{"id":1256,"date":"2023-12-18T09:28:08","date_gmt":"2023-12-18T09:28:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wcginc.com\/?p=1256"},"modified":"2026-01-26T16:36:37","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T16:36:37","slug":"crash-course-on-investing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wcginc.com\/blog\/crash-course-on-investing\/","title":{"rendered":"Crash Course on Investing"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row][vc_column]\t\t\t<div class=\"info-box-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"wd-68b56c422ee63\" class=\" wd-rs-68b56c422ee63 wd-info-box wd-wpb text-left box-icon-align-top box-style- color-scheme- wd-bg-none border-btm-title \">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"info-box-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"info-box-inner reset-last-child\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"overview\">\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Takeaways\"><\/span>Key Takeaways<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Investment account types:<\/b> Taxable brokerage accounts, traditional retirement accounts (IRAs, 401Ks, SEP IRAs), and Roth accounts; each has different tax implications and contribution limits.<\/li>\n<li><b>Taxable brokerage accounts:<\/b> No upfront tax benefits, but capital gains and qualified dividends are taxed at favorable rates; no contribution limits and easy access to funds.<\/li>\n<li><b>Traditional retirement accounts:<\/b> Contributions are tax-deductible now, but withdrawals in retirement are taxed; limited contributions and withdrawal rules apply.<\/li>\n<li><b>Roth retirement accounts:<\/b> Contributions are after-tax, but withdrawals are tax-free; same contribution and withdrawal limits as traditional accounts.<\/li>\n<li><b>Types of investments inside accounts:<\/b> Money market funds, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and index funds.<\/li>\n<li><b>Money market funds:<\/b> Hold cash safely until ready to invest; earn interest like a bank account.<\/li>\n<li><b>Stocks:<\/b> Buying a piece of a company; high potential returns but volatile.<\/li>\n<li><b>Bonds:<\/b> Lending money to a company; more stable, lower returns.<\/li>\n<li><b>Mutual funds:<\/b> Pooled investments managed by professionals; charges an expense ratio for management.<\/li>\n<li><b>Index funds:<\/b> Passive mutual funds that track market indices like the S&amp;P 500; low expense ratios and historically strong long-term returns.<\/li>\n<li><b>Long-term perspective:<\/b> S&amp;P 500 has averaged ~10% return since 1928; timing and patience matter.<\/li>\n<li><b>Expert advice:<\/b> Following guidance from seasoned investors like Warren Buffett can simplify decision-making.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"info-box-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"wd-6850143ebba20\" class=\" wd-rs-6850143ebba20 wd-info-box wd-wpb text-left box-icon-align-top box-style- color-scheme- wd-bg-none border-btm-title img-right \">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"info-box-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"info-box-inner reset-last-child\"><p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-26066\" src=\"https:\/\/wcginc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Crash-Course-on-Investing-1.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wcginc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Crash-Course-on-Investing-1.webp 300w, https:\/\/wcginc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Crash-Course-on-Investing-1-150x150.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>You\u2019ve decided to open that retirement plan personally or through your small business \u2013 what now? Or maybe your friends at WCG created some tax savings that you would like to put to work.<\/p>\n<p>The world of investing sounds like a foreign language when listening to most financial advisors. At WCG we like to keep things simple. Let\u2019s dive into a crash course on basic investing terminology.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<style><\/style>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"info-box-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"wd-6850142beba8e\" class=\" wd-rs-6850142beba8e wd-info-box wd-wpb text-left box-icon-align-top box-style- color-scheme- wd-bg-none border-btm-title img-right \">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"info-box-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"info-box-title title wd-font-weight-800 box-title-style-default font-primary wd-fontsize-m\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Types_of_Investment_Accounts\"><\/span>Types of Investment Accounts<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"info-box-inner reset-last-child\"><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Taxable_Brokerage_Accounts\"><\/span><strong>Taxable Brokerage Accounts<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>As the name suggests, this account does not provide any tax advantages. The general population will brush this account off and move on to the tax advantaged account (which we will discuss next). As tax accountants, we would like to highlight the upsides. This investment account allows you to take advantage of \u201cCapital Gain\u201d tax rates, assuming you hold the investments for longer than one year before selling. Most dividends become \u201cqualified\u201d after holding the investment for longer than 60 days, meaning they are also taxed at \u201cCapital Gain\u201d tax rates. The taxable brokerage account also does not have contribution limits and money can be withdrawn anytime without penalties \u2013 woo-hoo!