Investing 101
How to Start Investing in 2025: A Beginner's Guide for Americans
Getting started with investing can feel overwhelming, but it's a crucial step towards building long-term wealth. This guide breaks down the basics for Americans, from understanding stocks and bonds to opening your first brokerage account.
Read Full Article →Latest From Ezaka
Our newest guides and analysis to help you navigate your financial journey with confidence. This is where your new articles will appear.
Top 5 US Credit Cards for Travel Rewards This Year
Ready to make your travel dreams a reality? The right credit card can turn your everyday spending into free flights, hotel stays, and lounge access. But with so many options, how do you choose? We break down the top 5 travel rewards cards...
Read Full Article →Is Your 401(k) Working for You? A Mid-Year Checkup
Your 401(k) isn't a "set it and forget it" account. As we pass the halfway point of the year, it's the perfect time for a quick checkup. Are you contributing enough to get your full employer match? Are your investments still aligned with...
Read Full Article →High-Yield Savings Accounts in the USA: Where to Park Your Cash
If your emergency fund is sitting in a traditional savings account, you're losing money to inflation. High-Yield Savings Accounts (HYSAs) offer interest rates that are often 10-20 times higher than the national average, all while being FDIC-insured...
Read Full Article →What is an ETF? A Simple Guide for Beginners
You've heard the term "ETF," but what does it actually mean? An Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) is like a basket that holds dozens or even hundreds of different stocks or bonds. When you buy one share of an ETF, you get a small piece of...
Read Full Article →How to Build Credit from Scratch in the US
Trying to get an apartment or a car loan with no credit history can feel impossible. But how do you get credit when you don't have credit? It's a classic catch-22. The good news is, there are proven strategies to build your credit file...
Read Full Article →The 50/30/20 Budget Rule: How to Use It Effectively
Budgeting doesn't have to mean tracking every single penny. The 50/30/20 rule is a simple, flexible framework to manage your money. The idea is to divide your after-tax income into three categories: 50% for "Needs", 30% for "Wants", and...
Read Full Article →Roth IRA vs. Traditional IRA: Which is Better for You?
Both Roth and Traditional IRAs are powerful retirement savings accounts, but they have one massive difference: how they are taxed. With a Traditional IRA, you may get a tax deduction *today* on your contributions...
Read Full Article →The Debt Snowball vs. Debt Avalanche: Which Method is Best?
When you're ready to tackle your debt, two popular strategies emerge: the Snowball and the Avalanche. The Debt Snowball involves paying off your smallest debts first, giving you quick psychological wins to stay motivated...
Read Full Article →What is a FICO Score? Understanding Your Credit
Your FICO score is one of the most important numbers in your financial life. This three-digit score tells lenders how likely you are to repay a loan, influencing whether you get approved for a credit card, mortgage, or auto loan...
Read Full Article →What to Do When the Stock Market is Down
Seeing your investment account in the red is scary. When the stock market drops, the first instinct is often to panic and sell everything. This is almost always the worst thing you can do. Market downturns are a normal part of long-term investing...
Read Full Article →7 Common Investing Mistakes Beginners Make
Getting started in investing is the first and most important step. The second is avoiding the common pitfalls that trap new investors. From trying to "time the market" (buying low and selling high) to putting all your eggs in one basket...
Read Full Article →