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Understand money and investing, in order
Behavior and fundamentals first, then a simple, durable investing approach.
1
Money & behavior
BeginnerGet the mindset right before the mechanics
▸ Study plan for this stage
Pace: 2 weeks
Key concepts
- Compounding
- Saving rate vs returns
- Automating good decisions
You should be able to answer
- What is my saving rate?
- Which money behaviors do I want to change?
Practice
- Set up automatic transfers to savings/investing
Next up: With behavior handled, you can pick a simple long-term investing approach.
Morgan Housel · 2020 · 289 pp
Why behavior beats spreadsheets — the right first book on money.
Ramit Sethi · 2009 · 272 pp
A concrete system for automating your finances.
2
Investing simply
IntermediateAdopt a low-cost, long-term investing strategy
▸ Study plan for this stage
Pace: 3–4 weeks
Key concepts
- Index funds
- Asset allocation
- Fees and their long-term drag
You should be able to answer
- Why do most active investors underperform?
- What allocation fits my timeline?
Practice
- Write a one-page investment policy statement
Next up: You have a durable plan — the rest is patience.
J. L. Collins · 2000 · 289 pp
The clearest case for low-cost index investing.
Burton Gordon Malkiel · 1973 · 440 pp
The deeper, evidence-based argument for why simple wins.
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Financial planning career: an ordered reading list to break in
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