<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Traditional_Retirement_Accounts\"><\/span><strong>Traditional Retirement Accounts<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>This bucket includes accounts such as IRAs, 401Ks, and SEP IRAs just to name a few. Money contributed to these accounts becomes a tax deduction, sounds amazing right? Well not so fast. This money will be taxed later down the road when withdrawals are made from the retirement account. These accounts have limitations on the amount that can be contributed and have limitations as to when money can be withdrawn.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Roth_Retirement_Accounts\"><\/span><strong>Roth Retirement Accounts<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>This bucket also includes IRAs and 401Ks and has similar restrictions on contributions amounts and when the money can be withdrawn, like traditional IRAs and 401Ks. With Roth accounts, contributions do not become tax deductions, but the withdrawals are TAX FREE! One question we like to ask is \u201cIs it easier to pay tax now or later down the road?\u201d To ask it differently, \u201cIs it easier to work more now or when you are older?\u201d We will let you ponder that question.<\/p>\n<p>Check out one of our past articles discussing Roth vs Traditional 401K considerations (see button below).<\/p>\n<p>Phewwwwww that was a lot of work to decide which account to open. Now that you have one, how do you invest inside of the account? Generally, 401Ks through major employers have pre-selected options to choose from. As a DIY investor or small business owner, you will have the world at your fingertips (sounds scary but we have some tips). Here is some help with what you will see inside of your account.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<style><\/style>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t[vc_row_inner equal_height=&#8221;yes&#8221; content_placement=&#8221;middle&#8221; el_id=&#8221;getting-started&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1728658184377{padding: 30px !important;background-color: #F4F1E8 !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}&#8221; woodmart_css_id=&#8221;67093aa4d95c5&#8243; responsive_spacing=&#8221;eyJwYXJhbV90eXBlIjoid29vZG1hcnRfcmVzcG9uc2l2ZV9zcGFjaW5nIiwic2VsZWN0b3JfaWQiOiI2NzA5M2FhNGQ5NWM1Iiwic2hvcnRjb2RlIjoidmNfcm93X2lubmVyIiwiZGF0YSI6eyJ0YWJsZXQiOnt9LCJtb2JpbGUiOnt9fX0=&#8221; mobile_bg_img_hidden=&#8221;no&#8221; tablet_bg_img_hidden=&#8221;no&#8221; woodmart_parallax=&#8221;0&#8243; woodmart_gradient_switch=&#8221;no&#8221; woodmart_box_shadow=&#8221;no&#8221; wd_z_index=&#8221;no&#8221; woodmart_disable_overflow=&#8221;0&#8243; row_reverse_mobile=&#8221;0&#8243; row_reverse_tablet=&#8221;0&#8243;][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;4\/12&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;44295&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221; parallax_scroll=&#8221;no&#8221; woodmart_inline=&#8221;no&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;8\/12&#8243;]\t\t\t<div class=\"info-box-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"wd-681457388ce51\" class=\" wd-rs-681457388ce51 wd-info-box wd-wpb text-left box-icon-align-top box-style- color-scheme- wd-bg-none with-btn box-btn-static \">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"info-box-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"info-box-title title wd-font-weight-800 box-title-style-default font-primary wd-fontsize-m\">Roth v Traditional<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"info-box-inner reset-last-child\"><p>Learn about different types of investments like stocks and money market funds for your 401K.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"info-btn-wrapper\"><div id=\"wd-6a31cf5ef002a\" class=\"  wd-button-wrapper text-left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wcginc.com\/kb\/roth-401k-versus-traditional-401k-considerations\/\" title=\"\" class=\"btn btn-style-default btn-shape-rectangle btn-size-default\">Learn More<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<style><\/style>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t[\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner]\t\t\t<div class=\"info-box-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"wd-67308f2cf2eb1\" class=\" wd-rs-67308f2cf2eb1 wd-info-box wd-wpb text-left box-icon-align-top box-style- color-scheme- wd-bg-none border-btm-title \">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"info-box-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"info-box-title title wd-font-weight-800 box-title-style-default font-primary wd-fontsize-m\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Types_of_Investments\"><\/span>Types of Investments<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"info-box-inner reset-last-child\"><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Money_Market_Funds\"><\/span><strong>Money Market Funds<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-26067\" src=\"https:\/\/wcginc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Crash-Course-on-Investing2.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" \/>Money market funds are where the cash you contribute to your account will sit until you purchase investments. Many people think that contributing to their 401K means investing and this is not true. While some 401Ks do automatically purchase investments for you, others may not. Which means you actively need to log in and check for yourself. Money market funds typically earn interest like a savings account at a bank.