Recommended
The recommendations below are products and services that I personally use or have vetted and endorse. If you have any questions about any of them, feel free to contact me. If you sign up or purchase some of these products I may be compensated at no additional cost to you. These referrals help to keep this blog running. I only endorse products and services that I would recommend to friends and family.
Money Tools
One of the most comprehensive
retirement calculators available to DIY investors.
Highly recommended. Try for free.
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Comprehensive online retirement calculator.
Input your numbers and see how secure
your retirement nest egg really is. FREE.
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High-Yield Savings
Find the current highest-yielding savings,
money market, and CD accounts
Low minimums. Always members FDIC-insured.
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Real Estate Crowdfunding
Invest in high-quality real estate. $500 minimum.
All investors qualify. Read my Fundrise review here.
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Excellent variety of asset types.
Diversified high-yield debt or equity.
$5,000 minimums (review)
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Online Stock Brokerages and Investing
M1 Finance is a commission-free online broker.
Build your ideal portfolio – fund it over time.
Automatic rebalancing. Read my review here.
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TradeStation is a top broker for IPOs
and high-volume traders. Commission-free.
Excellent desktop and mobile interfaces.
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Public is a great online broker from long-term
buy-and-hold investors. Buy other assets
and see how your peers invest.
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Mutual funds and online broker.
My oldest account tracing back to 1998,
now consolidating accounts here.
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Robin Hood is a no-fee brokerage.
Trade stocks on mobile, pay nothing.
Yes, totally free.
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Blogging Resources
The best site for buying Domains.
Get dot-com, dot-org, or whatever your need.
Find your perfect domain or purchase from owners
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Popular blog hosting platform. Affordable
domain hosting to launch your business.
Learn how to start an online business.
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An easy-to-use email marketing software
for amateur and professional bloggers.
Helps grow your list and engage with readers.
Learn More →
A top affiliate program platform
to help build your online business.
Check out additional blogging resources here.
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THE place to find help
for your online business. Cheap logo design
website help, side gigs and more.
Learn More →
Perfect your writing with Grammarly.
Catch misspelled words and atrocious grammar
BEFORE you hit the publish button!
Learn More →
Taxes
Craig is a former IT professional who left his 19-year career to be a full-time finance writer. A DIY investor since 1995, he started Retire Before Dad in 2013 as a creative outlet to share his investment portfolios. Craig studied Finance at Michigan State University and lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and three children. Read more.
Favorite tools and investment services right now:
Sure Dividend — Research dividend stocks with free downloads (review):
- Dividend Kings — 50+ stocks that have increased dividends for 50+ years.
- Monthly Dividend Stocks — List of 70+ stocks that pay a dividend every month.
- Dividend Champions — 140+ stocks that have increased dividends for 25+ years.
Fundrise — Simple real estate and venture capital investing for as little as $10. (review)
Boldin (NewRetirement) — Spreadsheets are insufficient. Get serious about building financial confidence. (review)
M1 Finance — A top online broker for long-term investors and dividend reinvestment. (review)