Section 3 of 7

Investment Planning

Investing doesn't have to be complicated, and this section is proof of that. From capturing your employer's free money to building a simple portfolio that works on autopilot, these tools give you everything you need to start and stay on track.

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Investment Growth Visualizer

See what time and consistency actually do to your money.

Compound interest is the most powerful force in personal finance, and starting early is the single biggest advantage young adults have. This tool shows you exactly what your money can become, and the cost of waiting even a few years to begin.

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Return on Every $1 Invested
7% is a reasonable assumption for a diversified stock index fund over a long time horizon, based on historical average returns adjusted for inflation. In any given year it will be higher or lower, but over 20–30 years, consistency matters far more than precision.
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401(k) Match Optimizer

Quantify the free money, and the cost of leaving it behind.

Your employer's 401(k) match is the closest thing to free money that exists in personal finance. If you're not contributing enough to capture the full match, you are turning down part of your compensation. This tool shows exactly what it's costing you, today and over time.

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How to read your match formula: "100% match up to 6% of salary" means: contribute 6%, get 6% free. "50% match up to 6% of salary" means: contribute 6%, get 3% free. In both cases, contributing less than the cap leaves money on the table.
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Simple Portfolio Builder

What to actually invest in, a simple low-cost starting point.

You do not need dozens of holdings to build a great portfolio. A simple 2–3 fund approach using low-cost index ETFs beats most actively managed funds over time, with less stress, lower fees, and near-zero maintenance. Tell us about your situation and get a concrete starting recommendation.

Not ready to build your own portfolio? Target-date funds are a great all-in-one option. Pick the fund whose year is closest to when you plan to retire (e.g., a 2060 fund if you plan to retire around 2060) and it automatically holds a diversified mix of stocks and bonds, adjusting to become more conservative as you approach that date. They cost a bit more than building your own portfolio but remove all the guesswork. They are offered in most 401(k) plans and can be purchased in an IRA as well.
ETFs vs. Mutual Funds: Both can track the same index, but ETFs trade like stocks. This matters because buying a Vanguard ETF on Fidelity is free, while buying a Vanguard Mutual Fund on Fidelity may trigger a transaction fee. When in doubt, use the ETF version of any index fund.
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Employer Benefits Evaluation Checklist

Open enrollment is one of the most financially important decisions of your year, treat it that way.

Most people spend 10 minutes on their benefits during open enrollment and click through without comparing options. The choices you make here can add up to tens of thousands of dollars over time. Use this checklist every year to make sure you're not leaving money on the table.

Retirement Benefits
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Know your 401(k) match formula exactly
e.g. "100% match up to 3% of salary" means: contribute 3%, get 3% free. Anything less leaves free money uncaptured.
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Confirm you're contributing enough to capture the full match
The #1 financial mistake young adults make at work, check your contribution percentage in your HR portal right now.
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Check if your employer offers a Roth 401(k) option
If offered, contributing to Roth 401(k) means tax-free growth, often the better choice early in your career when you're in a lower tax bracket.
Health Insurance
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Compare all available health plans, not just the one you had last year
Plan options and premiums change every year. Use the Health Insurance Plan Comparison tool above to model the real annual cost.
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Check if any plan is HSA-eligible
If your healthcare usage is low, an qualifying plan + HSA can beat a traditional plan on total annual cost while building a powerful tax-free investment account.
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Enroll in the FSA or HSA if available
FSA (Flexible Spending Account) is use-it-or-lose-it but still reduces your tax burden. HSA rolls over forever and can be invested.
Life & Disability Insurance Through Work
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Understand what life insurance your employer provides for free
Most employers offer 1–2x your annual salary in free life insurance. It's a start, but often not enough if others rely on your income. Use the Term Life Calculator above to know your gap.
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Confirm your disability coverage and what type it is
Check if it's own occupation or any occupation, what the replacement rate is (typically 60%), and what the elimination period is.
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Note that employer-provided insurance disappears if you change jobs
Group life and disability coverage is not portable. If you leave the job, the coverage goes with it. This is why having your own individual policies matters.
Other Benefits
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Check for dental and vision coverage, and actually use it
Preventive dental and annual vision are usually fully covered. Schedule those appointments, skipping them means you're paying for coverage and getting nothing.
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Look for EAP (Employee Assistance Program) benefits
Many employers offer free counseling sessions, financial coaching, and legal services through EAP programs. Most employees never use them.
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Update beneficiaries on all employer-sponsored accounts
Life insurance and retirement accounts pay directly to your named beneficiary, not based on your will. Update these whenever your life situation changes.