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Stocks\"><\/span><strong>Stocks<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>When you purchase a single stock, you are purchasing a piece of that company. Your returns come from dividend payments and increases in the fair market value of the stock. Ever heard someone say, \u201cI bought a share of Apple\u201d? This is what they are referring to. Single stocks tend to be very volatile, meaning one day the value increases a lot and then falls back down soon after. This volatility may yield higher returns over time.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bonds\"><\/span><strong>Bonds<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>When you purchase a bond, you are essentially lending money to that company. Your returns come from interest payments and the return of principal. The value of the bond itself can rise and fall with the rise and fall of interest rates. Generally, bonds tend to be more stable than stocks. This stability yields lower returns.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mutual_Funds\"><\/span><strong>Mutual Funds<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A mutual fund is an easy way to own a basket of stocks without the hassle of picking them yourself. Due to someone else\u2019s hard work, mutual funds will charge something known as an \u201cexpense ratio\u201d. This is the fee charged for someone or something else picking the basket of stocks you will invest in. Like single stocks, you will purchase \u201cshares\u201d of the mutual fund which contains many different stocks. Your returns will come from dividend payments and an increase in the fair market value of the mutual fund shares.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Index_Funds\"><\/span><strong>Index Funds<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A popular term being thrown around recently is \u201cIndex Funds\u201d, and no these don\u2019t have anything to do with index cards. Index Funds are Mutual Funds that base their holdings off established stock or bond market indices. Ever heard of the S&amp;P 500 or the Dow Jones? Please say yes\u2026<\/p>\n<p>You can buy an S&amp;P 500 Index Fund, which means the holdings of this mutual fund will mirror the S&amp;P 500 Index. Weren\u2019t we taught that being a copycat was a bad idea? When it comes to index funds, not so much. This is the reason index funds have lower expense ratios than typical mutual funds. Mutual funds with human fund managers will have expense rations between 0.5 \u2013 1.0%. Index funds will have expense ratios between 0.04 \u2013 0.2%.<\/p>\n<p>We won\u2019t get too nerdy here, but over a long-term investment horizon, the difference in expense ratios of 0.04% and 1.0% can have a material effect on your investment returns.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<style><\/style>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"info-box-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"wd-673089fa3cea6\" class=\" wd-rs-673089fa3cea6 wd-info-box wd-wpb text-left box-icon-align-top box-style- color-scheme- wd-bg-none border-btm-title \">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"info-box-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"info-box-title title wd-font-weight-800 box-title-style-default font-primary wd-fontsize-m\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Wrap_It_Up\"><\/span>Wrap It Up<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"info-box-inner reset-last-child\"><p>To throw in a published fact practically anywhere investing related, the average return of the S&amp;P 500 since inception is just under 10%. This time horizon is from around 1928 to the present day. Keep in mind that entering the stock market and exiting at different times will have effects on your personal rates of return.<\/p>\n<p>Now that you have your basics of investing covered, we would like to leave you with a parting thought. Ever heard of someone by the name of Warren Buffet? He is arguably the greatest investor to walk the face of the earth. At the time this article was written, he was number 5 on the list of richest people in the world worth around $120 billion. Warren Buffet has been a strong advocate of investing in an S&amp;P 500 index fund for years. If you don\u2019t know anything about investing, you might want to think about Warren Buffet\u2019s advice.<\/p>\n<p>Feel free to reach out to your friends at WCG CPAs &amp; Advisors with any general investing questions you may have. As a disclaimer, we must state that this article is not investment advice, nor are we registered investment advisors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<style><\/style>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"info-box-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"wd-67308a01af8aa\" class=\" wd-rs-67308a01af8aa wd-info-box wd-wpb text-left box-icon-align-top box-style- color-scheme- wd-bg-none border-btm-title \">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"info-box-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"info-box-title title wd-font-weight-800 box-title-style-default font-primary wd-fontsize-m\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Not_Investment_Advice\"><\/span>Not Investment Advice<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"info-box-inner reset-last-child\"><p>Our content is intended to be used and must be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment based on your own personal circumstances. You should take independent financial advice form a professional in connection with, or independently research and verify, any information that you find on our website and wish to rely upon, whether for the purpose of making an investment decision or otherwise.