with alerts since Sunday night, and every headline is designed to make you feel like you need to act … Read more

Best Brokers for Simple Investing 2025

Find the best brokers for your 90/10 portfolio. Zero fees, fractional shares, and simple investing. Fidelity leads our tested rankings.

Best Brokers: Most people make choosing a brokerage harder than it needs to be. You don’t need complex trading platforms, expensive advisors, or 50 different account types. For the 90/10 portfolio strategy we use here at Simple Finance Bytes (90% VTI, 10% VBIL), you just need a broker that offers zero commission trades, supports fractional … Read more

Best FinTech Apps for 2025: Our Top 5

Discover the best fintech apps to pair with your credit union. Get APY, cash back, and zero fees. Complete guide to modern banking in 2025

You’ve got your local credit union for your emergency fund and face-to-face service. But that’s only half of the Simple Finance System’s financial foundation strategy. The other half? A modern FinTech app that gives you everything your credit union can’t: cutting-edge mobile apps, instant peer-to-peer payments, business account capabilities, and interest rates that actually compete … Read more

Robinhood Setup for Beginners: Everything You Need to Know

:earn a Robinhood setup for investing with our beginner guide. Simple steps to start building wealth with VTI and automatic investing.

Starting your investment journey shouldn’t require a finance degree or thousands of dollars. Yet most investment platforms make it feel exactly that complicated. Today we’re breaking down why Robinhood works so well for beginners and how to set up your account the right way. This is part of our Simple Finance System (SFS) Module 4, … Read more

The Perfect Banking Setup: Local Credit Union + Online Fintech Account

Introduction Finding the perfect banking setup can seem overwhelming. However, combining a local credit union with an online fintech account like PayPal or Robinhood Cash can be the ideal solution. This setup offers the best of both worlds: personalized local service and modern, convenient financial tools. Local Credit Union: Community-Focused Benefits Checking Accounts with No … Read more

The Two-ETF Triumph: Simple Investing for Busy Lives

Financial planning shouldn’t be a chore. But navigating a complex investment world can leave you feeling lost. What if you could achieve your financial goals with just two simple ETFs? Buckle up, because the two-ETF portfolio is here to revolutionize your investment strategy. Simple Yet Powerful: The two-ETF portfolio offers the perfect blend of diversification, … Read more

Simple Steps to Wealth: Why a Single ETF Portfolio is Your Secret Weapon

Financial planning can feel overwhelming. Picking stocks, managing sectors, and rebalancing – it’s enough to make anyone reach for a nap instead. But what if there was a way to achieve your financial goals with a single, simple investment? Enter the magic of a single ETF portfolio. The Beauty of One: Forget complex investment strategies. … Read more

Top 5 Friday: Our Favorite Brokerages

Finding the perfect brokerage is like finding the right pair of jeans – it depends on your style and what you need them for. Whether you’re a seasoned trader or a newbie dipping your toes in the investing pool, there’s a platform out there for you. Here’s our roundup of the top 5 brokerages, each … Read more

Saving vs Investing: Building Your Financial Future

Financial planning can feel overwhelming, but it boils down to two key concepts: saving and investing. While they might seem similar, understanding the distinct purposes of each is crucial for building a secure and prosperous future. Your financial independence and financial freedom are built from the ground up with saving and investing. Saving: Security and … Read more