Finance & Investing

When you think about Finance & Investing, the process of managing money to grow wealth over time through smart decisions and tools. Also known as personal finance and capital allocation, it's not about guessing markets—it's about understanding how money moves and where to put it so it works for you. Most people lose money before they even buy a stock because they don’t see the hidden costs, like the bid-ask spread, the difference between what buyers are willing to pay and what sellers want. This tiny gap can eat into your profits, especially in options trading, a type of derivative contract that gives you the right to buy or sell an asset at a set price. If you're trading options with low liquidity, how easily an asset can be bought or sold without changing its price, you’re paying more in spreads than you think. Market makers set these prices, and when there aren’t enough buyers and sellers, they widen the gap to protect themselves—and that’s on your dime.

Finance & Investing isn’t just about picking winners. It’s about managing risk, knowing when to wait, and understanding the tools you’re using. The options trading costs, all the fees, spreads, and commissions that reduce your net returns add up fast. Many traders focus only on the price of the option, but the real cost is often the spread they pay when entering and exiting. And if you’re trading infrequently or on small accounts, those costs can kill your edge. Liquidity isn’t just a buzzword—it’s your lifeline. High liquidity means tighter spreads, faster fills, and less slippage. Low liquidity? You’re basically gambling on the market maker’s mood.

What you’ll find here isn’t theory. It’s what actually happens when you trade options, what the pros watch for, and how regular people can avoid the traps. You’ll learn how time, moneyness, and volume affect your trades—not just in theory, but in your account balance. No fluff. No jargon. Just real insights from people who’ve been there. Whether you’re new to options or you’ve been trading for years but keep losing money on entry and exit, this collection gives you the tools to fix it. The posts below cover the exact issues you’re facing—because if you’re wondering about bid-ask spreads, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to keep paying for it.

Micaela Stein 8 December 2025 2
Bond Ladder + Equity Core: A Practical Guide to Income and Growth Investing

Bond Ladder + Equity Core: A Practical Guide to Income and Growth Investing

Combine a bond ladder for steady income with an equity core for long-term growth. Learn how this proven strategy helps retirees stay calm during market crashes while still growing wealth.

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Alan Bone 4 December 2025 4
How Interest Rates Affect Dividend Stock Valuations

How Interest Rates Affect Dividend Stock Valuations

Interest rates don't simply crush dividend stocks-they reshape them. Understanding how discount rates, dividend growth, and economic context interact is key to building a portfolio that thrives in any rate environment.

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Alan Bone 26 November 2025 5
Risk Assessment Quiz: Find Out Your True Risk Tolerance for Investing

Risk Assessment Quiz: Find Out Your True Risk Tolerance for Investing

Take a scientifically-backed risk assessment quiz to discover your true risk tolerance for investing. Learn how your emotional response to losses shapes your portfolio-and how to build one that lets you sleep at night.

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Alan Bone 22 November 2025 5
First-Time Investor Toolkit: Best Calculators, Screeners, and Alerts for Beginners

First-Time Investor Toolkit: Best Calculators, Screeners, and Alerts for Beginners

Learn how first-time investors can use free and paid calculators, screeners, and alerts to make smarter investment decisions without guesswork. Start simple, avoid common mistakes, and build confidence with the right tools.

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Alan Bone 21 November 2025 5
P/E vs PEG Ratio: How to Value Growth Stocks Without Getting Fooled

P/E vs PEG Ratio: How to Value Growth Stocks Without Getting Fooled

Learn how to use the P/E and PEG ratios together to avoid overpaying for growth stocks. Understand when high multiples are justified - and when they’re dangerous.

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Alan Bone 9 November 2025 4
MACD Indicator: How to Use the Trend-Following Tool for Better Trading Signals

MACD Indicator: How to Use the Trend-Following Tool for Better Trading Signals

Learn how the MACD indicator works as a trend-following tool to spot momentum shifts in financial markets. Understand its signals, common mistakes, and how to combine it with price action for better trading results.

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Micaela Stein 4 November 2025 5
Dividend-Paying Stocks vs Growth Stocks: Which Is Right for Your Portfolio?

Dividend-Paying Stocks vs Growth Stocks: Which Is Right for Your Portfolio?

Dividend-paying stocks offer regular income and lower volatility, while growth stocks aim for high capital gains. Learn which strategy fits your age, risk tolerance, and financial goals based on real performance data and expert insights.

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Alan Bone 2 November 2025 5
Callable Bonds and Putable Bonds: How Embedded Options Change Your Returns

Callable Bonds and Putable Bonds: How Embedded Options Change Your Returns

Callable bonds let issuers pay you back early; putable bonds let you force them to. Understand how these embedded options affect your yield, risk, and returns in today's fixed income market.

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Alan Bone 2 November 2025 4
Forward P/E vs Trailing P/E: Which One Actually Tells You More About a Stock

Forward P/E vs Trailing P/E: Which One Actually Tells You More About a Stock

Trailing P/E shows real past earnings; forward P/E guesses future profits. Learn when to use each, how analysts skew forecasts, and how top investors combine both to avoid costly mistakes.

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Alan Bone 2 November 2025 3
Tax Reporting from Brokers: Understanding 1099 Forms and Cost Basis

Tax Reporting from Brokers: Understanding 1099 Forms and Cost Basis

Understand how 1099-B forms from brokers report your stock sales and cost basis to the IRS. Learn what’s on the form, why it often gets wrong, and how to avoid costly tax mistakes.

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Micaela Stein 30 September 2025 5
Dividend Cut Risks: How to Spot When a Company Might Slash Its Dividend

Dividend Cut Risks: How to Spot When a Company Might Slash Its Dividend

Dividend cuts signal serious financial trouble and often lead to steep stock declines. Learn the key warning signs-payout ratios, cash flow, and safety scores-that help you avoid losing income and capital in dividend investing.

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Micaela Stein 30 September 2025 4
Dividend Cut Risks: How to Spot When a Company Might Slash Its Dividend

Dividend Cut Risks: How to Spot When a Company Might Slash Its Dividend

Dividend cuts signal serious financial trouble and often lead to big stock losses. Learn the three key metrics that predict cuts before they happen-and how to protect your income from dividend traps.

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