<\/p>\n<p><em>Matt Anderson, CPA is a Tax Supervisor for WCG CPAs &amp; Advisors, a business consultation and tax preparation CPA firm located in Colorado Springs, Colorado.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<style><\/style>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"info-box-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"wd-68b56c8254678\" class=\" wd-rs-68b56c8254678 wd-info-box wd-wpb text-left box-icon-align-top box-style- color-scheme- wd-bg-none border-btm-title faqs-wrap \">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"info-box-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"info-box-title title box-title-style-default wd-fontsize-m\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"info-box-inner reset-last-child\"><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_a_taxable_brokerage_account\"><\/span>What is a taxable brokerage account?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>An investment account with no tax advantages but flexibility and favorable long-term capital gains treatment.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_traditional_retirement_accounts_work\"><\/span>How do traditional retirement accounts work?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Contributions are tax-deductible now, but withdrawals in retirement are taxed.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_benefit_of_a_Roth_account\"><\/span>What is the benefit of a Roth account?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Contributions are taxed upfront, but withdrawals in retirement are tax-free.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_money_market_funds\"><\/span>What are money market funds?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Safe cash-holding accounts within your investment account that earn interest.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_stocks_differ_from_bonds\"><\/span>How do stocks differ from bonds?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Stocks represent ownership with higher risk and potential returns; bonds are loans with steadier, lower returns.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_a_mutual_fund\"><\/span>What is a mutual fund?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A professionally managed collection of stocks and\/or bonds that you can buy as shares.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_index_funds\"><\/span>What are index funds?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Funds that mirror a market index, offering low costs and broad market exposure.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_do_expense_ratios_matter\"><\/span>Why do expense ratios matter?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Lower fees compound over time, significantly impacting long-term returns.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_historical_average_return_of_the_S_P_500\"><\/span>What is the historical average return of the S&amp;P 500?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Approximately 10% per year since 1928, before adjusting for inflation.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Should_I_follow_expert_investing_advice\"><\/span>Should I follow expert investing advice?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Learning from experienced investors like Warren Buffett can help simplify decisions, but always consider your personal circumstances.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t[\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner equal_height=&#8221;yes&#8221; content_placement=&#8221;middle&#8221; el_id=&#8221;getting-started&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1728658184377{padding: 30px !important;background-color: #F4F1E8 !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}&#8221; woodmart_css_id=&#8221;67093aa4d95c5&#8243; responsive_spacing=&#8221;eyJwYXJhbV90eXBlIjoid29vZG1hcnRfcmVzcG9uc2l2ZV9zcGFjaW5nIiwic2VsZWN0b3JfaWQiOiI2NzA5M2FhNGQ5NWM1Iiwic2hvcnRjb2RlIjoidmNfcm93X2lubmVyIiwiZGF0YSI6eyJ0YWJsZXQiOnt9LCJtb2JpbGUiOnt9fX0=&#8221; mobile_bg_img_hidden=&#8221;no&#8221; tablet_bg_img_hidden=&#8221;no&#8221; woodmart_parallax=&#8221;0&#8243; woodmart_gradient_switch=&#8221;no&#8221; woodmart_box_shadow=&#8221;no&#8221; wd_z_index=&#8221;no&#8221; woodmart_disable_overflow=&#8221;0&#8243;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":44339,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[18],"class_list":["post-1256","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","tag-tax-planning"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.8 (Yoast SEO v27.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Crash Course on Investing - Investing Basics - WCG CPAs &amp; Advisors<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"You&#039;ve opened that solo 401k plan. Now what? Do you put money into a Roth IRA or a traditional IRA? Here is a crash course on investing in 1200 words.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/wcginc.com\/blog\/crash-course-on-investing\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Crash Course on Investing\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"You&#039;ve opened that solo 401k plan. Now what? Do you put money into a Roth IRA or a traditional IRA? 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